A martial artist is MORE than someone who just kicks someone's ass. It involves values such as respect and humility. In our MMA school those values (along with discipline, etc) are VERY much a central theme to our training.
I know that Brock is a fighter, but does he reflect the virtues of a Martial Artist?
The answer is no! This is based on his ridiculous behavior displayed at UFC 100. I still maintain it was unwarranted (much as the Dan Henderson late elbow strike) and has NOTHING to do with being a true Martial Artist.
I beg to disagree with the idea that most fighters are "not nice".......that is an incorrect assumption and if you are training with assholes, then they are assholes by choice. Your instructors should put the hammer down on their shitty behavior. It has no place in the gym.
I am an adult. I have little tolerance for the "tough guy syndrome" types. It simply isn't necessary and to me, it is childish.
Surely you are not equating being a jerk or nasty with ones ability to take out someone else in a fight (either in the street or octagon) are you? If so, this is very misguided and will get you killed when you come upon the "nice" guy who happens to turn into Bruce Lee when you threaten him.
I see some disturbing trends here. Fighters ARE role models. Yes, it is true that Parents should be the role models and I would agree with that point. However, you can NOT constantly excuse away other people's behavior.
Being a jerk is a choice. Not being one is also a choice.
I do thank ALL of the members here for keeping the comments to each other respectful, even when they disagree.
The hitting to the back of the head that was allowed on Mir is going to be the death of a fighter, someday. As well as the late elbow that Henderson landed. Someone WILL die as a result of an intercranial bleed and that will result in the end of the UFC.......
Very disturbing! I am a Medical Professional with over 20 years of experience and I KNOW what happens to the human body when people are knocked out and how easily they can die.
You know, the quick stoppages (while controversial) HAVE saved lives.......what has happened to that?
I know some of you here are much younger than some of the rest of us, but Martial Arts is more than just beating someones ass........GSP is a great martial artist. Machido is another example of a true professional.
Again I will state it. Brock Lesnar is NOT a martial artist. He fights. He is childish and does not represent wrestling or MMA as a whole in a positive way.
That is my point.
I will stick with the true Martial Artists like GSP or Machido. They display true Warrior skill and values.
I don't want to see the WWF or WWE. If I did, I would NOT have been a loyal UFC fan from year one!