This is a story about "the neighbor's yard," so it might be an unnecessary opinion, but I saw a tweet from Ren Hiramoto picking a fight with Chihiro Suzuki and wanted to say a word. Based on my own timeline of evaluation, my impression was: "Are you still doing this kind of provocation?" When Ren Hiramoto first transitioned to MMA, his trash-talking was somewhat entertaining, but after so much time has passed, I'm surprised he's still at this level making these kinds of statements.
This might be similar to the impression I got from Kouzi's little comedy bits during press conferences. When he first started doing them in the new K-1, there was a certain novelty and charm to it. But after a long time has passed and he's been established in RIZIN for a while, I wonder why he's still at this level making those same remarks. It feels less "ridiculous" and more "pathetic."
Of course, these feelings might just be the jaded perspective of someone who has watched combat sports for too long. In an organization like RIZIN, where the fan base is constantly refreshed with younger people, new "kids" might find Ren Hiramoto's provocations exciting as if they were seeing them for the first time. In fact, BreakingDown still maintains its popularity. There is clearly an audience that accepts that kind of thing. I must take into account the wear and tear of my own aging sensibilities.
Even so...
I understand that trash talk is necessary in the combat sports world to attract public attention, but in the current climate, hasn't it become "too much"? In Ren Hiramoto's stagnant career in recent years, engaging like this is painful because it lacks the backing of actual results. He looks like a loud-mouthed combat sports nerd troll. If RIZIN says they are thrilled with this kind of provocation from Hiramoto, all I can say is, "Fine, you do you. Good luck." But I am someone who cannot see this as a "bright future." ■
