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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commentsI 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.
TUF Guy damn. You are such a little bitch.
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.
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.
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.
Also, 1500% BETTER
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.
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.
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.
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