Good Sport / Bad Sport

Last night, Ronda Rousey defended her UFC Bantamweight title against Meisha Tate. I watched it live, as did millions of other fight fans. Rousey dominated the fight from the opening bell, tossing Tate at will and constantly attacking with strikes, throws, pins, and submissions.

The Match
I counted eight times Rousey threw Tate. The Judo throws performed:
Sumi gaeshi (x2)
Kibisu gaeshi
Uchi mata (x2)
Tai otoshi
Harai goshi 
Kouchi gari
On one occasion, Tate shot a double leg takedown, and Rousey counter-threw with a beautiful Uchi Mata, slamming Tate hard to the ground. It was the most spectacular counter-throw I've ever seen in MMA.

Ryron Gracie tweeted:

"Miesha just earned some frequent flyer miles."

On the ground, Rousey hit Tate with punches and strikes, and attempted several submissions. I witnessed the following attempts:
Juji gatame
Ude garami
Sankaku jime
Yoko sankaku jime 
All in addition to the victorious juji gatame.

In the end, Rousey forced Tate to tap with her signature juji gatame. Tate offered a handshake as both fighters stood. Rousey saw the extended hand, and turned away with a look of disdain. Some call the move classless, but I have a completely different opinion...

Timeline
In late 2011, Rousey defeated Julia Budd to move to 4-0 in professional MMA (she was also 3-0 in amateur MMA - all wins via first-round arm bar). Rousey started talking about wanting a title shot against then-Champion Miesha Tate. This was for the promotion Strikeforce (which has since been acquired by UFC).

Tate responded with negative comments. Tate stated Rousey had no wins over legitimate opponents. I guess Sarah D'Alelio and Julia Budd didn't count. To be fair, how many women fighters had more than ten matches under their belts at the time? Women's MMA is still a budding sport - it is still difficult to find a female fighter at 135 (or even 145) who has more than 10 fights.

Tate was wrong. She was dominated by Rousey in their first fight. Furthermore, Tate's prediction of a more worthy opponent - Sarah Kaufman (one of the few women with 10+ fights) was dominated by Rousey a couple of months later. Kaufman tapped to an armbar in less than a minute against Rousey.

This time around, enter the drama of TUF. Any time you have TV, and editors, expect things to be shaded toward the greatest amount of drama in an attempt to gain the most ratings and sponsorships. Rousey's mother even changed her mind on UFC owner, Dana White, as a result of the editing she personally witnessed.

While Rousey launched her share of verbal attacks at Tate - in true WWE fashion; Tate returned the attacks, and then some. Tate stepped over the line, by bringing Rousey's family and friends into the mix. By attacking people associated with the fighter, and not the fighter herself, Tate lost all honor. Further, some called her on her "bully tactics" in those actions. 

I am not saying Ronda is an angel. That is clearly not the case. But neither is she the devil the TV editors would have you believe.

What others are saying
So, before you finalize your opinion, take some other things into account. First, I quote Sarah Caum, an aspiring mixed martial artist from middle TN:

"People who say Rousey isn't classy or is trashy can shove it. She has treated EVERY one of her other opponents with utmost respect. Lest we forget Meisha Tate shoving Cat Zingano's face to get up when the round ended during their fight? That is a total lack of class. Open your eyes people. The media just loves to have a villain. And they've fit Ronda into that role."

This blog posted this comment:

"People are getting all upset about Ronda not shaking Miesha’s hand after the fight. You know what though? I’m on Rowdy’s side. 
The only person she ever (publicly) talks shit about is Miesha. And Miesha’s not so classy either. She’s that little asshole in the back of the classroom stiring shit while the teacher’s not looking and then acting all sweet and innocent when eyes on are her. Good on her for taking Ronda three rounds, but she’s not this MMA angel everything thinks she is. 
I wouldn’t shake Tate’s hand either if I were Ronda. She gave her reasons and that’s good enough. If someone insulted my friends/family I wouldn’t shake their hand either. 
People forget that Ronda was a great sport with Liz Carmouche. And you know what? She’ll probably shake Sara McMann’s hand before and after UFC 170."

An analysis of Tate's actions in light of the code of Bushido, yields a grim outlook for her. In attacking innocent parties, Tate demonstrated a lack of Courage, a lack of Honor, a lack of Rectitude (Righteousness), and a lack of Respect. One action violated four of the seven codes of Bushido.

In America, we believe in these same tenets, as our military vows not to engage in combat innocents and non-combatants.

From a personal point of view, once an opponent has thusly insulted me, I would consider that person an enemy. The violation of Honor, of itself, condemns the enemy to the worst of outcomes: that enemy is deserving of no honor nor respect. Further, there is no condemnation of the man (or woman) who fails to show that enemy honor or respect.

In American terms: once the opponent says "it's on," then it is indeed "ON!"


Summary
I'll continue to watch and enjoy performances by Rousey in MMA.
I'll continue to watch and enjoy performances by Tate in MMA.
Both women are talented fighters, and easy on the eyes.

That said, don't fall for the media hype.


.