Should Fighter's Who Sucker Punch Opponents Be Subject To Fines And/Or Suspensions?
by Kelvin Hunt on Sep 6, 2009 1:00 PM EDT
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PrintI'm asking because one of our readers(3PA) posted this video of a fighter sucker punching an opponent. Basically, the first round begins and the two fighters meet in the center of the cage and go to touch gloves only for one of the fighters to throw a punch at that time. The punch lands and the fighter goes down and gets finished with punches on the ground. Steve Cofield chimes in with his thoughts:
That was outrageous and while we're talking about momentary loss of control versus a pre-meditated action, is there anyone who doesn't think this sucker punch was cooked up by Sheridan before the fight? Sheridan versus Vasquez was one of 12 amateur fights on the card tabbed Ultimate Combat Reno.
Nevada shouldn't license this kid anytime soon unless he comes in front of the commission to explain his actions. Frankly, it should be treated more harshly than a positive drug test.
I agree that it was outrageous and we don't need this type of thing in MMA. The worse part for me was Sheridan's arrogance afterwards during the post-fight video. All I have to say is that karma is a mofo. Anyways, the other thing I want to touch on is Vasquez being unaware or not on his P's and Q's so to speak. This isn't the first time we've seen somone try to sucker punch when fighters go to touch gloves. I mean Bruce Lee taught us to "never take our eyes off our opponents!" I'm not blaming Vasquez or anything, but in the fight game you kind of always have to expect the unexpected. Even in our sport where the majority of the fighters are very respectful. So I ask the question. Should Chris Sheridan be fined and/or suspended for doing this? Sound off in the comments section, I'd love to read your thoughts.
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Pretty puss move
Basically this guy told the world “I can’t beat him. I’m a pussy. I will cheat.”
He must have got the idea from Manny Gamburyan.
I’m with Cofield on this one – no licence until he meets with the commission, who should no doubt give him a pretty good suspension and fine.
...some call me "el mexicutioner"...
I think he’s an absolute asshole for it, but the bell rung and it’s “protect yourself at ALL TIMES” once it does. He broke no rule previously set up or enforced but safe to say I wouldn’t want anything to do with this kid if I was a promoter. I wouldn’t cry if he was suspended or fined.
Rather than a rule against sucker punching, I want glove touching to be limited to the staredown.
Bloody hell.
I saw a guy at a local show, do the same thing. Only after he tagged his opponent ,his opponent came back with a one-two, and took him out in less than ten seconds..My first thought was “instant Karma , baby!”
My thoughts are that if you don’t wanna touch gloves then don’t do it. It is within your rights to go right after the guy, and try to destroy him. But if you make that motion to touch gloves then, there should be a rule almost like the rules the NFL has when a QB moves his hands in a forward motion to throw, and leave it to the ref descretion upon wheather or not he committed a foul. Start handing out 180day suspensions.
It isn’t a suckerpunch, the match has started and if you are fool enough to not protect yourself then you deserve what you get. It may be disgusting and unsportsman like but it isn’t against the rules, much less criminal.
It is, however, a sucker punch… the definition of ‘sucker punch’ has nothing to with staying within the boundaries of the rules.
Bloody hell.
by 3PA on Sep 6, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Well according to Webster’s dictionary a sucker punch is:
Main Entry: sucker punch
Function: transitive verb
Date: 1964
: to punch (a person) suddenly without warning and often without apparent provocation
— sucker punch noun
As I said, once the fight has started you are supposed to guard yourself at all times while trying to defeat(punch) your opponent. You are warned by the referee to to do this and the provocation is the successful termination of your opponent. Like I said, unsportsmanlike and disgusting but not a sucker punch.
I would say this scenario fits that definition to a tee. You’re confusing what’s “legally allowed” with what’s “morally justifiable”.
Bloody hell.
by 3PA on Sep 6, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you have too lofty an opinion of the morality involved in a sport where the object is to physically pound your opponent into submission or unconsciousness.
Ha! Might be… but you’re talking to a person who still believes there’s some baser form of ethics involved even in a street fight.
And if we reduce this to semantics you posting that definition only works against you…
Bloody hell.
by 3PA on Sep 6, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
lol
yall had a nice little discussion in this one…THAT’S WHAT’S UP…for the record though…
In a street fight…I fight to win and I’m leave it at that….lol.
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Yeah I’m not saying I’m going to be extending to shake hands and then get kicked in the nutsack… but if I have beef with someone and knows it’s going to end in a fight I sure as hell won’t be hiding behind a trashcan to run out and elbow him in the back of the head, ninja suprise style. I don’t like using weapons, even if I have brass knucks in my pocket I won’t slip them on if the other guy shows no inclination towards grabbing an object and finally I won’t inflict more damage than necessary – ie if I knocked your ass out I won’t start stomping on your head.
Bloody hell.
by 3PA on Sep 6, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions
It depends
But..I’d prolly stomp your head like once just for good measure…I’m one of those types that takes A LOT to get pissed off…but when I reach that point…it’s a wrap…therefore, I do my best to not get pissed off…lol…seriously…it takes me like an entire day to get back to normal.
http://www.mmaforreal.com
Follow Me On Twitter@KelvinHunt
I knew someone would play Devils Advocate.....
I would hope we answer to a higher set of rules. Moral rules. So an AMATEUR mixed martial artist decides to touch gloves ( a sign of respect) before a bout, and since he didn’t defend himself when his opponents hand was also extended (meaning an agreement to touch gloves) he deserved to get brutally KO’d in front of his friends and family? Please STFU.
Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret..
by The Demolition Man on Sep 6, 2009 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions
That reply was to villn
Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret..
by The Demolition Man on Sep 6, 2009 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Relax
I’m not condoning such disgusting tactics. I’m just saying you can’t levy fines/suspensions against a guy who didn’t break any rules. Morally imposed rules are not recognized by sanctioning bodies. It’s a scumbag thing to do and hopefully karma comes back to bite him in the ass but you can’t penalize a guy for capatilizing on his opponent’s foolishness.
I agree with everything up till “opponent’s foolishness”
Bloody hell.
by 3PA on Sep 7, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree. You can't be punished for not breaking a rule......
However I don’t agree with you saying the other guy “deserved what he got”.
Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret..
by The Demolition Man on Sep 7, 2009 2:44 AM EDT up reply actions
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