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Wednesday war room: Dogfighting and MMA analogies

By Zach Arnold | August 22, 2007

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The latest MMA Weekly fighter rankings.

Quinton Jackson will appear on ESPN’s First Take show (formerly Cold Pizza) today.

There’s a rumor (Jordan Breen says it’s no long a rumor but fact) floating around that Milton Vieira had problems with a visa interview and he will not be able to fight Satoru Kitaoka on 9/5 at Korakuen Hall for Pancrase.

With Michael Vick agreeing to accept a guilty plea in relation to felony dog-fighting charges, I was anticipating to see whether or not the mainstream media would (once again) attempt to link MMA with dog-fighting.

Sure enough, let’s take a look at an article in The Winnipeg Sun:

Since he’s into bloodsport so much, he should take up ultimate fighting and give the dog-loving UFC scrappers a chance to beat the living daylights out of him every time he steps in the ring.

And, of course, you can always count on The Minneapolis Star-Tribune to come up with a ridiculous article about MMA. Here’s the latest from the newspaper:

Animal baiting is an ancient practice, achieving great popularity in imperial Rome and in 16th century England. It’s still widespread in Asia and Latin America. In milder forms its “survival” theme is popular in American culture, too, running the gamut from Ultimate Fighting to nearly every “reality” show on TV. There, contestants are systematically humiliated and banished from the group, with only one winner emerging. Even cooking and dating shows have reverted to this sad lone-survivor formula.

Next, we head to the blogs. First, from Smarter.com:

You’re making millions a year, are one of the best in the game and you can’t pick up a hobby like frisbee golf. Watch the UFC if you like full combat fighting. Why did you have to do something as inhumane as this?

Second, from Penumbral Connections:

“What’s the big deal?” I thought. If UFC is all right, why not dog fighting? Hell, I’m a vegetarian and the idea of letting dogs fight doesn’t seem so bad to me. The nice dogs probably would just sniff each others’ butts instead of biting throats anyway.

Third, from Spike Zee:

Now lets just be real for a moment. I know cats in Memphis that have/were/are involved in Dog fighting. It’s somewhat of a hood ultimate fighting type thing. The same cats that like that violent ultimate fighting crap that comes on TV, are some of the same cats that will bet money on dogs fighting to the death. Personally, its all sickening to me.

Fourth, from the Terrence Says blog:

For once, I would like to see the PETA people and dog lovers march against ‘ultimate fighting championships’ and other blood sports. For once, I would like to see the PETA people and dog lovers protest videos at You Tube.com, where amateur and professional street fighting videos are linked

Fifth, from a blogger named hmplace:

It’s a disgrace to run a dog fighting ring or go to a dog fight, but people attend violent sporting events all the time. To add to this, hunting is categorized as a sport. Isn’t hunting cruelty to animals? What’s wrong with this picture? I’m not condoning any of these sports, but we’ve got to ask ourselves two things: does the punishment fit the crime; and, what message are we sending to our children and people across this country?

Indeed, dog fighting is cruelty to animals. However, unlike dog fighting, boxing, hockey, football and the new hype the “Ultimate Fighting Championship” are all cruelty to people. Hunting is another big issue. Many people hunt and kill animals for FUN. How is it okay when these “sports” are highly publicized and not inhumane in America’s eyes? Are we saying we’re not for violent dog fighting, but we are for violent sports? I’m confused!

Sixth, we turn to the Alpha Dog Sports Blog:

And let’s be clear about something; I am an avid sports fan, but the truth is sports often condone violence, especially in our win-at-all costs culture.

Boxing writers may be object, but is there any sport more violent—yet beloved by so many “pundits” than the so-called sweet science? Boxing — and Ultimate Fighting — are throwbacks to the Roman gladiator contests in which combatants fought to the death. Sure, boxing has some preventive measures in place to prevent death, but they don’t always work, as was the case when Emile Griffith killed Benny “Kid” Paret on March 24, 1962 after Paret called him a homosexual. It’s true that death in the ring is a rarity, but brain damage, speech impediments and a host of other physically debilitating ailments aren’t. Just ask boxers like Muhammad Ali.

Now if Vick is proven guilty of these charges, he should pay the price. But I say this to those “pundits” calling for Vick’s head. Why aren’t you demanding the heads of those in government who are lying our country into bankruptcy, pillaging our treasury, and as the body count piles up at home and abroad, be held accountable for their crimes? I guess it’s easier to tar and feather an athlete, especially a Black one.

Frank DeFord on NPR says that the massive amount of pro-wrestling deaths should be a warning to other pro-sports.

“Razor” Rob McCullough has a brand new web site. Check it out here.

Shonie Carter is not a happy man right now:

I would really like to meet a good lawyer, so I can stop my baby mam from trying to take my kids to florida with her and her boyfriend. She is doing this because she got pregnant again and wants to start over a new life on section 8 housing. This is outrageous because she has no plans for the future other living off the government as long as she can. Help me I need a damn lawyer….. Fuck it I am gonna retire

Onto today’s headlines.

  1. MMA on Tap: Doug Marshall vs. Ariel Gandulla set for WEC October event
  2. The Fight Network: Brandon Vera’s ‘apology’ named Tim Sylvia
  3. UFC HP: Josh Koscheck – Just win, baby
  4. The New York Daily News: Film on brutal bout comes to big screen
  5. The Akron Beacon Journal (OH): Wadsworth athlete Bobby Jones in Fightfest cage match
  6. The North County Times (CA): Dan Henderson has some fight left in him
  7. Radio (Eddie Goldman): Kid Peligro on the BJJ Worlds
  8. UFC Junkie: Celebrity MMA fan – Brent Hatley of “Bubba the Love Sponge Show”
  9. The FDH Lounge: The UFC – the success story of pro-sports

Topics: Boxing, Brazil, Canada, Media, MMA, Pancrase, Pro-Wrestling, UFC, WEC, Zach Arnold | 22 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

22 Responses to “Wednesday war room: Dogfighting and MMA analogies”

  1. Jordan Breen says:

    “There’s a rumor floating around that Milton Vieira had problems with a visa interview and he will not be able to fight Satoru Kitaoka on 9/5 at Korakuen Hall for Pancrase.”

    No rumors, he’s out.

  2. schtoo says:

    ummm….the first dog fighting article you linked doesn’t really compare mma to dog fighting, I think what the author is getting at, is that he’d like to see the gentleman involved in dogfighting get the crap beat out of them in a cage by any and all fighters that have the time to spare.

  3. schtoo says:

    ….and I believe I agree with him

  4. JThue says:

    Agree with schtoo. The same goes for the second quote, as all it does is point to the survival/humiliation-theme of – in all likelyhood – The Ultimate Fighter in the same boat as other reality shows. It’s about the audience mentality of being drawn to elimation competition – not MMA = dog fighting. Zach: Great work with digging up this stuff time and again, but you’re a bit quick to put some of it out there without double-checking what you’re quoting 😉

  5. The Gaijin says:

    I love how even where there’s a crime as ridiculous and deplorable as Vick’s despicable they’ve always got to make it a race issue.

    Riiiight…the fact that he’s being a sick thug makes it a race issue. This isn’t about race – its about a truly sickening crime and apparent organized criminal venture.

  6. The Gaijin says:

    **”…as Vick’s despicable *crimes* they’ve…”**

  7. LR says:

    Some of those articles are referring to the idea that Ultimate Fighting, particularly the TUF show, is a form of the “survival” concept. It really isn’t a rip on the UFC or the show. I mean, what they say is true, it is a survival show, you lose, you’re out, you win, you stay.

    Biggest point they miss is that dog fighting is non-voluntary. A couple of guys willing to fight each other is completely voluntary. They didn’t sign a contract if they didn’t want to fight in the UFC.

  8. Tomer Chen says:

    Biggest point they miss is that dog fighting is non-voluntary. A couple of guys willing to fight each other is completely voluntary. They didn’t sign a contract if they didn’t want to fight in the UFC.

    I agree 100%. Everyone screams ‘Bloody murder!’ about the UFC, Boxing, et al, but these are professions where grown men (and women) sign contracts to fight, play football, etc. and realize the consequences of their activities. On the other hand, the dogs have no say in being tortured and starved and then forced to fight for their owner’s own benefit (money, ego, etc.) with the risk of being killed if they fail (either by the opponent or the owner). There are no protections for the dogs unlike a Boxer, Hockey player, etc. because these activities are illegal to begin with since the animals cannot consent to these fighting activities for their owner’s benefit (and without government intervention).

    Regarding the Alpha Dog Sports quote:

    Sure, boxing has some preventive measures in place to prevent death, but they don’t always work, as was the case when Emile Griffith killed Benny “Kid” Paret on March 24, 1962 after Paret called him a homosexual.

    It should be noted, however, that Paret was in seriously bad shape entering the Griffith fight after taking a terrible beating from Gene Fullmer in his previous fight. That death had more to do with bad administrative calling (IE: he should never have been in the ring that night) than the sport itself ultimately being a killing machine. There wasn’t enough protection in the ring, either (Ruby Goldstein looked totally confused when Paret sagged helplessly against the ropes and ate a barrage of punches that he shouldn’t have).

    He should have used a better example (such as ‘Sugar’ Ray Robinson-Jimmy Doyle) where there wasn’t any real known circumstances leading up to the fight or serious screw ups by the referee leading to the death instead of that one since, while it’s one of the more famous tragic deaths in Boxing, it had a number of ‘What the hell were they thinking?’ moments linked with it, whereas the closest Robinson-Doyle (for example) got was Robinson having a premonition of Doyle getting killed, which is not scientific or tangible.

  9. Ivan Trembow says:

    Brock Lesnar was a guest on last night’s episode of MMAWeekly SoundOff Radio. Lesnar commented on numerous things, including the fact that he wants a UFC deal and that he would ideally like to fight the winner of this Saturday’s UFC Heavyweight Title match between Randy Couture and Gabriel Gonzaga. He also said that he is “tired of playing games” and that he wants the deal to be done. A summary of what Lesnar said, as well as a free audio excerpt of the interview, can be found at http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=4556 and the full interview is in the MMAWeekly Archives

  10. 45 Huddle says:

    There is a racial issue with the Vick case. Not a big one, but an underlining one.

    Over the last 5 years, the state of Georgia has had some horrible court cases where black youths have gone to jail under BS laws that have been on the books (and not used) for over a century. Where does this stem from. A whole lot of racism. Now, how does this pertain to the Michael Vick case?

    Do you think his house would have ever been searched by local authorities if he wasn’t black? It was a bogus drug search to begin with.

    Now, with that said, once they found out about the dogfighting, it was correct to eventually turn it over to the feds. I also believe that Vick is getting everything he deserves at this point because he is a pathetic human being. The things he did to those animals…. I hope he gets the same treatment in prison (however unlikely).

    But to deny that there isn’t even a smidgen of a race issue here is just ignorance.

  11. 45 Huddle says:

    Brock Lesnar is crazy if he thinks he will be getting a title shot after one pro fight. The guy is a mental basket case to say the least. As any MMA organization, I would be very afraid to invest money in the guy. At any moment he could get bored with the sport, quit, and ruin the companies plans for a year plus…..

  12. robnashville says:

    “Do you think his house would have ever been searched by local authorities if he wasn’t black? It was a bogus drug search to begin with.”

    Uhh…. I don’t think the local authorities were affected by some nefarious racial environment in Ga………considering the farm that was searched is in Virginia…..this was a local Va case before it got expanded to the federal level.

    just saying……

  13. The Gaijin says:

    If only Michael Vick were a white-multimillionaire, they would have had a parade for his atrocious crimes and his organized criminal syndicate of animal cruelty and gambling.

    Good call buddy.

  14. 45 Huddle is right. Trying to take his point and blow it out of proportion just makes you seem ignorant.

  15. Jeremy (not that Jeremy) says:

    I thought Lesnar was signed with Hero’s.

    It would be pretty funny to see him fight for real though. I watched that IGF thing and it was pretty ridiculous. Is all pro wrestling like that?

  16. Jeremy (not that Jeremy) says:

    Not to mention that there’s no way he’d pass a USDA inspection, if you know what I mean.

  17. Jordan Breen says:

    Can we stop giving a shit about Michael Vick? We’ve well established random retards are going to drop Octagon allusions in their commentary, and it doesn’t change a thing. This site isn’t OverratedPOSQBWhoDidntDeserveToMakeThreeProBowlsOpinion.com

  18. The Gaijin says:

    “45 Huddle is right. Trying to take his point and blow it out of proportion just makes you seem ignorant.”

    Trying to draw parallels to injustices in the Georgia criminal system, which are tied to racism and stretching that to say that there’s racial undertones in the Michael Vick case is equally ignorant.

  19. Grape Knee High says:

    Call me crazy, but I’m pretty sure Brock Lesnar passed a “USDA inspection” after his fight in CA.

  20. Ivan Trembow says:

    “Not to mention that there’s no way he’d pass a USDA inspection, if you know what I mean.”

    That’s a moot point as far as pro wrestling goes because it’s TNA that Lesnar has been in negotiations with, and TNA has no drug testing of any kind. They claim that they will drug test you if they have “probable cause,” but no one has actually been drug-tested. It harkens back to the old joke in WWE that a needle would have to be sticking out of your ass in order to count as “probable cause.”

  21. Nick says:

    Funny how that quote implied Griffith deliberately killed Paret because Paret called him homosexual. Of course the words are carefully chosen to allow the writer to wriggle out of the accusation but if I’m a random punter reading this over breakfast that’s the impression the writer is leading me to.

    That dishonest wordplay in itself ought to disqualify the writer from reasoned debate, regardless of the facts.

  22. LR says:

    Lesnar is a better story than Vick in MMA. I mean, Lesnar ACTUALLY BELIEVES his credentials are unmatched to that of MMA. He’s won a NCAA Championship, so has Koscheck, Coleman. He’s won the IGWP Wrestling belt, which amounts to a Fake Wrestling belt from the WWE of Japan. Coleman went to the damn Olympics. Lesnar won a NCAA championship, and that’s it.

    My wish.. sort of, even though I want the UFC to sign Fedor. Fedor and Lesnar sign K-1, Fedor breaks his arm inside a minute, and we laugh Lesnar back to IGWP.

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