It is not terribly uncommon in the sport of MMA for two teammates to both be in the same weight class and often refuse to fight each other.
What I don't get is when a champion says he won't defend his belt against a friend...why not?
If I had the title (which of course I never will) and I was truly friends with someone and I know they have worked for the past 15 or more years of their life with that very title in mind, that they have poured their blood, sweat and tears just as much as I, that they are in their prime and may never have another opportunity to fight for that title, why would I deny them the opportunity?
Why do fighters act like this sport has to be personal. Randy Couture said and lived it best, he called it a business and that is what is. You get in the ring, you do your job, you don't have to like, dislike, or feel any emotions about your opponent before, during or after. If I had a best friend and we fought in the cage, I wouldn't like him any more or less after the fight because i know it isn't personal.
Do other people have different opinions about this?
What I don't get is when a champion says he won't defend his belt against a friend...why not?
If I had the title (which of course I never will) and I was truly friends with someone and I know they have worked for the past 15 or more years of their life with that very title in mind, that they have poured their blood, sweat and tears just as much as I, that they are in their prime and may never have another opportunity to fight for that title, why would I deny them the opportunity?
Why do fighters act like this sport has to be personal. Randy Couture said and lived it best, he called it a business and that is what is. You get in the ring, you do your job, you don't have to like, dislike, or feel any emotions about your opponent before, during or after. If I had a best friend and we fought in the cage, I wouldn't like him any more or less after the fight because i know it isn't personal.
Do other people have different opinions about this?