MMA Narratives: Backs Against the Wall – Te Huna vs. Marquardt Aidan O'Connor July 3, 2014 Spotlight UFC Fight Night 43, the UFC's debut in New Zealand, came and went with remarkable subtlety this weekend. Inevitably overshadowed by its San Antonio successor, UFC Fight Night 44, which was headlined by a main...
New Beginnings: The Limitations of Bellator’s Tournament Format and Bjorn Rebney’s Exit Aidan O'Connor June 23, 2014 Spotlight The king is dead. Long live the king. We've heard the phrase a few times in MMA in 2014. From Keith Kizer's abdication of his executive director role at the Nevada State Athletic Commission, to T.J....
Back to the Roots, Part 3: Market Forces Deterring MMA’s Growth in China Aidan O'Connor June 20, 2014 Spotlight This week marks the final installment of the “Back to the Roots” series, concluding our insight into the various elements shaping MMA's social and cultural foundation in China. Part one of the series...
Back to the Roots, Part 2: Public Forces Deterring MMA’s Growth in China Aidan O'Connor June 10, 2014 Spotlight Part one of “Back to the Roots” explored martial arts’ role across Chinese history. We tracked its use as a symbol of both liberation and suppression over time, bringing us closer to understanding how a...
Back to the Roots, Part 1: Martial Arts, Chinese History and the Middle Kingdom’s MMA Landscape Aidan O'Connor June 6, 2014 Spotlight As MMA continues its abstract quest for global domination, the UFC is leading the charge into virgin territories from the frontline. For August’s UFC Fight Night 48: Macau card, the UFC brings heavy...
Examining MMA’s Support of the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health as PR Strategy Aidan O'Connor February 12, 2014 Spotlight When combat sports representatives publicized a joint effort with Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Harry Reid (D-NV) to support the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health’s study of professional...
The Ultimate Fighter: ‘Nations': The UFC’s Cross-Cultural Resource Aidan O'Connor February 5, 2014 Spotlight The latest series of The Ultimate Fighter, dubbed Nations, is in full swing. Pitting the mixed martial artists of Australia and Canada against one another, it’s perhaps no surprise that didgeridoos and moose...
Roy Jones Jr. vs. Anderson Silva: UFC Could Benefit From Boxing Superfight Aidan O'Connor January 29, 2014 Spotlight A fighter’s career can change direction in an instance. This week, for example, Josh Thomson migrated from the inner circle of top title contenders at 155 pounds to the fringes of active competition with the...
Drug Testing in MMA: Taking a Clean Approach to PED Discussion Aidan O'Connor January 23, 2014 Spotlight After more than a decade on top of the MMA world, UFC President Dana White is all too familiar with the odd criticism from a disgruntled former employee. When that fighter was the UFC’s biggest pay-per-view...
Ronda Rousey vs. Sara McMann: A Fight with Unparalleled Significance Aidan O'Connor January 15, 2014 Spotlight Following Ronda Rousey’s convincing win over Miesha Tate at UFC 168, the dust had barely settled on the Octagon’s canvas before officials declared a new women’s bantamweight title contender, Sara...
