By: Raul Rangel
SAN ANTONIO, TX, January 6, 2012 – I loves me so trash talking, especially if it’s done right! A certain number of people have worked this angle to perfection in combat sports and professional wrestling. Men like Chael Sonnen, Floyd Mayweather, Tito Ortiz, and Ric Flair make trash talking an art form.. Unfortunately for the rest of the pretenders out there, they need to realize that trying too hard makes you look like a complete idiot.
Case in point, the interview Jacob Volkmann gave after his victory over Efrain Escudero at UFC 141 where he proceeded to call out America’s Commander-in-Chief.
“(President) Obama needs a glassectomy…where they remove the belly button and put a piece of glass in there so you can see what you’re doing while your head’s up your (expletive).”
That’s how he opened up his post-fight interview.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan (who is no stranger to either comedy or politics) didn’t know how to react to that. He just shot him a weird look as they went on to talk about Volkmann’s desire to chase the 155 belt against Frankie Edgar.
As if that wasn’t awkward enough, poor unknowing Jacob continued to persist in talking about the incident in an interview with Ariel Helwani later on that same evening.
“I thought Joe Rogan would have laughed a little more,” he said about his ruined Chael Sonnen goes to the White House imitation. “he ruined it for me and I wanted to punch him in the nuts.” He then talked about getting a top ten guy, but they will not give him one.
What is it with this guy and awkward moments? It seems like he just doesn’t know when to quit.
This wasn’t even his first (failed) brush with calling out the president either; at UFC 125 he told Ariel Helwani that he would like to fight President Obama next after his fight on that card. That comment was not that bad and it could have been taken as tough-and-cheek, a political statement of sorts due a disagreement on political agendas. You know, since the cage is the perfect place for that and all.
A few weeks later Volkmann was subsequently visited by the secret service and was put on paid leave at a school he works for.
To me, all this failed attempt at lip service all points to one thing for Volkmann – that he should focus on finishing fights instead of finishing jokes or political statements.
Since his debut at lightweight, he has won all his fights by decision, 2 split and 3 of the unanimous kind. Not bad. A win is a win but ending fights in lackluster fashion won’t exactly put you in the driver’s seat for a title shot. Ben Henderson, Nate Diaz, and Donald Cerrone all finish fights. If you want to talk, you have to finish a fight first, not almost get finished then make awkward statements after.
That’s not getting noticed for the right reason at all.
Now, I consider myself a liberal but I can take a joke, even if it is directed towards the guy I voted for. But, Volkmann does not come off as being humorist. In fact he comes off more like a complete weirdo. That’s probably something everybody can agree on. If it was a liberal saying the same things about Bush I would still have the same problems. You have the right to believe in what you want to believe, but when you push an agenda and can’t punctuate it with anything other than awkwardness, you put yourself at risk of losing sponsorships, fans, and even a title shot.
If you want to be political, then fine. Make speeches, Facebook/twitter your opinions, wear shirts, etc…. Just get back to training and focus on fighting as the most important thing. And for Pete’s sake, learn how to finish.
Both fights and jokes.
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