Before I begin, I would like to note that I am no MMA insider, and may possibly be misinformed.
The UFC holds the title for No. 1 in the world for MMA, but it also seems to hold the title for the No. 1 in the world for lacking diversity in its organization. This is not a racial war of black vs. white, Chinese vs. Japanese, or Nazis vs. the Jews. What I am talking about is the lack of world wide reputation within its organization.
The UFC seems to move back and forth on this progressive ladder, at times housing diverse fighters from other countries and ethnicity, to where it is now. Housing mostly American and Brazilian fighters, a handful of Japanese, one Korean, and maybe six Canadians, the UFC lacks the vast amount of diversity the MMA world has to offer.
Readers, I warn you, don't confuse this as a racial thing it is merely a citizenship thing, Paul Buentello is of Mexican origins, but he is an American citizen. At times the UFC has had Dutch and Russian fighters—Semmy Schild, Igor Zinoviev and Vladmir Matsuyhenko —but that world is gone now.
- B/R Ticket Guide
I mean no prejudice to the UFC, but the most diverse character they have in the organization is Lyoto Machida, who I believe may hold duel citenzenship in Brazil and Japan, don't quote me on that though.
We are starting to see some talent come out of Korea with Dong Hyun Kim, and a few talented Japanese like Yushiyuki Yoshida, Yushin Okami and Akihiro Gono.
With the elimination of Andrei Arlowski, the UFC has essentially to my knowledge lost all fighter representation for the eastern European countries. The UFC is becoming a very exclusive club in which you either have to be American or Brazilian to get into.
Now people, don't get mad so just to mention a few names that only represent a small population of fighters who happen to not be American, Brazilian, Japanese, and maybe Canadian here they are:
1. Michael Bisping
2. Amir Sandollah
3. Rameau Theirry Sokoudojou
4. Alessio Sakara
It is applaudable that all these fighters actually made it into the UFC though because they represent only a small portion of fighters who call the place home.
Organizations like Pride had great amounts of diverse country representation, and now organizations like DREAM are looking to continue the tradition. Lesser known organizations like Shooto have sunk its teeth into diverse and ecletic world of MMA.
Guys like Melvin Manhoef, Gegard Mousashi, Aleksander Emelianenko, Joachim Hansen, and Zelg Galesic are all fighters talented enough to fight in the UFC. But what does the UFC do?
Well, the few of them that the UFC actually wanted have impossible contracts impose on them for these fighters to accept, like reduced pay or restricting them from doing something they love.
I make no claims that UFC President, Dana White is doing this on purpose, but I simply have noticed it as a trend. With organizations popping all around the world in China, India, Norway, and Korea, you would think it would be worth the investment to scout some of these fighters coming out of these countries.
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about 1 month ago
thanks for bringing this up, it's been a thought i've had for a long time. and i appreciate your clarification over racism and diversity. I switched to Pride for a long time because I got tired of seeing the same American take on MMA over and over again.
there's plenty of talent internationally that is untapped. I think we end up getting a skewed view of MMA in its global sphere. there are a host of fighters all over the world capable of competing in the UFC, but like you implied, UFC wants control of the fighters.
It'd be nice if they reached out to find the best competition, but I don't think the Fertitta's and Dana White are secure enough to face the prospect of one fight damaging their reputation as the world's leader in quality MMA.
good article
about 1 month ago
I don't agree with your point at all. Here is a list of the current champions:
LW - BJ Penn - American (from Hawaii)
WW - Georges St. Pierre - Canadian
MW - Anderson Silva - Brazilian (can't even speak English)
LHW - Forrest Griffin - American (good ol' southern white boy)
HW - Antonio Noguiera - Brazilian (speaks English with heavy accent)
Of course more fighters in the UFC are American than other nationality. When Pride FC was still holding events, more of their fighters were Japanese than any other nationality. You have to promote fighters that appeal to your audience and can connect with them. It just makes sense.
from about 1 month ago
In my article I clearly talked about how the UFC was overwhelmingly American and Brazilian your list just shows that all but St. Pierre falls into that group
about 1 month ago
I see where your going with this and it seems apparent but consider this, is it in Danas or the UFCs best interest to limit their talent by judging based on race or ethnic origins? Dana seems to vicious and saavy of a business man to allow somethign so miniscule to determine his allowance of opportunity for fighters. Dont get me wrong, you already said this is not an accusation and I heard you loud and clear, just for conversations sake I want to say these things. I would like to think that talent is what gets men a shot in the UFC, not race. Perhaps it is this. The alarming growth of the sport here in the states allows for more kids with their parents money and and interest to train and get more recognition. It is popular all over the world but how far does the UFC go to recruit? Do they wait for a fighter to become known to pursue them, or do they actively go to eastern Europe to scout fighters? There must be more to it than color or ethnicity, that is a dangerous game to play when your in a multi million dollar business. I doubt there is much truth to it, but it does shine through in your points regardless. interesting, but doubtful.
from about 1 month ago
I like argument but I wasn't really talking about race in my article or color, I used the word racism in the title because I wanted to shock and get people to read it. But why let wait to let people make a name for themselves when they could grab them first. 2nd of all these fighters have made names for themselves internationally it seems that the U.S. is a little behind in the mma scene despite it having one of the first organizations in the sport.
about 1 month ago
Dumb article - titled "Racism in UFC" - yet all you do is bitch about how ufc does not have enough non-american fighters (and even that is a matter of opinion)
Look up the definition for racism dude
from about 1 month ago
I know the def of Racism I used for shock value to get people to read
from about 1 month ago
lol u got me to read - good job
about 1 month ago
While many Russian fighters (Aleks, Sergei, Fedor etc) did at some point hint that UFC possibly doesn't really want Champions that are not "their own", I would take that with a grain of salt, as UFC didn't have any problems with AA being their HW Champion.
I think people often confuse the two issues. The real issue is that Eastern-European MMA scene is dominated by M1, and Dana doesn't like doing business with any other promotion. Hence the separation and statistics.
Basically what I'm saying is that if you're from Europe, you're likely fighting in M1, and will have a hard time having your manager negotiate successfully with UFC, as UFC HATES M1, and vise-versa.
from about 1 month ago
UFC loves M-1 they have tea parties all the time.
from about 1 month ago
Boston tea parties?
from about 1 month ago
NO NO but they do eat crumpets.
about 1 month ago
If Dana and the UFC brass would get their head out of England's ass, they'd see how many great fighters they are missing out on. Root for Antoni Hardonk ... the UFC needs more guys like him.
about 1 month ago
I disagree, the ufc is not racist as your headline puts it. They have mainly american fighters because it is founded in america. If most eastern europeans have a problem with the contract, whereas most american and brazilian fighters don't, then that has absolutely nothing to do with racism. You seem to stem away from saying the ufc is racist in the article, but you titled it Racism and the UFC. doesn't really make much sense
about 1 month ago
You all talk as if you have any understand on what it takes to group a business. I feel there is a huge lack of understanding when it comes to this. UFC is number one and can't grow fast enough according to Dana White. Now why do you think that is? Should he just throw him hat in every and anywhere.
Wrong!
Even the "great" has to follow the basic of business, financing, reach, locate time tables. Yes the UFC has money but you never us your own money, you fiance and to do that on their scale is a huge undertaking. To say nothing about dealing with the country, region, city, all the way down to the arena, all of which have rules and requirement that you must follow or met before ever to put a card together.
Because it is not is the area you feel to be the most important to you do not make it racism. People are soo quick to claim it for any reason, when in reality to means nothing.
about 1 month ago
Ok I changed the title of this article bcs I don't want people to be confused by it "originally titled racism and UFC I did this as a marketing ploy to get all of you to read it. OK, I realize this was a dirty trick and a lot of you are mad and quick to point out that my article does not talk about racism
about 1 month ago
Jared,
I understand and agree with your article completely. In fact, I brought up this very subject in a recent post: Pride was far more global than is the UFC. And that's partly why Pride was more intriguing and more fun to watch than the UFC. Other than Canada, the U.S., Brazil, a couple of Brits, and a handful of Japanese fighters, who have they got? Pride had fighters from too many countries to even remember.
I don't know that the UFC reeks of racism, but they certainly reek of favoritism. Good article that needed to be brought up.
Thanks, Jared
from about 1 month ago
Thanks and I don't intend to make anyone sound racist just that it is very apparent that they don't seem to scout and look for guys outside of those few countries
about 1 month ago
You bet, Jared,
And I never did get an indication that you truly believe the UFC is racially prejudice.
However, to use such a title as a hook...well, I'm sure you'll come up with different ways to make 'em point-and-click. Your article was misconstrued by some as such.
Your writing on its own merit might just do the trick.
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