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So as we all know by now Tyron Woodley has had some controversial opinions that he has shared on international television and social media over the last few weeks.
The essence of his points are that African-American athletes, specifically in his argument MMA fighters, are not given equal representation and treatment from the powers that be.
He has made statements about Jon Jones and Demetrious Johnson either not being pushed like white fighters or being chastised when they make life mistakes (in Jon's case). He's also alluded to Wonderboy being promoted like he's the American athlete, as a means of discrimination toward Tyron. Many have even speculated that small and subtle cues like the enthusiasm of a handshake from Dana White, might be a little off toward Tyron.
So I say all that, to ask this one concise question:
How many African-American fighters do deem to have had a sufficient promotional push in the UFC?
I would say the following names come to mind:
Quinton Jackson
Jon Jones
Rashad Evans
Those are literally the only names that come to mind when I think of guys being pushed to a point where the general public have an idea of who they are. Heck, I'll go one further, these are the only guys in the UFC who are African-American which I believe have ever even got a push inside of the MMA annals.
First thing I think of is "are there even that many African-Americans competing in MMA?" - because I think the answer is "no". Therefore the % of black fighters who are even good enough to deserve a push is going to be considerably lower.
Is this an issue, does Tyron have a point?
The essence of his points are that African-American athletes, specifically in his argument MMA fighters, are not given equal representation and treatment from the powers that be.
He has made statements about Jon Jones and Demetrious Johnson either not being pushed like white fighters or being chastised when they make life mistakes (in Jon's case). He's also alluded to Wonderboy being promoted like he's the American athlete, as a means of discrimination toward Tyron. Many have even speculated that small and subtle cues like the enthusiasm of a handshake from Dana White, might be a little off toward Tyron.
So I say all that, to ask this one concise question:
How many African-American fighters do deem to have had a sufficient promotional push in the UFC?
I would say the following names come to mind:
Quinton Jackson
Jon Jones
Rashad Evans
Those are literally the only names that come to mind when I think of guys being pushed to a point where the general public have an idea of who they are. Heck, I'll go one further, these are the only guys in the UFC who are African-American which I believe have ever even got a push inside of the MMA annals.
First thing I think of is "are there even that many African-Americans competing in MMA?" - because I think the answer is "no". Therefore the % of black fighters who are even good enough to deserve a push is going to be considerably lower.
Is this an issue, does Tyron have a point?
All this racism talk is nonsense to be honest.
