Thoughts on Rogan vs. Snipes

There has been a buzz lately about the possibility of action movie star Wesley Snipes entering the octagon to fight UFC announcer and Fear Factor host Joe Rogan. I for one have very mixed emotions when it comes to this potential matchup.

On one hand, it has the potential to bring in lots of viewers who perhaps wouldn't ordinarily order the UFC on PPV. There is a certain appeal to seeing if one of the on screen tough guys could hold his own in a fighting sport. And Wesley Snipes, even though he is an actor, is a long time martial artist who has trained in a variety of fighting styles for many years. On the other hand, I don't know if this is the kind of attention that a fledgling sport looking for legitimacy really needs at this point in time. It amps up the "freak show" aspect a little too high for my tastes. I am one of the fans that is all for trying to push the sport into mainstream consciencenous. But I would prefer it be done with legitimate professional athletes and not by gimmicks.

The pay involved to bring in a name like Snipes would have to be considerable. Just as much or more than it would be to bring in a famous fighting name like Royce Gracie. Gracie is probably not what he once was. But at least he is a legitimate professional fighter and former multiple time champion. And is still the most recognizable name in the American fighting scene. Having Royce fight a modern day champion like Matt Hughes or even a third match with fellow legend Ken Shamrock would draw huge PPV numbers.

I order every UFC PPV so if Snipes vs. Rogan happened, I would watch it. And I would probably be entertained. So that probably makes me a hypocrite. But in a sport that despite great strides is still struggling for mainstream acceptance, I think a Snipes vs. Rogan fight would do more to cement the reputation of the UFC as sideshow than it would sport.

Until next time,
Jason