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By: Jason Amadi, MMATorch Columnist
Tyler writes: I have a question, how do you feel about tag team matches in MMA? This is a concept that is so exciting to me; teamwork in MMA. I used to love tag team matches in wrestling, how great would it be to see Fitch & Koscheck versus the Diaz brothers?
This is something that has to come next at some point. I figure since people already consider MMA legit, and can stomach men bludgeoning each other 1x1, why not 2x2? Maybe this gets its start on the Indian reservations?
A: There have actually been a few tag team MMA fights, and they've all sucked. I've watched professional wrestling my entire life, so my distaste for tag team MMA doesn't stem from some sort of irrational hate for pro wrestling; I just think they're stupid.
Tag team matches work in professional wrestling because of the drama of the hot tag, and that simply isn't present in tag team MMA fights. In two-on-two MMA, tags are made whenever a clinch is instigated (which is all the time), brief double team scenarios seem completely unfair and all the shenanigans don't leave much room for actual fighting.
You can't truly grasp how awful tag team MMA really is unless you see it for yourself. I suggest you search “Tag Team MMA” on YouTube and prepare to be underwhelmed. Hopefully after seeing it, you have a few laughs and gain a greater appreciation for the story that can be told through a one-on-one encounter.
Jordon writes: What are Anderson Silva's injuries? Is he finished?
A: Anderson Silva had a shoulder injury heading into his August bout with Yushin Okami and has been nursing it ever since. He's expected to make a full recovery and is even believed to be helping Lyoto Machida prepare for his upcoming title fight with Jon Jones.
Silva turning in such dominant performances against elite opposition seems to distract people from the fact that he's 36 years old and still involved in an incredibly physical sport. Aging fighters have to take injury very seriously, and that goes double for Anderson Silva.
No UFC fighter enters the Octagon with more pressure on his shoulders (no pun intended) than Anderson Silva. "The Spider" has blue chip sponsors, tons of money, and the greatest winning streak in UFC history on line every time he competes. The fact is, Silva has too much to lose for him to step into the Octagon with a serious injury, especially after his near loss to Chael Sonnen last year.
Anderson Silva is far from finished, but he's definitely nearing the end of his career. Over the last four years Silva has had surgery on both of his knees, a fractured rib, and a damaged shoulder. His skills seem to be as sharp as they've ever been, but the way he keeps getting injured suggests his body might not hold up much longer.
Feel free to follow me on Twitter @JasonAmadi. Also, track down some tag team MMA if you're looking for a good laugh.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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