ESPN--Semi Pro's on MMA

[Judoka1532]

Does anybody feel like ESPN and other sport news organizations are kind of semi-professional when covering UFC?

I've called and texted in to a local sports radio station and told them they need to brush up on the UFC knowledge because it may be the first sport to return. The same goes for ESPN.

But I sit back and listen to ESPN reporters that generally cover other sports and can't help but recognize how ill-prepared they are covering UFC/MMA. They a) don't understand grappling aspects of the sport, and b) can't pronounce fighter names for sh**. When a reporter can't pronounce prominent fighters like "Jacare" "Cerrone" etc, that tells me they haven't done their research and are just reading from a prompt. I automatically can't take their opinion for much.

 

[Reach4theSky]

Instead of relying on traditional sport reporters they should bring in an MMA specialist who has knowledge of the sport..

Spoiler

Oh, Showdown Joe. How I've missed you..

 

[Judoka1532]

Instead of relying on traditional sport reporters they should bring in an MMA specialist who has knowledge of the sport..

Spoiler

Oh, Showdown Joe. How I've missed you..

well thankfully they have ariel and brett

 

[HaulParris]

I’m happy MMA is getting mainstream spotlight. However, I still recall all these years later how on ESPN’s “Sportcenter” Top10 hihlights of the week, the “Showtime Kick” was ranked below a basketball dunk and a homerun. To me, that’s emblematic of ESPN’s approach to MMA - they recognize it as something that has a fanbase, but not something that is a “serious” sport worthy of being considered on par with ball-stick-hoop sports.

 

[NinjaSkillZ]

 

[Jojomojo]

Yeah sadly that seems to be the case. I dont get why they dont recruit some knowledge or tell their guys to prepare better.
Also i think some of the problem is, that often these reporters come from boxing or whatever, where the whole preparation focusses on the main event only. And thats how some of these guys seem to approach MMA. Suddenly they all talk like they are experts on Justin Gaethje but dont even know who Rozenstruik is...

 

[Fahcough]

WMMA is semi-amateur so I can't knock the coverage. They know more than the fighters.

 

[mkess101]

I like Max Kellerman and I think his boxing analysis is terrific (and just like his sports takes in general) but Tony calling him a filthy casual on First Take was one of the most brilliant things I've ever seen.

 

[Judoka1532]

I’m happy MMA is getting mainstream spotlight. However, I still recall all these years later how on ESPN’s “Sportcenter” Top10 hihlights of the week, the “Showtime Kick” was ranked below a basketball dunk and a homerun. To me, that’s emblematic of ESPN’s approach to MMA - they recognize it as something that has a fanbase, but not something that is a “serious” sport worthy of being considered on par with ball-stick-hoop sports.

And I don't want to sound like a debbie downer, but i just think they can do better and it will be better for the sport if these guys actually watched the fights and followed it. You don't have to be a black belt in jiu-jitsu or olympic wrestler to cover the sport with a little knowledge. Thankfully during the events yes they do have people with adequate knowledge covering the sports. But on basic espn shows these guys don't know much. You only hear good reporting when they bring in specialists.

 

[Guy LeDouche]

Or maybe the UFC is so Busch league that it feels like they are covering a semi-real sport?

When you look at MMA compared to other sporting leagues, they are still Getting over the hump of fringe sports. They have done a great job of bringing it mainstream the last 10 years.
I love fighting, competed and watched it for 20+ years, But it still doesn’t hold up to the professionalism that other sports command.

 

[aldeniro78]

It's because ESPN doesn't take it seriously and the reporters don't give a shit.