He's not doing it for the money, he's not even doing it for the charity that the money he makes will go to. In a word, it's pride. Herschel Walker felt slighted when he ran across a group of MMA fighters, who, understandably, thought they were the best. What professional athlete doesn't? Anyway, here's an excerpt from a recent Sherdog.com interview:
Sherdog: Why MMA at age 47?
Walker: I'm a competitor. I love to compete. I've been doing martial arts for years. I love the sport. I happened to be in Vegas when some of the ultimate fighters were working out. Many of them said, "We're the best athletes in the world." And I'm sitting there, and I really didn't say that much. I've competed with some of the fastest guys in the world in track and field, I played NFL football, I've been on Olympic teams. And I'm thinking, "I'm a pretty darn good athlete myself." I don't care what age I am. I can still compete. I don't see a lot of people wanting to step up to compete against me. I think there are a lot of good athletes in basketball, baseball, football. To make a bold statement that your group is the best just pinched a nerve with me.
So, what does it mean if he competes in a few MMA fights and does all right? Does it mean that MMA fighters aren't the athletes they say they are? Does it mean Walker is a great athlete even at 47? Does it mean it's tougher to play football than it is MMA? I have no clue.
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