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COLUMN: Brock Lesnar's respectful showing in defeat showcases prevalent theme in MMA
Oct 25, 2010 - 1:35:24 PM COLUMN: Brock Lesnar's respectful showing in defeat showcases prevalent theme in MMA

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By: Mike Bacior, MMATorch Contributor

Mixed Martial Arts is exactly that, martial arts mixed together into a form (and the purest form) of fighting. But this isn't the Roman gladiators, this isn't a street fight in a cage, and this isn't a freakshow. One of the most prevalent themes throughout Mixed Martial Arts is respect.

I recently attended Bellator 33 in Philadelphia, where I met several fighters; one was Fran Evans, a fighter who had just won his pro debut on the undercard, and another was Eddie Alvarez, the star of the show who had just battered Roger Huerta for two rounds, taking a TKO victory. Even though these two were about as different as you can find in terms of where their careers are, they were both unflappably kind and respectful to me, and every other fan that wanted a little bit of their attention.

Then, in the parking garage elevator after the event, I ran into a member of the athletic commission, and I could not resist asking him a few questions about his job. He informed me of how he was the one who made sure fighters were properly taped, and other such things. But the one thing that he clearly pointed out was how respectful and polite all of the fighters were. He said that he often works with other athletes, mostly boxers, and they do not usually share this same level of respectful behavior.

This shows that not only are these fighters respectful out in the open where everyone can see, but also respectful behind the scenes.

Even on Saturday, a man who I have often criticized for his lack of respect, Brock Lesnar, was completely classy and humble in defeat. His opponent, Cain Velasquez, was no less humble. Even though we often hear about the few fighters who are very rude and disrespectful to one another, it is good to take a step back and look at all these fighters who are representing our sport the right way, and acting as true mixed martial artists.

This is what separates MMA from a streetfight in a cage, or a freakshow.

Respect.