Do you think most UFC fighters actually enjoy fighting?

[kflo]

I would say the majority do not. We’ve seen it time and time again, people rising through the ranks and then disappearing after they get the belt or big money.

We rarely see that…..

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

We rarely see that…..

Source?

 

[Hellowhosthat]

This isn't the kind of sport it's easy to do if you don't love it. Most fighters absolutely love fight night.

 

[rocketrasslin18]

The fighters do but idk about most of the athletes that fight do

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

Probably, although the ratio is likely lower than it used to be. Back in the 90s and 00s most guys got into MMA because it was exciting and cool to be fighting people in a cage with hardly any rules, the expectation of getting rich wasnt really there.

 

[Qays Stetkevich]

Do most pro athletes enjoy their sport?
I think you have to to some degree in order to succeed. If you don't have some sort of passion how do you possibly put in that extra work and maintain the drive to be on that level? It's not like a normal 9-5 you can just go through the motions on
Unless you're Sam alvey

Ok, that was brilliant.

 

[kflo]

Source?

Lol. You claimed something happens “time and time again” and provided no examples….

Gsp, khabib………

 

[Last Falconry]

I think most probably do when they first start out. It seems like a profession that wears down your enthusiasm quickly for a number of reasons, even aside from the obvious ones

 

[ninja boot]

most of these guys have fame and bank accounts that are bigger than they would otherwise. I'm sure some are addicted to competition and testing themselves but overall if you ask 10 layman if they love their jobs, 9 probably wish they'd hit the powerball instead of going to work on Monday. I suspect the same would be true of athletes too.

 

[TheScorpionDude]

The stress, the intense training, the physical damage they take. Do they enjoy that or is it the fame, fortune and lifestyle of a fighter is what makes them overlook all what is involved.

I think they all enjoy it a lot until their first knee or back injury.

 

[JosephTessaro]

I think the UFC fighters love fighting. I heard it was the Bellator fighters that hate fighting.

50/50 over there at LFA and PFL.

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

Lol. You claimed something happens “time and time again” and provided no examples….

Gsp, khabib………

Conor, Amanda, Aldo, Holloway, nearly everyone that wins a belt since the Reebok deal

 

[Shaddows]

The stress, the intense training, the physical damage they take. Do they enjoy that or is it the fame, fortune and lifestyle of a fighter is what makes them overlook all what is involved.

I don't think most of them look at it the way you or I would.

We think about the pain... they are mostly used to it and just shrug it off.
Then again, most of them would go batshit crazy if they had to hold a 8-4 schedule 5 days a week locked in an office behind a desk.

THAT is far worse for them than MMA.

 

[Epicman1324]

Guys like GSP, no. He sees it as an athletic competition, striving to be the best. He doesn't like the brutality of it. Guys like Tuivasa, Hunt, Hendo, Diego Sanchez, clearly love this shit.

 

[jitzmonkey]

So you got guys who like to fight Mike Perry, Tai Tuivasa, Black Beast, Wanderlei Silva, all of whom aren't super technical.
You got guys who like to fight who are/were technical like BJ Penn, Anderson, Vitor, Cain (maybe,) Izzy, Usman, Masvidal, JBJ, DC... some are more technical than others
You have athletes who are all Bushido: GSP comes to mind, Sean Sherk, Matt Hughes...
The Diaz brothers seem to like to scrap, and are athletes but then Nick doesn't enjoy fighting...

This could turn into a meandering long(er) winded rant or something, but I believe that there're varying degrees of people who actually enjoy fighting.

Amanda Nunes seems to love to fight. Stood toe to toe with Cyborg and didn't give a F---.
Shevchenko seems to enjoy the violence as well as sharing said violence in the most efficient way possible.
Angela Hill seems to enjoy fighting more than actually game planning or preparing for a fight.

See? Long windedness.
There's a point or two in there to find, I believe.

 

[Ube]

As with many athletes, they probably hate the training, dieting and having to get up everyday hurt or semi-hurt—but love fighting.

 

[It Just Is]

I'm sure a lot do. Though, given the amount of wear and tear on the mind, body, and spirit (if you're into that kinda thing), it makes sense for fighters to get out of their jobs a lot sooner than people in other professions. I'm sure there are some that grind just to make enough from the game and then peace out. Others are out for glory or want to test themselves.

 

[MartinBrowntree]

The stress, the intense training, the physical damage they take. Do they enjoy that or is it the fame, fortune and lifestyle of a fighter is what makes them overlook all what is involved.

There's nothing you can tell me to make me think that Clay doesn't LOVEEEEEEEEEEE fighting

 

[theleerygoose]

They start out enjoying it, but overtime many start to feel like puppets. Anyone who fights practically for free for their first 10 fights or so must like what they do. Like with any profession people get more bitter with age.

 

[kflo]

Conor, Amanda, Aldo, Holloway, nearly everyone that wins a belt since the Reebok deal

they all still fight. not sure what you are talking about.