The gassed and the furious: A closer look at the role of conditioning in combat sports
by Jesse Holland on Jan 18, 2009 5:18 AM EST
42 comments
UFC 93: 'Franklin vs. Henderson' from the 02 Arena in Dublin, Ireland, has officially wrapped, meaning we can now set our sights on the upcoming superfight between Georges St. Pierre and BJ Penn at UFC 94: 'St. Pierre vs. Penn 2' on January 31.
In a way, I think the UFC is fortunate to have such a massive pay-per-view (PPV) looming on the horizon, because it takes some of the spotlight off an event that as a whole, was a little underwhelming.
One of my biggest gripes coming out of UFC 93 is (once again) the complete and utter lack of physical preparation that some fighters were exhibiting come showtime. And inexplicably, it seems to be getting worse, not better.
Simply put, a lack of conditioning is a lack of professionalism.
Today's mixed martial artist, especially in the UFC, has an uphill battle when it comes to fighter compensation. With Zuffa pretty much ruling the roost, finding ample employment outside of Dana's umbrella can be a daunting and often fruitless task.
To that end, the responsibility to further a fighter's career from a monetary standpoint rests solely on the shoulders of the fighter himself. With great fights, come great opportunities. Sponsorships are becoming more and more lucrative as the sport of MMA gains wider mainstream appeal.
Nutritional supplement companies like BSN are throwing money at fighters because they know a big name competitor can influence the product's key demographic.
But is it realistic to think a fighter who cannot make it out of the first round without gassing will lock up an endorsement deal for a sports nutrition company?
Now it's important to differentiate between a legitimate lack of professionalism and the inability to win big fights or keep the crowd entertained. Not every fight is going to be Griffin-Bonnar 1.
Furthermore, I've never once criticized a fighter who came to the cage, gave it his best shot, and got turned inside out.
What I have criticized, and will continue to criticize, is the contempt some fighters seem to have for the fans and the UFC management.
I'm sorry, but I just don't know what else to call it.
By the end of the summer, we should be at or near UFC 100. That's 99 events since Royce Gracie toyed with some human yarn in a showcase of submission fighting.
By now, I would expect fighters so desperate to be considered 'professional athletes' to start acting like them. A fighter not being able to compete for three rounds without gassing out is forgivable on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), not the main card during a PPV.
Are there any fighters currently on the UFC roster who don't know what to expect coming into a fight?
Phil Baroni stood up at the post-fight press conference for EliteXC: 'Primetime' and talked down to the media in attendance (present company included), philosophizing about the true meaning of mixed martial arts and how nobody can ever say anything bad about a fighter because they aren't the ones in the cage or ring laying it all on the line.
Bologna.
I paid for my right to be heard. The second I plunk down fifty bucks for a PPV, I expect to get my money's worth. If I go to Steakhouse and drop fifty bucks on a filet - only to have it taste like it was seasoned in the chef's ass - you'd better believe it's going right back to the kitchen with a complaint in tow.
Today's fighters don't compete for charity. They compete because they get paid to do so. The money they get paid comes from us, the fans, when we shell out for a PPV, or buy the products our heroes shill for on a monthly basis.
I just want to make sure I get what I paid for.
Certain fighters have their bread and butter, and that's ok. For example, I don't expect Chuck Liddell to come out and dazzle me with his ground game, nor do I expect Demian Maia to knock somebody out with a head kick.
What I do expect however, is for Chuck to go in there and strike for fifteen minutes and for Maia to manipulate more joints than Joe Rogan.
It's unrealistic to expect them to win every fight, but not unrealistic to expect them to show up for every fight.
Not having the conditioning to fight competitively for three rounds should no longer be tolerated because it cheats both the fans and the sport. Nothing is uglier than watching two guys who can barely stand try and fight. They may have the mixed and they may have the martial, but they certainly don't have the arts.
Not only is it void of anything remotely technical, it gives ammo to the many detractors who just love to air highlights while pointing and laughing.
I won't say I'm the world's biggest GSP fan, but goddamn that guy gets it right every time. His conditioning helps elevate the rest of his game to another level. "Rush" is the prototype for what every aspiring fighter should strive to become.
And it wouldn't hurt a couple of veterans to follow his lead either.
There are plenty of fighters who have excellent cardio and genuinely try to make their fights entertaining. They aren't born with it, they work for it. I remember Quinton Jackson telling me that he hates training cardio more than anything in the world, but that he did it anyway because he was a fighter and that was part of his job.
He knows, just as every fighter knows, conditioning is just as important as striking, jiu-jitsu or wrestling. What good are your boxing skills if you're too tired to use them? And because every fighter knows this, it's completely inexcusable when it happens, especially considering how the future of the sport could hang in the balance.
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I actually read the whole “article” Jesse, I couldn’t agree more! Anyone who has a job has to perform that job or they get fired! Cardio is part of a fighters job. You didn’t mention names, but Shogun is the best example. The thing is, it’s not just him! Look at Ninja’s last few fights! The only person defending Shogun is John, and to be honest I kinda feel bad for him! He’s so blinded by the pride mystique! I’m not going to go so far as to say they were using banned substances over there (even though I know they were), but look at the difference in fighters! Rampage actually changed gyms and trains with the best, people who push him to become a better fighter! Shogun trains with his brother! The excuse of a year out of competition and the knee surgery go out the window to me, he fought a 44 year old man, who never fought at 205, who hasn’t fought in 2 years and was coming off of a similar knee injury! Jesse Holland could have finished Coleman at one point in that first round, but a 27 year old in the “prime” of his carreer, and who said pre fight and post fight that he was 100% and trained hard couldn’t. On top of it all, (I never complain about this, NEVER), the stoppage was border line! Was he down? yes! Was he aware and reaching for a leg? Yes! Had he taken Shogun down at will? Yes! In my honest opinion (not because I picked him to win), I watched the fight twice, Coleman was on his way to a decision victory. At the very least it was a draw! The omaplata at the end of round 2 basically nullified the takedowns and GNP earlier in the round! Coleman’s jab was landing accurately and often!
I’ll tell you what, I’ve never been a huge Chuck Liddell fan, but if he can last 2 minutes into the fight, Shogun is going to sleep, and then to the unemployment line!
Hendo, I don’t know if he was gassed, or knew he had won the first 2 rounds and was coasting to a victory! I haven’t even watched any other fights, and from the sounds of it, I didn’t miss too much!
by kevin on Jan 18, 2009 5:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Exactly right. These are professional athletes, and their only job is to train. How any of them can be unprepared to compete for 15 minutes is beyond me. Nobody would tolerate a wide receiver who is too out of shape to run more than two pass routes without coming out of the game. We wouldn’t tolerate a center fielder who is too fat to track down a fly ball in the gap. We shouldn’t have to tolerate a fighter who can’t keep his hands above his waist three minutes into the fight.
by PW on Jan 18, 2009 9:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Mania and Jesse, you both in Dublin or just you mania?
was it as bad as the fighters and Dana were saying it was?
how long were you over there for?
just curious!
by kevin on Jan 18, 2009 5:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Its almost forgivable for 100-year old Coleman to gas out at this age, plus he’s not a 205 fighter anyway and shouldn’t be co-headlining. Rua just looks like a piece of dung. I was so pissed with seconds left the ref decided to step in. Coleman had a good chance to eek out a D.
My bigger problem is the lack of quality refs in the absence of John McCarthy. Dan Mergelotta, Steve Mazzagatti and the guy they got out of the audience are just aweful.
by Ed on Jan 18, 2009 5:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
All i hope is that either Herb Dean or Mario Yamasaki ref the GSP/Penn 2 fight.
by pUniSHment on Jan 18, 2009 7:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If it’s Dan Miragliotta it may be a sad day for all of us.
by DSmith on Jan 18, 2009 5:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I know Big John is back reffing again, maybe we can see him there for that fight? Would be the best possible answer to the shitty ref problem :)
by Robb on Jan 18, 2009 8:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t understand why this is such an issue and total surprise to some people. Neither Shogun or Coleman has ever had good cardio. Coleman’s age doesn’t change the fact he’s always gassed in fights look at the Maurice Smith and Pete Williams fights Coleman was in command in both those fights at the start then gassed badly. Shogun same thing he finished fights in the first round and if he didn’t he gassed out in Pride he did against Little Nog and Nakamura.
by Tyler on Jan 18, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Tyler’s right. Look at Shogun – he’s got a chicken-chest, little definition overall & poor ab/core tone. You can tell he mostly diets his way in to the octagon now (and it shows).
He seems to be one of those BJJ guys who relies on submission in absence of conditioning like Mir at times and BJ penn until recently.
by Ed on Jan 18, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good call Ed. I would have to agree 100 percent. They get lazy because they know they still have that ability to end the fight with a sub.
by c-war on Jan 18, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was at the event and didn’t see anything bad about the refs. Coleman couldn’t defend himself. His arms were spent!
He dropped and woulda only suffered more punishment from an equally tired Shogun
Not tryin to complain bout Coleman, his 44 and fighting in the wrong weight class for the first time in how long?
But Shogun! He shoulda known/trained better
by IrishKev on Jan 18, 2009 3:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Totally agree with it being stopped to early i would have gave coleman the nod. Hey maybe some of the elitexc team where involved in that fight?
by ruan-fiy on Jan 18, 2009 7:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wow. Great article. I feel the exact same way. When a fighter gasses it’s inexcusable. It’s not like they don’t know they have a fight in 10 weeks or something. That would be like me going to my job and being to tired to do anything and half-assing it all day long. How long do you think I’d remain employed? MMA is a tiring sport for sure and I can understand if the fighter was injured and couldn’t train properly or something like that but there is absolutely no reason to not be in shape for a fight. The fighters that do that are basically saying they don’t care. They don’t have the “want to” if you will. They just want their “bread”.
by dedstrk on Jan 18, 2009 8:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Great article, so true. Shogun’s conditioning will definately come into play against Chuck because you need great cardio (and a good chin!) to recover from those heavy punches. Shogun won’t make it out of the first round against Chuck unless he’s conditioned for it.
by mma_dad on Jan 18, 2009 8:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I agree with your article completely. But apart from letting down the fans, the badly conditioned fighters gives a very bad example of the sport MMA to people who do not know it. MMA is a fast growing sport, and the professionalism of those who compete trademarks the whole concept. It is not good for the growth of our beloved sport, showcasing matches like Coleman – Shogun. It is closer to barbaric entertainment than a sport. That is a fact more than an opinion. Combat sports is hard to promote in several parts of the world.
NB. Shogun will lose to a downhilling Chuck if he doesn’t raise his preperations several levels.
by Skrekk on Jan 18, 2009 9:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
completely agree with this article, shoguns cardio is inexcusable, thats twice in a row now
by Rory Barber on Jan 18, 2009 10:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
It’s about time someone drew attention to this! How is it possible that this is their job yet they are not fired when they do not do their job.
You have one thing to do, Fight; thus you have one thing to do for it… train… If you’re not training to win, why are you training to fight?
by Sarah on Jan 18, 2009 10:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
yeah i actually just said in a previous page. these fighters know how long the fights are. when was the last time you saw a high level 1500m race, when the runner was sucking air, and dragging their arse. cause not only have i never personally seen it, but i’m sure if it happen they wouldn’t get a $40000 bonus for their performance.
by shinbob on Jan 18, 2009 10:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I can not agree more with your comments on the lack of cardio by some of the fighters. I think one of the best examples of how cardio helps an average fighter become “almost” unstoppable is Diego Sanchez. That guy just wears people out…because his skills are not overwhelming at all but his cardio enables him to pressure and the “b” fighters to just crumble.
Hopefully BJ Penn comes in shape because it is so disappointing to watch his talent wasted.
by Fit NHB on Jan 18, 2009 10:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
“If I go to Steakhouse and drop fifty bucks on a filet – only to have it taste like it was seasoned in the chef’s ass…”
Great quote, great article. We all have to put in effort for our jobs and most of us work a lot more than 40 hours a week. For Rua to have gassed shows me that he’s training 2-3 hours a day, and not at any great intensity level.
Not acceptable.
by BobC on Jan 18, 2009 10:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Diego Sanchez or GSP are both great examples of coming in shape….maybe it is the Greg Jackson Formula?
by Fit NHB on Jan 18, 2009 10:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
agreed. i would add another fighter, who gets bagged on alot on this site, is Forrest Griffin. think about it, he has limited talent, no punching power whatsoever, a suspect chin, and yet still he was able to win the lhw title because of his incredible cardio, workrate and sheer willpower.
by b.w. on Jan 18, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed, Griffin deserves our respect.
by natedog77 on Jan 18, 2009 5:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Coleman and Shogun looked like they both took a bunch of vikoden and then went out and tried to fight. Perhaps the nerves and emotion from all the bad blood made them both gass early. Coleman was deflated in round one, hands down, mouth open swinging like the village drunkered in some bad irish novel. Shogun did finish him but he gassed in round 2 as well. Shogun might be what the doctor ordered for Chuck. Chuck is done if he loses and Shogun win or lose is still another big win away from a title shot.
by hatteras on Jan 18, 2009 10:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I could not agree more. I might make exceptions for a fighter gassing out if they were genuinely injured shortly before the event, if they took a fight on very short notice as a replacement (I’d still rather see a fight than have one scratched from the card), if it was a one off poor showing or if the fighter in question is a young rookie making their UFC debut on the undercard(the emotions and the adrenaline dump can be severe).
There should be no excuse for consistently grinding to a halt.
by RobH86 on Jan 18, 2009 11:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
True, even Chuck’s old ass and party-with-the-hoes style conditioning would outlast Rua by miles. Hell, Tank Abbott’s a conditioning machines next to Rua…lol
The 205er’s are all calling Dana today asking for Shogun next.
I wish the ref let that fight finish..Coleman would’ve won.
by Ed on Jan 18, 2009 1:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Great article – you’re less nice about it than I was. Props to you.
The fact that Rua vs. Coleman received ‘Fight of the Night’ status is criminal. Neither athlete had the stamina to perform anywhere near the top of their ability and viewers were robbed as a result.
Garp
www.TexasTestosteroneFestival.com
The Texas Testosterone Festival
August 15-16, 2009
Palmer Events Center
Austin, TX
by Garp on Jan 18, 2009 1:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
“manipulate more joints then Joe Rogan?” :p
well done, sir. well done.
by ehou on Jan 18, 2009 2:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That was my favorite too. Great article.
by GregC on Jan 18, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This is a great piece Mania. All of these fighters are cutting huge amounts of weight. I wonder how much that contributes to things? After all, you train for 5 months at your natural weight of 225 lbs and then cut down to 205 lbs forty eight hours before you step into the ring? I wonder what would happen to a marathon runner if he/she cut weight 2 days before a run. How much gas would they have then?
by Dicky Mike on Jan 18, 2009 3:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Horrible card top to bottom. And we knew it would be.
by rbk on Jan 18, 2009 4:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This article is right on point. Couldn’t agree more.
by Will on Jan 18, 2009 5:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
great article…. I feel Shogun was a big let down.
by Nick on Jan 18, 2009 7:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I can’t find it at the moment but there is an article that explains why SOME fighters who train for hours a day get gassed in the first round. A big part of it was a mix of adrenaline and nerves. It burns through the reserves quickly.
This also explains why first timers in the Octagon have trouble. It’s the “big show”.
I am not saying this is the case for the above fight but it gives some reasons for other slow fights.
by Twist on Jan 18, 2009 9:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
1. Every will be calling Dana for a mtchup aganist Shogun. lol but true, and of course… Chuck got it! :)
2. shinbob said something about getting fired for gassing out and all i can think of is Travis Lutter?!
by C_mon choke him on Jan 19, 2009 7:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
“manipulate more joints than Joe Rogan”
Hilarious line…
by Brand0 on Jan 19, 2009 12:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
“…and for Maia to manipulate more joints than Joe Rogan”
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhahhahahhahhahhahhahahhahha
by wagnerav on Jan 20, 2009 3:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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