Bob Sapp Continues to Con Fans and Promoters with Fight Against Pudz

Tell me if you've heard this one before...

Bob Sapp walks down an entrance ramp, does his Ric Flair shtick with the music and feathery robe, mean mugs a bit in the ring and then after 40 seconds of fighting before quitting, he's collecting his $50,000 check. 

It's a scene that MMA fans have become familiar with and one that is happening way too often. Bob Sapp is fantastic at hyping fights and because of who he is; he knows that people will always tune in. The problem isn't Bob in my eyes, either—it's the promoters who use him to put their name talent over.

We're not watching because Bob's a world beater and gets highlight reel knockouts. No, we're tuning in because we want to see how Bob will throw another fight. And yes, that's exactly what he's doing. By not giving an honest effort and tapping out at the first sign of danger, he's throwing the fight. Sure, there may not be money changing hands or a prefight discussion regarding a fix, but without giving a real effort, he's throwing the fight. 

And Sunday was just another example of the "Bob Sapp show." At KSW 19 in Poland, Bob was across the ring from from World's Strongest Man, Mariusz Pudzianowski.

KSW has been desperate to get Pudz wins so they can legitimize him as a draw. It doesn't matter how they do it, either. At KSW 17, a "judging error" almost awarded Pudz a win in a fight where he looked absolutely atrocious. So why on earth should I not believe there was foul play at hand when the promoter has such a vested interest in their hometown fighter?

If Poland had an athletic commission they would have likely suspended him for 30 days no contact following the TKO, as well as a 60-day suspension for facial lacerations. However, since they do not, Bob will continue the "Bob Sapp tour," and the next stop is next week against Sao Palelei at CFC 21 in Sydney, Australia.

New South Wales has an athletic commission, but I expect Sapp to put on his monthly performance on fight night. He'll make a wacky YouTube video, say something cheesy at the weigh-ins, and then lose within 40 seconds again. It's what he does these days. He's 1-9 in his last 10, and you can expect that to drop to 1-10 after Palelei. And I'll tune in. Because I want to see Bob Sapp perform. 

Basically, what I'm saying is that if we want to blame anyone, we have to look no further than ourselves. He'll stop getting booked when we stop watching. And I don't plan on stopping any time soon.