I even had to build up Cro Cop. It's taking a while for us to do that. After we introduce him to our fans, then you can do that kind of a thing.
Dana White, while talking about the most talented free agent (and martial artist) in the universe, said that he just wouldn't relate to UFC fans. Now whether this is simply an excuse for the lack of contract or White actually believes this, no one knows. But what is known is that the man simply recognized by his first name, Fedor, needs a place to fight. Never has one man been so dominant. Even Matt Hughes suffered a legendary defeat at the hands of BJ Penn at UFC 46, but Fedor has no such blemish.
White compared Fedor's potential entrance to that of Cro Cop, citing over and over again that for whatever reason, Fedor is simply not ready:The hard core fans who know who Fedor is are a minority. Believe me when I tell you that. My (UFC) fans don't know who he is. I'd have to build him up. You can't just say 'Fedor's here,' and open the doors and expect people to come in. It doesn't work that way.
Okay, so there's probably something to be said for the bloodthirsty fans who come to the events just to see a knockout. But for every one of those, I'd bet that there are two fans who have taken the time to understand the intricacies of the ground game and other minutia of the sport. It is growing rapidly and newer fans will take the time to learn MMA the right way. Whether or not White thinks Fedor can relate to these fans (it obvious he doesn't), he has a duty to the fans to bring Fedor in. When Zuffa purchased PRIDE, White made it clear that his intention was to huddle the world's best under one tent. Until Fedor is under that tent, White hasn't done anything.
Originally published on martialbase.com
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
White: Fedor Won't Relate To UFC Fans
Posted by Benjamin Zeidler at 3:51 PM
Tags: Dana White, Fedor Emelianenko, UFC
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4 Comments:
"It is growing rapidly and newer fans will take the time to learn MMA the right way."
Exactly. I'm a new MMA fan, and I would definitely rather see an expertly applied arm-bar then a knockout from Cro Cop's kicks. I'm not sure if I get this from my background as a wrestling fan, but I want to see some good submissions at UFC 75...balanced out with the insane knockouts.
Fedor DOES have a blemish. He lost against Tsuyoshi Kohsaka due to cuts. He may not have lost due to submission, or really have been hurt. But I still think that this counts as a "blemish".
I'd say it doesn't count as a "blemish" becuase the cut resulted from a downward elbow which under the rules of that match was illegal.
They built up "Cro Cop" only to be disappointed by a man too busy with his family and politics to train and fight with what he used to have. He should retire if the other things are more important... not ruin his once good career. Now, they didn't build up Big Nog.. and he is the second best HW in the world.. according to who you ask. Fedor being the HW champ and dominating everyone in UFC would win the fans over, let his amazing skill speak for itself.
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