We could be seeing fans at UFC events as early as next year, a fighter is getting another shot at the UFC after a suspension (and rare brain disease), and apparently Tyron Woodley is difficult to deal with. 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 anymore, and there’s always more to the story. Leaving us with one reply: “huh?”
Last week, the UFC said we could be seeing fans at events as soon as early-2021, Vince Murdock got scheduled for a bout on the Dana White Contender Series following a USADA suspension and a rare brain disease diagnosis, and apparently Tyron Woodley is difficult to deal with. Huh?
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 evolution (see: Pat Robertson), 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?”
The UFC could have fans at Fight Island next year
Fans could be in the arena watching UFC live and in person at “Fight Island” in early-2021. Huh?
“What we’re going to do, hopefully soon, is give the fans the opportunity to come to ‘Fight Island,’” [UFC President Dana] White told BT Sports. “And this place will be the first place to have a live crowd. Early next year.” – via MMA Mania
That feels aggressive. Then again, Dana and Co. have been aggressive in their event production since the outset of the global pandemic earlier this year. So, maybe we shouldn’t be surprised. Especially given the relationship the promotion has with the U.A.E. government.
The sportswashing the Abu Dhabi governement takes part in is nothing new. The “Fight Island” era of the UFC is another aspect of that policy, and has effectively turned the UFC’s events there into weeks-long tourism advertisements. Being able to add smiling, clapping, happy fans into the picture is a logical next step.
Those are logical next steps when it comes to tourism, public relations, and profit. Whether or not potentially having thousands of people indoors for a sporting event is a good idea for the health of everyone involved is another question.
