Sam Caplan Silences the Critics
By Brandt DeLorenzo on Jun 02, 2008
Since the blowup of MMA, the blogosphere of MMA news and opinion has grown significantly. This growth has exposed many of the hardcore MMA fans to an even larger influx of MMA newcomers (affectionally termed TUF Noobs on many forums) who seem to either request kicks to a downed opponent or a mass ban of “Ultimate Fighting” in the United States. So it’s nothing new to hear the so-called MMA elitist writers and commenters to go completely crazy over controversy or a difference of opinion. I experience that mentality often on the site, and although it doesn’t bother me the least bit if someone disagrees, it really makes me wonder if I should even continue giving readers the ability to comment on the articles written by people who are taking time out of their personal lives to provide some commentary on the sport of MMA. Sam Caplan is a great writer and this article is the reason why he does so well in the blogosphere world with his site, Five Ounces of Pain. Here’s what Caplan had to say about the internet fallout from the EliteXC event.
One thing that really disgusts me is when knuckleheads run to their keyboard and make serious accusations with absolutely no proof. If you’re not happy with something, go ahead and express your opinion. However, accusing someone of taking a dive or accepting a payoff when you have absolutely no proof — or even logic — to back you up is completely over the line. But hey, this is the Internet, where there is no line.
Well said. Here’s more.
But after reading a lot of comments here and other places along with e-mails I received, I wonder where our collective ability to debate has gone? People can’t make a point without making some sort of blanket accusation or personal attack.
I’m surprised nobody has threatened to e-fight me yet. I have had one reader threaten to never read the site again because I wrote an article about CBS Saturday Night Fights and my opinion didn’t match his.
And finally, to stop all this talk about Dan Miragliotta “fixing” fights as an employee of NJACB; not EliteXC, CBS, or Gary Shaw’s personal assistant.
People need to sober up and cut out this “fix” talk. Dan Miragliotta is not on the take. He just had a bad night. The Joey Villasenor vs. Phil Baroni stoppage was early, as was the main event. But maybe he’s not entirely to blame. NJACB always has had a strong track record of acting in the best interests of a fighter. However, perhaps it was possible they were even more cautious than usual on Saturday because they knew the event was under a microscope.
Thank you, Sam Caplan. You gave me rewed hope that I am not going insane when I was trying to balance my thoughts on an event only to be attacked over and over by anonymous internet commenters.
So readers, take Caplan’s advice and by all means, express your opinion! But remember, just because you don’t agree with an opinion, it doesn’t give you the right to attack everyone else. I know my site doesn’t break much news, but its a place for writers to share ideas and converse via comments with the readers. It’s fun so let’s keep it that way. Fair enough?
Filed Under: MMA in Media • Other MMA
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I watch a lot of MMA.
Elite/CBS shouldnt’ be crucified. Does anyone remeber how log we waited in between fights during those early UFC PPV’s. Network TV is a lot different than cable, way more people involved about what they think should be done. Take basketball for instance. How long does it take to finish the last 2min of a game?
Is it really a shocker to Hardcore fans that Kimbo gassed out early? It was a shocker to see Kimbo do everything he actually knew at this point not get knocked out when taken to the ground against a seasoned MMA fighter.
Yes the commentating was annoying. But, you have to say the event was definately entertaining. Isn’t that what we all tuned in for anyway?
Brandt, the name calling throughout the web forums and blogs gets crazy.
“You must be ignorant if you don’t understand the nuanced style of Machida!!!”
“You’re crazy, GSP will own Anderson Silva.”
“Fedor, you troll!”
etc.
People tend to overlook the fact that since the UFC and other organizations decided to go mainstream with state regulations then MMA must deal with some of the rules and regulations of boxing. Dana White can not control the quality of fights during the TUF events or the outcome of a fight like GSP-Serra I or II.
Too many people take themselves way too seriously as fans of MMA. While the Slice/Thompson stoppage may appear suspect, some people recall that some fights were stopped while two fighters were standing. It’s up to the discretion of the referee.
And hey, if I ever said something out of character, although I doubt it
, I apologize. Keep the good site going!
Michael,
Should they be crucified…not really (but they are anyway).
The problem was between the fights we weren’t given highlights, or fight previews, or hype…we had dancing girls and Busta….
I wouldn’t call Thompson seasoned… He may have had several fights…. Jeremy Horn is seasoned!
Thanks Vee! Keep coming back…and don’t forget we are always looking for writers!
Just wanted to say I’m proud of Brandt for maintaining his blog and making it look so good. Not only that, the guy really wants the site to grow and MMA fans to have a voice, which is something I question for myself and many others half the time. He actually took the time to respond to “blah blag4564″ screen names and childish taunts, when I’d have long given up or simply said “here’s my address, give me yours. I don’t wanna fight, I’d just like to see if you’d say all this in person”. He’s a cool head, that Brandt.
So good job Brandt and keep it up. Just for those that don’t understand the man raises two kids and juggles his schedule for everyone. And he does NOT make a bunch of money off the site or make it his job. He’s actually doing it for the people that treated him like dirt for an opinion/different take on a TV show. There is of course, that other percentage who Brandt does it for, and that is the people who come here just to get a few guys takes on what’s good and bad about MMA, and respectfully converse. So thank you to al those people because I know first hand Brandt appreciates it.
Oh, and to Josh, Curtis, and the rest (I’m gonna go ahead and group myself in here too since I’m speaking for my pal-o-mine Brandt:) – Brandt appreciates the staff alot too and totally understands when you can and can’t write anything. Didn’t wanna leave that out because he’ll talk about articles everyone writes some days to me and say “so-and so had an interesting take” or “did you read this, new guy” or “he’s been here for a bit, read him, he does this well”.
John,
Thanks man. Being appreciated is always nice.
Having been recently called out myself on some less than tactful commenting I’ve come to realize how many “hardcores” have become so carried away with throwing out insults and opinions, no matter how outlandish or unreasonable, because of the anonymity and relative safety that sitting behind a keyboard offers. I’ve danced that line a few times and have been recently called out on that. That, in combination with the massive uproar over EliteXC’s debut made me realize how carried away we are getting with our online reactions. At the end of the day the sport is only a form of entertainment- whether you watch it or participate in it- with the exception of minority who pay their bills by it. Mixed Martial Arts, the UFC, EliteXC, Pride etc. are not going to solve world hunger, realign the stars etc. There’s certainly a lot of respect and honor that is deserved by the combatants and we’ve gotten carried away with the harsh critique of them- and the people who write about them. I couldn’t help but feel relieved that the UFC is what it is after watching the EliteXC show. And even with that said- I thought the EliteXC show was pretty entertaining (just not as good as the UFC). Questionable stoppages? Sure! Did it get me and my buddies off the couch yelling at the TV and having a great time? Absolutely! Better yet, the pricetag was $0.
Anyway- intelligent discussion- as called for by many bloggers needs to be the norm. You guys are doing a good job at it so far and I’ll try to do the same.
Chuck,
Great point!
There are times that it is better to stop and smell the roses. although I still feel the show was far from impressive and Bush League compared to the UFC, it did have me cheering as Kimbo continuously blocked those elbows with his face (not a goo tactic if I may say so) and I found myself pulling for our favorite Crush in Carano.
In the end the EliteXC event was not bad for the sport. It is drawing so many negative hits from the die hards and regular viewers, but think about how many new MMA viewers there are.
It is a bug….. we have all caught it, hopefully because of the show many others did too….
Again, great point Chuck!
I think the EliteXC controversy just highlighted the MMA community’s most annoying characteristic: asshole hardcore fans who think they are the gate-keepers for the mystical world of “real” MMA fans. Fueled by the anonymity a computer screen can provide, these blow-hards try to control all of the forums and commenting sections on blogs. Unfortunately, the small sample that Vee provided above sounds like a friendly conversation compared to what you typically hear. Fightlinker actually had the perfect characterization of these “hardcore fans” – they are the type of guys who would get a hot girlfriend and lock her up in the apartment and keep feeding her to get her fat so she’ll never leave him (paraphrasing).
However, this trend isn’t unique to the MMA community. Same thing in other sports communities and in online political communities.