Not really fair to question a fighter's heart tbh...

[IHeartRizin]

I've seen a lot of comments about a certain fighter's heart lately. Just can't imagine most have ever been there when I read these things though. When you get hit clean while completely drained it's like the worst feeling ever. Your body just shuts down and every small shot after that adds up. It gets to the point where you go into this strange void and simply know that one more will drop you. It becomes a game of survival. It's far different from a flash KO. Your neurological state is fine, but from the neck down you're just dead. It's literally like a Street Fighter meter dropping.

There is seriously no worse feeling than reaching that point and seeing the guy in front of you still going strong. I feel like a lot of people don't understand. Nobody really wants to turtle up to strikes or tap to a choke. When your body is done, it's simply done though. Not really anything else you can really do except risk getting knocked out or choked out though. Can you honestly blame a guy for not wanting to damage his health more than he already has? Also think about what the pressure of being a top level fighter must be like. Who wants to be left seen unconscious and helpless in front of anyone...let alone millions? Sorry for the rant. I just feel as if people throw that unfair critique out much too lightly.

 

[Chain Saw]

The fact that he's a pro fighter is EXACTLY why his heart is being questioned.

When some bum in a street fight turtles up and gives up mid fight I don't have shit to say about it.

But when a guy who is getting paid 1 million to show and I paid $60 to watch quits instead of going out on his shield you better believe that I'm gonna call him out on it.

 

[IHeartRizin]

The fact that he's a pro fighter is EXACTLY why his heart is being questioned.

When some bum in a street fight turtles up and gives up mid fight I don't have shit to say about it.

But when a guy who is getting paid 1 million to show and I paid $60 to watch quits instead of going out on his shield you better believe that I'm gonna call him out on it.

Consider the first round he had though. He went at it with everything he had and it didn't pay off. Not like he played it safe and then quit though. It's a diminishing return. Regardless of all outside factors, his body was done. Why would you want any fighter to go out when they know they can't fight it off and have nothing to gain from not tapping?

 

[SCTwins]

Pffffft... Whatever TS. I would die before I tapped.

 

[IHeartRizin]

Pffffft... Whatever TS. I would die before I tapped.

No, I get it. I heard all the quotes that were contradicted big time in that fight too. Just for any fighter, I feel like heart is questioned far too much. I see no harm in trying to look at things from their perspective as much as possible.

 

[The Beast Within]

untrained bums shouldn't do it, it would be fair only if other pro fighters question it, but untrained bums don't know the feel

 

[Chain Saw]

Consider the first round he had though. He went at it with everything he had and it didn't pay off. Not like he played it safe and then quit though. It's a diminishing return. Regardless of all outside factors, his body was done. Why would you want any fighter to go out when they know they can't fight it off and have nothing to gain from not tapping?

I don't want him to not tap, I want him to fight until he can't anymore.

He didn't do that. When he realized he was in trouble on the feet and about to get KTFO, he shot for a double leg and gave up a sub.

He didn't get caught in a sub, he didn't get KO'd, he turned his back and LET Nate lock the choke in because he didn't want to be beaten anymore. He didn't even make an effort to defend.

 

[soulsstealer]

I think its stupid the tap vs the no tap debate, if it gets to that point you have already lost. You have to not quit before reaching that point.
I think its fair to question fighters heart as in some have it more than others, and it often does play a role in winning fights.

 

[BROWNPRIDE]

I don't know but Frankie Edgar has the biggest heart I have seen in the UFC.

 

[IHeartRizin]

I think its stupid the tap vs the no tap debate, if it gets to that point you have already lost. You have to not quit before reaching that point.
I think its fair to question fighters heart as in some have it more than others, and it often does play a role in winning fights.

I was speaking in general in the title. Like I stated in the post though, I just feel like it's thrown around too much.

I don't want him to not tap, I want him to fight until he can't anymore.

He didn't do that. When he realized he was in trouble on the feet and about to get KTFO, he shot for a double leg and gave up a sub.

He didn't get caught in a sub, he didn't get KO'd, he turned his back and LET Nate lock the choke in because he didn't want to be beaten anymore. He didn't even make an effort to defend.

He was don't before that shot really. You could see when Nate was jabbing him and taunting. He wasn't responding fluidly. I also don't think he gave that choke up. He got the take down, escaped a guillotine, got mounted and had to roll to avoid it being stopped there. Of course he knew a choke was a real threat there when he rolled but I don't believe he did it as a way out.

 

[Koimpact]

I don't know but Frankie Edgar has the biggest heart I have seen in the UFC.

heart, chin, balls, whatever you wanna call it Frankie has it

 

[scorpipede]

I don't know but Frankie Edgar has the biggest heart I have seen in the UFC.

I think I agree with this.

TS - I think we're kind of here to question all sorts of things about fighters and fighting.

Also, whenever a thread comes up concerning heart I always throw this out there. "A Fighter's Heart" by Sam Sheridan. Best MMA related book I've read. Some good insight into some well known fighters as well as a thought provoking study of what that word actually means in relation to fighting.

 

[loisestrad]

Like Cheick Kongo said (or didn't): "I'm not gonna test your heart - I'm gonna test your balls"