Does this fight give MMA a black eye?

Sometimes I have a tendency to be a bit judgmental. It’s at times a blessing and a curse depending on the situation. Sure, many will likely say “who are you to judge” or “only God can judge” but the truth of the situation is that everyone is going to have an opinion on a given subject matter. It’s natural, it’s human, it’s ingrained in everyone of us. So when I say that Kimbo Slice vs DaDa 5000 is both a disgrace and a fine piece of matchmaking you’ll likely be scratching your head as to where I fall on this issue. In one sense the match is certainly an amazing one. Both combatants were once street fighters who gained notoriety for their pugilistic endeavors outside of the cage. Now that they’ve both signed to Bellator it seemed almost inevitable that the two would meet. In one sense it’s great to see that Bellator is giving the fans a fight that they’re curious about, but that is also sure to reverberate past the tight knit circle of MMA and potentially into the mainstream. Another way to look at it is as a complete affront to what the sport represents. All week leading up to the showdown between the brawlers the pre-fight talk has focused more on the street cred aspect of the match and less about the fact that both men are now professional athletes. At least that’s what they’re considered on paper anyway. It’s a spectacle and makes a mockery of the sport. That two men are looking at this from the perspective of two men from the underground fighting circuit as opposed to two athletes looking to prove that they’ve grown past the gritty street image that they’ve portrayed in the past. At this point you’re probably still confused as to where I stand. Well, the reality of this is that though I think it may blemish the prestige of the sport, from a purists mindset it’s perhaps the perfect definition of what fighting is meant to be. Both men, spectacles or not, have a lot invested in this showdown at Bellator 149. Both are fighting for respect and credibility, emotions that many of us can relate to. Those very same emotions and passions are what give this fight an extra layer of interest. So though their portrayal isn’t necessarily a shining example for the youth to watch on television and emulate, the fight highlights exactly what makes fighting such an interesting and engaging form of entertainment. Not everyone can be a Bruce Lee, a martial artist with supreme integrity seeking enlightenment through mastering a variety of skills. Some guys are rough, rugged, and looking to prove that they’re toughest bastard out there. Are you looking forward to Bellator 149? Let us know in the comments and forums. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron MMA on Facebook and Twitter. Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor and geek culture enthusiast. Follow him on Twitter and keep up with his latest exploits.