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MMA Strikeforce

Metamoris In Need of Change

By @paidimartin

Rory MacDonald

Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Metamoris 5 came and went last weekend with little fanfare. It faced stiff competition given the fact that UFC Fight Night 57 and Manny Pacquaio’s bout with Chris Algieri took place on the same weekend. While Metamoris is geared toward grappling fans and hardcore MMA fans, a card containing big name MMA fighters like Rory MacDonald and Jake Shields should have garnered more attention.

Like wrestling, Brazilian jiu jitsu is not the most exciting spectator sport. Metamoris has done an admirable job thus far, but last weekend’s event had the MMA media talking about the event for all the wrong reasons. The general consensus afterward was that there were too many draws. Garry Tonnan scored a heal hook on Zak Maxwell in the very first bout, which proved to be the exception rather than the rule. Every other match on the card ended in a stalemate.

Submitting your opponent within a 20 minute period is the only way to win. Inevitably, this leads to stalling by some competitors who are happy to ride out the clock and score a draw rather than risk losing. There are a few solutions to this, but the most obvious one seems to be eliminating the time limit. The introduction of bonuses for finishing your opponent is another option, but above all else the promotion should give serious consideration to implementing a payment structure whereby the athlete receives a purse to show and double that amount to win – the UFC has been operating this system successfully for a number of years.

What has been lost amongst the criticism of the rules is that most of those in attendance thought the fights were lively and action packed. Metamoris 5 showcased some high quality grappling, but when the casual fan hears that almost every contest ended in a draw, they will not be inclined to depart with their cash. The promotion has featured some big names from the UFC, such as Chael Sonnen and Brendan Schaub. It is understandable that they have to take the opportunity to bring these names into the fold and capture the interest of MMA fans, but when they do so it is important not to overmatch them. Pitting MMA fighters in grappling tournaments against elite level, full-time BJJ practitioners will inevitably lead to stalling.

Metamoris 5 was a solid event, but the large number of draws ensured it came in for its share of criticism. A rule change is badly needed.

Padraig Martin is a freelance blogger at www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @paidimartin

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