Too much MMA?
A big question I have been asking myself lately: Is the UFC becoming too overbearing?
Just this Saturday UFC 109 put on another card, and right now you're probably thinking that I am off my rocker, why would a die-hard MMA fan complain about too much MMA?
In a sport where the drive is to be the best individual fighter, I want to see that title make much more frequent appearances in the Octagon. This isn't to say that Randy Couture or Rich Franklin aren't main event draws, they are just less of a draw when they aren't fighting for or trying to retain a belt. I understand that there can't always be a title fight, and injuries and layoffs occur, but this will wrap into my point later on.
UFC president Dana White has been on the media trail bashing boxing, and especially the Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight, at every turn. He says that no one is interested in fights that are irrelevant and he goes on to say that no one specifically wants to see Floyd fight Marquez. But White, do not eat your words here. UFC 109 is headlined by 47-and-45-year-old men. Mind you, it is Couture vs. Mark Coleman but the interest level is as high as watching a turtle race. I realize the huge draw that Couture is...but seriously? A fight with Coleman is not deserving of top billing; it's a good co-main event fight and that's about as far as it goes. There's just no way I can justify throwing $50 at this card.
Backtracking here, I was excited for the UFC 108 event, despite no title fight, and I will most likely buy several other UFC PPVs this year as well, which bodes another problem: money. With a near $50 price tag for a PPV, and the world still in an “economic crisis,” where is the line drawn for fans as to how much they are going to spend per month on a three to four hour fight card.
You can argue that they show the fights at restaurants and bars, but you'll end up dropping the same amount of money on drinks and food. To go along with that is White's announcement that he's looking to have three events per month in 2010. I don't know if I should be excited, or if I should pick up a second job.
What I am considering overkill already for UFC events might be even worse next year. I understand the sport, and UFC brand is growing, but without a network TV deal I don't see how this is going to be overly beneficial without the UFC brass coming off as greedy.
White has also hinted at a possible network TV deal, which would make everything all rainbows and sunshine for UFC fans with the fights being on a free, accessible platform for each and every event. It would make this entire post completely irrelevant as well, but that is a topic all on its own, and for fans it's wishful thinking for now.
Another way that the UFC could improve the quality of their fight cards (because, remember, that is what's important here) would be to absorb the WEC. I understand that may sound counter-productive, but you have to hear the entire plan.
While absorbing the Zuffa-owned promotion, it would take the WEC free fight cards off of the Versus network and TSN, BUT it would create much more exciting and entertaining UFC cards, ones that are worth paying for.
Fighters such as Mike Brown, Miguel Torres, and Brian Bowels are not as popular as they should be. As well, in the UFC their pay scale will match their draw and talents, unlike in the underrated WEC promotion.
I don't feel that the UFC has hit its pinnacle yet, but there is fear from myself, a long-time fan that it's time to take a step back and re-evaluate things and make some tweaks to the business model. Maybe ease up on the fight cards which will start producing some more better quality cards where we see titles fought for, rivalries and some great fights that will go down in history.
Just this Saturday UFC 109 put on another card, and right now you're probably thinking that I am off my rocker, why would a die-hard MMA fan complain about too much MMA?
In a sport where the drive is to be the best individual fighter, I want to see that title make much more frequent appearances in the Octagon. This isn't to say that Randy Couture or Rich Franklin aren't main event draws, they are just less of a draw when they aren't fighting for or trying to retain a belt. I understand that there can't always be a title fight, and injuries and layoffs occur, but this will wrap into my point later on.
UFC president Dana White has been on the media trail bashing boxing, and especially the Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight, at every turn. He says that no one is interested in fights that are irrelevant and he goes on to say that no one specifically wants to see Floyd fight Marquez. But White, do not eat your words here. UFC 109 is headlined by 47-and-45-year-old men. Mind you, it is Couture vs. Mark Coleman but the interest level is as high as watching a turtle race. I realize the huge draw that Couture is...but seriously? A fight with Coleman is not deserving of top billing; it's a good co-main event fight and that's about as far as it goes. There's just no way I can justify throwing $50 at this card.
Backtracking here, I was excited for the UFC 108 event, despite no title fight, and I will most likely buy several other UFC PPVs this year as well, which bodes another problem: money. With a near $50 price tag for a PPV, and the world still in an “economic crisis,” where is the line drawn for fans as to how much they are going to spend per month on a three to four hour fight card.
You can argue that they show the fights at restaurants and bars, but you'll end up dropping the same amount of money on drinks and food. To go along with that is White's announcement that he's looking to have three events per month in 2010. I don't know if I should be excited, or if I should pick up a second job.
What I am considering overkill already for UFC events might be even worse next year. I understand the sport, and UFC brand is growing, but without a network TV deal I don't see how this is going to be overly beneficial without the UFC brass coming off as greedy.
White has also hinted at a possible network TV deal, which would make everything all rainbows and sunshine for UFC fans with the fights being on a free, accessible platform for each and every event. It would make this entire post completely irrelevant as well, but that is a topic all on its own, and for fans it's wishful thinking for now.
Another way that the UFC could improve the quality of their fight cards (because, remember, that is what's important here) would be to absorb the WEC. I understand that may sound counter-productive, but you have to hear the entire plan.
While absorbing the Zuffa-owned promotion, it would take the WEC free fight cards off of the Versus network and TSN, BUT it would create much more exciting and entertaining UFC cards, ones that are worth paying for.
Fighters such as Mike Brown, Miguel Torres, and Brian Bowels are not as popular as they should be. As well, in the UFC their pay scale will match their draw and talents, unlike in the underrated WEC promotion.
I don't feel that the UFC has hit its pinnacle yet, but there is fear from myself, a long-time fan that it's time to take a step back and re-evaluate things and make some tweaks to the business model. Maybe ease up on the fight cards which will start producing some more better quality cards where we see titles fought for, rivalries and some great fights that will go down in history.
