I think this topic had to be brought up to the UFC brass eventually. I think it is horse shit that these guys don't want to fight there friends. I can understand not wanting to harm your friend, but your friendship should be able to withstand fights like this. I like this stand. Get down or get out.
IMHO it isn't a team sport, it's a solo sport, and if the UFC wants two guys to fight, it's their right to match them up regardless of affiliation.
it's really easy to say "I don't care if you're friends, fight anyways" but like the article says these fighters share a common training space and share coaches. If Jardine and Evans would of had to fight each other, how would they decide who would train at Greg Jackson's? Rock,paper,scissors? is it fair to ask these fighters to go and have to get used to a new camp just before the biggest fight of their careers?
Well at AKA you have three top welterweight contenders (Fitch, Koscheck, Swick). Maybe it's irresponsible for these guys to go to training camps where they will be working with guys they will inevitably be fighting? Look at camps like Xtreme Couture or ATT. You get thirty, fifty guys in the same camp. You can't possibly expect none of them to cross paths professionally.
True, as camps get bigger and bigger fighters will eventually have to cross paths. I guess it is ultimately up to the fighter to establish relationships with many different trainers and camps so they aren't stuck in a bind when they have to fight a camp mate.
don't hold your breath... I think Silva would walk away rather than fight a team mate. He views them as near brothers and I can't see him crossing that line.
anyone else think this may lead to some very boring fights as team mates may not go for the kill if the opportunity is there? ie. they'll play it safe and try and do enough to get the dec
Lorenzo reiterated this at the Fan Expo, video available at UFC.com, saying that if teammates don't want to fight each other, they can find somewhere else to work. Hard line is right.
I really think it depends, some camps are massive, and people may train occaisionally but not all the time. I mean Xtreme Couture, some guys probably rarely train with each other. However Fitch, Kos and Swick, I think the UFC can get around not having them fight each other. Anyway GSP is the top dog, so their goal is to beat GSP.
