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Keith Jardine thinks the UFC may not want him to be a champion …

4K views 60 replies 35 participants last post by  machidaisgod 
#1 ·
Keith Jardine thinks the UFC may not want him to be a champion …



http://mmamania.com/2009/08/27/keith-jardine-thinks-the-ufc-may-not-want-him-to-be-a-champion-…/

… because he’s not as marketable, doesn’t crave attention and/or make an ass out of himself, according to a Las Vegas Sun article today:

“There’s a big difference between a win and a loss in the UFC. I’m making a comfortable living right now, but I’m definitely fighting for my livelihood…. I’m kind of like the blue-collar UFC fighter. I’m working my way in through the back door. I haven’t been fed any (soft) opponents. I didn’t win the reality show. I’m just making my own way. I haven’t been mass marketed to anybody. That’s the thing. The marketing machine hasn’t really gotten behind me. I’m fine with it, but I just think that the Forrest Griffins and those guys, they’d rather have those guys have the title than me. They kind of let me go my own way a bit because I’m not out there craving attention and I’m not out there hamming it up for the fans. I’m not being like Brock Lesnar after the fight (at UFC 100). That was embarrassing. I’m not that guy. I never will be. I’ll always be humble and be mean when it counts. I come from a real hard-working background and I don’t think my Dad would think very well of me if I were out there making an ass of myself. I’m just going to be myself and hopefully people will appreciate that. When I have the title, hopefully I will have a lot of fans because of the way I am.”

Can the “Dean of Mean” overcome the obstacles before him to one day become a champion or is he just too inconsistent (he hasn’t won back-to-back fights in three years) against top-flight competition to ever get there?
 
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#2 ·
In a division that lacks consistency, Jardine is one of the if the the least consistent fighter in that division. He will get a few more solid wins maybe, but he's never going to line up enough wins to get a title shot, much less win a championship fight.

With that said, I like Jardine, I hope he continues to fight as I think he's an exciting fighter that leaves it all in the cage when he fights.
 
#3 ·
I think he has bigger issues than lack of being promoted to deal with. His biggest problem is that his style isn't entertaining. At least it isn't for me. I simply don't get pumped for his fights. The UFC did the same thing to Machida when they thought that he wasn't marketable.

He needs to start finishing people, and the marketing machine will kick in.
 
#36 ·
I actually thought that Jardine could be pretty easy to market: he looks badass, in a gnarled, chipped tooth biker meth addict sort of a way.

But, as you said, the issue of marketability is irrelevant since Jardine is simply not skilled enough. He doesn't have one punch KO power like Rampage or Rashad. He doesn't have the silky, highlight reel athleticism of a Shogun. And he doesn't have the charismatic personality of a ("run") Forrest ("run") Griffin.

Then there are the second tier fighters like Ace and Hendo who have clearly superior backgrounds in the UFC.

Add to that, his fighting style is simply painful to watch. His footwork is an old man's tentative shuffle. He paws at his opponents and then lands soft punches. He has nice leg kicks but they get him into trouble (a la Wanderlei) as often as they help him win fights (Liddell).

As they'd say in a Philly deli: "get in line, bubb."
 
#5 ·
I like Keith but he's uncapable of putting together a 2 fight win streak... He's fought the toughest guys at 205 and sometimes I feel he should've been more picky about his opponents, avoided some bad of the match-ups and he would have gotten there already. Of course, being ugly is no help either lol
 
#9 ·
I don't think he is inconsistent, he just isn't that good. I like Jardine, I picked him in my FFL, but this is a guy getting by on working really hard and hooking up with a really good camp (Jackson). I think he has gone farther in MMA with less actual talent than anyone else.
 
#10 ·
This gets me thinking about Jardines fights over the past few years and I do struggle to think of a UFC fighter that has had a tougher road. I think that Jardine comes accross as the mean looking dickhead, which obviously couldn't be farther from the truth, nonetheless though, it allows them to throw their "favorites" in and get a win over a guy that frankly could play a bad guy in a Van Damm movie.
 
#11 ·
I wasnt really too fond of Jardine at the start in TUF and never cared much for his first few fights. Slowly as I learnt more about the guy and his philosophy in fighting he started to win me over and now I realised he is just a hard working fighter who is very down to earth. I find his style exciting now and appreciate it more. He also provides entertaining Knockouts when he is on the recieving end.
 
#12 ·
he lost to houston alexander, does that scream title shot. to be serious he has beaten some good people like forrest and chuck, but he loses too much
 
#13 · (Edited by Moderator)
And Jardine would be right.

His personality and interviews are like watching dry paint. He is a good fighter but not great or excellent. He has a proven glass jaw and is more flat footed than Rampage or Wanderlei. I don't even think he'll get past Thiago Silva who is just as aggressive and has KO Power like Houston/Wanderlei (Both KO'd The Dean of Mean).

Jardine will finish his career being a gatekeeper. Forrest would Decision him this time around.



I've hated Jardine for so long just because he made people think that Houston ever was more than a C level fighter.

One of 2007's glorious upsets.
 
#18 ·
LOL, where did this come from?

My opinion of the casual fan is my own and if you find yourself in that category there is nothing i can do for you, nor is it bad to be casual, make this what you want to make it, how could i be condescending through a forum post by mentioning the word "casual fan"

IM A CASUAL FAN OF RUGBY LEAGUE... because i dont tune in to every game.

My opinion of a casual fan is indeed a person who occasionally tunes in to watch an event, no smugness or bad intent at all in this observation, i feel the smugness is how you react when hearing this phrase which somehow offends you?

And where did i say i was "better" than anyone?..

Please grow up.
 
#20 ·
LOL, where did this come from?

My opinion of the casual fan is my own and if you find yourself in that category there is nothing i can do for you, nor is it bad to be casual, make this what you want to make it, how could i be condescending through a forum post by mentioning the word "casual fan"
Well its just the way you grouped the 'liking/preferring of KO's' and the 'doesn't really follow MMA' that annoyed me. I'm just saying, you don't need to be so smug about grouping yourself into the 'true MMA' fan because you prefer something different. For me, a 'casual fan' has nothing to do with preference of fights finishing or opinions on anything. A casual fan is someone, like you said, who watches MMA/NRL casually, or occasionally. It just annoys me when people call others 'casual fans' for liking something different.
 
#19 ·
Uh, it might have to do with the fact that he's lost three of his last five fights.

A lot of guys would give an arm and a leg to get the career-rocketing level of fights the UFC has given him -- Chuck, Quinton, Vera, Wanderlei, Griffin etal.

In fact, despite his mediocrity, he keeps getting solid and career boosting fights.

I have no doubt that he's getting subbed in his next fight, maybe then he'll start understanding why he's not yet had a title shot. Visually, he's the most marketable guy with the kilt wearing Scottish Viking look:)confused02:) and has a slick nickname in "The Dean Of Mean". His mediocrity is the problem.
 
#22 ·
People tell me similar things all the time. Meh, don't take anything I say personally

It's late, you know that lol
 
#26 ·
Plus, its a friday night and I had nothing planned :(

Oh god, the Americans are waking up...we'd better get out of here man...
 
#34 ·
So i got a question for everyone, maybe this should be a new post. Lets say he wins tomorrow. How many fights would he have to win, and who would he have to beat, to get a title shot.
I personally thought he should of got a shot before forest. And kinda feel he was either overlooked or jus shunned. I'm not a jardine fan, but i also don't dislike the guy. I think he deserved a shot at some point.
 
#35 ·
Dammit Keith! This is why I cringe anytime I see one of my favorite fighters just gave an interview. Whats that Anderson? Oh you are retiring soon? Sweet! Yeah Diego, you pray to the God of the desert to make you the best? Me too! C'mon Penn, spray that verbal diareha right here on my chest! MMMMM MMM! And Brock...sigh...

Keith, so far you have never held the belt and you have headlined two PPVs and Co-Main evented 84 & 89 and tomorrow at 101.

Just hush and don't invite criticism. You are a cool guy with a lot of fans like me. The man isn't out to get you if you want to be marketed GO GET MARKETED. Christ, go talk to Shane Carwin.
 
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