The article discusses the upcoming UFC 300 event, comparing it to the 2006 action film “300” and drawing parallels between the fighters and characters in the movie.
The moment has arrived. UFC 300, the event we’ve all been eagerly awaiting, is finally here. The anticipation has been building, and expectations are sky-high. After all, this could be the most impressive MMA card ever put together. Will it live up to the hype? Only time will tell, but that’s not our focus right now.
Remember when UFC found itself in a tricky situation due to COVID-19? Their solution was Fight Island, a haven where UFC could continue hosting fights amidst a global pandemic. When the news broke, fans’ minds went wild. Would UFC seize this chance to do something unique and exciting? An arena straight out of Bloodsport? A new cage design? Some aesthetic changes to set Fight Island apart?
Sadly, the answer was no. Despite being a hugely successful business, UFC proved to be creatively bankrupt. The octagon was a place for serious MMA action, not fun. Preferably featuring faceless Contender Series drones, all earning $10,000 to show and $10,000 to win.
But we’re not like that. We know how to have fun at MMA Fighting. When Fight Island was announced, we launched MMA Survivor. Now, for one of the most anticipated events ever, we’re doing something similar. It’s time to discuss UFC 300, but through the lens of the 2006 action film 300, inspired by the graphic novel of the same name by the legendary Frank Miller.
“From the time he could stand, he was baptized in the fire of combat. Taught never to retreat, never to surrender, taught that death on the battlefield in service to Sparta was the greatest glory he could achieve in his life.” This quote, from the film’s opening scene, could easily describe Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway. There might not be two men in the UFC who have been more baptized by fire. Just look at their fight records, and more importantly, how they fought. The “BMF” title might not be real, but if it were, these two would be top contenders.
This Saturday, Gaethje and Holloway are going to give each other hell in the People’s Main Event, and it’s going to be epic. Heck, it might even be Fight of the Year. This weekend, we are all “Blessed.”
“Submission? Now that’s a bit of a problem.” Leonidas says this after the Persian emissary demands his surrender, right before he boots the guy into the pit of despair. (Iconic scene.) I can imagine Arman Tsarukyan saying something similar to Charles Oliveira while pounding him from the top position on Saturday.
Oliveira holds the UFC record for most submissions, with 16 of his 22 UFC wins coming by tap out. But Tsarukyan has never been submitted, and honestly, I don’t think he ever will be. The guy’s a tank and a skilled grappler. Unlike Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier, who avoided going to the mat with Oliveira at all costs, Tsarukyan is more like Islam Makahachev, willing to grapple with “Do Bronx.”
The inexplicable massive pit in the center of Sparta. This is one of the most memorable scenes from the movie, where Leonidas kicks a guy into a pit that’s just… there. No explanation given. It’s just a cool, weird set piece.
That’s Jalin Turner vs. Renato Moicano. The final fight of the early prelims is going to be awesome. A certified banger. But I’m still not sure what its purpose is. In four weeks, the UFC is heading to Brazil for a pay-per-view event that, on paper, looks BAD. That card could really use a fight like Turner-Moicano. But for some reason, it’s here, and it’s probably going to be cool, even if it doesn’t make any sense.
“Come back with your shield, or on it.” Queen Gorgo says this to Leonidas as he leads his 300 Spartans into war. I’m pretty sure that’s what Jiri Prochazka‘s coaches tell him before every fight.
While UFC 300 features some of the most exciting fighters in the promotion, there may be no greater “go big or go home” guy in the history of MMA than Prochazka. Out of his 34 fights, only two have gone to decision. More importantly, all four of Prochazka’s career losses have come by way of finish. Prochazka goes into every fight knowing he’ll either come back with a win, or he’ll go out on his shield.
“You there, what is your profession? “I’m a potter, sir.” “And you, Arcadian, what is your profession?” “Sculptor, sir.” “You?” “Blacksmith.” “Spartans! What is your profession? “HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!” “You see, old friend? I brought more soldiers than you did.” This exchange between Leonidas and Daxos, who leads a group of Arcadian soldiers against the Persian advance, reminded me that just a couple of years ago, Alexandre Pantoja was driving Uber to pay the bills, because the UFC pays its athletes a fraction of what other sports entities do.
“Immortals. We’ll put their name to the test.” Leonidas says this about the famed Persian warriors, but in my head, it’s what Justin Gaethje thinks when he considers Max Holloway’s invincible chin.
“I’ve fought countless times, yet I’ve never met an adversary that can offer me what we Spartans call a beautiful death. I can only hope, with all the world’s warriors gathered against us, there might be one down there who’s up to the task.” Stelios says this while looking down upon the vast Persian army, but in my head, it’s Max’s chin looking at the prospect of fighting Gaethje.
“My arm!” “It’s not yours anymore.” After the Persian scout insults and attempts to attack Stelios, he makes a leap worthy of the Olympics and chops his arm off, leading to this interaction. Coincidentally, the exact same quotes will be heard on Saturday shortly after Kayla Harrison and Holly Holm start fighting.
“We fight as a single, impenetrable unit. That is the source of our strength. Each Spartan protects the man to his left from thigh to neck. A single weak spot and the phalanx shatters.” Leonidas says this to Ephialtes, the deformed Spartan outcast who attempts to join him in defense of Sparta. This is pretty obviously Cody Brundage. It wasn’t Ephialtes’s fault he couldn’t fight as well as the other Spartans, he was just born limited. In that same vein, it’s not Brundage’s fault either; he’s just not on the same level as any other person on this card. One of these Spartans is not like the others, and that one is Mr. Brundage.
“This is where we hold them! This is where we fight! This is where they die! Earn these shields, boys! Remember this day, men, for it will be yours for all time!” Leonidas’ speech to the Spartan soldiers ahead of their first true conflict with the Persian Empire. This goes out our guy Jim Miller, who has been waiting for this day for a long time. UFC 300 is about so many people, but above it all, it’s Jim Miller’s day. Sadly, Bobby Green is the enemy this weekend.
“We do what we were trained to do, what we were bred to do, what we were born to do. No prisoners, no mercy. A good start.” Dilios in narration after the first battle. This one goes out to Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cody Garbrandt. It’s not everyday you get an event where the first fight of the evening features two former champions, but that’s just what we have here. Garbrandt and “Figgy Smalls” are going to club each other around until one of them falls down. This is one of my most anticipated fights of the year. A good start indeed.
“Haven’t you noticed? We’ve been sharing our culture with you all morning.” When Leonidas meets Xerxes face-to-face to parlay, this is his response to Xerxes calling for peace and shared understanding. This made me think of Aljamain Sterling’s move up to featherweight, and how Calvin Kattar might welcome him to the division, and show him about the culture of 145 pounds. Whether it will be as violent as the Spartan culture remains to be seen, but the outlook is pretty good.
“The world will know that free men stood against a tyrant, that few stood against many, and before this battle was over, that even a god-king can bleed.” Leonidas says this when he meets Xerxes face-to-face and rejects his offer to serve him. This one goes out to Nate Quarry, Cung Le, and all the rest of the anti-trust plaintiffs who settled with the UFC last month. The parallels between Dana White and Xerxes are almost too obvious to mention, but just as Leonidas says, in the end, the Persian god-king bled. Granted, it was barely more than a flesh wound, but still, that’s something that no one else ever achieved. Unfortunately for the sport of MMA, the anti-trust settlement won’t lead to a great uprising of Greek resistance that ultimately defeats the Persian advance. Instead it really is just a scratch, and Saturday will be the great victory feast for Dana White and TKO.
“The personal guard to King Xerxes himself. The Persian warrior elite. The deadliest fighting force in all of Asia: the Immortals.” Dilios says this in narration right before the first battle between the Immortals and the Spartans. This one goes out to Weili Zhang and Yan Xiaonan. Is it a bit strange that this all-China title fight is taking place in Las Vegas? Yep, sure is. But this fight is still somehow flying under the radar. The current top pound-for-pound female fighter in the sport is about to take on a bona fide No. 1 contender, and like the Immortals, I suspect both women are about to put up one hell of a fight. Don’t sleep on the co-main event.
“They shout and curse, stabbing wildly. More brawlers than warriors. They make a wondrous mess of things. Brave amateurs, they do their part.” Dilios talking about the Arcadians who help in the fight against The Immortals, but is also a fitting tribute to Sodiq Yusuff and Diego Lopes. Both men are fine fighters, among the best in their divisions, but they fall short compared to 12 champions and former champions on this card (plus one two-time Olympic gold medalist). More brawlers than warriors, but they do their part.
“Ready your breakfast and eat hearty, for tonight we dine in Hell!” Leonidas to his soldiers after discovering that Ephialtes betrayed them and led the Persian’s to the goat path, allowing them to outflank the Spartans. But this is also just a great line you, the viewer, ahead of Saturday’s mayhem.
“This will not be over quickly. You will not enjoy this.” Queen Gorgo says this to Theron after stabbing him in the stomach, and outing him as a traitor. This is also what Jessica Andrade will say to Marina Rodriguez at their face off, right before she bludgeons her around the octagon for 15 minutes or less.
“The old ones say we Spartans are descended from Hercules himself. Bold Leonidas gives testament to our bloodline. His roar is long and loud.” Dilios says this right before the climactic death of Leonidas (spoiler alert for something that happened 2,500 years ago), but also, this feels just as applicable to Alex Pereira. At this point would anyone doubt if it came out that Pereira was actually descended from Heracles? The man walks in the light. He won the UFC middleweight title almost as an afterthought and then became a two-division champion on a lark! His battle cry on Saturday will be long and loud, and whether or not he beats Jamahal Hill, he will certainly make Hill bleed.
And that’s good enough I think. We adequately talked all through UFC 300 and Zack Snyder’s only good movie. Now it’s time to sit back and enjoy the show, so I’ll leave you with the same words Leonidas told his men after the rebuffed the first Persian assault and he rejected Xerxes: “Unless I miss my guess, we’re in for one wild night.”