Feature: Single Blog Takedown

"I like a man who grins when he fights." --Winston Churchill, 1941.

My father raised me on the classics of boxing: Ali-Frazier, Hearns-Hagler. Sadly, the representative fight of my generation ended up being Tyson-Holyfield II. I despaired that the sweet science had been reduced to a dude's ear getting spit into the third row.

Then I saw Bonnar-Griffin.

Like so many others, I had been led to believe the UFC was for psychotics, a no-holds-barred carnival of bloodlust. Sure, Forrest gushed plenty that night, but all I saw was two guys, fighting for recognition while being beaten beyond it. When's the last time I saw that in a ring? I still love boxing, but I had a feeling that I'd be watching plenty of fights inside those eight caged walls going forward.

In today's MMA, you need brains and skills to go with an iron jaw and a vocabulary that doesn't include "surrender". (A personality doesn't hurt, either.) Maybe you don't know a triangle choke from a square dance... or maybe half your closet is filled with Tapout and Affliction. Either way, there's something to enjoy about MMA for everyone. Hopefully I can convince you of that.

And failing that, we can all just make fun of Brock's tattoos.

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Matt DeTura

Articles in this feature

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• UFC 116: How Brock Lesnar Won And Where It Got MMA

  A near-death experience prepared Brock Lesnar for a near-loss experience - and to become the undisputed heavyweight champ.

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Jul 05, 2010

• Card By Card - May 2010

  A long-awaited grudge match sits atop the springtime schedule.

  News by Matt DeTura — on May 04, 2010

• Aldo vs. Faber: How Fighting Got Its Groove Back

  After a miserable MMA month, the first WEC PPV was a breath of fresh air.

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Apr 26, 2010

• UFC 112 Preview: You've Got No Fear Of The Underdog

  Anderson Silva and BJ Penn have oddsmakers on their sides in Abu Dhabi.

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Apr 07, 2010

• Card By Card: April 2010

  UFC abroad, WEC for pay, Strikeforce on CBS, Bellator returns, DVRs whimper.

  News by Matt DeTura — on Mar 30, 2010

• UFC 111 Thoughts: Rubber Arms and Stone Hands

  Shane Carwin and Dan Hardy were memorable in different ways stepping onto the big stage.

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Mar 28, 2010

• Bald Bull: UFC Nixes Sherdog's Credentials

  Dana White's headstrong manner made the UFC what is. But for MMA to truly go mainstream, he needs to grow up.

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Mar 23, 2010

• UFC LIVE on Versus: Vera vs. Jones Preview

  I'm so happy to be back that I'm not even going to abuse Brandon Vera today. Much.

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Mar 19, 2010

• Digging Out

  SBT pokes its head above the snow long enough to talk about Cain Velasquez, crossover appeal, and Nelly Furtado.

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Feb 22, 2010

• UFC 110 Preview - What Happens To A Title Shot Deferred

  The great UFC Heavyweight Cluster of 2009 finally starts getting some answers.

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Feb 18, 2010

• Card By Card - February 2010

  What to watch in case Locke and Smokey don't go three rounds on Craphole Island.

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Feb 02, 2010

• Strikeforce: Miami Preview - Stars, Struck

  Wrestlers and footballers converge on the cage. Think of it as Rock 'N Jock MMA.

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Jan 28, 2010

• FightNoob Vol. 8 - Keep Your Joint Locked Down

  Our educational series for MMA beginners auto-tunes your armbars.

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Jan 26, 2010

• Getting To Normal

  Brock Lesnar, MMA mortality, and the author's appreciation for business as usual.

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Jan 21, 2010

• Card By Card: January 2010

  I keep writing 2009 on all my checks -and MMA columns.

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Jan 05, 2010

• UFC 108 Review: Thiago Silva Is A Blockhead

  Excepting an early candidate for dumbest round of the year, UFC 108 exceeded expectations.

  News by Matt DeTura — on Jan 02, 2010

• Card by Card: December 2009

  The last month of MMA - for the decade.

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Dec 01, 2009

• Caged Turducken: Looking Back At MMA's November Feast

  After binging on MMA in November, it's time to digest a little.

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Nov 23, 2009

• FightNoob Vol. 7 - The KaMMA Sutra

  Our educational series for MMA beginners looks at a litany of ground positions.

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Nov 21, 2009

• Across the Great Divide

  Another big weekend for both boxing and MMA. But will MMA ever gain critical mass among sweet science fans?

  Opinion by Matt DeTura — on Nov 13, 2009