Female mixed marital artists finally getting the respect and attention they deserve

* 135 lbs. Women’s MMA Champion Miesha Tate (left) and title challenger “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey (right) pose for media on Friday, March 2nd prior to their fight on Saturday, March 3rd *

When most people think of cage fighting and mixed martial arts, few envision female combatants and the few that do rarely imagine women as beautiful as the two ladies in the above photo. The “looks can be deceiving” cliche is in true form here and the appearance of these ladies is not fully indicative of the toughness, martial skill and athletic prowess these women possess. While some of the more season fans of the sport are against the idea of women competing at the highest levels of the sport and feel that women have no business stepping into the cage and fighting. Some hide their prejudice by claiming that they don`t want to see women get hurt and are watching out for them, when in reality those men would be wise to watch out for the female fighters as they would be the ones getting hurt. Although this is 2012, sexism has still been running rampant in the world of mixed martial arts but after the fight that fans were treated to on Saturday, the general consensus amongst disinterested male fans has truly transformed into true interest and admiration for the sport of female MMA.

The stage was perfectly set for this revolution on Saturday night, as two of the best 135 lbs. female fighters in the world were headlining the event and after months of heated exchanges between the women, fireworks were inevitable. The fight was scheduled for 5 x 5-minute rounds, but the contest would need only 4 minutes to reveal the winner by devastating fashion….

* Ronda Rousey brutally submits Miesha Tate with a gut-wrenching armbar that snaps Tate’s arm in several places at the end of the 1st round to win the Women’s 135 lbs. MMA title on Saturday, March 3rd *

Nick Diaz unsprisingly tests positive for Marijuana but will face a 1-year ban from MMA competiton

                      -Nick Diaz describing his view on Marijuana and fighting back in 2009

Whoever the “people” were that Nick Diaz spoke of in the above quote that stated “marijuana would hurt his career”, must feel like fortune tellers now…..

While many MMA fans were not surprised to hear that top welterweight contender tested positive for Marijuana following his controversial decision loss to Carlos Condit on February 4, 2012 at UFC 143 in Las Vegas, many were shocked to hear that Nick’s medical marijuana exemption in California  was ignored by the NSAC (Nevada State Athletic Commission) and Diaz was flagged for using a banned substance. Many (including myself) felt that the NSAC and other athletic commissions in North America shouldn’t even be testing for Marijuana, as it becoming increasingly accepted in society as a recreational drug that has very few health risks compared to alcohol, cocaine or heroin. The second (and perhaps most valid) argument is that the whole purpose of testing professional athletes for drugs is to identify and punish users of performing enhancing drugs (PEDs) such as: all kinds of anabolic steroids, human growth hormone, abnormally high levels of testosterone, amphetamine related products that increase athletes speed and energy levels, as well as numerous diuretics and laxatives (due to the fact that fighters cut weight prior to their matches as their are strict weight-limit restrictions in each division). While the NSAC does not rank Marijuana as a PED, they still insist that because it is illegal in most situations, they must punish users just the same as offenders who are jacked up on steroids. One of the major reasons for the NSAC’s hard stance on this subject is directly related to Public Relations. Officials have stated that ignoring marijuana use by athletes will send a inappropriate message to young people and the general public that they endorse or condone marijuana use. Regardless of the NSAC’s claims, one question that myself and others are continuing to ask is this…. “Nick Diaz has made it public knowledge that he is a heavy marijuana for years, but has only tested positive 2 times out of over 20 tests (once in 2007 and once in 2012), so why are the officials acting shocked that he tested positive?

In addition to above hypocrisy surrounding Nick Diaz’s positive marijuana test, the other question that must be asked is…… “Is it fair to restrict a person’s right to make a living for 1-year because he smokes pot?” I personally feel in this case that it is ridiculous to suspend Diaz for smoking pot as I don’t see how using marijuana gave him any notable advantage in any of his fights…. if anything sports doctor’s are saying it most likely would have hindered his performance, rather than enhancing it.

Although fans of the UFC are outraged at the antiquated stance on marijuana that the legislated bodies that sanction combative sports in North America have taken, I highly doubt any are as fuming as Nick Diaz is and as he makes a very lucrative living earning $300,000/ per fight and usually fights 3-4 times per year but because of this situation he is banned from fighting for money for at least 1-year….. all because he had smoked pot (heaven forbid!)

Chael Sonnen secures his rematch with Anderson Silva by narrowly defeating Michael Bisping on January 28, 2012

* Chael Sonnen punches Michael Bisping’s jaw at the UFC on FOX 2 event on January 28, 2012.

As the mixed martial arts world watched with eager anticipation at this 185 lbs. match-up for the #1 Contender spot and a shot at Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, many fans like myself were praying for a Chael Sonnen victory, which would set-up the biggest rematch in the history of the sport; Silva vs. Sonnen II.  Luckily Chael squeaked out a narrow judges decision, thus locking in his rematch with Anderson Silva in Brazil sometime in June of 2012.  To cap the night off, Chael let loose on the microphone with his trademark brand of trash talking telling the fans in attendance and the millions watching on TV that “when you are the best fighter in the world they don’t call you a great fighter, they call you Chael Sonnen!”

In terms of Public Relations, Chael Sonnen is a both a help and a hindrance to the Ultimate Fighting Championship as he is by far the most polarizing figure in the sport as his outspoken personality and arrogant demeanor have won him many fans, while simultaneously gaining him many detractors. In the sports and entertainment business, many feel that any publicity is good publicity and when it comes to Chael Sonnen, there is no shortage of scandals and intrigue associated with him. As a former realtor and politician in Oregon, Chael Sonnen had a very clean image in his community but a couple of years ago he was arrested and convicted of fraud, which led to the revoking of his realtor license and an end to his political career. While his behaviour is not commendable or anything to brag about, the fact he was in the sports news often translated to the UFC being mentioned on a regular basis and was ultimately free advertising for the organization.