MMA: Do Mixed Martial Arts Fans Get Disappointed Too Easily?

Have we become fans that get too easily disappointed? With the news of such announcements like the main card being stripped of UFC 130, fans have been having mixed opinions on the fight night.

 Many fans have expressed that without the Edgar v. Maynard fight, the card is no longer worth the Pay-Per-View buy. Some have expressed disappointment, where others have expressed anger and frustration. But is this how we as fans of the sport should react?

 Every fan is entitled to feel the way they want and have their own opinions, but sometimes one must reflect beyond initial emotions. Being disappointed is one thing, to complain and disparage is another. Once again, everyone has the right to get upset, but the question is what we do with that emotion and what levels we take it.

 Of course when we hear a much-anticipated bout is cancelled or postponed, we are upset we will miss it. But to go as far as to say the rest of the fight card is not even worth watching because of the absence of one fight?

 As a fan and a human, we love to be entertained, but fans must remember, MMA is not just a form of entertainment. It is a growing sport, gathering its bearings, with talented athletes, organizations, and businesses behind everything.

 By discounting a fight card such as UFC 130 after the exclusion of the main fight, it is a fine line of selling the other fighters short. Are there more exciting cards than others? Absolutely, but at the end of the day, a true fan of the sport should appreciate what is going on in the cage regardless.

 Too often you will hear the fans in attendance at these events boo after a lull in action, or if the fight goes to the ground for a while. Fans are torn on two sides of this. On one side, you have the fans that just want to see action non-stop and expect it from each and every fight. The others are the ones who believe the fight business is inclusive of such slow action sometimes, and appreciate the technicality behind it.

 Neither side is wrong, but being a fan of only liking the sport for one aspect sometimes reflects poorly, and some might find it hard to see those people as true fans. They still are fans nonetheless, just maybe not as die-hard as others.

 Some people may watch hockey for fights, or racing for crashes, but is that enough reason to boo and criticize anything aside from these aspects?

 Unfortunately, it is not possible to create bi-weekly fight cards that always have the big stars on it. A fan is going to have to deal with new and up and coming fighters, as well as some match-ups that do not seem too exciting.

 However, if history has taught us anything, a fight can change in an instant. Such instances as Silva vs. Sonnen, or Duffee vs. Russow, and who can forget Scott Smith vs. Pete Sell. Even in huge underdog fights, the favorite has sometimes walked away from the cage in defeat.

 In other words, exciting fights are in the eye of the beholder, but fans of the sport must keep the whole sport in mind. These exciting fighters people only want to see, got to where they are through fighting bad match-ups as well as good ones. Legends are built, not spontaneously created.

 Disappointment is an inevitable part of sports and being a fan, but in a case such as UFC 130, fans should be disappointed they don’t get to see a great match-up, not filled with the illusion the rest of the card and the night will be disappointing.