Upsets: Good or Bad for the Sport?

[Mulletsoldier]

In light of recent shocking upsets, I thought a discussion on whether or not they are good for the sport is prudent.

(on a side note, the euphemism 'upset' arose from a 1920's horse race, in which a heavily favoured horse was defeated by a horse named...anybody?...Upset)

I am debating, and will weigh in after some responses (I know everybody will be patiently awaiting my insightful and analytical reply).

 

[WillB123]

**** happens. Seeing you're favorite fighters get taken down by a nobody blows; it turns you off from the whole MMA thing for a bit. Have to realize though, the fighter is still a good fighter and with out a doubt will recoup and murder somebody

 

[Rogue Drone]

Sign of the times. The quantity of quality fighters have increased tremendously lately, perceived upsets are mostly the product of the increasingly difficult task to keep up with all these faces and their abilities to properly gauge matchups.

If one starts having emotional favorites, dancing the "Savage Barnacle", accept that you will be troubled fairly often. It's virtually impossible not to, that's the price we fans pay, just like Football, just don't bet money that way.

To more directly answer the stated question - Is it good or bad for the sport? I would say good, makes it more interesting, forces fans to do better analysis if they want to see the sport in it's true light.

 

[flytrapcan]

Taking the predictability out of the sport is nothing but fabulous. Of course I'd rather see GSP or Mirko kick azz but in the end it's the fight game and everyone has those days.

 

[size]

I think the wave of upsets is good and bad. It is good b/c it shows that anyone has a chance to win especially new fighters who have been training specifically for mma. It also makes it good for the viewer b/c this means many more competitive fights. However, I think it will be bad for the sport if there are upsets every time a title fight occurs. For the title to hold more significance, the champion needs to be able to defend it.

 

[Mulletsoldier]

Sign of the times. The quantity of quality fighters have increased tremendously lately, perceived upsets are mostly the product of the increasingly difficult task to keep up with all these faces and their abilities to properly gauge matchups.

If one starts having emotional favorites, dancing the "Savage Barnacle", accept that you will be troubled fairly often. It's virtually impossible not to, that's the price we fans pay, just like Football, just don't bet money that way.

To more directly answer the stated question - Is it good or bad for the sport? I would say good, makes it more interesting, forces fans to do better analysis if they want to see the sport in it's true light.

That is the problem that I see though RD;the average TUF/Chuck Liddell fanboy is not willing to do the work necessary for a better analysis of the fighters (constantly booing after every fight there is no KO) or understanding of the sport already. I think to us, the fans that are there for the sport as much, or more, than the fighters themselves, it is a good thing; for the average fan? I think it possibly a bad thing.

That, however, raises another question in and of itself. Is the growing base of TUF fans good for the sport?

 

[jas123]

That, however, raises another question in and of itself. Is the growing base of TUF fans good for the sport?

Yes, in that it brings in more money. This means higher paydays for fighters which means more talent coming into the sport. No, in that you get more of the redneck, knock him out or boo effect. Of course, some these new fans become serious fans in time.

AS for the original question, a good amount of unpredictability is a good thing because it generates excitement. Too much unpredictability and the stable of top fighters that people care about changes too rapidly for people to pick out favorites and casts doubt on who the real champ and top fighters are.

 

[exnihilo]

The wave of upsets is due to the fact that unlike boxing, where it can tip the balance of moderately well matched fights, in MMA your gameplan and fight strategy make a HUGE difference. I really don't think that in the case of these upsets, the favorite was doing his research and really tailoring his fighting style to that of his adversary. This is part of what sets Fedor apart. Champs that keep training the same way they always have for a fight will get upset by underdogs that train to fight against their opponent.

 

[jas123]

I think you're right, Ex. The Wand/CC attitude of I'll go slug it out and out-badass you will lead to losses here and there. Couture's the classic seemingly overmatched guy who out-thinks his oppenets and wins when he shouldn't.

 

[WannaBeHulk]

some of my friends who are involved in tha MMA circuit think too much money is coming in from these fights. with its increased popularity, more people are attending and watching the events. as a result, im sure many more people are gambling on these fights. this can result in a buyout for the fighter to throw a fight.

lots of people speculated that tito ortiz threw his fight with randy couture. and with mark serra as a 7:1 underdog, maybe somebody had a hefty wager and paid GSP an incentive to take a dive... i doubt this happened, but who knows for sure?

no matter how you look at it, MMA is still included in the entertainment industry. without keeping fans interested, this sport wouldnt exist in the media.

 

[Mulletsoldier]

I don't think GSP's loss was from a lack of tailored training; up to that fight he knew full well Serra's JuJitsu, so he technically did train to fight the Serra he thought he would battle. Just so happens Serra outclassed him on that day. I will say this, both CC and GSP looked WAY off from the onset of those fights.

 

[Beowulf]

I love the unpredictability. It wouldn't be interesting otherwise. In the case of both Serra and Gonzaga, the upset arose from them having broadened their game without the opponent knowing it. We're all talking about the HK, but Gonzaga's GNP was absolutely brutal as well, and I think Mirko defended pretty well. The fact that MMA is so multi-dimensional leads to this unpredictability IMO. With boxing, there isn't too much you can throw at the guy. A sudden spinning back kick, while not entirely unorthodox, can quickly change the momentum of a fight. A striker can learn some ground and catch a wrestler in a sub. Anything is possible.

That being said, there do need to be dominant fighters as beacons for all others to strive for. Unpredictability is good; too much is not.

 

[bpmartyr]

It's good when you bet on the underdog and win a boatload of cash like I just did. moo ha ha.

Buddy gave me 5:1 on a $50 bet. He is sooooo pissed.

 

[WillB123]

haha rock on dude :head:

 

[ersatz]

It's a good thing if you're betting on the fights.

But in the end it's ultimately a negative in a sport trying to gain credibility. If a perceived superior fighter is upset by the lesser talented fighter then it some make question the sport. Generally the more advanced and skilled opponent should win but with all these upsets it's a crapshoot and it invalidates the sport as it's seemingly based mostly on luck. People want certainties.

Also the casual fan will not follow a sport that is in constant change, it's too hard to follow. But if there's dominant figures it's easier to jump on the bandwagon and support the winner. It's not really a sport where there's a home team (IFL withholding) so people need another quality to choose their favorites. And everyone loves a winner so it's easy to get behind a dominant fighter. If one so

 

[Mulletsoldier]

This discourse has brought up the two different ways, IMO, to view if upsets are good for the sport . The actual activity insofar as two combatants fighting to determine a winner, and the 'sport' insofar as notoriety and appeal go. Upsets are extremely good for the former, in that they reveal a massive and diverse talent base that is only going to grow; on the latter portion, and as ersatz said, they are necessarily bad. Champions, contenders, and figures constantly toppling does not give any bandwagon opportunities.

 

[Beowulf]

Talent is a word that complicates this discussion, b/c is Crocop more talented than Gonzaga? He is a vastly superior striker, despite what happened, but Gonzaga is a superior ground technician. I'd guess if you were to assign point values to all the different aspects of fighting, Gonzaga would probably come out on top. That being said, I'd take Mirko in a rematch in a heartbeat.

 

[Rogue Drone]

This discourse has brought up the two different ways, IMO, to view if upsets are good for the sport . The actual activity insofar as two combatants fighting to determine a winner, and the 'sport' insofar as notoriety and appeal go. Upsets are extremely good for the former, in that they reveal a massive and diverse talent base that is only going to grow; on the latter portion, and as ersatz said, they are necessarily bad. Champions, contenders, and figures constantly toppling does not give any bandwagon opportunities.

When I get the job as ESPN's MMA Reporter/Color Commentator, I'll be keeping this paragraph in my notes for reference.

Me too, on Cro Cop's next fight. He's in a slump, all athletes have 'em, he'll return to killer form when next we see him.

 

[brass monkey]

I enjoy and upset every once in a while. Everyone likes to pull for an underdog. But its gotten a little out of hand lately. I expect my favorite not fight down to a lower level, but to perform at a level that made him one of my favorites. It might just be level of competition is getting better or that there is so much more money involved there cracking under pressure. I know everyone gets caught once in a while and a flukes will happen. But if prime time fighters continue to lose to less caliber fighters I would think it would be bad for the sport.

 

[Mulletsoldier]

I think the fashion, not just the end results, of these upsets have disturbed me as well. It is one thing for someone to lose their belt in an epic 5 round battle, fighting tooth and nail to the end. Yet, you cannot claim such fights for GSP and CC. Does one shot, well placed, really dictate a deserving win? Obviously, it does, yet I would still contend that those fights go the opposite directions 9/10.

 

[Beowulf]

Honestly, Serra looked much better standing, but the shot that set up the fall was a forearm to the back of the head. It was not intentional, but the fight probably should have been stopped for recovery there. GSP never regained his legs after that.

 

[jas123]

When I get the job as ESPN's MMA Reporter/Color Commentator

I can just see it : Wordworth = the Mike Goldberg of ESPN. Commenting on everone's "meteoric rise" and "definitve advantage".

 

[jas123]

haha. I believe you, but the boards going to get slow for while with no real events until the end of May. I'm just getting started jasing it up.

 

[Mulletsoldier]

On my sickest day, I can do better than that Goldberg. I have better credentials, and as jazzy as I am written, I'm twice that verbally, don't let the old Mullet Blondie Dixie Footballer Pro Bowling Fool 'ya, I'm double slick and true when ready to do the verbal as the game goes.

I can do Street, I can do Corporate vocab, dry or wet , wadda you want? It ain't for your paycheck, I have the $ to walk away, and thanks, anway, no one's *****,ever.

You sly ****er, I caught that revision!

And don't capitalize your 'Mullet', I can't all antzy thinking Wordsworth is quoting me.

 

[Mulletsoldier]

I think that we should have a harassing thread. Where each week all the regulars take a turn getting shived up. I nominate Wordsworth for the first go-around.

 

[Sir Savage]

This is a loaded question.

Upsets in general cannot really be characterized as "good" or "bad" for a sport, anymore than winning and losing can be characterized as "good" or "bad" for a sport. It's simply a PART of sport itself- inherent to the very concept of competition.

But let's add more context to the issue.

Upsets can be bad in the sense of Diaz-Gomi, where in this case, a champion was upset but did not lose his championship status. This exposes serious flaws in the organization of the sport, calling into question the sport's legitimacy.

But of course, that's not the fault of the upset, it's the fault of the organization, but it can still reflect poorly on the sport itself.

On the other hand, huge upsets can attract more exposure to a sport, so in that sense, they could be considered good for a growing sport like MMA.

 

[Mulletsoldier]

This is a loaded question.

Upsets in general cannot really be characterized as "good" or "bad" for a sport, anymore than winning and losing can be characterized as "good" or "bad" for a sport. It's simply a PART of sport itself- inherent to the very concept of competition.

But let's add more context to the issue.

Upsets can be bad in the sense of Diaz-Gomi, where in this case, a champion was upset but did not lose his championship status. This exposes serious flaws in the organization of the sport, calling into question the sport's legitimacy.

But of course, that's not the fault of the upset, it's the fault of the organization, but it can still reflect poorly on the sport itself.

On the other hand, huge upsets can attract more exposure to a sport, so in that sense, they could be considered good for a growing sport like MMA.

"Good" and "Bad" were subjective word choices that expressed the thread content far more succinctly than:

"Critically analyze the various components of upsets based on their situational and individual consequences and benefits"

So I went with them

 

[Sir Savage]

Bwahaha! I apologize for bringing "M & M"-level talk here.

 

[Mulletsoldier]

Bwahaha! I apologize for bringing "M & M"-level talk here.

Haha, I like it. I just assumed since Beo and Jas are clearly retarded, Alexandrovich is, well, Alexandrovich, and Wordsworth is drunk I'd dumb the title down a little.

:duel:

 

[exnihilo]

Wow. You guys need something productive to do...

 

[jas123]

Mullet, you're in for a world of hurt.

 

[Mulletsoldier]

Nah man, I made sure to wrap it twice. Plus she told me she was clean, don't stress.

 

[jas123]

Nah man, I made sure to wrap it twice. Plus she told me she was clean, don't stress.

Your "that's what she said" or "yo momma" level response saves me the trouble from ripping you since you just essentially ripped on yourself. Now go look up more porn and post them as your avatar. Then pretend as if you squirmed your way into her panties claiming she's an ex.:twisted:

 

[Mulletsoldier]

Your "that's what she said" or "yo momma" level response saves me the trouble from ripping you since you just essentially ripped on yourself. Now go look up more porn and post them as your avatar. Then pretend as if you squirmed your way into her panties claiming she's an ex.:twisted:

Hey dude, they weren't porn when I put them up there. You jerking off to them realizing you'll never have a gf whose ass is that fine made them porn old man. If you would have asked nicely I could have sent you a larger pic, so you weren't jerking it to a 1"x1". I'd return the favour, though I doubt your girls' ass would fit it in a 1"x1".:twisted:

 

[bigpetefox]

It would get pretty boring if the same guy beat everybody.. If I wanted to see the same bum win when he shouldn't, I'd watch WWE again..