We can debate the timeline or motives all day, but here‘s the only fact worth noting when it comes to Khabib-Tony pt. 5: There’s no location for this fight, which is 16 days away. If that changes tomorrow, great. Until then it’s stilly to blame anyone for it falling through again

Like, what the heck are we arguing about at this point? There is no location for this event. The location currently doesn’t exist. If they secure one, then we can argue about whether it was smart to leave America or not and all that. Until then, futile exercise. Get a grip.

And if deep down Khabib left SJ bc he wanted to be closer to his family during this unprecedented pandemic, who are we to blame him? That’s what he should be doing as a father and husband. Especially with the whole world shutting down around us. Most sane ppl would do the same.

On the flip side, I have a hard time openly campaigning for events to be canceled while hundreds of fighters are freaking out because they are staring at the possibility of no fight purses indefinitely. That doesn’t sit well with me. I really feel for them.

Right or wrong, they all want to fight because they have to fight. No fights, no money. They aren’t bad people for wanting to fight during this. They aren’t selfish. The majority of them are worried about their families and futures, like all of us.

Anyway, I know it’s kind of two separate points. Bottom line: the fighters aren’t the bad guys here. Not the ones who want to fight or don’t. I think Khabib fumbled how this all started and is now feeling the heat but at the end of the day this isn’t his fault.

I’ll repeat what I wrote a few weeks ago: I have yet to talk to a single fighter who would turn down a fight right now. Not a single one. Does that speak to a larger issue and the difference between them and other athletes? Yes. But it’s the life they’ve chosen.

I have heard from several fighters who told me they feel like the media and fans have turned on them while making them feel like bad people for wanting to fight. And now people are turning on Khabib for not wanting to fight (yes I know his messages have been mixed).

This doesn’t make sense. Ok, I feel like this thread is too long now. Crazy times. Respect the fighters. Without them, we have nothing. Much love.

It’s also silly*