Spectacle Over Sport is Not Always a Bad Thing
Spectacle Over Sport is Not Always a Bad Thing
2016 is shaping up to be one of the craziest years in mixed martial arts history.
The drama surrounding Conor McGregor, the UFC and Nate Diaz would have been enough to carry fans through a normal calendar year. But with the return of Brock Lesnar and Fedor Emelianenko fighting on Fight Pass, the fight community is left wondering what has been done to deserve such a bounty of treasures.
There are plenty of great bouts on deck that can progress title pictures, groom prospects and allow veterans to resurge. But as always, the bright glare of the spotlight is where the real action takes place.
The box office attraction is what has always drawn eyes to the action. These high-profile fighters or fights are what brings in the casual fans.
Combat sports have always been this way, and things won’t be changing any time soon.
Five years will have passed since Lesnar last competed inside the Octagon, but there wasn’t a 90-day stretch during that time where his name didn’t land on a headline or two in MMA media. Emelianenko and former UFC welterweight king Georges St-Pierre have enjoyed a similar effect.
St-Pierre, Lesnar and Emelianenko are blockbuster attractions. But that does not demean their athletic accomplishments. Emelianenko is often regarded as the greatest heavyweight of all time. St-Pierre is considered one of the best regardless of weight class. Lesnar was a UFC champion during his short run.
St-Pierre seems to be more appreciated in 2016 than he was in 2014, but there is truth to absence making the heart grow fonder. It is what made fight fans clamor for Lesnar and Emelianenko to return, and said collective were rewarded for their continued interest, as both heavyweights have now staged their respective comebacks.
The same most likely won’t be the case for St-Pierre, but that won’t stop fans from wanting to see him step back into the Octagon. There is something special about watching greatness, and fans want to believe they are tuning in to watch something extraordinary.
Then there’s McGregor, who told anyone who would listen he was heading to the top of the game long before he ever reached the pinnacle. Now, he’s arguably the biggest star in all of combat sports. He’s helped draw eyes to MMA during a time when a the promotion’s starpower is lacking.
Meanwhile, Demetrious Johnson can cut down every opponent put in his way, and still struggle to find a connection with the masses. Perhaps Johnson is simply a man who won't be appreciated in his time, but that's the harsh reality of the fight game. MMA is sports entertainment—a form closely connected with the world of professional wrestling. With those ties, it should come as no surprise spectacle gets placed above sport from time to time.
This isn’t a bad thing. Box office attractions have always drawn big crowds. It’s as true today as it ever was. And lucky for us, 2016 seems to be on track to be something special.
The drama surrounding Conor McGregor, the UFC and Nate Diaz would have been enough to carry fans through a normal calendar year. But with the return of Brock Lesnar and Fedor Emelianenko fighting on Fight Pass, the fight community is left wondering what has been done to deserve such a bounty of treasures.
There are plenty of great bouts on deck that can progress title pictures, groom prospects and allow veterans to resurge. But as always, the bright glare of the spotlight is where the real action takes place.
The box office attraction is what has always drawn eyes to the action. These high-profile fighters or fights are what brings in the casual fans.
Combat sports have always been this way, and things won’t be changing any time soon.
Five years will have passed since Lesnar last competed inside the Octagon, but there wasn’t a 90-day stretch during that time where his name didn’t land on a headline or two in MMA media. Emelianenko and former UFC welterweight king Georges St-Pierre have enjoyed a similar effect.
St-Pierre, Lesnar and Emelianenko are blockbuster attractions. But that does not demean their athletic accomplishments. Emelianenko is often regarded as the greatest heavyweight of all time. St-Pierre is considered one of the best regardless of weight class. Lesnar was a UFC champion during his short run.
St-Pierre seems to be more appreciated in 2016 than he was in 2014, but there is truth to absence making the heart grow fonder. It is what made fight fans clamor for Lesnar and Emelianenko to return, and said collective were rewarded for their continued interest, as both heavyweights have now staged their respective comebacks.
The same most likely won’t be the case for St-Pierre, but that won’t stop fans from wanting to see him step back into the Octagon. There is something special about watching greatness, and fans want to believe they are tuning in to watch something extraordinary.
Then there’s McGregor, who told anyone who would listen he was heading to the top of the game long before he ever reached the pinnacle. Now, he’s arguably the biggest star in all of combat sports. He’s helped draw eyes to MMA during a time when a the promotion’s starpower is lacking.
Meanwhile, Demetrious Johnson can cut down every opponent put in his way, and still struggle to find a connection with the masses. Perhaps Johnson is simply a man who won't be appreciated in his time, but that's the harsh reality of the fight game. MMA is sports entertainment—a form closely connected with the world of professional wrestling. With those ties, it should come as no surprise spectacle gets placed above sport from time to time.
This isn’t a bad thing. Box office attractions have always drawn big crowds. It’s as true today as it ever was. And lucky for us, 2016 seems to be on track to be something special.