The Curse of UFC All Access: Who's Next?

I didn't notice it until the fourth episode or so, but UFC All Access might just be the worst jinx in the history of MMA.

For those who are unfamiliar, and I would find it hard to believe that any MMA fan has yet to see an All Access, UFC All Access is a behind-the-scenes exclusive on the lives and training rituals of UFC fighters, usually those who are going to be in the main event.

Former ring girl Rachelle Leah shows up at the door of the fighter and goes inside to see what their entire day consists of. It is basically an episode of "Cribs" to start with. You see the inside of the fighter's house and their family or roommates, then you usually get right to training.

I was very excited for the first episode, which aired in 2006 and showcased then-middleweight champ Rich Franklin. Viewers were treated to the hardcore workout that has become synonymous with Franklin's fight preparation. We saw his intensity and his intelligence during workouts and in interviews.

When it was all over, the cameras left the house and we were left waiting for Franklin's title defense against the always dangerous David "The Crow" Loiseau.

In the fight Loiseau did what no one had done in Franklin's career: he went the distance (that isn't counting Lyoto Machida's TKO of Franklin in 2003). He did have a little help though. In the first round, Franklin broke his hand, an injury that he endured for the fight, but one that would ultimately sideline him as he would need surgery to fully repair it.

Fighters: 0, All Access: 1

UFC All Access 2 featured former Heavyweight Champ Andrei Arlovski. (The former thing is a trend here.) We saw Arlovski's training and his taste in fashion just days before losing his belt to Tim Sylvia.

Fighters: 0, All Access: 2

UFC All Access 3 gave us all hope as we saw the training and life of Tito Ortiz at Team Punishment's camp. Ortiz would later go to defeat Ken Shamrock in their highly anticipated rematch (controversially) in the first round.

Fighters: 1, All Access: 2

UFC All Access 4 brought fight fans to Brazil to watch the training of the former UFC fighter and two time number one contender Renato "Babalu" Sobral. He would then go on to provide Chuck Liddell with another highlight reel moment as he was knocked out as Liddell backpedalled away from him.

Fighters: 1, All Access: 3

UFC All Access 5 took us down to the Hughes farm to see the simple life of perhaps the all-time greatest welterweight champ Matt Hughes. We were treated to his life as a farmer and a fighter not too long before he was planted by Georges St.Pierre at UFC 65, losing his welterweight belt.

Fighters: 1, All Access: 4

UFC All Access 6 brought another ray of hope in the form of Chuck Liddell in his pre-fight training before once again knocking out Tito Ortiz.

Fighters: 2, All Access: 4

UFC All Access 7 showed UFC fans exactly how intense the training of Georges St. Pierre is then we saw him get knocked out by Matt Serra, making him one of the shortest running champs in UFC history.

Fighters: 2, All Access: 5

UFC All Access 8 introduced Quinton Jackson to the UFC just days before he met and knocked out Chuck Liddell.

Fighters: 3, All Access: 5

UFC All Access 9 showed probably the only workout regiment more difficult that Rich Franklin's with the training of former lightweight champ Sean Sherk. Sherk would win his fight, but test positive for steroids, incurring a suspension and loss of his champion title.

Fighters: 3, All Access: 6

UFC All Access 10 provided a look at Captain America Randy Couture's training for his upcoming title defense against a favored Gabriel Gonzaga. Couture ended the fight in the third round, holding his title and stake in UFC history.

Fighters: 4, All Access: 6

UFC All Access 11 showed the underdog Forest Griffin training for the Pride legend Shogun Rua. Griffin choked out Rua just before time expired in the third round.

Fighters: 5, All Access: 6

UFC All Access 12 introduced Wanderlei Silva to the UFC in his much anticipated fight against former champ Chuck Liddell. Silva was dominated for most of the fight and lost by unanimous decision.

Fighters: 5, All Access: 7

UFC All Access 13 brought together the worlds of the WWE and the UFC with Brock Lesnar's first trip into the Octagon against former champ Frank Mir. Lesnar was tapped out by knee bar in the first round.

Fighters: 5, All Access: 8

Finally, UFC All Access 14 showcased Dan Henderson's quest to unify the middleweight championship and dethrone Anderson Silva. Henderson was choked out at the end of the second round.

Final Score—Fighters: 5, All Access: 9

I believe it was after All Access 9 that fighters were no longer spotlighted. Any mention after that was merely the first fighter, with an in-depth look into their training. When you look at it all, it could just be coincidence.

It could be a fluke that after being featured on UFC All Access five of the first nine champs either lost or were injured. Plus, one fight was a bit of a joke in Tito Ortiz versus Ken Shamrock, but I couldn't leave it out.

I'm not sure what the politics of it all were. I'm not sure if it is in the fighter's contracts that they must do the interviews if the UFC says so, or if they get more money for having their lives interrupted so that cameramen can setup and re-setup their cameras for good shots.

Though, it would seem that in the All Access featuring Wanderlei Silva, Chuck Liddell wasn't much interested in the interviews and his trainer John Hackleman (the infamous "Pit Master") wouldn't allow cameras in their training session.

A fighter's mind is fragile—and I not just because of all the shots they take. Confidence plays as much a part of the game as skill in many cases. Fighters who are tentative and double clutch their shots and take down attempts often get caught or knocked out.

When you are at the top of the heap in a sport that is the fast growing in the country, eyes tend to be on you, from the half dozen or so fight magazines on bookstore shelves and Internet sites to reporters looking to get a few words so people will read their articles.

Fighters dedicate themselves to a violent world where the smallest mistake or opening can mean the end of championship reign or even a contract. Having cameras invade your life, especially as the fight is drawing near, doesn't help. It just distracts.

I love seeing inside fighter training. I have loved that point of view since the first time I saw shows like Inside the NFL, NFL Films, or Beyond the Glory. It's interesting to see the sides of athletes that you wouldn't otherwise, but sometimes we just need to back off. Curse or no curse.

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