Heads up, Forrest speaks,
Forrest Griffin can be a quirky guy to figure out. He’s not the most gracious loser. So in the aftermath of his loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 101, where he made a mad dash from the cage, you knew he wasn’t going to be in a giving mood when he first spoke publicly about his actions and the loss.
Dave Farra from MMA30 grabbed him, and at first Griffin joked:
“There’s no reason [I did it]. Anytime I lose a fight that’s what I’m doing from now on. I’m just going to jump over the cage and run out.”
Griffin went on to joke that he was on quaaludes when he fought. Then he got a little more serious:
“There’s nothing to say. It’s not about talking, I thought it was a fighting sport. I’m tired of talking to people.”
Griffin added that he doesn’t talk to the media anymore and that he doesn’t like the media anymore. Griffin, who got married during his down time since the Aug. 8 loss, said he doesn’t understand why people even care about what he does:
“It gets old, all of it. People putting a lot of hopes and dreams on you. Telling you they put money on you, and ‘you’re my kid’s idol.’ I don’t want to hear that [expletive]. Get Tom Brady on you’re kid’s wall. Why me?”
It’ll be interesting to see how the UFC handles Griffin. To tell sell the sport, most of the fighters (Brock Lesnar excluded) have to cooperate somewhat with the media. As far as the idol talk, Griffin’s words are similar to those of former NBA star Charles Barkley, who repeatedly said, “I’m not an idol.”
Barkley and Griffin are right. Parents need to explain the case of Griffin’s behavior, that running from the cage is a little ridiculous but it’s an emotional moment and even the most professional human being can lose their head sometimes. I just wonder how many will call a spade, a spade and say that Griffin in defeat isn’t any different than Lesnar after a win.
Heres’ the link if you want it: