Warren: MMA is going to get much more violent
“I think in the years to come, in the progression of this sport, it’s going to get so much more violent, because the kids are going to be so technically sound.”
“Lately it occurs to me What a long, strange trip it’s been.”
Joe Warren spoke recently with Zane Simon for BE, about the ups and downs of a remarkable career, and about what is coming. Warren had a world-class career in Greco, and did not start MMA until he was in his 30s. After little more than a year as a pro, he was the Bellator feathweight champion. Then he lost the title. Then at 37 he won it back. Then he lost it again. Now 38, he is back on the march to a title shot.
“I mean, this is my fifth year right now and it sucks for me,” said Warren. “Because I’ve had to… I’ve learned how to fight on television in front of you guys, so I’ve made mistakes. I’ve done good things, I’ve done bad things, but it’s always been in front of you guys. It’s never been semi-pro fights or smaller fights before. I learned inside of the cage, I never even trained. I just took a flight to Japan and started fighting.
“I didn’t even start fighting until I was 32, I never even put a glove on. So, I’m thinking, I had to rush into it. I think in the years to come, in the progression of this sport, it’s going to get so much more violent, because the kids are going to be so technically sound. That being said, the fights will be a little slower, but they’ll be more violent. Meaning, if someone does throw a punch or a kick, it’s going to knock somebody out. It’s going to change a lot. I don’t know how long people are going to stay on top.”
“The Bellator fans are really pretty knowledgeable about the smaller weights, though. They follow me and they follow all of us featherweights as much as they do our heavyweights, or more. I think they’re just more knowledgeable fans. The other fans are paying for a knockout, are paying for a drinking fight; something to have a good time, watch someone get knocked out. Those are the guys that are booing people in the stands … I think it’s just an evolution of the sport that, the longer the sport’s around, the more knowledgeable people will get about it and see the difference in technique with our smaller fighters than the bigger fighters.”
Joe Warren fights L.C. Davis in the main event of Bellator 143 on Friday, September 25th.