Friends One Day, Enemies the Next: The Great Debate of Teammate vs. Teammate

The idea of teammates, friends and even family members fighting has been debated by fans for years.

As MMA fans, we want to see the best fights possible. People dream about matchups like Anderson Silva-Lyoto Machida, Nick Diaz-Gilbert Melendez and Jon Fitch-Josh Koscheck.

Even with public demand, these bouts will likely never come to fruition due to those involved being close friends and teammates.

Is it wrong to pressure these guys into fighting one another?

From purely a spectator's perspective, it's never wrong to expect the best from a product that you've bought into. Loyal fans consistently buy pay-per-views and go to live events.

What about fighters? Is it wrong for fighters to pass on bouts against friends or teammates?

While most fans answer this question with a resounding yes, the answer is more complicated than some may think.

The difference between an acquaintance and a friend is quite significant. There are a multitude of high-level MMA gyms all over the world, where fighters from different walks of life go and train. The gym can be compared to an average workplace.

At work, there are people that you interact with in regards to the job and various other forms of small talk. Even though you like these people, it isn't like you actually hang out with them in your spare time. They are considered acquaintances.

These kinds of encounters are prevalent in every MMA gym. In an interview with Mark Roth of Head Kick Legend, UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub talked about light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and former champion Rashad Evans sharing a similar relationship.

"Jon Jones and Rashad, it sounds like those guys are boys. Jon Jones came down to Jackson's, and Rashad's at Denver a lot, so for them to fight, it makes sense," said Schaub. "Believe me, they aren't hanging out on the weekends and getting a bite to eat."

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to putting teammates against one another. The fans deserve to see the best fights possible, and fighters deserve to be able to train freely with partners without worrying about facing them down the road.

Why divulge your entire arsenal to a possible future opponent?

Thinking like this could definitely have a negative affect on the upside of younger fighters training with contending veterans.

As for friends and family members, the "just business" mantra shouldn't apply. Fighting isn't the same as dribbling past someone and slamming a ball into a basket. It isn't the same as putting on a bunch of pads and tackling a person.

The idea of a man covered in his own brother's blood and beating him into unconsciousness is simply on another level in comparison to other sports.

When thinking about competing against family members or close friends, this scenario is unsettling for a lot of fighters.

As fans, we get the comfort of watching everything unfold from the stands or in our living rooms. Things become less personal as a spectator.

Put yourself in the shoes of a fighter and think of your sibling or closest friend. Could you fight them without holding back? What would you tell their family members? What about their children?

There are siblings out there that don't mind fighting one another, including the Shamrock and Lauzon brothers, but we have to understand that every person is different. While some don't mind fighting and making money, others are willing to pass on a monetary gain to avoid fighting a family member or close friend.

The debate will continue to rage on, but the stances aren't likely to change. Fans have to accept the fact that some fighters will never fight one another.

As for Jones and Evans, they were "friends" one day and enemies the next.

(SportsHaze.com)

For continued coverage of MMA follow us on Twitter @ SportsHaze_MMA