Why do some fighters criticize their opponents for pulling out due to injury?

[NoBiasJustMMA]

I never really got this, some fighters insinuate or flat out call someone scared when their opponent pulls out due to injury or might have to. This doesn't make sense to me as it seems to be a tactic to get them to fight you while they are injured and makes the person criticizing the other fighter look weak like they can't beat them when they are healthy and need to take advantage of their opponent being injured.

I think it's just to drum up fake controversy but I get the opposite impression of what I think they want to convey, that they are weak for trying to goad/taunt/trash talk someone into fighting while injured.

 

[CJohnny]

I only know a thing. When they do, shit is going to happen.

Khabib to Pettis. Ferguson to Khabib.

 

[Humbaba the Terrible]

It's the frustration of training for several months in preparation for that fight, and then being faced with the possibility that the fight is canceled, leaving you with no payday for a large fraction of the year after having incurred significant expense. Or you face a last minute replacement with less opportunity to generate interest among fans and without being able to adequately gameplan for that opponent.

It sucks, so people bitch.

 

[HI SCOTT NEWMAN]

probably because they are frustrated so they lash out

 

[soulsstealer]

Everything they have worked for the past few months becomes a waste when the opponent pulls out. The fight might be removed from the card = no money.

 

[shonuf]

Believe it or not, a lot of fighters are meatheads.

 

[Gabe]

probably because they are frustrated so they lash out

Exactly this. They get initially frustrated.

 

[NoBiasJustMMA]

It's the frustration of training for several months in preparation for that fight, and then being faced with the possibility that the fight is canceled, leaving you with no payday for a large fraction of the year after having incurred significant expense. Or you face a last minute replacement with less opportunity to generate interest among fans and without being able to adequately gameplan for that opponent.

It sucks, so people bitch.

I get the bitching about the situation but not about the other fighter, it could just as easily happen to them. No one wants to get injured and miss a payday.

 

[Air Lats]

Believe it or not, a lot of fighters are meatheads.

What? No way.

 

[zerofux]

I never really got this, some fighters insinuate or flat out call someone scared when their opponent pulls out due to injury or might have to. This doesn't make sense to me as it seems to be a tactic to get them to fight you while they are injured and makes the person criticizing the other fighter look weak like they can't beat them when they are healthy and need to take advantage of their opponent being injured.

I think it's just to drum up fake controversy but I get the opposite impression of what I think they want to convey, that they are weak for trying to goad/taunt/trash talk someone into fighting while injured.

Because some are willing to fight through injuries and hardly any of them are 100% when they fight. Some fighters are more cautious than others. If you're one of the guys who isn't, why not throw shade at the ones who are?

 

[sangreporsangre]

The best ever was when Coleman pulled out of a fight with Tito and Tito called him a sissy, so Coleman's manager said something about how Jenna is a whore and they don't want to catch swine flu from her lmao.

 

[Humbaba the Terrible]

I get the bitching about the situation but not about the other fighter, it could just as easily happen to them. No one wants to get injured and miss a payday.

Yeah, it's mainly bullshit. I think there is a certain amount of friction built in to preparing to beat another man's ass. So that's the guy you are most likely to take it out on. Also, most fighters don't blame anyone. I think it is fighters like Pettis, Khabib, Aldo, Weidman, Cain etc who generate comments because it seems like they have a hard time staying healthy.

Athletes in other sports who get injured a lot start becoming the butt of jokes as well.

 

[AP_RESURRECTION]

i think they lose out on money so hate the other person and get as mean as possible - most fighters arent rich

also, i woulndt be surprised if the ufc gave out info to the fighters that created drama - seems like some of that went on w AJ / jones

injuries arent good for business - maximizing negativity and hatred is a good way to reduce them

 

[JohnyBrabo]

Good thread man. It's an interesting question I don't think there is a one size fits all kind of answer. I am with you though I always found talking bad about a guy who gets hurt to be lame at best.

One thing I've found that in this world of social media today nobody lets anything digest before they just head to Twitter or Facebook and fire away, like Tim "Twitter Fingers" Kennedy lol.

As the great Herm Edwards once said, don't press send! Don't do it, you can never get it back!

 

[HHJ]

Id imagine they are quite angry that they arent getting paid. Months of hard work for NOTHING

 

[frandie2b]

Do you expect them to be rational and intelligent ?

 

[P0rkchop]

Believe it or not, a lot of fighters are meatheads.

Very well said lol

 

[capnlarge]

Personally, I think fighters who are often injured like Anthony Pettis, Cain Velasquez or Jose Aldo are fair game for criticism.