Sport or Entertainment. What do you like more? Do fans want less of one and more of another? Can both co-exist? What is more popular? before you read this post read cauliflower_ears post here. Let's take a trip back in time...

In 2002 Pride was the dominant force in MMA. Without question. They just wrapped up the largest live MMA event audience (over 70,000 people). Did over 70,000 people come to watch meaningful fights that effected titles, or fights that had immaculate technique combined with outstanding gameplans? Hell NO! They came to watch because they wanted to be entertained. That is it. That is what the sport of MMA was back in 2002. Entertainment. Pride Shockwave (event that drew over 70,000 people) consisted of Wandy murdering a random Japanese fighter, Big Nog fighting Bob Sapp, Royce Gracie fighting Hidehiko Yoshida, and Cro Cop fighting Sakuraba. Yeah, and we all loved it. We were sucked in because it was entertaining.

Around the same time UFC 39 consisted of Gan MaGee beating Pedro Rizzo, Tim Silvia beating "Cabbage" with big Tim emerging as a title challenger, and Randy Couture getting beat by Ricco Rodriguez in a title fight. Oh how times have changed. The difference between the two promotions was visible. Pride had the athletic, more skilled fighters, and entertaining fighters. While the UFC had white guys that could wrestle. Funny at the time, the UFC was a "viable option".

Pride was exciting, flashy, exzillerating, fun, and awe inspiring. Pride was like watching porn for the first time. You are so excited you don't know what to do with yourself. I will draw the comparison to the ABA. The ABA had flashy, fun, selfish players that made the game exciting. Players such as: Julius Erving, George Gervin, Moses Malone, Marice Lucas, and David Thomson. Just like Pride the ABA had swagger and pzazz. In the ABA and Pride, entertainment came 1st. Grand entrances and awful costumes thrived in both leagues.

via www.remembertheaba.com

In 2000 MMA landscape was slowly changing. The NJSAC recently established the Unified Rules that the UFC quickly adopted to legitimize itself. Next year Zuffa purchased the UFC and begun to swing the culture of MMA. When all this is happening the UFC and MMA continue to take a beating from the main stream media. Both MMA fans and promoters wanted to convice people that this is a SPORT first. In about 2003 to 2004 the name Mixed Martial Arts was popularized instead of NHB. The culture had been changing faster then anyone thought. I must stress from 03 on fans wanted this to be sport first and entertainment second. Throughout this time period and even today, fans tenaciously defend their sport. Citing MSM figures that "bash" the sport. Thus fans are hard on promotions that create "freak show" match ups. Yet does "Celebrity boxing" hurt Professional boxing? 

Then in 2005 MMA exploded. We all know what fight did it. What we seem to quickly over look is the fact that Griffin vs Bonner was pure entertainment. Nothing more. That night it was entertainment first sport second. Now it is my opinion that entertainment first is the proper way to cultivate a fan base. Here in Georgia Wild Bill's promotion is wildly popular because it provides entertainment 1st. This is what Bellator has done, as well as Strikeforce.

Why do fans tend to down grade Strikeforce because of it's lack of "meaningful" fights? By all means bash Strikeforce because of giving fighters short notice to prepare for fights, lack of young talent, lack of promotional vehicles, and so on. But don't bash them for putting on "meaningless" fights that are entertaining. That is how you cultivate a fan base. by having entertaining fights. Nobody cares who Wild Bill's champion at lightweight is. They care if the fight is entertaining and nothing more. MMA worldwide has shown that putting on entertaining cards are more important then meaningful ones. I know this to be true: At the local level there will always be "freak show" fights. It will never change.

Now the MMA fan wants both sport AND entertainment first. MMA hardcores loath the Chris Lytle's of the world, who choose to "stand and bang". Yet most were drawn to the sport because of the entertainment aspect (I know I was). Not only do we want meaningful fights but we want them to be entertaining as well. We hate the Jon Fitch's of the world. MMA fans pray he is on the undercard every time he fights.

The UFC has to wag bonus money to fighters to put on a show instead of fighting strategically to win. Without the bonus money would the UFC be a boring promotion? Some fans recognize the skill of GSP and don't think it is entertaining. I'm not saying they are wrong or right. But if GSP went out to "stand and bang" with Dan Hardy would you enjoy the fight more? less?

I am not writing this to wag my finger, and tell MMA fans how bad they are. If you don't like Strikeforce, that is your opinion. I'm not here to tell you if you are wrong or right. I want to tell fans you cultivate a fan base by putting on entertaining fights and to get upset over Strikeforce not having "meaningful" is wasted energy. What I can't  figure out is what I want. I don't know if I rather watch a sport or watch entertainment. And can MMA become both? If it came down to it I would choose sport, that is just the way I was raised. I watch boxing instead of pro-wrestling, and I like boxing a helluva lot more.  So I ask you the reader what is more important to you sport or entertainment? And does the UFC balance both well? Do you have to sacrifice one for the other? And do you get upset at Strikeforce's "meaningless" fights?