I don't know if Leanord Shapiro is a blogger or whether his work appears in the Washington Post on a regular basis.
What I do know is that this post about Mixed Martial Arts and CBS is absolutely ridiculous and worthless.
Nor do I have any idea what " Special to washingtonpost.com" means. Does it mean that this is exclusive to the newspaper's website ? My guess is that in this case it actually describes Mr Shapiro's reduced faculties and no one wants to use a pejorative adjective. Hence the use of the word "special".
What I do know is that Mr Shapiro is hopelessly out of touch, and unquestionably uneducated about Mixed Martial Arts and the athletes that participate when he says "You put two guys (usually heavily tattooed) in a ring enclosed by a cage, surrounded by a howling mob, and just watch the blood flow as they pummel themselves into submission, or occasionally break a bone or three. That's entertainment?"
The he shows his sexist side with " Oh yes, women will also fight it out on CBS, yet another revolting development."
Then to show how little mis-informed he is " Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is getting involved, promoting MMA matches and also airing them on his HDNet channel on DirecTV. For that alone David Stern ought to fine and suspend him. He probably yells at those refs, too ".
Hey Leanord, HDNet is on every smart cable and satellite provider reaching more than 66mm homes. But if you get us on DirecTV, thats great. Maybe you should actually try watching one of our MMA events, or Inside MMA on Friday Nights on HDNet. You might learn what MMA fans have come to love about the sport. Its one of strategy, discipline, athleticism and determination. What I really love about MMA is that anyone can be beaten on any given day. Its not a cliche. The number of undefeated fighters at the top of the ranks are few and far between and even those fighters will tell you it would be tough to stay undefeated. More importantly, the top fighters in the sport from Randy Couture, to Fedor, to St Pierre, to Silva to Jackson and more want to fight the best. Thats what makes this, and any sport fun. Recognizing the best striving to be the best.
To your question "So why is it that nearly any time I happen to surf past the Spike or Showtime cable networks that currently carry MMA events, the combatants are beating the bloody bejabbers out of each other?"
Maybe rather than surfing past the fights, you should actually watch one. Or better yet, since you apparently cover Football, talk to a player on the Redskins or better yet, the team doctor and ask them if they "beat the bloody bejabbers out of each other". Then ask them this, "are there automatic suspensions for any hints of concussions or injury after every game or simply for precautionary reasons ?" There are after every fight in MMA
In fact, the argument can easily be made that MMA is far more science and humane than boxing has been. In MMA a fighter must know multiple disciplines in order to be successful. In MMA, a fighter need not fight until he or she is knocked out. Unlike the shame of "throwing in the towel" or "No Mas" its acceptable to tapout and avoid injury when a fighter is beaten.
Furthermore, to refer to MMA fans as " a howling mob " further proves your ignorance.
I could go on and on about MMA. Its always easy to dismiss what you don't understand. As you prove.
MMA is easily the fastest growing sport in America. Participation is growing with kids starting classes as young as 6. Its this generation's equivalent to karate classes for kids of previous generations. Which makes the prospects for MMA even more exciting. Today's crop of athletes started by learning a single discipline and then adding others. Future generations will learn them all and add their own enhancements. The best is yet to come.
This Guy Proves Anyone with a Keyboard can be Stupid
Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. People’s misconceptions about mixed martial arts continue to amaze me. The main reason for the sports enormous popularity is because of the numerous rules and regulations introduced and sought after by league ownership. They didn’t run from their problems they confronted them and addressed them. Much like boxing, NASCAR or golf fans become attached to players and their pursuit of greatness. I am attracted to golf because of tradition yes but I watch it for Tiger Woods. I watch it because Tiger displays a focus and discipline which I could not duplicate. The same goes for MMA.
Posted at 4:08PM on Mar 18th 2008 by Jordan Emerick
3. Uh oh...somebody is gonna get banned from something because of this. No locker rooms are safe!
Not being a huge fan of MMA myself, even I think this guy doesn't know what he is talking about. MMA is filling a need that boxing can no longer sustain. I just hope that MMA doesn't fall into the trap of 19 different leagues, champions, belts, etc. Let's have one champion of the world, please. Not 13.
Posted at 4:25PM on Mar 18th 2008 by Dave
4. Shapiro makes some ignorant statments in his review. He also tried to reduce MMA as a non-sport by saying CBS Entertainment did the deal instead of CBS Sports. Obviously he doesn't understand the term sport and he doesn't understand the skill and athlecticism of a MMA fighter.
However, I watch MMA on HDNet often and I can tell you there are some disturbing trends I see. If fighters are not well matched then you get the ground game of a superior fighter beating the hell out of the other fighter and that doesn't look so sporty and the entertainment value goes to shit. But when you see someone like Gracie work a submission, you realize you've just seen pure art in sport.
The various MMA organizations need to work hard to ensure fighters are well matched and somehow the ground game doesn't dominate the sport. Like in professional basketball they have the 1 on 1 rule for several reasons, mainly to keep the energy high and the entertainment value high. MMA is going to have to find their on 1on1 rule(s).
I think for MMA to really make it in maintstream they have to be able to keep the action going without removing the skill it takes to survive and win in the ring.
MMA isn't for everyone, but I really hate it when I read an article from someone filled with bias and ignorance.
5. I think your comments are right on, Mark. I think MMA fighters are incredibly talented. They are well trained. They even seem to be real class acts from the interviews and articles that Ive seen/read. And yes, the sport has imposed some very wise regulations.
And yet, I'm still just not a fan. Its just not entertaining to me. I recognize how popular it is. But I wonder at which point MMA will reach its full potential and, subsequently, lose steam. I don't condemn anybody that is into it. I don't think that MMA is a bunch of crazy rednecks and their fan base is certainly not a "howling mob." I'm just not into it, and I think that is equally acceptable as those who love it.
I'll do my part to keep the uninterested from lashing out with such ridiculous claims as Leonard Shapiro if you'll keep all the die-hards from telling me I'm a pansy!
Posted at 4:37PM on Mar 18th 2008 by Brian Reese
7. There is a guy by that name who is, or at least was, a sports agent. No idea if it's the same guy.
Posted at 4:55PM on Mar 18th 2008 by Gary Collard
8. Usually "special to" is an indication of freelance work. I believe Shapiro is actually the former sports editor for the Post; he may have dropped down to columnist and contributor to save the Post money and/or make way for new blood as editor and/or Peter Principle. My guess is the "special to" got him a separate payment for his writing a longer column and perhaps as a way to boost his income (as if he wrote a freelance article for some other publication).
Posted at 4:59PM on Mar 18th 2008 by RSaunders
11. Mark,
Just wanted to say "Thank You" from all of us in Tulsa for sponsoring Dale "Apollo" Cook's team last weekend and showing it on HDNet. I grew up watching Apollo dominate the world in kickboxing, right here in little old Tulsa, OK. It's great to see that he and you are working together to promote this sport, you have a powerful ally in him and I hope you two can continue to promote and expand the sport. One request - please get some of his old highlight films and show them on a future broadcast, I think the world would be amazed at the wins he had over champions across borders and styles. He used to fight with knees and elbows when the Thai champs came to town, a true pioneer in mixed martial arts.
Don't let the haters get you down, just because he has an outlet doesn't mean anyone is listening to him. Keep up the great work!
Scott
Posted at 5:54PM on Mar 18th 2008 by Okie Doke
12. While I'm not a fan of MMA, at least it's not WWE! I appreciate the athleticism and the courage necessary to compete in MMA . . . I just prefer to watch other things on HD Net!
(As for "Special to . . ." This is often a byline used when the writer is not a staffer. While Shapiro apparently works for The Washington Post, they may pay the newspaper writers a freelance fee for Web contributions, over and above salary.)
Posted at 6:07PM on Mar 18th 2008 by Ken Carpenter
13. Maybe I've been involved in the scene for long enough that worrying about ranters like this guy doesn't phase me. If anything, he's doing a good job of reverse psychology - anyone who happens to be predisposed to the bloody bejebers is going to have their curiosity piqued while he's preaching to the choir to anyone predisposed to not liking that sort of thing.
Then again, does Shapiro have enough reach that it's worth worrying about for those few fence-sitters that will end up reading him?
Oh and to Dave - the "alphabet soup" problem with boxing is certainly alive and well in MMA and new entrants into the market are only going to dilute the talent pool and confuse things.
Although in time that should hopefully sort itself out, but likely not in enough time to capture the casual fan base.
14. Wow, thanks for bringing this article to our attention. It's amazing when uninformed individuals give reviews and spout statements as if they are speaking fact, when in reality they are distant observers and have no clue about the subject.
I love MMA, and am very excited about the CBS deal, HDNet and UFC. MMA is about to blow up on all levels very soon.
Posted at 8:21PM on Mar 18th 2008 by Mackenzie
15. The point isn't whether the fighters have discipline, it's the bloodlust that accompanies the battle. The question of the fighters' discipline is irrelevant in examining the appropriateness of violent programming on the public airwaves. An assassin may well be very skilled, but that does not mean CNN should show a live feed. Study after study has shown the inimical effects of televised violence on the viewer - this is another example of violence as home entertainment.
Beyond that, the structure of the argument itself is foolish. Regardless of who utters a statement, it's true or false based on its own merits. Striking at the credentials and indicating that someone who disagrees is "uninformed" is juvenile. Recrimination is not proof. It's a basic "only the enlightened understand" approach which can never be debated because the platform bars any balance; he only is informed when he agrees with you.
Posted at 9:14PM on Mar 18th 2008 by Jon D
16. MMA has the same problems you claim newspaper blogs have. There are no ways to differentiate between UFC, HD Net Fights, International Fight League, etc. There will never be a NFL or NBA of mixed marial arts because there are no barriers to entry. Anybody can create a MMA league. Anybody can host a fight, charge admission and find a way to distribute the broadcast. How can HD Net Fights sustain a competitive advantage in this sport?
Posted at 9:16PM on Mar 18th 2008 by MikeMc
17. Hey Mark, I have watched MMA and found it entertaining in its science and strategy and also the way they congratulate each other afterwards,not only that but I have also witnessed what I perceive as a genuine concern of the opponent when he is stil down on the mat and seems to be in trouble after the bout.Something you never see in any sports that I know of. As society grows more aggressive more attention will be given to this sport,some by the ignorant and some by the knowledgeable and like any other sport watched by the uninformed,golf,nascar, boxing to name a few.The uninformed will find it something of a novelty. This is usually the thought taken from someone that has never tried anything close to performing it.Anyone that has thrown an overhand right and felt that sweetness of connecting or hit a golfball 260 yds or driven as fast as they can so their bones feel light and everything else around them slows down can only appriciate such a thing. Maybe Mr. Shapiro should stick with commenting on something he has an education in and will sound a little more credible in his future writings. I do often wonder though when I watch various contact sports why none,NOT ONE, that I have seen has ever actually been able to box professionally for big money. Not taking anything away from these guys, they are exceptional individuals but if they could step into the square circle of the sweet science, they would. Thanks for the thoughts.
Posted at 11:32PM on Mar 18th 2008 by Frankie from Lawnside
18. MMA takes an unbelievable amount of skill and training to reach a level to compete. As the sport develops and grows the views will change. The misconceptions about mixed martial arts will continue but with the influx of college wrestlers the sports image will improve.
Posted at 4:12AM on Mar 19th 2008 by Homebizseo
19. Enh.
I watch MMA matches a few times per week. I watch The Ultimate Fighter, etc.
I first was exposed to the "first wave" of the UFC back in 92-93 when there were still mixed weight classes and multiple "brackets" for one fighter per night.
Obviously, I enjoy MMA to a degree.
While I recognize the discipline that goes along with the sport... I have a weak stomach.
It is a brutal sport.
And you have to admit... that is a large portion as to why a lot of people like it.
So Mark... you are taking things a bit too personal.
Seriously.
I am sort of surprised at/by this post. You normally exhibit such calmness. I might expect such passion from a fighter... but not someone in your position.
Again, as a fan, I understand where he is coming from. He does not know much about the sport. So how about inviting him to a lesson? Perhaps he will "get it."
I know that while I enjoyed watching the sport before, The Ultimate Fighter (with its behind the scenes look) solely gave me a much larger respect for it as a whole.
These guys just do not quit (in their workouts and matches).
It even gave me motivation in my own workouts upon seeing them and I signed up for an MMA class.
At this point, he is only going to go right back after you.
In closing Mark... try and see it for what it is.
Posted at 6:53AM on Mar 19th 2008 by Anonymous
20. MikeMc poses a valid question that I have been wondering a lot about lately.
While the UFC is by far the most recognizable brand, many of its fighters (I feel) will soon defect for a more balanced wage.
It is crazy to see the numbers the sport draws, yet see D.W. pay his fighters pennies.
What MikeMc posed... I would love to see answered (if it has not been previously).
Frankie from Lawnside also brings up a great point:
"I do often wonder though when I watch various contact sports why none,NOT ONE, that I have seen has ever actually been able to box professionally for big money. Not taking anything away from these guys, they are exceptional individuals but if they could step into the square circle of the sweet science, they would. Thanks for the thoughts."
As previously stated, I recognize and appreciate what it takes to be successful in MMA. But I also truly believe that people comparing boxing to MMA are very wrong by doing so. Both take dedication and amazing skill and I truly wish that people would for one, stop comparing the two. And two, MMA fans totally dismissing the skills of boxers and vice versa.
They are separate sports - sort of like comparing basketball to football.
But yes, that is a good question.
Do MMA fighters choose to make 5-6 figures *six if they are top fighters* as opposed to millions in boxing for the purity alone?
Great questions!
Posted at 7:18AM on Mar 19th 2008 by Anonymous
1. I'm a martial artist for more than 25 years and have been a big fan of MMA since it's earliest days and Cuban hit this one right on the head. I've read hundreds of profiles and talked to a lot of people who love the sport and I think even this lunkhead author would be impressed by the people and their backgrounds. I'd gladly share mine - http://www.mmafightspace.com/senseijim
Posted at 4:06PM on Mar 18th 2008 by Jim