Sunday, November 16, 2008
The Next Big Thing
It doesn't seem right that a guy with a 3-1 record in mixed martial arts competition is now the heavyweight champion, but Brock Lesnar hardly took the "normal" route to get to where he is today.It wasn't so long ago that Lesnar was the newest WWE sensation, winning the world title at the young age of 25 by beating "Do you smell what I'm cooking?" The Rock back in 2002 before Rocky headed off to Hollywood. The sky was the limit for this guy, but as time wore on he decided being a full-time pro wrestler wasn't enough. He quit the WWE in 2004 in attempts to join the NFL; he had played football in high school, but opted to pursue amateur wrestling while going to college. It was a smart move at the time: He was an NCAA champion and finished with an impressive 106-5 record. Vince McMahon came a callin' pretty quick, and Lesnar quickly signed on.
But I admire his competitive desire. Making the Minnesota Vikings roster would be an extremely difficult task, highlighted by the fact he hadn't played football in years, but he still gave it a shot. He was offered a spot on Minnesota's NFL Europe team, but he decided it would be too long a time to be away from family. He could have easily come back on his hands and knees and asked Vince for his old job back, but he didn't. He did wrestle the odd independent show in Japan, but he wanted to cause a bigger stir by entering the world of MMA.
There were a lot of doubts about how a "fake" wrestler would fare, but many forgot his legitimate NCAA wrestling background, not to mention his 260 pound frame (cutting back 30 pounds as per UFC rules) and the fact he is so agile for a big man. He lost his first UFC fight to former champ Frank Mir, his inexperience exposed but his raw ability showed the world he was no joke. Two fights later, the biggest card in UFC history fighting legend Randy Couture in the main event and beating him in two rounds by TKO. The championship belt is now firmly around his waist.
It will take a few more fights to realistically know where Lesnar stands amongst the best of the UFC, but his desire to be the best is something we can all admire. He could have very easily stayed in the WWE: fame and fortune were already his, and he would be one of the few wrestlers who didn't have to worry about a random firing. Even when he tried out for the Vikings and didn't make it, he still sought other goals. He had a fire in him to accomplish more: I respect that, and I admire Brock now more than I did before. The world is in the palm of his hands, and I can't wait to see how his future unfolds.
# posted by SBP : 6:44 PM
Comments:
<< Home
Hunh. I kinda assumed that because he beat Rocky and hadn't really earned that title shot, that you wouldn't be that big of a fan...
Dunno what his motivations are, but he kinda sounds like a quitter to me. I also don't know the circumstances with WWE, but I don't think it's as much fame or fortune as you make it out to be. Aren't these guys on the road 300 days a year? So, he left that life and decided to try to get on with an NFL team. Getting a tryout for an NFL team is TOUGH, and the NFL Europe teams were seen as feeder/developmental opportunities. If he'd shown some good skills and put in his time, he could have had a chance at a few camps the next season. But he didn't do that... Enter the UFC, where, after only a handful of fights, he gets a title shot.
Unless it's golf or curling, I'm not sure a 45-year-old title holder brings a heck of a lot of credibility to a sport anyways. So I guess we can congratulate him, but until he successfully defends his title once or twice, and does so in a reasonable amount of time, I think I'll reserve the right to be skeptical about his passion for it.
Dunno what his motivations are, but he kinda sounds like a quitter to me. I also don't know the circumstances with WWE, but I don't think it's as much fame or fortune as you make it out to be. Aren't these guys on the road 300 days a year? So, he left that life and decided to try to get on with an NFL team. Getting a tryout for an NFL team is TOUGH, and the NFL Europe teams were seen as feeder/developmental opportunities. If he'd shown some good skills and put in his time, he could have had a chance at a few camps the next season. But he didn't do that... Enter the UFC, where, after only a handful of fights, he gets a title shot.
Unless it's golf or curling, I'm not sure a 45-year-old title holder brings a heck of a lot of credibility to a sport anyways. So I guess we can congratulate him, but until he successfully defends his title once or twice, and does so in a reasonable amount of time, I think I'll reserve the right to be skeptical about his passion for it.
# posted by 
: 9:06 AM, November 17, 2008
: 9:06 AM, November 17, 2008
As far as your thoughts on Lesnar I completely agree. Once he finds something else to get more attention or whatever it is he is seeking then I am sure he will attempt that route. That being said if he proves to stay with the sport becomes a seasoned fighter and puts up the title anytime someone wants the chance then I would start respecting him as a fighter. TO be honest I really wanted to see Coture win for many reasons.
The other thing, if I am understanding this properly, you are stating that b/c couture was 45 that really doesn’t do anything for the sport and actually trivializes it b/c he is an over 40 title holder?
If so I don’t really agree with that line of thinking, if anything I think it adds to the sport because of what couture represents. To me it shows what an utter workhorse and disciplined fighter Couture is. He trains religiously and takes his fighting serious and enjoys it.
The guy is in elite level shape with the skills to go with it. He has proven to come back and completely dominate those younger and heavily skilled competitors.
To me he is a testament to his sport and proves that age has nothing to do with it and maybe those who are quick to retire in earlier years should reconsider. Plus I think the minimum age for curling now is 50 and/or you are completely unable to do any other sport.
Just my perspective.
The other thing, if I am understanding this properly, you are stating that b/c couture was 45 that really doesn’t do anything for the sport and actually trivializes it b/c he is an over 40 title holder?
If so I don’t really agree with that line of thinking, if anything I think it adds to the sport because of what couture represents. To me it shows what an utter workhorse and disciplined fighter Couture is. He trains religiously and takes his fighting serious and enjoys it.
The guy is in elite level shape with the skills to go with it. He has proven to come back and completely dominate those younger and heavily skilled competitors.
To me he is a testament to his sport and proves that age has nothing to do with it and maybe those who are quick to retire in earlier years should reconsider. Plus I think the minimum age for curling now is 50 and/or you are completely unable to do any other sport.
Just my perspective.
It's hard to believe a 45 year-old can compete in any sport, but Couture can. He was the champion when his contract expired over a year ago and that can't be taken away from him. I admire Couture for that reason, and maybe he has lost a few steps since his career started, but in his forties, he has shown he can beat the younger guys.
Lesnar now has to prove he isn't a fluke. He no question got his title shot early because of his name, but I really think this is something he wants to show the world he is serious and dedicated to do. He could be something very special...or end up being the next Kimbo Slice. Time will tell.
Lesnar now has to prove he isn't a fluke. He no question got his title shot early because of his name, but I really think this is something he wants to show the world he is serious and dedicated to do. He could be something very special...or end up being the next Kimbo Slice. Time will tell.
Ok, well as you all know, I know very little about UFC and care even less, so my assertions were made in ignorance. I don't have a problem with a 44 year old champ, good on him, glad he can still whip the snot-nosed punks up and down the octagon...
But I think a sport lacks credibility if it can't stage a title shot more than once a year. Or it can't find anyone worthy of taking a crack at it.
Again, I know nothing about Brock or Randy, so essentially I'm talking outta my @$$ on this one.
But I think a sport lacks credibility if it can't stage a title shot more than once a year. Or it can't find anyone worthy of taking a crack at it.
Again, I know nothing about Brock or Randy, so essentially I'm talking outta my @$$ on this one.
# posted by : 8:21 PM, November 17, 2008
: 8:21 PM, November 17, 2008
Well, I'll grant you that. In the interim of Randy's contract dispute, they have an "interim champion" and once that fight is settled next month, the winner will face Brock to have an undisputed champion. Title shots are decided by one person: President Dana White. In most cases, the challenger is deserving, but some times you get a situation like this where they just want a big money headline to get lots of PPV buys. So yes, I agree with you that credibility can be lost when a relative newcomer is handed something like this with little experience.
No I think you have a good point Stan and I agree with the credibility being lost with the way the title matches are set-up and the lack of ‘great’ fighters, but boxing was the same.
My grandfather was a boxer and street/bar brawler this meant that any small or major bout that was on was a big event at my house and we always watched them. This was the reason why I grew up loving boxing.
Then boxing tanked with expanded egos, showing off and someone called King and I stopped watching the sport. UFC seems like it will have the same fate. It went from the boring Gracie years to the popular exciting fight after fight of the past few years to what it seems to be becoming now; a boring farce.
The reality show is embarrassing and the talent pool is limited. There are MMA fighters all over the world that should be given a chance but White’s addiction to names and publicity seems to be limiting the more talented fighters to make their way to the octagon. My level of enjoyment over the UFC league has gone down and am now watching kickboxing championships on the fight network as there are average fighters attempting to build a career the hard way.
Although I don’t think he wanted it to ever go this way, I see Dana white taking the UFC and making it as scripted as boxing became and as possibly as fake as ‘pro-wrestling’, and who knows maybe Lesnar will be that catalyst.
Post a Comment
My grandfather was a boxer and street/bar brawler this meant that any small or major bout that was on was a big event at my house and we always watched them. This was the reason why I grew up loving boxing.
Then boxing tanked with expanded egos, showing off and someone called King and I stopped watching the sport. UFC seems like it will have the same fate. It went from the boring Gracie years to the popular exciting fight after fight of the past few years to what it seems to be becoming now; a boring farce.
The reality show is embarrassing and the talent pool is limited. There are MMA fighters all over the world that should be given a chance but White’s addiction to names and publicity seems to be limiting the more talented fighters to make their way to the octagon. My level of enjoyment over the UFC league has gone down and am now watching kickboxing championships on the fight network as there are average fighters attempting to build a career the hard way.
Although I don’t think he wanted it to ever go this way, I see Dana white taking the UFC and making it as scripted as boxing became and as possibly as fake as ‘pro-wrestling’, and who knows maybe Lesnar will be that catalyst.
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
