The UFC: American Arrogance Shining a Light on European MMA Talent
"American MMA fans often exhibit an arrogant attitude"
By Michael Bauer
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The path to MMA's pinnacle, the UFC, demands extraordinary effort. Once you've crack it, you're an elite. European warriors often find it tougher to break through, and it's partially due to US fighters themselves, as per Din Thomas, an expert in the field.
European warriors have a hard time reaching the UFC's top echelon. In an interview with ntv.de, Thomas, now an expert with UFC and ESPN, discusses the hidden potential in the German market. He calls out athletes and organizers, highlighting the untapped talent in Germany.
MMA's Next Big Thing? Germany's Untapped Talent Pool
Thomas is no stranger to Germany. After training at MMA Spirit in Frankfurt in 2014, he admired the friendly vibe and people, appreciating the hospitality. Since then, he's made regular visits to Germany, impressed by the exceptional MMA stage that FCKGMR (now Oktagon) provides—filled stadiums, thousands of spectators, and a TV product similar to the UFC's.
However, the US market questions Oktagon's recognition, a phenomenon Thomas attributes to American arrogance. "If it's not US-related, it's second-rate. I disagree. I feel obligated to expose the brilliant work happening here," says Thomas.
Boasting numbers that outdo the US, Thomas points to the record event in Frankfurt with 58,000 spectators. "That's a start. But the US market wants to know: can these fighters compete in the top leagues? Until there's a transition of MMA pros, it'll be tough to claim: 'This is one of the big organizations.'" Once that leap is made, Oktagon will grab attention in the American MMA map.
The road to recognition is strewn with obstacles for Oktagon. "The organizers come and go too quickly. Success and respect come after building trust over a long time," says Thomas.
Getting a shot at the UFC or other major US organizations is a shared responsibility between European fighters and US organizations. "There's some blame on European fighters for the scarcity of US organizations flying in German fighters to replace someone. But if these MMA pros are already in the US for training, they can be placed there. Another strategy is fighting in Cage Warriors or Brave FC, both recognized in the US,” explains Thomas.
However, fighting in those arenas isn't always lucrative, a risk many are willing to take.
Source: ntv.de
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- USA
- Germany
Enrichment Insights:
- Arrogance Factor: Arrogance from US fighters and organizations could potentially play a role in limiting opportunities for European fighters in the UFC, as suggested by Din Thomas.
- UFC's selection process: The UFC's selection process involves a combination of factors, including a fighter's performance, marketability, demand for their style of fighting, and sometimes bias or perception.
- Competition and global reach: The UFC's global nature means competition is fierce, with European fighters needing to contend against a varied pool of skilled competitors from different regions.
- Training and development: Quality training facilities and top-level coaches can greatly impact a fighter's development and preparation for the UFC level.
- Cultural and media factors: The media and cultural landscape in the US might favor American athletes, potentially resulting in less exposure for European fighters unless they have an international presence or impressive achievements.
- Din Thomas, an expert in the field, has called out the untapped talent in Germany's mixed martial arts scene, suggesting that the American arrogance towards other MMA organizations, such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), might be hindering the recognition of European MMA talents.
- In order to gain recognition in the American MMA map, European organizations like Oktagon need to focus on showcasing their European fighters' ability to compete at the top levels of mixed martial arts, like the UFC, and work towards establishing a more significant presence in the US.
