Injury details coming out in the aftermath of high profile UFC fights are likely only going to become more commonplace as the sport grows bigger, says Laura Sanko.
Although “excuses” are nothing new in combat sports and have been embedded in pre and post-fight narratives since the inception of MMA, there has seemingly been an uptick around marquee contests.
Prior to regaining the light heavyweight title at UFC 320, Alex Pereira said he entered his UFC 313 matchup with Magomed Ankalaev in March at “40 percent.” Then after the rematch, Ankalaev’s team claimed he sustained a rib injury prior to losing his belt.
It’s one of many examples that constantly dominate headlines. UFC commentator Sanko thinks it’s a product of the sport exploding in exposure, which lends to secrets being more easily uncovered or put out through social media.
“I think it’s just the nature of the beast with everybody being in everybody’s business,” Sanko told MMA Junkie. “It’s going to come out regardless of whether the fighter sits down and does an interview about it. Part of it is on them, part of it is on just the fact we have so much information about everybody at this point. I’ve always respected the guys that try to keep it quiet and just take the losses on the chin.”
Sanko is not putting judgement on any particular athlete. It’s a difficult situation. A fighter expressing what they feel are reasons for a defeat can quickly be misconstrued as excuses.
It’s a fine line, but when a fighter carries a significant injury into the octagon, Sanko would prefer injuries stay under wraps, especially if the athlete themself isn’t the one putting information into the public sphere.
“There’s a number of guys, but Dustin (Poirier) is definitely at the top of the list with that old-school mentality where I guarantee Dustin Poirier was banged up in about every fight,” Sanko said. “But they’re going to tell you it’s the best camp ever and they’re also not going to tell you after they lose what they were dealing with. But that’s just the story of being a prize fighter.”
