Do you like to watch pros or amatures best?

[Ravenman]

There are essentially two kinds of fights I like to see best: The top pros in title-level fights, and amatures. Here's why I find amature fights so exciting:

1. The amatures bring a lot more nervous energy into the ring. As a result, they are usually a lot more pumped up and the action goes WAY faster. Amature fights hardly ever go to a decision because both guys go balls-out compared to the pros.

2. There are a lot more one-dimensional amatures. Because of this, you get to see a lot of style-against-style fights reminiscent of the early UFCs, e.g. a sport bjj fighter against a karateka.

3. Amatures make a lot of mistakes. One of the reasons pro fights are slower and have fewer positions is that the pros are rarely out of position, giving them excellent defense; thus not as much attacking goes on because those on offense don't want to waste energy with ineffective moves/strikes. Further, because the pros are much better at capitalizing on mistakes, they are also more conservative because they don't want to get caught trying a bad move. Amatures, on the other hand, aren't as worried about mistakes and are more excited about attacking because a. there is a greater likelihood that their attack will be effective than in the pros and b. if they screw up and lose position, they are less likely to be taken advantage of.

4. There is something about the small event atmosphere. A much higher percentage of the audience are die-hard fans who weren't just people who heard the advertisement on the radio and thought they'd get to see some guys kicking each others' asses (shock-value viewers). But in the small amature events, a lot of people are there to support their friends/team mates/family members, so even though the place is small, everyone is a lot more riled up because a higher percentage of the audience knows a fighter personally and cheers loud for them.

Anyone else like amatures best, or have anything to add?

[Edited by Ravenman on 12-24-2000 at 05:30 AM]

[Ravenman]

I forgot to add, watching amature fights will give you a better idea of what kinds of moves will work best on an opponent with less training. Having followed pro and amature fights for a few years now, I know that there are moves that are great for the pros but not as good for amatures, and moves that are great for amatures but which would never work against a pro. This goes for other disciplines as well; e.g. a fireman's carry is a high-percentage move in high school, but is less effective-per-try in college and even less at the international level. On the other hand, the gramby roll is great at the international level, but isn't something that most high school wrestlers could pull off.

[dan downard]

Amature level fights are what most of us are all about.
We watch the pros,but most of us will never be at that level.
So to that end I prefer the amature fights.
And I can afford to attend them and still get good seats.

[Underdog]

I'm 100% on accord with you guys.

[BIG BIRD]

DAMN! I thought this was a discussion about porn.

[Mako]

I agree as well. I really do enjoy watching the pro's... it's like watching (past tense) Michael Jordan play. Beautiful to watch, definitely inspires you to work hard and elevate your game.. BUT, few of us will ever pull of the dunks of a Jordan... or the moves of a Saulo or Nino or Cumprido.. nonetheless, they are great to watch.

However, I enjoy watching amateurs more. These are techniques that relate more to ME and my skills. I can relate to them.

Nice thread!

[Maxximus]

I think amateur competition is more educational in a way because its a lot like street brawling. These guys go at each other with pure intensity and adrenaline (rather than the calm, calculated and strategic mentality pros tend to have). And they also tend to flail wildly, which although seems like poor technique, is also more reminiscent of what you might encounter in a street fight. It makes it interesting to see how people can apply techniques in those situations. The thing with pros is that they've become so good and experienced at their game that they tend to be absorbed by pure technique and strategizing. A fight between pros is completely on a different level than a street fight. Amateur competition, however, has more of a balance between brawling and technique. It relates more to those of us who are not career fighters. On the other hand, you can learn a lot technique-wise by watching pros whereas amateur fights can tend to be sloppy flail fests. I think both have their place.