Sparta Combat League/YouTubeAge is just a number. That is, until you have to fight someone who is nearly a third your age, then it becomes a concern.
At the age of 68, Ann Perez made her mixed martial arts debut in Sparta Combat League. Sadly, she was fighting 24-year-old Laura Dettman.
I wish there was some Rocky-esque twist, but no, this goes precisely as you’d expect.
How did Sparta sanction this, and how did Dettman agree to it?
At least she didn’t climb the cage in celebration, I guess.
As is expected these days, people flooded to Twitter to share their concern.
these novelty fyts are becoming absurd & facepalmy. 68-year-old granny tries MMA, suffers violent loss https://t.co/qygZJ0KSI4 via @mmamania
— Krakenist (@karlrdemesa) February 24, 2016
Sadly, still better than #Dada5000 and #KimboSlice. https://t.co/ky8ffWCw5T
— Cody Velkovich (@CodeRed714) February 24, 2016
Sad: It took a fight involving a 68-year-old woman for people to take note that Sparta Combat League and the Colorado commission are jokes.
— Robert Sargent (@MMARising) February 24, 2016
Shame on the Sparta Combat League for letting that 68 year old women fight & that ref for letting her take all those extra shots. #MMA #UFC
— Mike Sawyer (@TOUGHTALKMMA) February 23, 2016
There are some theories out there as to why people are shocked…
Figured it out why the Internet has its panties in a bunch about Ann Pérez. .. it’s because a woman did it first…. https://t.co/pf5IIwadvj
— Amazing Amanda (@TheCherryMama) February 24, 2016
Perhaps, or maybe it is because with 44 years between them Perez simply never stood a chance.
Had she fought someone closer in age and experience then maybe it’d be possible to say ‘good for you’ but, as it is, the spectacle felt more like a carnival side show.
As if Dada 5000’s experience hadn’t done enough to encourage promoters to think very carefully who they put in the cage.
Credit where it’s due though – Ann Perez is one ballsy grandma.
