I came to that conclusion when I saw Mark Munoz hug -- actually hug -- Demian Maia at the start of the third round of their UFC 131 bout. Enough already. That alone made me want Maia to knock Munoz into next week. That kind of warm-fuzzy attitude may be a big part of the reason that Munoz underperformed in the fight after nearly being KO'd by the mediocre first round striking of Maia.
Why do fighters insist on shaking hands at the start of rounds? I know that it is a polite show of respect. However, it is completely unnecessary and detracts from the competitiveness and ferocity that makes the sport appealing to so many people. Did Muhammed Ali feel the need to shake Joe Frazier's hand every time they bell sounded? Hell no. And it was the sense of conflict between the two -- the impending explosiveness of their fights -- that made their saga so interesting.
When the referee starts the round, MMA fighters should be bloodthirsty and ready to go, not concerned about whether they have properly greeted their enemy. This is not a sparring match; it is a war. Friendliness diminishes the fans' experience of the fight and, quite possibly, distracts the fighter from his mission. For as much as I dislike GSP, I admire the fact that he does not tap gloves at the beginning of the round. He is there to do a job -- one that requires and brutal focus.
Frankly, I am no longer a booster of Mark Munoz after his weak showing and absurd hug in the Maia fight. I've seen more animosity in a badminton quarterfinal. Moving forward, this kind of thing has to be discouraged by the brass.
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