Much of the chatter surrounding Mark Hunt’s showreel KO of Frank Mir has focused on the extraordinary sight of the Sydney-based fighter strolling away from the prone Mir, instead of jumping on someone already on the ground and pounding his head.
With the popularity of UFC among people under 35 and the vast amount of hand-wringing, laws and money spent trying to stop this age demographic causing severe injury to each other every weekend, does this open an opportunity to use Mark as a role model?
While the ‘one punch’ issue has dominated the press, there is no doubt that when a person continues to beat someone once they have fallen, or multiple people continue to attack someone who has ceased any offensive move, the outcome won’t be good.
Two key images from the weekend’s fight could be applied as values well worth reinforcing to young people.
Firstly, only fight when both parties agree to engage, and ideally between two who appear evenly matched. This removes king hits and bully beatings.
Secondly, once someone falls its game over. Frank Mir will have woken up in Brisbane today sore, and perhaps sad, but not permanently damaged – that is a good thing.
This may make me sound old school, but it is inevitable, if not desirable, that some people will fight. If we make it that they do it in a way that minimises potential long-term damage, that can only be a step in the right direction.
So, be like Mark – only fight someone willing to fight you, and when someone falls it’s time to walk away.
Brad
Guest
Do not agree at all. "Secondly, once someone falls its game over." Just because someone falls over doesn't mean that they are knocked out. I can promise you that Mark Hunt would have been on top if Mir hadn't been knocked out! There are plenty of studies that show that a brutal finish in MMA; however horrible it is for some to watch, causes less damage than the repeated knock downs in boxing. As someone who has trained BJJ for almost 10 years there isn't anywhere I feel more comfortable than on the ground. If you want to only watch striking, go watch only striking. There is plenty available for you.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Wouldn't look at Hunt as a role model inside the cage, but moreso outside it. If you read his book, and look at his demeanour, he is an incredible ambassador for the sport.
Surely
Guest
There was even a split second when Hunt thought he had done the wrong thing.
Joe Frost
Editor
The problem with what Mark Hunt did is it leaves you open to losing the fight. Anderson Silva could have beaten Michael Bisping at Fight Night 84, but after knocking Bisping down, Silva celebrated instead of finishing the job. https://au.sports.yahoo.com/mma/a/30947555/ufc-fight-night-84-michael-bisping-beats-anderson-silva/ Dana White said after the fight - "If he (Anderson) would have jumped on top of him he would have finished the fight. But he didn't. He walked away." The best way to win in UFC is to be totally brutal. So I'd probably tell people going for a beer to do what Mark did (or, y'know, not fight at all), but young MMA aspirants, you'd have to say, "Don't do what Mark did."