I guess this is one way to win a fight

**tao.jonez** · Posted On: 9/09/2009 1:57pm

Legal shmeegal. It's not about the technical legality of the wild-ass punch the guy threw, it's the honor and sportsmanship factor.

In my opinion Boxing, Grappling and MMA should be contests between 2 competitors to determine who has the best skills. This type of act degrades an honorable contest and respectful gesture into "who can get away with the most within the confines of the rules".

At least in this instance the spirit of the sport is more important than the technical rules by which it is governed.

**Hesperus** · Posted On: 9/09/2009 1:58pm

Originally Posted by ADM

You're comparing apples to pears with that video mate, try again.

Not in the slightest. The goal in that sport is to get a ball across a line, the goal in this sport isn't so linear, but punches to the face are an acceptable and common avenue to victory.

If the sporting event has started and you're not defending whatever your opponent is supposed to be doing, you deserve what you get.

Originally Posted by BigKovacs

If he wanted to go straight in and drop the guy, fine but he shouldn't have put his hand up to touch gloves in the first place. It was cheap and actually a bit cowardly.

The other guy leaving his hand and chin out wasn't a bit stupid, it was extremely stupid. He absolutely deserved it for taking the fight lightly.

I don't know if there's an equivalent in grappling but how would you react if someone pulled the same **** with you?

If I'm in a judo tourney, and I'm bowing after the match has started, I'll get a stalling penalty at best, uchi mata'd into another dimension at the worst. And I'd deserve the latter.

**Sang** · Posted On: 9/09/2009 1:59pm

Originally Posted by Odacon

Absolutely yes.

Hardly, he may have won a purse but he lost just as much in fans and brand-image. Professional fighting is about providing entertainment, most of the crowd did not pay money to see a guy get sucker punched.

**Conde Koma** · Posted On: 9/09/2009 2:08pm

Originally Posted by Hesperus

If I'm in a judo tourney, and I'm bowing after the match has started, I'll get a stalling penalty at best, uchi mata'd into another dimension at the worst. And I'd deserve the latter.

And if the guy is kicking you in the ankles, calling them "footsweeps?" Or grinding your jaw looking for that "choke?" How about cranking on your neck looking for a "pin?"

Fouls exist in every sport, as do the methods to pull them off "legally." But regardless of the technical legality, I think all of us as competitors can still sanely described them as FOULS.

**Hesperus** · Posted On: 9/09/2009 2:17pm

That **** isn't comparable in the slightest. If I'm out there trying to "respect" my opponent after the match started, I deserve to be nailed with whatever legal technique he can put me through the floor with.

Guys, if fighters had half as much honor and commitment towards a clean athletic competition as you seem to think they do, we wouldn't need refs.

**hpr** · Posted On: 9/09/2009 2:21pm

Legal yes. Won the fight, yes. Won the audience? Not really would definitely be an understatement. Entertained the audience? To some small degree, since audiences enjoy a good booing every now and then. Showed great skills? The arrow points to: No. Gained prestige the hearts of match makers / agents / guys calling the shots on these events? Not likely. Did this improve his chances for having a high profile career? Most likely no.

Shortsighted, unsportsmanlike, stupid, shitty way to win. But I guess all he cares about is his record, so it's OK.

**Conde Koma** · Posted On: 9/09/2009 2:21pm

Originally Posted by Hesperus

That **** isn't comparable in the slightest. If I'm out there trying to "respect" my opponent after the match started, I deserve to be nailed with whatever legal technique he can put me through the floor with.

Okay, fair enough. But in judo it's not customary to bow after the match begins, whereas in MMA and boxing, even if the ref says "touch gloves now and come out fighting," many (I'd say upwards of 70%) fighters still do touch gloves after the bell rings, so it's not out of place.

**Hesperus** · Posted On: 9/09/2009 2:32pm

I don't care if it's not out of place, doesn't make it one iota smarter.

**tao.jonez** · Posted On: 9/09/2009 3:04pm

I just think the guy did himself and the sport a disservice by feinting a sign of respect and throwing a haymaker. Legal but fucking lame. Just like spitting on the opposition after you win a match. It's unsportsmanlike and bad for the image of any sport.

Not every competitor is an ambassador for the sport, but these types of assholes sure make it hard for the rest of us.

A little like cranking a heel hook on fast and hard and intentionally breaking someone's ankle before the ref has time to intervene. Unnecessary and lame, but strictly speaking it's legal.

**Hesperus** · Posted On: 9/09/2009 3:14pm

Originally Posted by tao.jonez

Just like spitting on the opposition after you win a match.

The problem with this is that it isn't legal.

Also, for ****'s sake everybody, he did touch the other guys glove. Punched him afterwards, but still touched his glove first.