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Once again I am embroiled in controversy. I find myself two weeks out of the hospital, fighting a fever for the last three days, and now answering a firestorm of comments because I am a very ...

UFC: Why Watch?

by Dorothy Willis (Senior Writer)

29

388 reads

Editorial

November 16, 2008

MMA, UFC, Editorial

Once again I am embroiled in controversy.

I find myself two weeks out of the hospital, fighting a fever for the last three days, and now answering a firestorm of comments because I am a very opinionated old gal and young folks, guys mostly, cannot stand that.

Well back off bad boys cause granny ain't gonna budge!

Guess I am a dinosaur to the "young gun writers" on this site and should be sent on to the bone-yard in the sky, or try to become interested in the drivel of " Desperate Housewives" which is definitely not my style.

No, I am an aged but confirmed tomboy and my interest is now firmly rooted in MMA.

I am not a "meet and greeter" or fan who will travel miles and sink thousands of dollars in ringside tickets to observe the sport; I read articles on the Web, in magazines, and watch my video discs and MMA on TV.

The UFC, as controversial as it can at times be, is my drug of choice.

Why? I'll attempt to tell you.

I do not like boxing, but have learned to appreciate its skills as used in MMA. Bobbing and weaving, working angles, striking and counter striking, chin down, hands up—I am learning to appreciate these skills and as a child of the '60s I even love the trash talk and the showboating reminiscent of Cassius Clay who became Muhammad Ali.

Funny how the young kids on this site think that their generation is responsible for all these things.

Ah, "Youth," I have tasted it and it has left a bitter taste on my tongue. I would rather be old and wiser than young and brash.

The thrill of watching a skilled fight between fighters trained in different disciplines is like Forrest Gump's mother's box of chocolates; I love never knowing what I am going to get when I sit down to watch these fights!

  • B/R Ticket Guide

Of course every fight is not good. Some are so bad (Nate Quary v Kalib Starnes) it is hilariously funny.

Other fights like the Matt Hughes GSP series have had me jumping out of my seat with pure joy.

The Serra v GSP fights which were so painful for me because I love and admire each man so much and hated watching them as adversaries.

And there was the Pete Sell v Scott Smith fight where after the first round when Big John McCarthy stepped in to separate them viewers saw his look of surprise as they walked away arm in arm, smiling broadly around their mouth pieces, and patting each other on the head.

Not only did that fight have the very type of sportsmanship I have cherished for all my life, it had one of the best and most surprising endings I have seen.

Two guys, both friends and comrades in arms, slugging it out to the end when one takes a hit to the ribs and is falling in a world of hurt and then KO's his buddy by summoning his last ounce of strength for the punch. Whew! that one really got to me, leaving an  indelible impression.

Roger Huerta and Leonard Garcia who smiled through the whole match as Huerta punished him, kneeling on the mat with each other's head in their hands, honoring each other for a fight well fought. Such a beautiful example of brotherhood! Scenes like that make me cry with joy.

Enjoyment brought via the outrageous and controversial Tito Ortiz who I always found anything but boring for his theatrics before and after his fights. Yes he can be a real dick, but for some reason I loved him.

Jens Pulver beating BJ Penn; Joe Lauson beating Jens. Surprising battles, but "wow factor fights"!

The beautiful balletic grace of Georges St. Pierre who just gets better as he ages like a fine French wine. And then there is the bonus of his charming accented speech, his humility, earnestness, good looks and sterling example of an MMA fighter—a poster boy for the sport.

At times I have wanted to kiss Dana White for his apparent love of the sport and at others I have wished I could "mute" him to keep from hearing another f-bomb. I have always had such love-hate relationships, just ask my mother.

Stars who are larger than life like Rampage and Forrest, who are funny, yet lethal when opponents in the octagon. Bring on the heat guys, it is the only heat I can handle (MS).

The closeness the sport brings for me, my youngest son and his two sons 15 3/4 and 4 1/2 years old. UFC PPV's are always a big party for us. We don't always like the same fighters, but really love the sport. Real wrestling is big in our family and goes back three generations on the paternal side.

MMA is my window to the world; it is handicap accessible from my chair via the television set.

I used to be able to run outside and jump on one of our horses and ride to experience every emotion in life.

Now I experience my emotions vicariously through the sport of MMA and the fighters of the UFC. 

And this is my experience not yours, so just get over it!

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comments (29) write a comment »

  1. Well, I hope you're not referring to me in this article, because I'd be pretty sad if I gave you the impression that your opinion doesn't count because of your age or because you're a woman. That was never my intention whatsoever, and there's no controversy at all. You have your opinions and you're certainly entitled to them, and I apologize if I ever made it seem like your opinions don't count.

    I've been intending to step back from Bleacher Report commenting for awhile, and it seems to me that when people start taking me too seriously or start getting offended at the things I say, it's probably an indication that it's time to leave. I was mentioning to Brian Oswald earlier tonight that I probably need to focus exclusively on my InsideFights.com editorial duties, so I'm gonna take this chance to do that. I've had an enjoyable stay here, and once again, I'm sorry if I've offended you.

    1. For God sake don't leave because of me, Brian Oswald is much more aggravating thanyou and he needs the competition. And, not to brag, but I was approached on this site and invited to write for a fight magazine, it was not my first offer b/c for some reason magazines "like my unique perspective." I will tell you what I told Zander about why I would not write for a magazine--I am an old fashioned girl and believe in "staying with the one who brought you to the dance." I admit I have cheated and written for the Yard Barker and have met some great people there. I am not trying to break any records there or gain status on that site, I am there b/c of Georges, and I have Zander's kind permission, God bless his heart!

      Once again, I hope you will stay, and, oh, I am at fault for inviting Rearnaked to join us here and he never responds to his comments here (only answers comments on his own site), which I think sucks. I apologise for that.

  2. I Love your articles and perspective Dorthy,you are most def one of my fave MMA writers of any website! And why watch UFC....Because its freakin awesome thats why!!!

    1. Wow! Thanks for the complement--I needed that!

  3. 5 stars and potd 4 dee!!...Jeremy you and Brian appear to others that you are way above this site and the people on it.you are only here as a stepping stone to bigger and better things..Brian is an honest guy..but you tell some tall tales about how you are tight with the UFC brass and other nonsense.. ..I shoot from the hip ..and I cant say that i will miss your long winded comments about how great thou art..I really don't appreciate being looked down upon.
    BYE DUDE..

    1. Stoker, I'm not here as a stepping stone to bigger and better things. I've been the Inside Fights editor for months and I've been writing about MMA for nearly eight years. I've been here, on Bleacher Report, because I like the discussion, and that's it.

      I never brag about being tight with UFC brass, dude. It's part of my job to talk to people, and so I do that. Apologies if I've come off as bragging, because I never intended it to be that way. It's just my job, and like I said, my track record speaks for itself. I broke the Lesnar/Couture story and I broke the Silva/Liddell story yesterday, both of which can be verified by other people.

      I'm stepping back from writing long-winded comments because I could use that time to work on making my site better. It seems like my comments are starting to irk a few of you and that's never been my intention, so I'd rather not get involved.

      Of course, your time here is coming to a close as well, so I figured I'd let you enjoy it while you still can. And don't make me post the link to the Facebook group, either.

  4. Sorry - I could not make much sense about the words in this article;
    Why watch - to see something unexpected
    Yet - if I am to continue watching ufc ppvs - they need to get real again - that last fight resembled way too much a page from WWE playbook (DW genius or creedy money mongrel?).

    1. Yes, Dana White and Vince McMahan, from the dynasty of the same name, are very similar in their character traits.

  5. Excellent article! You truly are a gift to this site and your insights are outstanding!

    1. Matt, As you can see that is still being debated here, but thank you for your sincerity and moral support!

  6. Great article Dorothy. I'm too new here to have any type of negative history. My only comment is that people should feel encouraged to speak their mind through writing. That's what this is all about. I always enjoy reading your material. Whether or not I completely agree is not important.

    1. And thank the good Lord that it is not important to you! That is sweet of you to cut me a break for being, old, sick and usually cranky, Doug. You must be a hell of a Guy--thanks for reading my stuff!

  7. I am sorry that I aggravate you Dorthy!

    1. You and I both aggravate a lot of people so I guess it evens out, right?

  8. Even though I disagree with your blatant dislike of BJ Penn, sometimes you'll write articles (like this one) that are so good, I just can't criticize them.

    1. God bless you, I guess now you are may "favorite" Hawaiian!

  9. you go dorothy!! if you need one of these knuckleheads to get submitted, let me know who and how you want it done!!

    1. Jay, That is very sweet of you to offer me your personal protection. So far my old granny breath, body odor and sloppy wet granny kisses have kept the muggers at bay. Thanks for the offer, it is much appreciated.

  10. Mrs. Willis, I have to admit that I'm quite shocked. Not even a month ago, Todd Jackson wrote an article about how this was such a great place, and the message from the community leaders read how nice the friendly competition was. Now people are writing articles about how things are fake, or stupid. Insults are being thrown around, names are being called. I worked hard to graduate preschool, and I'd like to stay away from going back. Dorthy, your articles are wonderful, very knowledgeable, insightful, and well written. I am always pleased to read read your thoughts on the MMA world. I don't know when all of this childishness started, as I have worked forty hours since Saturday night and haven't been on B/R too much. Regardless the attacks on you are very much uncalled for. I hope we can filter out all of this nonsense soon, and return to how this place was when I joined, not too long ago. Mrs. Willis, I wish you health, happiness and good fortune from here on out. Please don't take the disrespect of others to heart, and continue to publish your articles whenever you can, thank you.

    1. One of the biggest faults of my writing on this site is that I cannot chow people when I am using irony or being sarcastic (an art form I have been practicing since my teen years). Actually, much of my writing is tongue in cheek, I make fun of myself and others when I write--folks here really do not know how to take me and I have invited many people wanting to talk about our differences to send their phone number to me in an email and I will call them. I do not phone outside of the US and Canada, however. People are usually surprised after talking to me--I am just not like I come across in my written words.

      Gosh, I don't know if that is a good or a bad thing . . .

  11. This site is all about opinions, and the love of sport. If everyone on the site just wrote down statistics, it would be a very boring site.

    1. Isn't that the truth!

  12. Another great article Dorothy. One of these days I will actually write one. One of the disadvantages to being in the Navy is news gets to you a few hours late. So I was extatic to read of the NEW UFC HW Champ! Actually, I have a new goal, I will write an article before Feb. 1, 2009 (my transfer date). Thank you Dorothy!

  13. I can't wait to read it, Bill! Stay safe and thank you for protecting my country and family; it will be so good to finally have you back home.

  14. Second round TKO for Dorthy! Love the way you capture the passion us crazy fans have. I've never jumped up and down screaming over a sporting event until GSP came along.

    When is the UFC going to evolve and allow women into the sport?

    1. He mentioned Gina Carano fighting Christian "Cyborg" Santos on WEC. That would be a wonderful way to start to bring women's MMA further into the mainstream and simultaneously convince Dana (and everyone else who doubts either their skills and drawing power) that they are here to stay and deserve promoting.

      Where have you been, guy, it has been ages since I have heard form you? Have you changed sports interest or what?

    2. Nope, haven't changed interest, I'm an MMA fan for life.

      I've just been in the background reading here and there. Have to get more involved I guess.

    3. Yes you do. Don't let the rest of us have all the fun,

  15. Gina Carano.
    LOL LOL LOL
    Last time I looked she got lured away from MMA and became Crush on American Gladiators.
    Yeah, UFC doesnt attract phoney baloney wrestler types at all. ( insert rolling eyes)

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