Pro wrestling’s impact on MMA

Not a bad little piece comparing the flash and showmanship of pro wrestling with that of MMA, particularly in the pomp and circumstance and outright ridiculousness of the PRIDE FC entrances. One of the reasons I like watching DREAM so much is for things like Andre “Dida” Amado dancing to the ring in a luchador mask. I also dig the hell out of the female who announces the fighters – nobody rolls an R like she does.

But I think this clip makes a bit too much of wrestling’s influence on MMA, though. Athletes have always been showmen to one degree or another – football’s touchdown dance and just about every slam dunk in the NBA, for example. It comes with the ego and is part of the performance. And at the end of the day the fighters still have to perform in the ring or cage.