I’ve taken exception to posts at “In The Cage” in the past, particularly their assertion that Kimbo Slice is going to “kill MMA”. I commented that he’ll likely “kill MMA” in the same way that Mike Tyson “killed boxing”. Today, however, I’m in full agreement with him as he notes that its incumbent upon Dana White to step up and take care of his fighters not only financially but in other ways:

The fighters can get by just fine on all that money but there is something Dana White, the UFC and all other fight organizations can start doing to help their fighters: take care of your fighters outside of the cage. The prototype for helping out fighters is Chris Leben. Leben was recently sentenced to jail time stemming from an earlier DUI arrest. It’s no secret that Leben has always had issues with alcohol. Pop in an episode of The Ultimate Fighter: Season One to see how alcohol and Leben don’t mix.

Leben is a good fighter and maybe if he was cleaned up he could be a great fighter. Many people criticize Vince McMahon and the WWE for several things but one of the best things they do is pay for current and former performers to get help in rehab. Granted, the WWE lifestyle causes a lot of the problems with substance abuse but at least McMahon offers the services to try and get clean. White and the UFC could and should offer similar outreach programs for their fighters.

Fighters put in countless hours of training and put their bodies through hell in fights and an outlet is obviously needed for them to blow off steam. Too many fighters take it too far either with alcohol or drugs thus damaging their long-term success. Yes, the fighters are adults and should fend for themselves, but far too many come from a broken past and giving them another option for help is needed.

As MMA gets more popular and the fighters become more mainstream, the spotlight will only intensify. I hope all fight organizations take care of their investments to allow the sport to grow into the premiere contact sport in America.

He’s right on the money about the Vince McMahon bit–if you asked me to think of some nice things to say about Vince McMahon I’d be scratching me head for awhile but one thing I have to give him credit for is his willingness to help his workers who have substance problems. This is obviously good business for him, but there’s been a number of guys who’ve gone for rehab and been welcomed back when they’re clean.

Dana White please step up and take care of your fighters @ In The Cage