The UFC has received criticism for focusing their marketing efforts almost exclusively on Conor McGregor, in what amounts to a blackout of Denis Siver. The MMA media has done little better.
However, this profile of Siver by Nick “The Tooth” Gullo for Vice’s Fightland is an appreciated exception. Gregor is the 12-1 favorite, but Siver, who grew up in Russia, has been in the UFC for nearly eight years.
At one time or another, each of us has faced impossible odds. Close your eyes and recall how it felt—the despair, the self-pity, and even anger at the universe. But also recall the feeling of resigning yourself to whatever fate may bring: F— it, if I’m going down, so be it, I’m going down with style.
It’s no secret, after the uninspiring PPV year that was 2014, the UFC has shifted strategy to emphasize more spectacle and less sport. Hence, the upcoming Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz super-fight, and the reason McGregor is poised to leapfrog the cabal of elite Featherweight fighters—Frankie Edgar, Cub Swanson, Chad Mendes—for a title shot with José Aldo.
In regards to MMA, no question the greatest upset occurred during UFC 69, when GSP faced Matt Serra as an 11-to-1 favorite. Serra was recently cut from the organization, and was only asked back to appear in The Ultimate Fighter: The Comeback, alongside sixteen former UFC fighters, the winner receiving a shot at the Welterweight belt. Rocky-style unscripted drama. Throughout the show, Serra bested the other contestants, and on the night of his dubious Cinderella story, during the first round he caught GSP with an overhand right that stunned the champion, then Serra finished him in just over three minutes!
So when Siver enters the Octagon against McGregor, recall these Goliath-tales, for in MMA, and life, there are no guarantees.
Conor McGregor and Dennis Siver fight at UFC Fight Night 59, on Jan 18 in Boston, MA.
