So, Are We Just Not Doing Positive UFC Stories?
When the UFC attempted to host an event (UFC 249) at the Taichi Palace on tribal land in 2020 in an attempt to break COVID restrictions, I called it what it was. A pigheaded move that put UFC employees at risk, at a time where barely anything was known about the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
I’ve blasted the UFC on fighter pay on multiple occasions. And rightfully so. The approximately 17% of UFC revenue they earn pales in comparison to nearly every other professional sport. That the premiere organization in MMA is still pulling this nickel and dime act with their employees (sorry, independent contractors) is infuriating.
That doesn’t mean you ignore the positive stories when they happen, which is why it’s so incredibly frustrating to see so little coverage, mainstream or otherwise, regarding Dana White stepping up to pay for Maya Gebala’s medical expenses. And helping bring the Canadian shooting victim to the U.S. for treatment from world-renowned neurologists (not a knock on Canada’s medical system either, as this is a rather unique, rare case).
That’s why, after just two questions to White at UFC Winnipeg, I shifted gears to the Gebala story. Her name has been on the octagon for months. Weeks ago, the girl’s mother, who has provided almost daily updates about her daughter’s condition, revealed that White had contacted the family and offered to pay for and assist with her care.
Barely anyone has bothered to even ask why.
The UFC didn’t issue a press release. They didn’t give me a head’s up. I found out about White’s involvement through updates Cia Edmonds, her mother, has been making on social media, same as everyone else. Unlike most people, I occasionally get to lob a few questions White’s way. The first thing on my mind was how he even got involved. It’s not every day an American promoter gets involved with a Canadian national tragedy.
Turns out, he saw it on the news like the rest of us, and wanted to help. There’s been more obstacles than White anticipated, but they’re getting through them.
There’s all sorts of social commentary that has come out of the Tumbler Ridge shooting, which killed eight and left Gebala shot in the head and neck, clinging to life back in February. The shooter was born male but identified as female, the RCMP had seized guns from the killer but returned them, the gun control debate overall, even AI, with the folks behind Chat GPT well aware of a possible incident, having banned the shooter from the platform due to concerning engagement regarding mass shootings (but failing to notify police).
Honestly, all of that becomes static in the background next to the human element. Maya Gebala, a girl whose life was shattered in a heartbeat; her family, left to pick up the pieces and watch their beloved daughter, and sister, battle with all her might just to stay alive. And White, a literal multi-millionaire, a father himself, stepping in to lend a hand. Or a wallet.
Credit where credit is due. White deserves his share of criticism, but should get all the praise in the world for this one.
In Defense of Winnipeg
We heard it from Guage Young during Fight Week: Winnipeg is a dump.
Young was the first to vocalize it, but there were rumblings throughout the UFC’s trip to the home of Winnie the Pooh (well, it’s the city the bear that inspired the character was named for, anyway) that there really wasn’t much to do in Winnipeg. Some of those in town for the show were getting restless.
And then there was the weather. Winnipeg’s bi-polar best, shifting from summer to fall to winter in a matter of days. Warm and sunny to chilly to snow and ice by the time UFC Winnipeg actually went down.
Yikes.
Now, Young had a fun response when asked about it all backstage following his win over Thiago Moises. What you don’t see, after the fact, is that coach Zak Ottow admitted that Winnipeg had started to grow on the fighter even as he was making the tweet calling it a dump. And nothing to do? Well, The Sheepdogs were in town on Thursday night, and you know, this little outfit called the UFC had a show there as well.
Look, it’s not a party down, but I’m told it’s a decent place to live still. And the crowd on Saturday more than showed up for the event. Mike Malott’s walkout was mind blowing, and they were loud and proud throughout the night.
So, nine years for another Winnipeg card? Let’s hope not.
