Look, there is a time and a place for that. The implicit admission-by this UFC-sanctioned propaganda-is that sheer skills and sportsmanship aren’t enough. It’s this sort of bullshit that makes wonder if I should shake my head and walk away. Personally, I think Max Holloway, Demetrious Johnson, Stipe Miocic, or Amanda Nunes would’ve made infinitely better choices for the cover athlete and flashy intro, but I know, I know: household name. Best, then, when both of those things occur at once, Like when Rose Namajunas beat a mess-talking Joanna Jedrzejczyk, then said in her post fight interview “ just be a good person.” Of how, when fighters are victorious against loudmouths, or speak out against it, my heart sings.

I’ve written a little bit before about the proliferation of amatuer-hour, bullshit trash talk in the sport. You can also engage in one of the the shittiest parts of modern MMA: trash-talking.

It was an absolutely surreal moment when I saw the option pop up in game, as one of your most valuable and high-return options for gaining a following. You can tweet fight details, get fans pumped, or even “stream” video games to get folks excited about you. To make an almighty personal brand and build it. In between training, while you wait for your next official bout, you are encouraged to promote yourself.

No, there’s no way to truly simulate the way a black belt can crush your own face into your crotch within a second, but, this is a pretty fun approximation at a distance, so it works. And then, you have a shiny new tool for your toolbox! You can use that in sparring. Bit by bit by bit, the picture comes into focus from a blurry mess. Learning techniques by fucking up until something like comprehension begins to hover around your conscious mind. But even despite that, my happiest place on earth is in the gym, training. I’d like to compete one day, if my body can manage to not fall apart long enough. Training is, secretly, the best part of MMA. And best of all-and rightfully-it respects the grind of training. You sustain damage and need to heal between fights. You need to be very careful not to overtrain and exhaust yourself. One of UFC 3’s best attributes is how well it nails the grueling beauty of the sport. To be a successful fighter, a champion, an inspiration to everyone. But I am persevering through the game’s career mode, with Ori “BamBam” Baroa, my custom fighter, because, god damn it, she and her wonderfully gay tattoos deserve this. I’m also embarrassingly bad at playing fighting games, even those as “realistic” as UFC 3.

Ea ufc 3