Gut Check from UFC Expert: "Yanks Can Be Smug About MMA"
"MMA enthusiasts in the U.S. often display a strong sense of superiority"
By Mookie McSwagger
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Breaking into the Mixed Martial Arts big leagues ain't a walk in the park, no siree. Once you hit the UFC, you're top dog. But a bunch of German fighters are struggling to make it, and, according to a seasoned UFC expert, some Yankees are to blame.
European fighters have been trailblazing their way up, but they're hitting a wall when they try to crack the UFC. "There are reasons for that," claimed Din Thomas to ntv.de. The former MMA fighter has his eyes on European talent, but he's also calling out athletes and organizers for a lack of effort.
Ant Smashes Anthill: Thomas talks MMA in Deutschland Thomas is now a UFC and ESPN pundit, with a keen interest in MMA in Europe and Germany. "I just love untapped talents. Germany's got some fighters with major potential, you just gotta uncover it and give 'em a shot." But that includes giving them a chance to learn, make mistakes, and build a name for themselves. The 48-year-old has a soft spot for Germany. After a stint as a coach at MMA Spirit in Frankfurt in 2014, he dug the vibe, people, and hospitality. Ever since, he's been popping by Germany, noticing the growing popularity of MMA through Oktagon.
Sold-out arenas, hordes of spectators, and a TV product that's as good as the UFC, but there's a reason why the American market isn't caring. "Americans can be pretty full of themselves about this," said Thomas to ntv.de. "If something doesn't have a U.S. connection, it's second-rate. But I ain't buying it, and I feel like it's my job to shine a light on what's happening here."
The numbers Oktagon delivers are impressive, Thomas points out, shouting out the record event in Frankfurt's stadium with 58,000 fans. "That ain't nothing to sneeze at. But the US market wants results. They wanna know if these fighters can compete in the top leagues. Until that happens, it's gonna be hard to say Oktagon's one of the major organizations." But once they start stepping up, Oktagon will come onto the radar in the U.S.
Oktagon MMA... matches are streaming on RTL+.
There's plenty of grit needed for Oktagon to get noticed in the U.S. "We've seen promoters come and go. It takes persistence to build trust and success. That ain't gonna happen overnight," said Thomas.
Breaking into the UFC or other U.S. organizations is, in Thomas's view, a mix of a fighter's responsibility and opportunity. US organizers wouldn't dream of flying in a German fighter. But if they're already in the U.S. for training, they might get a shot. The other way is to compete in Cage Warriors or Brave FC, but the financial rewards aren't exactly stellar, and many fighters are taking that risk for bigger paydays elsewhere.
The European fighting scene has its challenges, but with a dash of perseverance, things are looking up. Keep it locked, yeah?
European fighters are struggling to make it into the UFC because of the perceived superiority of some American athletes and organizers, according to UFC and ESPN pundit Din Thomas. Despite impressive numbers and strong local support, Oktagon MMA lacks recognition in the U.S. market until their fighters prove their ability to compete in top leagues.
