[blackskimmer]

Well I think you really have to look at it in a different fashion.

1)Rich was the UFC champion and a great one at that, carried himself well and gave the UFC crowd some really really entertaining fights. That makes him a "hometown" favorite. Plu's he speaks really good english


2)I am sure Sliva was only known to most people as some crazy guy from PRIDE (Japan) Who doesnt speak english and is seen as an outsider.

3) In the end they cheered for the home town boy. However if Sliva improves his english he can start to become much more "media" friendly. Marketing is a different bird in North America. You dont have to be good to be the crowd favorite you have to be media likeable.

If you listen enough at the end when Sliva was speaking at the end they cheered him.

I have no problem with people booing really. Its their choice. Good post though, but like I said its not really a bad thing.

 

[blackskimmer]

I guarantee when Silva dominates everyone while defending his title, english or not, they will ride his ****. They were probably shocked that their "hometown" fighter got demolished in such a quick fashion. UFC audiences are full of bandwagon jumpers. Even at one point, Vitor was getting a lot of praise. But in reality...Dana is trying to make UFC "American-based". So to appeal to the fans, why not have all the champions to be American. But that all changed at UFC 64. Now people will see a different light to fighters from different countries, and will go to youtube and research on Brazilian fighters. Eventually will discover the vast amount of talent in other countries.


What gets on my nerves is the USA, USA, USA chants. Even Rogan said one time, why are they saying that. "Why are they sayin that". Because a total disrespect and straight ignorance of the sport.

Your right most people are "new" to the sport. But that is a GOOD THING. This sport is growing at a very rapid rate. Give it awhile for the people to come around. And yes to grow the sport and make it more popular you have to have home grown talent. Thats just the way it works. People love to cheer for whom they can identify with the most. Most mid western bbq football loving people cant see themselves in a guy from Brazil who doesnt speak english.

Thats why I hope they teach him at least some right away it will bring the crowd around to him in a hurry. Not to worry most people like me are just getting to know the sport, thats a good thing.