I decided to do a quick check of the major Australian papers for their view of last night’s show, and the column on the front page of the Sydney Morning Herald says it all:
But now the blood pouring out of Bonnar’s head is so copious the ring floor is slippery and even the referee thinks it’s time to call the doctor. This worthy man checks Bonnar and ruefully shakes his head. The fight must be stopped.
BOO! BOOOO! BOOOOOO! Though we in the crowd feel badly let down and roar our extreme displeasure…
And so the afternoon goes on, with nine vicious bouts and much blood spilt. About 30 police watch as the fighters continue to bash each other to a pulp. If it were to happen 100 metres away, on the street, those same police would have to arrest them for grievous bodily harm – though they’d take the precaution of calling for back-up first.
There is so much quotable material in the article that it was hard to choose what to go with. I highlighted the above because I knew as soon as I saw the Bonnar fight that skeptical press would jump on it. The blood, the questionable implementation of the rules, and the brutality made it the perfect example for a reporter looking to make a point.
There’s a degree to which the effort to convert old men of a certain sensibility to mixed martial arts is simply a waste of time. The UFC spends a lot of time, effort, and money convincing certain reporters from big name establishments to come out to their shows, and more often than not they’re rewarded with a smug piece by someone who was never interested in giving it a chance to begin with.
In the United States, it took years and numerous shows to convince skeptical members of the press to at least accept mixed martial arts as a sport. The effort overseas in markets they visit once or twice a year will be even more difficult.
While the article reads something like an annoying time capsule, it’s worth noting that the author does concede the athletes are highly skilled before promising to never watch a show again.