The UFC’s return to Brazil this past weekend highlighted a variety of action inside of the cage, but unfortunately marred by one reaction out of it. One of the sport’s pioneers and legends, who already has a shroud of controversy surrounding him made matters worse after his incredible victory.
Personality vs. Behaviour
Vitor Belfort’s knockout of Luke Rockhold in the main event was a sight to behold. The Brazilian’s evolution as a mixed martial artist is inspiring to yours truly, having been lucky enough to watch him since his professional debut, a devastating pounding of John Hess in Hawaii in 1996. Seventeen years later, he’s still around, but his reputation is being questioned with the TRT cloud hovering above him.
Say what you will about Vitor and TRT, but there are certain truths that I agree with. TRT didn’t throw that kick that won Vitor the fight, and like many a mixed martial artist has stated before, you can’t inject it into your chin.
In essence, it may help a fighter recover during training camp, but it doesn’t make their chin and heart any stronger. You either have those attributes, or you don’t. The TRT debate will continue for awhile, and until changes are made in the sport, it will be discussed to no end.
I may oppose its use in the sport, fearing any consequences that may occur if a fighter seriously hurts or kills an opponent, and it is then discovered the victor was full of synthetic testosterone. But its current use is legal, so it is something I understand, but necessarily respect.
During my corporate management days, I remember being taught the importance of carefully understanding the difference between an employee’s personality and their behaviour. It was a lesson I learned quickly and whose model I follow to this day. There is a poignant difference between many actions that show a trend versus one action that may point out an anomaly.
Belfort has long been considered a stellar ambassador for MMA, but at Saturday’s post-fight press conference, I was appalled by his words and behaviour, which I reiterate, and hope, was just a onetime thing and I will not use to change my overall opinion of “The Phenom.”
Unfortunate Reaction
Eighteen-and-a-half minutes into the post fight press conference, USA Today and MMAJunkie.com’s John Morgan asked Vitor if it was frustrating to deal with questions about testosterone every time he does something good.
Belfort was not in the mood to answer the question, looked into the crowd and asked, “can somebody beat him up for me, please?” He then proceeded to mock Morgan which altogether was something I found incredibly difficult to digest.
There is a behind-the-scenes perception about covering the UFC in Brazil — it’s as if there is a “do so at your own risk” caveat. Personally, my own Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructors, three of which hail from different parts of Brazil, have sat me down and offered their thoughts on how to best enjoy my time in their homeland.
At the forefront were personal security and my well being — a consistent theme and coincidentally the top item they each spoke to me about. After these different discussions, I’ll admit, I was worried. What if I was sent down to cover an event in Brazil? Should I or shouldn’t I? It would be a dream of mine to go down there, but at what risk? To wit, one of my instructors made it crystal clear, that if I do go down, he would come with me and be my shadow for the duration of the trip.
Truth be told, if offered, nothing would stop me from going to Brazil. It’s one of the most beautiful destinations on the planet and I would go in a heartbeat, but would ensure, just like when I visit the U.S., Japan, Italy or any other international destination, that safety would be my top priority. So, when Morgan, an international visitor to Brazil, a father and husband, simply doing his job, has his well being threatened by one of the countries MMA stars, I can’t explain to you how worried I was for him.
Still “The Phenom”
Does this change my view of Belfort? Not really, I still consider him an MMA legend and pioneer who, truth be told, is one of the nicest guys in the game. His personality has long been one I respect, but this one behaviour was shocking. It may have been a joke, but how many Brazilians have been upset with Chael Sonnen’s jokes about their nation? One of them went after Chael during the TUF finale. Fans take what many stars of this sport say seriously, especially those who are proud of their heritage.
Thankfully nothing happened to Morgan, but if something did? How would Vitor explain that to his beloved children? Belfort holds a lot of cachet with the public in his homeland, and deservedly so, but no matter how annoyed he was, I was more appreciative of when he stated that he would not answer any more questions from John — perhaps even a “no comment” would have sufficed. Considering what Vitor stands for, believes, and preaches, it simply was the complete opposite of what his usual message was.
One of his own peers, a professional mixed martial artist who asked to remain anonymous, texted me shortly thereafter explaining how difficult it is for him to go to an elementary or high school to do an anti-bully talk, and someone like Belfort is bullying reporters. He went on to say how it is not the image the UFC wants, and likely not Vitor either.
I’m also surprised there has been no word from the UFC yet, about this incident. But I’ll be speaking with the organization, in person, in just a few days, as I head down to Las Vegas with the UFC Central team to cover UFC 160: Velasquez vs. Bigfoot 2.
Stay tuned…