When Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva defeated Fedor Emelianenko on February 12th, He said that Fabricio Werdum's victory over the former #1 heavyweight showed that "Superman" in this sport, didn't exist.
How fitting that comment was. Over the past year, we have seen fighters stepping up and being "heroes" from Roger Huerta's fight outside a Dallas nightclub that thrust him into a Superfight with Bellator Champion Eddie Alvarez. Huerta was stepping in and challenging a University of Texas football player, who had allegedly struck a woman in the club. We also seen Jon Jones' make a citizen arrest on a would-be burglar mere hours before his World Championship fight against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.
We have also seen MMA fighters meet with tragedy over the past couple of weeks, from Sergio Salcido Luna being murdered in a burglary attempt at the US-Mexico border, to the recent tragedy on Saturday night in Brampton, Ontario with Kearn Nedd losing his life while trying to attempt a robbery during a Poker tournament in which he was participating.
Why is this so important? The fact is that while Luna and Nedd aren't known fighters, their deaths show what being a Mixed Martial Artist is all about. When we meet Athletes, whether it be from the 4 major sports (MLB, NHL, NBA or NFL), we have always gotten the impression that while they shake hands and sign autographs for fans, the amount of money they are making separates them from the "norm", Mixed Martial Artists, albeit Jon Jones or Kearn Nedd, are like everyday people : They are dreamers. They aspire to be the best throughout their training, all the while going to their regular "9 to 5" routine day in and day out, having their lunch breaks and making small talk with co-workers or fellow students.
The fact that they want to make it to "The Show" (i.e. UFC, Strikeforce, DREAM or Bellator) re-iterates their dedication, and even if they do make it to the top of this sport, it doesn't guarantee millions and fame and fortune (The average UFC fighter making their debut, will only net about $5,000 for that one fight, not including win bonuses for Fight, Submission, or Knockout of the night).
Luna's friend and fellow fighter Dominique Robinson, told MMAJunkie in an interview that the Mixed Martial Arts community was partially to blame for his friends demise, claiming he "couldn't get help" and he moved frequently (he was based in Bakersfield, but worked in Mexico due to circumstance) was because there was "no help" from anybody in the business. While he may have a point, the truth is that while it might be the most entertaining sport growing in the 21st Century thus far, we glorify these fighters as they are standing on some pedestal. Like you and me, they are made of flesh and blood, and the money they make despite the spectacle that surrounds MMA is nothing.
So even though they are not going to be known other than getting murdered, We should remember Luna and Nadd for what they were : Regular human beings, pursuing a dream.
A dream that we should all be respectful and proud of.
Until next time, fight fans
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