Watch Steve Cofield’s video interview with Brandon Vera and see if you aren’t suddenly glad that “The Truth’s” formerly-overpaid ass is sticking around in the UFC. The best part is when he addresses Matt Hamill’s post-fight celebration after knocking out Vera’s friend and training partner, Mark Munoz, at UFC 96. Hamill caught some flack for acting like he just made a half-court shot worth a million bucks during halftime at a Laker game, when all the while his opponent was still crumpled in a motionless heap against the cage.
As Vera explains at the 3:30 mark, winning a fight in the UFC (particularly by bonus-worthy KO) is actually a lot like winning the lottery:
"What we go through to get to that point, all the hard work and all the effort that you put in to get that shining moment. That’s like hitting the damn lottery, you know what I mean? When you win, you win big. How are you going to act when somebody tells you you won $10 million? Do you care what other people think? Hell no! So am I going to bang Hamill for what he did? Hell no. That was Hamill’s celebration. Am I pissed that he did it? Yeah, because Mark’s my boy."
It’s good to hear a fighter who had every reason to get indignant about Hamill’s celebration turn around and defend it. Those who think it’s classless to celebrate while your opponent may be hurt should probably remind themselves that knocking someone out isn’t like sinking a putt at the Ryder Cup. You aren’t obligated to keep your celebration polite and dignified.
We’ve got to understand that a guy who just avoided possibly serious physical harm while at the same time vanquishing his opponent in dramatic fashion, bringing an arena full of people to their feet, and winning a bunch of money all with one blow is allowed to be overcome with emotion for a little while.
For some reason it seems fine to celebrate if you pause at some point to go over and pat your still-unconscious opponent on the shoulder while doctors tend to him, but getting wrapped up in your own world and playing to the crowd is somehow unforgivable. Give the guy a break.
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Comments
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:00
first is ez BITCHES
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:04
Second just means I took the time to read the article. Good article by the way.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:09
Does anybody know if Hamil went over to check to see if Mark was ok? If he did that shows he was concerned, so let him enjoy the moment I say.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:10
I agree with him. When a fighter wins, you can't really blame him for celebrating in the spur-of-the-moment. The type of celebrations I don't like though are those that are premeditated before the fight ever happens, i.e. Tito Ortiz. Those types of celebrations are uncalled for and show a lack of class and respect as a fighter.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:11
Conversely, the whole "Corpse-Drag & Bury" celebration victory dance while your opponent is limp and uncounscious *MIGHT* be where the above thoughts diverge down to Jackass Ave.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:12
uo peepel thont andutand wat ut means thu bee andicap an thwin ligh that
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:15
I don't mind when guys go crazy and do cartwheels and such. Even if their opponent is still unconscious. There's only a 1:1,000,000 chance that their opponents injuries are "serious or life threatening". What I don't like is when they stand over their opponent and yell profanities, grab their balls, and flip them off... or do that stupid "Tito the Gravedigger" crap. I think there is a big difference between exuberant celebration and classless disrespect. On the other hand, my coaches always told me, "Act like you've been there before."
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:15
I agree. Since the days of Tito double-finger to the wolfslair assholes, how a fighter celebrates HIS win is HIS business, who gives a fuck what the fans like, or anyone else. This ain't parliamentary procedure its a fight!
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:15
Grove is a classless unoriginal tool!!! He should make like Evan Tanner and die! Oh, and take BlowJob Penn with him!
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:19
@AzzPuzzy Your comment makes you a classless unoriginal tool
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:22
It's bad if you pull a Chris Tucker and stand over your unconscious victim and point out the obvious "you just got KTFO". That, and stuff like the Tito gravedigger thing are totally classless.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:23
Hamill was just excited. I agree with Vera, and let him have that moment. I also agree that Tito is a complete d-bag, but at least he came up with his own shit. Kendall Grove isn't even original in his attempts at being an asshole, and that is just pathetic.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:25
Joe Silva needs to make Vera vs. Hammill
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:28
@ amils death fend Says: You are horrible!! (But that was funny as shit, that made me laugh pretty hard)
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:29
Vera Vs. Hamill next?
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:29
For all the guy knew, the crowd was going apeshit, so he was just going along with it.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:44
I have to admit, I like him in this interview but he hasn't exactly won me over. I'm pretty sure Hamill did walk over to check on him at one point. Also, that Tito gravedigger thing; gay as fuck.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:51
Step up and fight him Vara
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:52
you all know the first time tito did the grave digger thing you were on his nuts. it just got old, like him and his attitude.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:54
@ skidding You think? I can see classless, but unoriginal!?!? Dont call me unoriginal punk, thats were I draw the line!!!!
Wed, 03/25/09 - 10:00
You may have all taken offense to my tastless stab at Evan Tanner's death. Well its not my fault see...the dildo in my asshole started vibrating and then i had my fathers nuts all bunched up in my mouth and my two brothers told me to just close my eyes and pretend i was skiing. Anywho...it was a sticky situation and i just had to blurt something wrong and hateful bout Evan Tanner being dead. Sorry, as long and im the center of attention at Bookaki meetings ill be fine.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 10:01
Hamill kept asking about Munoz' status very often, he was just overwhelmed that he hit a kick and landed and boom. It's like Vera said.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 10:15
Q- Does anybody know if Hamil went over to check to see if Mark was ok? If he did that shows he was concerned, so let him enjoy the moment I say. A- Yes he did. You can also see him ask his corner to make sure that Mark was OK. Celebrating a victory is never wrong. It's a fight. Someone may go unconscious, have a bad cut or a broken bone. It’s not like he was Tank Abbott and shoved his opponent’s unconscious body and called him a piece of shit. If you’re cool enough to watch the violence than be cool when it ends and the fighter celebrates.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 10:24
I Like seeing people get KTFO'ed, that's why I watch....right?
Wed, 03/25/09 - 10:51
If you don't have that killer instinct you shouldn't be fighting. While I agree Kendall Grove and Tito's grave digging antics are a little much, you can't blame a guy for being excited for a knock out when thats why they're in there.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:19
I would only celebrate a knockout if one you dipsh*ts showed up in my gym and gave me the pleasure to knock you out on tape. Usually after I knock someoe out the bouncers are to intimidated to even dare to accuse me. They'll pick the guy up and throw him out and play it off as if he started all that shit. But it's usually me that starts shit, just for fun. Like if a kid walks by in the bar with a hat me or one of my buddies will like slap it of his head and then go "bad news, you're gay" or something to try to provoke them. I love picking on Arabs, East Europeans and Gangstas (wiggaz and niggaz), because they are usually all skinny soccer playing faggy boys, who won't do anything till they assemble a little army of their friends to jump you. People told me that it's hillarious to watch like 3 or 4 of them trying to beat my ass. Emphasize on the word "trying". Plus I just got another tattoo on my arm, which kinda looks like a tribal lightning bolt going down my arm, its sick, I can't wait to hit someone and then ask them what it feels like to get hit by lightting. LOL I am so strong and fast, it's sick, yea no shit.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:38
All this talk of "class" regarding post-win celebrations is a load of shit. Like someone else said above, unless you're standing over the guy and grabbing your balls or flipping him off or some shit like that, it's not even a matter of class or disrespect. Even the "gravedigger" routine isn't disrespectful, it's just so over the top that it's lame and douchebaggy. I'm surprised no one's mentioned BJ's blood-licking. Again, it's just over the top and douchebaggy... except for the time he actually ran over to his opponent (I think it was Sherk) AFTER the fight was over, just to get some blood on his hand so he could then lick it, that was rather disrespectful. But no one said shit about that. The worst is when people gave Rashad shit for doing a little dance after KO'ing Chuck... but if Chuck had KO'd him and then flexed and yelled (like he always does) or even jumped up on the cage, no one would have said jack-shit. Some fighters are applauded for their post-win celebration routines, but others get criticized for doing far more modest ones. That's what scientists call a double-standard, and it's gay as a bag of dicks.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:41
Hey TUF Guy, you should get the word "PAIN" tattooed on the back of one hand and "SUFFERING" on the other, then next time you beat someone up you can hold up your fists and ask the guy which one he wants.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:45
TUF Guy - Ultimate troll Also, 1500% BETTER
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:49
I say go for it man. If you can knock a fool out and win the fight........Hell Yeah. because most liely if he knocks you out then he will doing cartwheels while you lay there and slobber on yourself!!!!!! and BTW is TUF guy for real?You have got to be kiddin man!!!!
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:51
TUF Guy = Decline of Western Civilization. On Matt Hamill: The guy's deaf. Come on, how are you gonna knock a DEAF MMA FIGHTER (emphasis on DEAF MMA FIGHTER) for celebrating after a win? Shit, imagine Frankie Van Hove after he wins. Can't wait to see Kyle Maynard after a win too.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 11:53
The only fight TUF Guy's ever been in is on this website. Don't give him the attention he craves. It'll be one less dude with a boner sitting around picking fights on the internet.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:00
Good point about Hamil LTD he is the ONLY hearing impaired fighter in the UFC.And celebrating is as much a part of the fight game as being dissapointed is.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:37
Munoz should have been bobbing and weaving, that's why he got knocked out like Debo!!!!
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:39
At least when Matt Hamil celebrates he does it quietly.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:45
I was at the fight and Matt absolutely went over and checked on him.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:51
Celebration, shmelebration. What bothers me way more is when the guy who got ko'd cries about how he "was fine". Also, leave tufgguy alone. We regulars know he's just the Paulie Shore of CP. Intellect of a 12 year old, not funny or good but believes he is and constantly crying out for attention even though he KNOWS nobody wants to hear it.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 12:51
man vera is a big sac of sad, that dudes going nowhere in any weight division
Wed, 03/25/09 - 01:38
the video editor should kill himself for using that split video transition. and this was ESPN? damn.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 02:40
I don't know if anyone mentioned this or not, but Hamil was also hype because he won in exciting fashion in front of friends and family in his 'home' basically. I agree completely agree with Vera. I hope he gets back to his old ways and can wreck people @ 205.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 03:29
Criticizing a deaf guy for celebrating a victory? What are you going to say if Kyle Maynard wins his fight? Quit wiggling around on the floor?
Wed, 03/25/09 - 04:36
So this is the future of the comments here? Kyle Maynard references. Well done. That had me laughing out loud for like 5 minutes. As long as they are that funny keep em coming I say.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:06
@TUF guy, I was once gotten tried getting bullied by a supposed "Tough Guy" like you, I only stand 5',6'' and weigh about 140 lbs, and he was like 6'0" to 6',2" and weights between 200 to 220 lbs. He grabbed my collar and lifted me off the ground. A pro boxer that I was 2 1/2 years ago, with a record of 14 W, 0 L, 7KO's I let go a short and quick left stright to his nose and there he goes, down and fell unconcious, his nose bridge got broken and it got through his brain or somewhere inside his skull, he went on coma for 4 days and he died afterwards. I served almost 3 years in jail, It was a self -defense and We won the case, but You bet I'm not gonna think twice and do it again if ever we would have a chnace to meet and you 'd try your fancy bully thing on me. Stog braggin' bout your tattoos, that si so gay of you, Pam Anderson's look more scary I bet.
Wed, 03/25/09 - 09:27
Amil's deaf friend, Freaking HILARIOUSLY WRONG! TUF Guy damn. You are such a little bitch.
Thu, 03/26/09 - 08:18
I agree, you win and you have the freedom to celebrate however you want, but I hate guys who try to humiliate the other fighter. Granted there are times when the bad blood is real (Clementi/Guillard) and after fight taunting happens out of adrenaline and genuine dislike, but it's unprofessional not to respect your opponent. Guys are both hyping fights and talking shit, it's part of the game. You won, leave it at that. I just don't get how fighters can't see that if they are able to keep their emotions in check and act like they never considered losing it's so much more impressive. If you go crazy and act like you just got "called on down" by Rod Roddy, (though it may be honest) it shows a lack of confidence. Do like Barry Sanders, take a knee in the end zone and "Act like you've been there before". Imagine Couture pretending to lassoo and pull in his downed opponent? You can't, and that is why he is so respected.
Sun, 11/13/11 - 05:23
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