The UFC's trailer for their TUF20 reality TV show is kind of problematic.
This season is going to be showcasing the women's 115-lbs division, and unlike previous seasons, all the competitors this time have serious pro experience and credentials. Thus, for the first time ever, the winner of the show will be the actual non-reality show division champion, with all the limelight and sponsorships and achievement that entails. Which is why it's a bit disappointing that the promotional trailer for the show leans *so* heavily on the fact that the women involved are all attractive and so little on the fighting aspect.
I get the appeal of the "beauty AND beast" trope in promoting an athlete. It's a fun trope, and has the potential to be a bit of a gender-role buster if done right. Unfortunately the UFC has chosen to hammer that trope in *so* hard that (in the ad, at least) it's fallen from "ass-kicking gorgeous women compete for athletic honors" to "Foxy Boxing as presented by the UFC". They literally say "easy on the eyes, hard on the face" 2 or 3 times, and call the women various beauty-oriented adjectives for nearly the entirety of the ad before mentioning the title aspect right at the end.
It's so crass (despite its high production values) in message that it's insulting both to viewers and the athletes who are involved. Half of them are title winners in smaller organizations, a couple of them are world champions! They show Rose Namajunas' face in reference to her looks at least 3 times, but make no mention whatsoever of her martial arts prowess or the fact that she pulled off one of the most spectacular submission wins in sports history with a flying armbar. (seriously, Google "Rose Namajunas flying armbar", it's straight up ninja/Black Widow/superhero shit)
Click to viewIf the UFC had done something similar with a much lighter touch, or emphasized the athletic aspect more, this could have been a good promo, but right now it just feels icky.
(I'm a straight healthy male who is not in a coma; I don't need the UFC literally telling me with giant letters and auditory cues that these women are attractive. I can see that for myself!)