Damon Martin of MMAWeekly helps to transcribe part of this week’s UFC 114 media conference call with Rashad Evans and Rampage Jackson that, at several points, became quite heated. Martin then poses the following question:
When does trash talk become political talk become social commentary become hate speech? Were Evans and Jackson over the line with the way they went after each other in a public forum?
That’s a question that’s left to be answered by the public, but it would seem that the side show has diluted a great fight into a hate filled, anger ridden, controversy between two fighters who obviously do not like one another.
Payout Perspective:
Sports are a reflection of society – a reflection that can closely mirror many of the challenges that we all face in our daily lives and provide a platform for us to meet and address those challenges.
Thus, I have no issue with Rampage and Rashad’s escalating war of words. This feud, in many ways, embodies the real life tensions that our world faces today: issues of race, socio-demographics, sexual orientation, and sportsmanship (or lack thereof). These are not things to hide from, nor should they be eschewed to some dark corner of the sports world.
This is a fight sport, but it’s more than just a battle inside the cage – it’s an expression and embodiment of the issues above. Better to have those issues out in the open and this conflict channeled properly than to have it fester beneath the surface and explored in a less controlled environment.
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Regardless of what you think about the feud, it’s tough to deny that this will be a boon for UFC business. This fight will sell like gangbusters – impressive considering it’s not a title fight – and the winner of this fight walks away with a new level of popularity that he can take into his title shot to make that a massive event as well.
I agree, Kelsey. The feud is great for business and censoring comments like the ones that Rashad and Rampage recently made is like censoring the issues they refer to entirely. They certainly didn’t take it too far. An African American man disapproving of the way he perceives other African American men perpetuating what he believes to be negative stereotypes about African Americans is hardly a new phenomenon. Jackson’s comments on Rashad acting in ways that he perceives to be homosexual is also not crossing the line. Aren’t they both merely commenting on the way that they perceive each other to be perpetuating stereotypes? This doesn’t make either of them right, or what either of them say necessarily true. This is merely what you get sometimes in an uncut dialogue. Imagine how many offensive things are left on the cutting room floor of other productions? Individuals say these things, we just don’t always hear about them because of media politics.
Also, let’s remember that these comments were made during a MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL, not on TV. some people may not think this matters, but there are appropriate mediums for this type of banter and this was one of them. If these comments were included in a segment intended for a TV broadcast, they would be appropriately cut. The internet is a place where free speech is unhindered, and while that can and often does lead to ridiculously crass and offensive dialogues, it is very important that a medium exists through which people can say and express things that would be inappropriate anywhere else.
Thank you Kelsey & Co for providing us w/ a place for intelligent commentary. I agree w/ the forum of sport -especially combat sports as a healthy place to express and release such differences.
Was it Martin Mull who said Hollywood is just high school w/ $$?. Is this not just like the local Boys Club or PYC w/ $$? The local director overseeing a scrap in the basement on the mat so it does not end up in the alley or in front of the drug store.
How political is it when the USA takes on Russia or Iran on an Olympic Wrestling mat? Some journalists have stated that it is the healthy substitute for real combat.
Doesn’t Chicago love to knock over any NY team on the field or rink?