The UFC 111 post fight press conference once again instigated the oft-opined, polarizing topic of teammates fighting teammates with the verbal exchange between President Dana White and victorious welterweight contender Jon Fitch.

The cliffs notes version is this – Fitch doesn’t want to fight his American Kickboxing Academy teammate and fellow top flight welterweight contender Josh Koscheck, but the UFC management would prefer if it came to fruition.

In theory it seems like a practical verdict. Two fixtures in the upper echelon of the division would agree to waive their membership to determine the better fighter for the greater good of both the division and the organization.

After all, the very basis for the UFC since inception has been to pit one individual against another in the cage and see who walks away, without so much of a mention or consideration to his allegiance.

But this is 2010 and times have changed. Teams are now apart of the everyday fabric of the sport.

Why then, is MMA still widely considered an individual sport?

Is this not a tired, short-sighted viewpoint given the current configuration?

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