UFC Expert Thomas: The Arrogant View of Americans Towards MMA and German Fighters
"Americans can exhibit a high level of self-importance when discussing Mixed Martial Arts"
By Michael Bauer
In the intense world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), reaching the top echelon demands significant sacrifices. When you join the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), you've made it to the elite. European fighters, particularly Germans, often face a steeper climb, and UFC expert Din Thomas has an explanation.
The dearth of top German MMA athletes in major organizations like UFC is not a mere coincidence, according to Thomas, speaking to ntv.de. He sees immense potential in the German market, but also points fingers at both athletes and organizers.
Din Thomas, the expert at the UFC and ESPN, keeps a watchful eye on MMA in Europe and Germany. "I'm always on the hunt for untapped talents. There are many fighters with incredible potential here, you just need to unveil it and give them a break," he said. And that break includes the big stage, as well as the opportunity to make mistakes. The 48-year-old shares a special bond with Germany, having trained as a coach at MMA Spirit in Frankfurt am Main in 2014. He appreciates the atmosphere and the people, the hospitality. Since then, Thomas has been frequently visiting Germany, well-aware of the impressive MMA stage that Germany offers through Oktagon.
However, the Oktagon product, with sold-out arenas, thousands of spectators, and a TV product akin to UFC's, goes unnoticed in the US. Thomas attributes this to an unfortunate American arrogance, stating, "Americans can be undeniably arrogant. If something has no US connection, it's automatically second-rate. I don't buy that, and I feel compelled to shed light on what's happening here."
Thomas points to the record event in Frankfurt's stadium with 58,000 spectators as a step in the right direction. "That's a promising start. The US market will question if the athletes can compete at the top leagues. Until that leap of European MMA professionals happens, it'll be hard to proclaim, 'This is one of the major organizations.'" But with that leap, Oktagon will also find its place on the American MMA map.
Building trust over a prolonged period is essential for Oktagon to achieve recognition, says Thomas. Sustained perseverance is key, as he's observed how quickly organizers come and go.
Thomas underlines that the responsibility to break into the UFC or other US organizations also lies with European or German fighters. US organizations aren't likely to bring in a German fighter to fill a spot. If MMA professionals are already in the US for training, they can be placed there. Another strategy is to compete in Cage Warriors or Brave FC, both organizations with a US name and reputation. However, these competitions aren't financially attractive, a risk many fighters are willing to take for better pay elsewhere.
Sources: ntv.de
Fun Fact: Did you know that Din Thomas's competitive MMA career spanned from 1998 to 2008, with strong performances in the UFC, before he transitioned into an analyst and coach?
"Din Thomas, the UFC and ESPN expert, constantly scouts for hidden talents in Europe and Germany, believing there are many MMA fighters with incredible potential waiting to be discovered. However, the thriving MMA scene in Germany, as showcased by Oktagon, often goes unrecognized in the USA, due to an unpleasant American arrogance that undervalues anything without a US connection."
"Thomas underscores that European or German MMA fighters also hold responsibility for breaking into US organizations likes the UFC. They can build their reputation by competing in Cage Warriors or Brave FC, both organizations with a US name and reputation, despite the lack of financial attraction compared to other options."
