I had the chance to ask WWE superstar Sheamus what effect he thinks UFC is having on professional wrestling. His answer applies to UFC 124 and the fighter I believe is the top "heel" in UFC.

As a fan of both mixed martial arts and professional wrestling, I rub certain supporters of both sports the wrong way. I can appreciate the spectacle and drama of wrestling while marveling at the athleticism and complexity of MMA. As a follower of both sports and sports entertainment, I can also see where one could potentially help the other in their presentation.

Because of this, I enjoy asking athletes from each what their opinion is of their would-be competition. Enter Sheamus, the former WWE heavyweight champion and current King of the Ring. He is no fan of MMA, but that doesn't mean his opinions don't apply to the upcoming main event of UFC 124, in which Georges St. Pierre will fight Josh Koscheck.

I asked Sheamus if the UFC has affected professional wrestling. Here's a portion of his response:

I feel our product is way more entertaining... I feel that when people buy our pay-per-views or watch our product, they're going to be entertained, you know, they're going to be taken on a ride, you know, every one of our athletes are going to go out there and give 110 percent to make sure the WWE Universe watching at home or watching in the arena goes home happy, you know?

The outcome of a pro wrestling match is predetermined. If you can plan how the match unfolds, you can decide how dramatic the outcome will be. In that sense, wrestling will always have a leg up on mixed martial arts. That's not the issue. The issue is: Do mixed martial artists care if you are entertained? Do they care if YOU, the viewer, are "taken for a ride"? We'll come back to that.

Dana White has stated that he believes UFC 124 will do record business. But why? Sure Georges St. Pierre is a huge PPV draw and he is fighting in his homeland of Canada. Do we really believe that if this was a rematch against Jon Fitch that Mr. President would be so confident? Of course not. We all know why there is so much electricity flowing through the Bell Center in Montreal that it's starting to resemble the flux capacitor. The reason is the biggest heel in MMA is fighting Canada's favorite son on Saturday night. The man who cut a vicious promo on Montreal after UFC 113. Josh Koscheck called out the Montreal Canadians and GSP in one masterful stroke. Short of spitting in Alanis Morissette's face, I'm not sure what else he could have done to build so much heat in the great white north.

Look, I hate Koscheck. I have interviewed him twice on my radio show and he was beyond awful both times. He offered zero energy and even less insight. I firmly believe he has faked injuries inside the cage to gain an advantage during a fight. Deplorable behavior, to be sure. That being said, this man seems to know when to turn it on. I don't know if Koscheck is committed to entertaining at all times; I do know that he provokes a reaction from everyone who watches the sport. No fan is without an opinion on this man. Koscheck is so good at being a prick that the owner of the UFC admitted as much, yet here Kos sits in the main event of a huge pay-per-view in Canada. Ask Paul Daley, his UFC 113 opponent, how well Koscheck plays the role of the villain.

Is that what Sheamus was referring to? I'm not sure. I do know that Koscheck's act is entertaining; It builds excitement and anticipation. But if the fight is stopped in the first round for a cut or an eye poke, I don't think the "UFC Universe" is going home entertained. That's the risk you run when your sport is not scripted.

The more Josh Koschecks, Chael Sonnens and Brock Lesnars this wonderful sport produces, the more MMA fans will feel like they have been "taken on a ride," to quote the WWE's Celtic Warrior. In no way do I want guys throwing hands when their strength is on the mat. I don't want jiu-jitsu guys standing and banging with accomplished pugilists and kickboxers. Winning the fight should always be paramount. With that in mind, I think some fighters would do well to remember people are paying money to be entertained. I think you can stick to your gameplan and still show Sheamus that wrestlers aren't the only ones who can put on a great show. 

* 21+ (18+ NH/WY). AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, LS (select parishes), MI, NH, NJ, NY, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Odds & lines subject to change.