Don’t like Mighty Mouse? You don’t like MMA

[La Paix]

You might like the UFC, you might like the pageantry of a grandiose event, the showmanship we see in fight promotion, and who doesn’t enjoy a dramatic donnybrook? But if you don’t appreciate what Johnson does in the Octagon, you are not a fan of the sport of MMA.

I strongly disagree with any comments similar to this. How does anybody think they are in a position to tell others what they are and aren't a fan of? I'm a big fan of MMA, love it. This doesn't mean that I have to love every single aspect of the game without any exceptions to prove my worth though.

When you think about it, Johnson more or less does exactly what Georges St-Pierre did – using elite wrestling and technique to take the fight to where he feels most comfortable – only “Mighty Mouse” does it faster, more excitingly and he finishes his opponents far more frequently.

But Johnson hasn’t developed into half the box office and PPV draw GSP was and this contributed to terrible ticket sales.

Attendance at UFC 186 was a disappointing 10,154 — they even closed off the upper bowl, something unheard of for events at the Bell Centre — and some blamed Johnson for this. Well, you can blame poor ticket sales, meager PPV numbers and how the sport is promoted in Canada on the UFC, not Johnson.

If MM is doing everything that GSP did as this guy has written then he would be having fan appreciation that much closer to him. The guy who wrote this article should've have even tried to make the comparison.

The UFC has done poorly in Canada the past 18 months and White says the UFC won’t change “a damn thing” in how it promotes events north of the border, but that’s a story for a different day.

The above quote is a big issue I think. Not only how the Canadian market is being handled poorly but that Dana is saying he's not going to change on how its operating. This also goes for the lighter weight classes. If Dana and Joe Rogans angle from here on out is to simply tell the fans were not fans in hopes we'll start to watch more and somehow just start to like it they're mistaken. Whenever somebody takes this approach it just remind me of some super douchey pretentious dude in thick frame glasses and skinny jeans trying to pass judgment because I don't "get" his music or art. Doesn't mean I don't like music or art it just means we don't like the same thing for the same reasons. It feels like the cliche hipster reply to something, " I love it and nobody else does so those people must be not nearly as educated or committed like me".

Maybe it’s a case where Demetrious Johnson is a cut of prime rib when most people seem to prefer a cheeseburger, but for someone to claim they’re an MMA fan and then not appreciate what Mighty Mouse does? That’s a disgrace.

*SMH*

LINK: Don't like Mighty Mouse? You don't like MMA - Sportsnet.ca

 

[ChaosOverkill]

Don't like one hit, two hit ball games against your team? The one without the no-hitter glam? Don't like baseball.

Don't like trap defensive systems? Don't like Hockey.

Don't like fumble fest 9 - 6 football? Don't like football.

Don't like zone defense brick shot basketball? Don't like it either.


The fan police are nothing more than attempts to feel better about something that evokes indifference and to explain why it doesn't it you. Live with it, most sports fans don't like the above. It still makes them sports fans, just different.

 

[SickEye]

Agree with everything you brought up OP.

"You're not a true fan if..." is every bit as irritating as "go watch K-1", "go watch WWE", and "you're a 'just bleed' fan"

Pretentious douche-nozzles.

 

[ChaosOverkill]

Oh and the one that always gets me, if you don't like womens hockey, you don't like hockey. Womens hockey is watched by friends and family unless it's the olympics/ world championships.

Golf when someone shoots -24 and is not challenged by the course on some Bob's Insurance Challenge weekend isn't either. Tennis when the big names stay home, etc etc etc.

Broadcast era sports builds up what makes the splash, not everything will. Wanderlei would not be the legend he is by winning fights like Ricardo Arona fought. He'd have fans, but not like he did for the way he actually fought.

 

[La Paix]

One of my issues is why these type of critics feel the need to go on the offensive. They could just as easy get their point across that they are big fans of the lighter weight classes without pointing the finger at the majority and labeling them non fans.

 

[Zeph]

What DJ does in transitions is amazing to watch, but there is a distinct lack of excitement during his fights. If he is in a fight, where the contender is considered a long shot at best, or woefully outmatched at worst, the numbers he draws is going to be bad. Combine that with the being the smallest weight class, and a size which fails to draw even in boxing, and it is no surprise that people aren't buying his pvps. That is before you even get to the part where it is a weak card anyway, and he has been given the shaft when put in last minute to headline.


To say someone isn't a fan because they aren't interested in buying cards with DJ as a headliner is ridiculous. With that logic, I'm not a fan because I don't watch Invicta. Some women's fights can be fun, and their skill is constantly improving, but I'm not interested in sitting through a complete women's event, when I know that the level of technique on display is going to be bush league for the majority of it, compared to equivalent men's cards. They fight hard, and go for it, often aggressively, but that isn't what I'm primarily interested in, does that make me not a fan of MMA? According to this guy, you have to like every aspect to be a fan, so apparently I'm not.

 

[Zeph]

One of my issues is why these type of critics feel the need to go on the offensive. They could just as easy get their point across that they are big fans of the lighter weight classes without pointing the finger at the majority and labeling them non fans.

It would be much more productive to say, 'Look, these are the reasons you should be a fan of DJ! He's awesome!', rather than, 'You aren't a real fan if you aren't a fan of DJ'. MMA elitism at its worst. It reminds of the join date nonsense that went on elsewhere.

 

[kneeblock]

What did GSP do that DJ doesn't do?

What doesn't DJ do that GSP did?

 

[La Paix]

What did GSP do that DJ doesn't do?

What doesn't DJ do that GSP did?

GSP wiped out a division of KNOWN killers, I think that is a huge diffference to start. Not too many even recognize the 125 champ let alone the guys behind him looking to challenge. When GSP fought Karo he wasn't really known on the big stage compared to Karo and he worked over. He kept having exciting fights against well known skilled guys and was winning. Also he is one of a kind as far as marketing, French Canadian karate guy who some how out wrestles wrestlers and is as professional as it gets. In GSP era there were still specialists that he faced and beat. He was supposed to get out wrestled by Hughes and Koscheck, out struck by Thiago and Hardy, out grappled by Jake and so on but he found a way to win each time. DJ and the majority of the division seem to on the surface all have a very similar style of a complete MMA game which is great but it doesn't leave much to imagine on the whole style vs style talk. I don't think that big brands see him as the sexy fighter to put on posters like GSP or Rockhold (beep) or PVZ basically cause most won't find a 125er oozing with sex appeal.

 

[Pitbull9]

Don't like one hit, two hit ball games against your team? The one without the no-hitter glam? Don't like baseball.

Don't like trap defensive systems? Don't like Hockey.

Don't like fumble fest 9 - 6 football? Don't like football.

Don't like zone defense brick shot basketball? Don't like it either.


The fan police are nothing more than attempts to feel better about something that evokes indifference and to explain why it doesn't it you. Live with it, most sports fans don't like the above. It still makes them sports fans, just different.

GREAT POST!!! I happen to like the trap Defense.

 

[D241]

I can appreciate his skills, the work he put in to be where he's at, but there's only so much ass a 5'5 125lb man can kick u know...

I gravitated to mma to see the best ass kickers-period. Not the best ass kickers.....at 125lbs.

 

[chaplinshouse]

Flyweight fans on pedestals are the Prius owners of fans. I admire DJ's skill and love their speed but without KO power little guys aren't as interesting. I think the core of what draws people to MMA is a love of violence that makes you wince. Seeing little dudes buzzing around presenting no real danger of bodily damage is like sex with no nut. "oh look, another decision. Hey great cardio" Factor in the lack of competition (seriously, last DJ fight I bet/risked 600 to win 80, but hey no real risk, free 80 bucks), lack of killers/stars and it's a ho hum experience. DJ may be the best fighter at the UFC BBQ, but he wouldn't be the alpha male at the avg BBQ. Just hold him down and atomic wedgie. All day son (if you can catch him).

 

[Wild]

It's such a short sighted argument. "If you don't appreciate this or that, you're not a fan". BLAF says it for two reasons 1) to try and guilt people into watching, and 2) to try and make knowledgeable fans appear stupid for questioning the UFC's product. The fans say it to try and make themselves appear more knowledgeable than they actually are...the ole "I'm a bigger, more knowledgeable, fan because I like ALL weight classes" comment. OR...to defend Dana White. They're UFC/Dana White fans...not MMA fans.

 

[La Paix]

It's such a short sighted argument. "If you don't appreciate this or that, you're not a fan". BLAF says it for two reasons 1) to try and guilt people into watching, and 2) to try and make knowledgeable fans appear stupid for questioning the UFC's product. The fans say it to try and make themselves appear knowledgeable than they are...the "I'm a bigger fan because I like ALL weight classes". Or to defend Dana White. They're UFC/Dana White fans...not MMA fans.

Exactly! To have a writer from sportsnet parrot this seems so strange.

 

[La Paix]

A friendly invite

Check out @keladian's Tweet:
View: https://twitter.com/keladian/status/594181733328654336?s=09

 

[King of Life]

Coming up next!

If you don't like Might mouse then you are a racist!!

He is exactly the same as GSP and people liked him. So if you don't like MM you are obviously a racist, Nazi sympathizer who rapes and kills people and you are clearly not a fan of MMA!

Has trying to guilt trip people ever increased the popularity of someone in sports? I seriously doubt it.

 

[La Paix]

I'm agine being a first time watcher of UFC during that fight. You're sitting there confused and so seeing why Joe and others are telling you that if this doesn't entertain you then its your fault, you're not a fan. A million better ways to get behind DJ but calling out those watching isn't a good one.

 

[Darqnezz]

I disagree slightly. There are diffrent levels of MMA fandom, just as there are different levels and skillsets of competitors. Some people like Striking, and others can tell the difference between boxing, karate, Muay Thai, and kickboxing. Some love the ground game and slick transitions to submissions. Others dont, and thats why we hear the "Stand them up ref" chants. In DJ's case most people will always disrespect the little guy. Thats the way the world works. What I tell people is if they dont appreciate Mighty Mouse then they don't appreciate the finer aspects of MMA .

 

[Ryann Von Doom]

Agree with everything you brought up OP.

"You're not a true fan if..." is every bit as irritating as "go watch K-1", "go watch WWE", and "you're a 'just bleed' fan"

Pretentious douche-nozzles.

This. Fuck MM and this mentality. I dont give a fuck about someone who has worse charisma than Randy Couture.. It's worse than watching paint dry.

 

[lookoutawhale]

Mighty Mouse would do better in an international market in countries where the people are smaller.

 

[D241]

@BirdWatcher -can you tweet him this question?

Ask him if his logic applies across the board or just to mma. Because otherwise, if he isn't just as entertained by this-
little man dominating other little men, then he can't be entertained with NBA play either.

I can respect an 8 yr old dominating the shit out of other 8 yr olds, but do I have to like that as much as say Lebron James dominating everyone in the NBA?

Also, lol @James III pointing out, "has guilt tripping someone ever got them to like a fight division"

 

[ChaosOverkill]

GREAT POST!!! I happen to like the trap Defense.

Ugh, The New Jersey cups were painful to watch.

 

[La Paix]

I disagree slightly. There are diffrent levels of MMA fandom, just as there are different levels and skillsets of competitors. Some people like Striking, and others can tell the difference between boxing, karate, Muay Thai, and kickboxing. Some love the ground game and slick transitions to submissions. Others dont, and thats why we hear the "Stand them up ref" chants. In DJ's case most people will always disrespect the little guy. Thats the way the world works. What I tell people is if they dont appreciate Mighty Mouse then they don't appreciate the finer aspects of MMA .

I agree that there's different levels but the comment that's being tossed around is "you're not a fan".

For your second comment I agree with the first part but when referring to the small guys why does it have to be worded in a way the DJ fans are more knowledgeable or appreciative to the finer points? It seems no matter how people want to defend the lighter weight classes have to find a way to have a condescending tone about it. What's wrong with some like the small fighters and some prefer the bigger classes. I'd never acuse somebody who wasn't a big fan of HW being a pussy or claim they just don't appreciate what real power is all about, I'd just shrug and respect their opinion as a fan regardless. I love watching Crocop KO via LHK, if somebody were to tell me its much more exciting to see a slick RNC I'd never tell them they just don't appreciate the striking game.

 

[La Paix]

@BirdWatcher -can you tweet him this question?

Ask him if his logic applies across the board or just to mma. Because otherwise, if he isn't just as entertained by this-
little man dominating other little men, then he can't be entertained with NBA play either.

I can respect an 8 yr old dominating the shit out of other 8 yr olds, but do I have to like that as much as say Lebron James dominating everyone in the NBA?

Also, lol @James III pointing out, "has guilt tripping someone ever got them to like a fight division"

I see your point and totally agree. I invited him here to discuss so let hope he sheds some more insight on his opinion. What I don't want to do is attack or look like I'm trying to troll a guy via twitter and my account is associated with this site so I'll leave up to him. His twitter handle is at the bottom of the article if anybody else would like to contact him.

 

[kneeblock]

GSP wiped out a division of KNOWN killers, I think that is a huge diffference to start. Not too many even recognize the 125 champ let alone the guys behind him looking to challenge. When GSP fought Karo he wasn't really known on the big stage compared to Karo and he worked over. He kept having exciting fights against well known skilled guys and was winning. Also he is one of a kind as far as marketing, French Canadian karate guy who some how out wrestles wrestlers and is as professional as it gets. In GSP era there were still specialists that he faced and beat. He was supposed to get out wrestled by Hughes and Koscheck, out struck by Thiago and Hardy, out grappled by Jake and so on but he found a way to win each time. DJ and the majority of the division seem to on the surface all have a very similar style of a complete MMA game which is great but it doesn't leave much to imagine on the whole style vs style talk. I don't think that big brands see him as the sexy fighter to put on posters like GSP or Rockhold (beep) or PVZ basically cause most won't find a 125er oozing with sex appeal.

Sorry, but what you're talking about is the storyline behind the fights. What that article referenced was the actual techniques used in the fights.

What is DJ doing technically that's so different from GSP that people can say his in-ring performances are boring? I loved GSP, but I found him 10x more boring than Mighty Mouse, with only a handful of exceptions.