The State of Mixed Martial Arts

It has been an interesting few months in the world of MMA inside the ring and out. The landscape of MMA has shifted during this time to a bit of a different animal.

An organization collapse, the following chase for fighters, and the launch of womens' MMA as a mainstream headliner, have all made for fresh and interesting times in the world of Mixed Martial Arts. I can feel the fighting world bracing for what is ahead.

Here is a mixed bag of thoughts on recent and future events in the combat world we all love.

The Fate of Fedor

The fallout from Affliction's collapse as an MMA organization launched an exciting flurry of negotiations for the Heavyweight King. When the dust settled and all was said and done, Fedor's decision, in my mind, sealed his own fate.

He is no longer the Heavyweight King, and has made it clear he has no intention of cementing his current status as such. Yes, he has beaten some of the best in the business over the last six years or so, but what have you done for me lately?

These negotiations were his chance to show everyone he is a true fighter by taking the challenge of fighting the best the game has to offer. That is what fighters do, regardless of money, future, or personality conflicts. If you don't challenge yourself against the best, you will become irrelevant. He chose his loyalty to M1 and his disdain for Dana White over the challenge to fight the best. He will not be fighting the best of the best in the Strikeforce organization, and he has sealed his fate as an irrelevant heavyweight.

Unfortunately, he has also sealed the negative fate of Strikeforce as well. It truly is a shame for the fans.

An Unfortunate New MMA Reality

Looking all the way back to TUF 1, I could sense a disturbing trend that was starting in the way fights were made and paid in the UFC. With the success of that show, you knew that the sport was going to become mainstream, and some of my biggest fears are playing out because of that.

To be clear, I am speaking about the allure of fighter personality over skill. The ability to "draw" based on antics and contrived image and not fighting ability and skill. It started with Chris Leben, continued with Kimbo Slice, Junie Browning, and now it has been ramped up with Brock Lesnar's antics after UFC 100. It's an unfortunate reality folks. The mainstream fans eat it up. Hero vs. Villain.

It's here to stay, and I pray that Dana White and the fighters continue to keep stressing the martial way of respect and humility towards an opponent. It is what does and always will separate "martial artists" from "fighters".

Fighter Drug Testing

Nothing more needs to be said about the negative impact a positive test can have on an event or an organization. I want to make a plea to all fighters and testing commissions.

Testing Commissions for the future of this great sport, please get your stuff together and be honest and true with your intentions. Fans pay good money, and honest, hard-training fighters need to be paid for their work and can't afford to have fights cancelled for bogus reasons. Get the testing procedures nailed down and make them fully transparent, so that no hidden or personal agendas can stop events

Fighters be fully aware of what you are putting into your body. Nothing bothers a fan more than hearing that you "were not aware" or "did not know" that the substance was banned. Take this sport seriously enough to be disciplined leading up to a fight (Nick Diaz) and the sport and fans will take you seriously as well.

Post Fight Antics, Complaints, and Accusations

I like to refer to this as "whine-gate" or "sore-loser-gate". Fighters do not make excuses. At least not publicly. Keep it to yourself if you really feel that way.

Unfortunately for me, it started with my favorite fighter of all time BJ Penn, and has continued now with the Florian camp. Grease-gate was one thing, but complaining about eye pokes is ridiculous. Did anyone hear Rich Franklin complain after that vicious eye poke he took from Dan Henderson that surely had an effect on that close fight? The Florian-Penn fight was not even close in my opinion, Kenny, tell your bro and camp to zip it, they are making you look bad.

Until next time, keep your hands up!