Straight-Up Chat with UFC Expert: "Americans Can Be Paper Champions About MMA"
"In the realm of Mixed Martial Arts, a notable air of American arrogance often surfaces"
By Mike B.
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The MMA world is a grueling one, and cracking the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)’s code is no easy feat. European fighters often face a steeper climb to the leading organization, but an expert explains why it's the Yank contingent themselves who are the major hindrance.
Germany is currently casting a relatively small shadow over the MMA upper echelons, with few fighters breaking through the ranks. Din Thomas, a seasoned MMA fighter turned UFC-ESPN expert, pins the challenge on both athletes and promoters.
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Thomas offers a glimpse into the European MMA scene, recognizing the buried talents and opportunities waiting to be tapped, provided the German market embraces struggling fighters and overlooked promoters with open arms. The 48-year-old praises the German market for its potential, believing that uncovering hidden talents and offering them a chance to proverbially play with the big dogs will lead to breakthroughs.
Thomas cherishes the alluring atmosphere and warm hospitality Germany has to offer, having spent several months as a trainer at MMA Spirit in Frankfurt am Main in 2014. He has since become a regular presence in Germany, with Oktagon's event-filled calendar a testament to the thriving MMA scene. Oktagon's impressive productions are often difficult to distinguish from the UFC’s, but the US market remains unimpressed. Thomas argues that this indifference can be chalked up to what he deems an unnecessary American arrogance.
Though Oktagon's numbers are on par with the US market, the question of whether German athletes can cut it in major US leagues persists, hindering Oktagon's progress on the American MMA landscape. However, if these fighters can prove their mettle in top-tier leagues, Oktagon is well on its way to earning a prominent spot in the US MMA community.
broadcasts live events and Oktagon MMA highlights.
The road to US MMA stardom for Oktagon still has a few detours. "We’ve witnessed promoters come and go. Building trust takes time, and only then can success and respect follow," muses Thomas.
Cracking the UFC or other leading US organizations requires a collaborative effort between European fighters and promoters, according to Thomas. Flying in German fighters for specific events isn't a factor, though fighters already stateside for training could be considered. Embracing lower-paying but recognized leagues, like Cage Warriors or Brave FC, is another viable option, despite the financial risks.
Source: ntv.de
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Germany
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- USA
Mixed martial arts, though thriving in Germany with events such as Oktagon, struggles to gain recognition in the US market, despite its productions often being as impressive as the UFC's. Din Thomas, a UFC-ESPN expert, suggests that this indifference can be attributed to an unnecessary American arrogance, potentially hindering the progress of German athletes in US leagues.
Thomas also emphasizes the need for collaboration between European fighters and promoters to crack the code of major US organizations like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Embracing lower-paying, recognized leagues like Cage Warriors or Brave FC could be a viable option, even if it involves financial risks.
