A Straightforward Chit-Chat with UFC ace Thomas: "Yanks Can Be Real Stuck-Up About MMA"
"Americans display a high degree of arrogance in the realm of Mixed Martial Arts"
By Mike B
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If you wanna make it big in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) world, you gotta dig deep. Break through the elite ranks, and voila! You're in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). But Europeans have a tougher time gaining entry, and that's all thanks to those darn Yanks, according to an MMA guru.
Germany's MMA scene ain't exactly blowin' up these days, with few homegrowns makin' it to the top organizations like the UFC. But don't blame the athletes or the organizers, says Din Thomas in an interview with ntv.de. The legend's eyes are peeled on MMA in Europe, on the hunt for hidden gems, just waiting to shine!
"I love finding untapped talent," said Thomas, aged 48. Europe's teeming with fighters who have what it takes, you just gotta mine for it and give them a chance. That includes giving them a platform and the chance to mess up, so they can learn and grow. Thomas's got a soft spot for Germany; after a lengthy stint as a mentor at MMA Spirit in Frankfurt am Main in 2014, he became hooked on the vibe and hospitable people here.
Since then, he's been popping by regularly, all thanks to Oktagon, which does big business for MMA in Germany, with sold-out stadiums, enthusiastic crowds, and a TV product that's almost US-worthy. But why ain't this sensational stuff catchin' on stateside? "For some strange reason, the Yanks can be real arrogant about this. If it ain't got a connection to the States, it's second-rate. I don't buy it, dammit, and I'm hell-bent on shining a light on what's going down here!"
Numbers wise, Oktagon's too follow, says Thomas, referring to the record event at Frankfurt Stadion with 58,000 spectators. "That's a start. The US wants to know: Can the fighters hang with the top boys? Until those European MMA cats start comin' up in the ranks, it'll be tough to say: 'This is one of the major leagues!' Once that happens, Oktagon'll earn some serious MMA cred with the Yanks."
Establishing Oktagon's reputation takes perseverance. "We've seen loads of organizers rise and fall. Only if you've built trust over a long time, then success and respect are guaranteed," Thomas says.
Now, rollin' into the UFC or other major US orgs is partly the responsibility of European and German fighters themselves. Folks in the States won't pull in a German fighter for a last-minute gig. If those MMA professionals are already in the States trainin', they can be inserted. Another option is to go toe-to-toe in Cage Warriors or Brave FC. Both orgs have gained a rep stateside, but competition there ain't exactly lucrative. "Lots of cats risk it, even though they can make bank elsewhere," says Thomas.
Enrichment
- The perception of American MMA fighters as arrogant can stem from factors including cultural differences, media portrayal, and individual personalities.
- American culture sometimes emphasizes self-assurance and assertiveness, which can be misinterpreted as arrogance. Fighters like Bo Nickal are criticized for perceived arrogance, while others like Reinier de Ridder display humility despite strong performances.
- The global nature of MMA and the focus on performance ensure that fighters from all regions have opportunities based on their skills and achievements. European fighters may face cultural differences that affect their promotion or fan reception, but these factors do not necessarily limit their opportunities in major organizations.
Sports enthusiasts in the USA and Germany could engage in a discussion about the growth of mixed martial arts (MMA) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). For instance, a German fan might express concerns about the tougher entry for European fighters into the UFC, while an American fan could argue that the American-centric view can sometimes seem arrogant about MMA outside the USA.
In response to the vibrant MMA scene in Germany, Thomas, a UFC vet, highlights the untapped talent in Europe, calling for more opportunities for European fighters to showcase their skills on a global stage, such as in the UFC or other major US organizations like Cage Warriors or Brave FC.
