On a recent ESPN SportsCenter, all around show killer and resident valley low-life Joe Rogan, of the Fear Factor Rogan's, got into a verbal sparring match with boxing promoter Lou Dibella over the recent rise in popularity. Now I am not a fan of Dibella and his ilk, mainly his partner Don King, but I do agree with him and others in the boxing world like Bernard Hopkins that mixed martial arts (MMA) is nothing short of barbarism by another name, or "human cock fighting" as it was put by Dibella. This statement, to which Rogan responded with his usual ADHD response to everything he disagrees with.
There is no doubt that MMA is very popular with the WWE crowd, and the Spike TV show Ultimate Fighter has raked in the viewers with it's realistic tales of steroided out wannabe cage fighters that were abused as children or recovering from some addiction. I get that. What I don't get is how this brutal sport has the big guys like ESPN and Colin Cowherd obsessed enough to report match outcomes and have it's own weekly updated on Monday mornings. What's next, Arena Football League games on national television?
With regards to ESPN, it has decided pro bowling isn't enough and needs another niche sport to deliver content during the crucial 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM time period during the week. I can just see it now, MMA Tonight with Rogan and Randy Couture immediately following the three show mini poker marathon and dance cheerleading championships. After a couple of shows it will probably be able to lead into Rome is Burning. ESPN, desperate to fill the time spot left vacant by Quite Frankly with Stephan A. Smith, will finally give it the 2:30 PM eastern slot. Colin Cowherd will have his Daily Football Fix section augmented with MMA analysis by Chuck Liddell, and ESPNews will surely give us the Beatdown immediately following the Blitz.
Of course all this is said in jest, however the sudden acceptance of what at one time amounted to the thunderdome, 2 man enter - one man leaves, is extremely disturbing in these times. Violence and the portrayal of violence is on the incline, TV is bombarded with shows looking to push the envelope by depicting more portrayals of murders, rape, and aggravated assault. Hey, don't get me wrong, I loved it when Joey Pants got what was coming to him from Tony Soprano and Christopher Moltasanti. However it is a bit disturbing when a guy puts another guy's mouth on a step and proceeds to go American History X on him with a swift curbing depiction, as seen on the afore mentioned television drama. Not very Kosher when teeth go flying all over place.
We are however living in a time when there is actually a debate about whether or not Michael Vick, Atlanta Falcon quarterback, should be suspended, arrested, or just forgiven for his involvement in a dog fighting ring. Not only did he own the house where his thuged out relatives raised and mistreated dogs for fighting, but recent reports have him as actually participating in the fights by organizing matches, watching fights, and placing bets on winners. Apparently it wasn't enough for Vick to be brain dead on the field, he actually had to be a bigger idiot off.
So Rogan not withstanding, I just don't get this latest fad in sports. MMA today is just like the situation a few years ago when everyone became a Texas Hold 'Em expert after Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker. Access to this niche sport has made it easy for the average moron to try to get into the arena. In a way, I support these mouth breathers' decisions to get their ass kicked on a regular basis. Why couldn't we place video cameras and watch in demand video of the office "martial artist," yes that means you C.T., getting another appendage broken by some meathead. Talk about entertaining, that's right up there with drunk chair throwing at the local mexican styled bar. I digress, but the point remains. What was the F'n point again?
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