Three “Huh?” Moments in MMA Last Week: Oct. 23 Edition

By
Heath Harshman
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ian mccall joins RIZIN FF MMA
Credit: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

A questionable pre-fight requirement was made for some female fighters in Massachusetts, a former flyweight contender is (maybe) returning to MMA, and idiot soccer fans played a role in UFC scheduling. Huh?

Finding the proper response to much of the news finding its way into our social media feeds is becoming a tougher task every day. Nothing is surprising, and there’s always more to the story. Leaving us with one reply: “huh?”.

Last week, Tara LaRosa shared a troubling requirement for a “breast exam” from a Massachusetts State Athletic Commission appointed physician, Ian McCall is slated to fight by the end of the year, and soccer fans played a part in getting a UFC fight rescheduled at UFC Gdansk.

The reason “huh?”, in its various forms, is such a quality reply is simple. The word is as versatile as a response gets, and while it may require some explanation, “huh?” is sometimes the only way to react to the news of today. Defined by Merriam-Webster as an interjection that’s “used to express surprise, disbelief, or confusion, or as an inquiry inviting affirmative reply”, “huh” or “huh?” can mean a lot of different things.

Despite some of the follies of human evolution (see: Cub Scouts), the development and growth of “huh” is something we should embrace. To be the change we want to see in the world, here are a few MMA stories last week that made us go “huh?”.

Tara LaRosa reveals required “breast exam” before bout

Before fighting in Massachusetts in 2010, Tara LaRosa says she was required to allow the pre-fight physician to do a “breast exam”, something not done in any other state. Huh?

The troubling story was revealed by LaRosa on Twitter, as part of the #MeToo campaign started following the numerous allegations against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. The story was then picked up by Erik Magraken of Combat Sports Law, one of the best resources for combat sports and injury law around.

Magraken found that “breast exams” are not required in Massachusetts. With info and quotes from ringside physicians, while looking at the actual licensing requirements, it sure looks as though LaRosa, and likely others, were sexually assaulted by a creep in order to fight in Massachusetts. Huh.

“While a physician does have broad discretion nowhere is a mandatory breast exam mentioned. The ‘special in-depth‘ exam is only triggered if there are ‘symptoms of ill health or physical impairment‘.  It is hard to imagine how, absent compelling circumstances, a breast exam could be part of the pre-fight physical examination.” – via Combat Sports Law

Magraken, and likely others, have reached out to the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission for a reply. We’re interested in what they have to say as well, and hope that those responsible for these disgusting acts receive the punishment they deserve.

Ian McCall is scheduled to fight someone(s)

Although he hasn’t fought since January of 2015, a promotion feels confident paying Ian McCall to potentially fight multiple times in a matter of a few days. Huh?

Shortly after asking for, and receiving, his release from MMA’s premier promotion, former UFC flyweight contender Ian McCall signed with Rizin Fighting Federation. The Japanese outfit is hosting a bantamweight Grand Prix at the end of 2017, and now McCall is part of the tournament.

McCall told the story of his release on The MMA Hour, and then chatted with BJPenn.com about the prospect of finally fighting again.

“I got out there – I can really see myself walking through this tournament. Horiguchi’s going to be a tough fight…Who really knows about the other guys – I mean, who really cares? He’s going to be my toughest fight for sure.” – Ian McCall via BJPenn.com

Huh. For a guy whose last victory came against Brad Pickett in July of 2014, McCall is awfully confident. Of course, not all of the bad luck regarding his inability to even make it to fight night in the past has been his fault. But a promotion willing to pay McCall to potentially fight multiple times, when he hasn’t been able to do it once in two years, is surprising.

The stakes are relatively low for both sides, as he’ll become a free agent as of January 1st, 2018. Worst case scenario, he doesn’t show up and likely doesn’t get paid. Regardless, we’re interested to see what a McCall fight looks like in 2017, and whether or not he can do it multiple times in a span of a few days.

Idiot soccer fans get fight moved from UFC Gdansk

Due to the actions of some less-than-friendly soccer fans in Poland, the bout between heavyweights Anthony Hamilton and Adam Wieczorek slated for UFC Gdansk has been moved to UFC Sydney. Huh?

According to MMAjunkie, there were security concerns during the ceremonial weigh-ins, when some Lechia Gdansk fans decided to make their presence known. The fans, known as “ultras”, are the worst kind of people.

Taking the support of their local soccer team far too seriously, and sometimes getting violent in order to prove just how supportive they are, the group successfully ruined what should’ve been a great experience for Wieczorek, who supports a rival team in southern Poland.

As stupid as these fans are, they’re also potentially dangerous. The UFC did not give an official reason for the move, although it’s rather obvious. The lack of an official word from the promotion is good, as not to empower the fans. But the fact that a small group of idiots can impact an event like UFC Gdansk is a bummer.

A fighter shared her story about being sexually assaulted in order to fight in Massachusetts, while another is surprisingly scheduled to fight multiple times in Japan. Meanwhile, UFC fights are getting moved due to violent soccer fans. Huh? The world of MMA is a confusing one, and it has some serious problems that need to be addressed.

Oh, and Conor McGregor continues to use homophobic slurs on a regular basis.

Huh? for the road

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