I Didn't Ruin My 'Career'

Or Of Course, I Knew What I Was Getting Into

Welcome to the latest C’mon Now newsletter. This is the place where I’ll share my thoughts on all the goings-on in MMA. Those thoughts could range from media criticism to advice for folks looking to get into MMA writing to why certain fighters or managers are not good for the sport.

Today I comment on “ruining” my “career”

Before we dig into things, please subscribe to the newsletter if you haven’t done so. If you have subscribed, please share it with someone who you think might enjoy reading my ramblings.

Finally, if you like what you read here, hit that little heart button at the top of the page.

Also, please check out the daily C’mon Now MMA Podcast (latest episode) in the archives and add it to your podcast app of choice. Please like it, rate it and review it. That’ll help me out some.

More than one person has commented on my writing over the past week or so and said that what I cover and the way I cover it will have some repercussions on my (cough) MMA writing career. I’ll be blunt here. Do these people think I’m stupid? 

When I quit MMA Junkie, I decided to do what I’m now doing, which is pointing out what I see wrong with the MMA business. My thinking at the time was that I would do my thing on Substack and if that was as far as it went, I would have been happy with it and let the chips fall where they may. 

At some point I reached out to Tim Burke, who is a former Deadspin staffer, about what I wanted to do. He gave me great advice, and I’ll always be thankful for that. 

Not long after that, Bloody Elbow, which might be the only place I left without burning bridges — I had worked there before joining Junkie (thanks, Dann Stupp!) — reached out to see if I wanted to write opinion pieces. I enjoyed my time with BE and I enjoyed the team there so I jumped at the chance. I remain extremely happy with BE and the staff there (Thanks Nate and all the BE folks!) 

So, I guess what I’m saying is I made my decision with my eyes open. I knew I was cutting my throat as far as UFC access and I was — and am — fine with that because I don’t need UFC cooperation to do what I do. Sure it would be nice if they occasionally offered a response to a simple question or two, but it wasn’t and isn’t a deal breaker. 

I like what I do. I really do. I enjoy speaking up and offering my opinion because it truly is my opinion. Everything I write I can back up, or at least I believe I can. If that pisses some people off, that’s not my concern. If it hurts feelings, that’s not the intention, but I can’t really worry about that. That’s the cost of being outspoken and honest. 

Anyway, of course I know what I was getting into, to think I didn’t is pretty boneheaded. 

Just wanted to share that.