Has the Disparity Between UFC 119 and WEC 51 Created a New Voice for Merger?

by Leland Roling on Oct 3, 2010 2:30 PM EDT in UFC Editorial

Is the idea that Jose Aldo is the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world helping Zuffa realize a merger is the best option? Photo by WEC

Jose Aldo's second round obliteration of former UFC lightweight fighter Manny Gamburyan has convinced many that Aldo may sit at the apex of the division for a very long time. Not only did he defeat former champion Mike Brown handily at WEC 44 to obtain the crown, but he also demolished Urijah Faber in a five-round decision at WEC 48.

The victory not only solidified Aldo's spot as one of the absolute best fighters in the sport today, but it has rekindled the idea that Zuffa needs to pounce on the opportunity to showcase the fighters of the WEC. Aldo's performance caused many media members to ask questions about whether the UFC would try to leverage Aldo's exciting skills in the Octagon, but that possibility only raises more questions.

UFC 119 certainly didn't help stifle any thoughts about a merger between the two promotions either. While some of the battles were entertaining, the event's main event was an atrocity. Three rounds of hesitant striking and hugging clinch work with no real action turned fans off, and the only savior was Frank Mir's knee in the third round to knockout Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic. Thursday night couldn't come fast enough, and the WEC delivered.

In the aftermath of WEC 51, Dana White hinted at the possibility of the WEC merging with the UFC, or should I say... that's the speculation among the media of the meaning behind White's words. Unfortunately, announcements that will "blow our mind" are an immediate sign that the news won't be as significant as we are being led to believe. But if it involves the WEC and White actually dodged questions in regards to a merger, something huge is brewing.

What are the options for Zuffa at this point? Obviously, a merger is at the top of the list, but there are other factors that hint at Zuffa keeping the WEC around as a feeder promotion. Here are a few options:

Merge: A merger would effectively eliminate the WEC while adding a significant roster of fighters to the UFC. The UFC would more than likely need to add events to their calendar in order to keep everyone active, but the added bonus is that the UFC could add some of these championship battles to free preliminary cards, UFC Fight Night events, or UFC on Versus cards to draw in fans. Fighters gain more lucrative sponsorship dollars, and recognition by being associated with the UFC brand directly. Logistics could become a bit trickier and larger in scope, but overall -- the UFC gains exciting fighters and fights with the merger
Merge and Maintain: A better idea, however, is that the UFC merges by creating featherweight and bantamweight divisions and moves the WEC's top fighters into it. There isn't a necessity to create these deep rosters under the UFC banner in those divisions because the WEC could act as the base for fighters to move into the top five of each division. Zuffa can maintain a promotion to take opportunities away from competing promotions trying to gain ground in the television industry by keeping the WEC alive, and there is the potential that up-and-coming fighters who will eventually become champions would live on Versus and in the WEC before making their way to the UFC.
Entertain the Fans: The UFC is built on the basis that mixed martial arts is something entertaining to watch. While merging lighter weight divisions into the promotion and having a clear cut structure in place sounds great, it isn't a necessity by any means. Picking and choosing which battles they want to feature from the WEC on a UFC pay-per-view would work just as well for Zuffa, but the major difference would be that Zuffa is actually willing to promote more lighter weight class battles on their UFC cards. Sponsorship opportunities would be there, and the best fighters within the WEC would sort of sit in a gray area between promotions. One advantage would be that a guy like Aldo could gain popularity on UFC pay-per-views, then give popularity to the WEC on Versus if he fought on a WEC card later.

Obviously, a clear cut structure would be more beneficial to the fighters as it wouldn't leave any guessing by their agents and sponsorship companies as to who will be fighting in the UFC. It'll also boost the pay of all of the fighters within the roster significantly, whereas the fighters who sit in that holding area between promotions would be the only ones gaining the bigger dollars.

A merger with the disbanding of the WEC seems highly unlikely at this point, and it's probably a good thing. After all, the Comcast-NBC deal has yet to begin their overhaul, and the WEC could very well be in prime position to provide some much needed entertainment to a NBC sports network derived from the folding of Versus. As John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal pointed out in August, Versus will more than likely be killed off and replaced with a channel that uses NBC's branding to gain viewers. The network, along with any other sports programming, would be headed by Dick Ebersol, and would more than likely run with the NHL, Pac-10 college football, and the Olympics along with gaining rights to NFL games.

While this may seem like a far-fetched plan to gain access to network television by Zuffa, NBC is planning on competing with ESPN, and the prospect of having the WEC and UFC events filling time slots on that type of network should be enticing. Keeping the promotion around can ensure that no one else snatches up the opportunity.

My prediction is that Zuffa will push some of the bigger name fights on the UFC broadcast, potentially creating this transitional period for WEC fighters to gain substantially more money via bonuses and added pay for the time being. It should work as a testing phase, which I don't see a real need to do, but I imagine it'll happen to see if fans will see these fighters and then watch the WEC on Versus. If all goes well, the WEC merges into the UFC while staying alive as a feeder promotion.

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Comments

Hasn't Dana always been against

too many weight classes? Hasn’t he always said he thinks it dilutes the sport and confuses the fans. Maybe that’s a reason he’s never really wanted to have the merger. I think 5 weight classes in the UFC is perfect. I’ve stated many times that I don’t feel like fans would pay to see any of the fighters the WEC currently as, even if it’s in the UFC. The only proven draw at Lightweight in the history of MMA is BJ Penn. Faber could be a star if he could win fights but his stock is down right now, so I’m not even sure of that. Just seems like there are too many things going against it.

Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
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by Geno Mrosko on Oct 3, 2010 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

I think their opinion is all about business and money. If they can capitalize on Aldo’s success and skill-set on a UFC broadcast, they’ll do it.

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"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

by Leland Roling on Oct 3, 2010 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I think that all hinges on whether they have given up on the WEC brand.

No offense to the instant gratification ‘merge now’ crowd, but Zuffa has shown time and again they are willing to take some lumps in the short-term if they believe there is a long-term payout to be had. These are the same guys who stuck with the UFC for five years of absolute dogshit financial returns after all.

Everyone goes on and on about how the UFC brand could benefit from a merger right now, but if Zuffa still has faith in the WEC, they might be more attracted to the long-term potential of TWO lucrative PPV brands. I’m sure during the 1960s-1980s there were a ton of folks at Pepsico who thought they were wasting their money trying to market a small time brand like Mountain Dew, but they sure look pretty silly now that Mountain Dew is the #3 brand in the carbonated beverages category and selling millions of gallons every year. If Zuffa still has faith that the WEC can be their Mountain Dew, then a merger is not going to happen.

by Steve4192 on Oct 3, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think it does at all.

In my opinion, the WEC is simply a filler to take away opportunities from anyone else monetizing their promotion greatly with a television deal.

Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

by Leland Roling on Oct 4, 2010 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions

What Leland said

Prior to the WEC being bought Dana White actually said that he was looking at adding a lighter weight class beneath Lightweight for “fighters like Urijah Faber.” Obviously that didnt happen, but one way or another Dana White has always intended to capitalize on smaller fighters. If Manny Pacquiao can be the biggest draw in boxing, there’s no reason that Jose Aldo can’t be a draw in Mixed Martial Arts, and if the WEC isn’t really working out as far as drawing viewers despite putting on awesome shows with awesome matches, they might as well put those awesome matches in the UFC.

Furthermore, boxing already has far more weight classes than MMA does in their Unifies Rules. They have 17 official weight classes to MMA’s 8 (not including Super Heavyweight), plus multiple people in most divisions that have a claim to being world champion. That Dana White wants to avoid. The current weight divisions are not too many, and Dana White might be wise to promote all of them on the biggest stage before StrikeForce does.

by Chromium on Oct 3, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t accept the notion that the lighter weight division lack broad appeal. The two most popular boxers in the world are Pacquiao, and Mayweather Jr. who both fight at 147. Fans want to see fast paced, exciting fights with submissions, and KO’s which the lighter weight divisions provide in spades. If casual fans are confused by additional weight divisions then so be it.

by Krumpenstein on Oct 3, 2010 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

And Pacquiao didn't even make his name at 147

Not afraid to nitpick

by joker24 on Oct 3, 2010 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

So you make the argument that lighter weight guys in MMA can sell by bringing up two boxers? Really?

Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
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by Geno Mrosko on Oct 3, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Not like Urijah Faber alone draws as much as the UFC name on Versus or anything...

"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe

by pdl on Oct 3, 2010 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

And like I said

Faber could be a star if he’s winning fights.

Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
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by Geno Mrosko on Oct 3, 2010 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions

How about instead of just reiterating my point with a speculative tone you actually take the time to arguing against it.

by Krumpenstein on Oct 3, 2010 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm just saying

the numbers show, in MMA, there has never been a true draw at Lightweight other than BJ Penn. The numbers for WEC shows are horrible. Faber does okay but they just don’t get good ratings. There is nothing there to say that guys like Torres or Aldo will be big draws for the UFC on PPV. Putting on great fights is not necessarily the barometer for that.

Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
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by Geno Mrosko on Oct 3, 2010 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it's only a problem

once you start adding all the junior weights and cruiser weights, that’s when it starts to become a big mess.

West coast sucks a dick. 2Pac had nothing on Big and Easy E and Magic Johnson got HIV cause West Coast broads are dirty as hell. I wish I was from New Jersey because the shitty bagels and pizza I have out here are making my butthole bleed.

by Fake Emcee on Oct 3, 2010 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

WEC merger

I think Aldo could also be a big draw at smaller weights. I also think it is a branding thing as well….if you got Joe Rogan pumping up a guy like Aldo often enough (making comparisons to Silva would probably help) fans would start paying attention. I don’t think fans are against watching lighter weights….the LW division in UFC has been on and off, and never really had the talent until recent years, which happens to be when BJ dominated. Having a dominant name in a division helps, and Aldo could be that. An event like UFC 119 could have really benefited from fights like WEC 51’s Cerrone, Torres and Aldo fights. They were all exciting, two of them finished, and were high-level matches.

That brings fans

by Manny46064 on Oct 4, 2010 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions

What does

WEC stand for?

by WINRAR on Oct 3, 2010 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

World Extreme CageFighting

Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

by Leland Roling on Oct 3, 2010 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

We Entertain Cretins

When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Contributor for WatchKalibRun.com
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com

by Derek Suboticki on Oct 3, 2010 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Seriously?

by Henrique on Oct 3, 2010 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes

We are all Cro-Magnons

by Derek Suboticki on Oct 3, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

World Extreme Cagefighting

by devious1 on Oct 3, 2010 2:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

World Extreme Cafefighting

It’s where the world’s toughest baristas do battle.

by StephenDedalus on Oct 3, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

We brand ourselves as UFC

Extreme
Cagefighting

BOOSH

by Farthammer on Oct 3, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Waldo's Existential Crisis

"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe

by pdl on Oct 3, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

where is he anyway

Support increased fighter pay. Support fighters unionizing.

by Kidroll on Oct 3, 2010 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

AldovsFaberFC

http://www.instrength.com

by Tim Burke on Oct 3, 2010 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

William (O'Reilly)'s Extreme Cockfighting

by INGO B on Oct 3, 2010 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Loofahs optional.

by StephenDedalus on Oct 3, 2010 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

I have given out hundreds of recs since I've started posting here

and I don’t think anybody has deserved them more than you do right now.

"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe

by pdl on Oct 3, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Well done.

by Derek Suboticki on Oct 3, 2010 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

1. Merge and maintain is the best option, providing a league for up-and-comers and fallen veterans to get in gear, get paid and get exposure before going back up or back to the regional scene.
2. Well need more weight classes at some point. You could make a pretty damn decent 195 division right now just by cutting LHW in half based on size. 178 and 163 seem inevitable as well.
3. I’m sure that WEC PPV doing 200,000+ PPV buys didn’t accelerate the merger process.

by Derek Suboticki on Oct 3, 2010 2:42 PM EDT reply actions

I seriously doubt you'll see weight classes divided up top

"Walk not down that road, I cannot tell you where it goes. Ask me no more questions - some things you're not meant to know." - The Sword

by duck on Oct 3, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s just that 205 is so Goddamn ridiculous. I can see Franklinweight helping to solve that.

by Derek Suboticki on Oct 3, 2010 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

What's wrong with 205?

185 below, 265 above. Very similar to the 215 wt class used in HS, and the NCAA uses 197 then 285. 205 seems rather reasonable.

"Walk not down that road, I cannot tell you where it goes. Ask me no more questions - some things you're not meant to know." - The Sword

by duck on Oct 3, 2010 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Ridiculous as in super stacked with talent. The #11 or 12 LHW would probably be a bad ass top five ish guy at 195.

by Derek Suboticki on Oct 3, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

At the moment

Yet look at 170 and 185 – dominant champion and a fall off a cliff after that. A division can change drastically in 12 months. I wouldn’t make changes to weight classes except for UFC to add 125 and 135

"Walk not down that road, I cannot tell you where it goes. Ask me no more questions - some things you're not meant to know." - The Sword

by duck on Oct 3, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, screw the 145ers!

by Derek Suboticki on Oct 3, 2010 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

OK, they can come, too

Or, at least, whomever’s standing after Aldo fights a few more times.

"Walk not down that road, I cannot tell you where it goes. Ask me no more questions - some things you're not meant to know." - The Sword

by duck on Oct 3, 2010 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I feel guilty walking after Aldo fights.

Like I shouldn’t have functioning legs either.

"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe

by pdl on Oct 3, 2010 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

If they make a Cruiserweight class at like 225, then you may see some 205 lbs. fighters coming up in weight. The UFC still has fewer fighters at HW (30) and LHW (34) than at MW (43), WW (54), or LW (47) though. The thing about the UFC LHW division is it’s just so stacked with star power and talent. It’s not like HW where they’re still missing a lot of top guys, even if they have the majority of top talent, they have almost all of it.

by Chromium on Oct 3, 2010 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I hate the cruiserweight class

by Derek Suboticki on Oct 3, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m kind of ambiguous on it. I think the next class I want to see is the Strawweight class added officially to the Unified Rules for 115 lbs. fighters. At least make it an official weight class.

by Chromium on Oct 3, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

u mean

12 yo kids?

by shamo84 on Oct 3, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

UFC 181: Horse Jockeys

by Derek Suboticki on Oct 3, 2010 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I mean Shooto Strawweight Champion Rambaa motherfucking Somdet. Shooto has a whole division full of these people, comprising of 20 Japanese people, Guamanian Jesse Taitano, and Thailand’s Rambaa Somdet.

Also, women fight at this weight class all the time.

by Chromium on Oct 4, 2010 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Not to mention that Manny Pacquiao started out even lighter than that in boxing, so it’s not like there aren’t enough elite fighters in combat sports to fill out such a division.

by Chromium on Oct 4, 2010 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Seconded.

People think only in terms of what a 225 weight class would do to the LHW division and fail to consider how it would decimate an already largely weak HW division.

I like Fedor, it’s just his fans that are intolerable...and his management.

by Razreshat on Oct 3, 2010 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope MMA will never have anything like the amount of weight classes that boxing has – because that kind of amount is ridiculous. Even champion vs champion matches would lose a lot of their luster if there is a new champ every five pounds.

UFC/Unified Rules could use one more weight class, ‘cruiserweight’ around 225-230 simply because the jump from LHW to HW is such a huge one. But no more. Just because you can make a weight class doesn’t mean you should – and certainly doesn’t mean you must.

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Dear Mr. White - would it kill you to drop a few f-bombs less?

by Monday Morning Martial Artist on Oct 3, 2010 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

You realize boxing actually doesn’t even have an upper limit on their HW division, right? I think it’s going to be at least five years before we have the sort of depth required for the addition of a Cruiserweight class, and when we do I wouldn’t mind seeing the Heavyweight division get raised to 275. I’m sure folks like Sean McCorkle would appreciate that.

If states want to start implementing a Cruiserweight class at 225 at the amateur level now though, I certainly would not mind.

by Chromium on Oct 3, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

178 and 163 are pushing it

That’s getting into boxing territory. I can understand a 195 (maybe someday) and if they ever get a fully bevy of heavyweights maybe a 235, but you don’t want to split things up too much. It’s confusing for fans and it makes each title less meaningful.

twitter.com/GotaHemmi
instrength.com <-- Best MMA forum

by Brian Hemminger on Oct 3, 2010 2:47 PM EDT reply actions

dammit

reply fail to Subo

twitter.com/GotaHemmi
instrength.com <-- Best MMA forum

by Brian Hemminger on Oct 3, 2010 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

True

But it also makes for more and more realistic champion v champion match ups.

by Derek Suboticki on Oct 3, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

In the merge and maintain scenario

would they maintain the WEC belts? That might create the awkward situation of belts being constantly vacated once prospects are deemed ready to enter the UFC waters.

by dribblebib on Oct 3, 2010 2:49 PM EDT reply actions

But you'd know that going in

so I think it would not be a big deal

"Walk not down that road, I cannot tell you where it goes. Ask me no more questions - some things you're not meant to know." - The Sword

by duck on Oct 3, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I think they’d do it one weight class at a time. Here is a completely hypothetical scenario:

The order would be something like:
-Flyweight class established, Flyweight fights start being held.
-Flyweight Champion crowned.
-The top 5-6 WEC LWs go into the UFC, and Benson Henderson or whoever is the WEC LW Champion gets a UFC title shot to “merge” the WEC belt into the UFC belt’s lineage.
-4-man mini-tournament with the remaining WEC LWs are used to determine a champion.
-WEC signs a few more LWs to replace the ones they lost
-WEC signs a number of Featherweight prospects or people being given a second chance.
-Top 16 WEC FWs are moved to the UFC, with some UFC LWs moving down into that class as well. A few non-Zuffa Featherweights are signed since they can now afford to pay folks like Marlon Sandro, Bibiano Fernandes, Michihiro Omigawa, and Joe Warren a little more money (depending on who is available).
-UFC FW Championship match held between the WEC’s last FW champion and whoever is determined to be the #1 contender.
-WEC holds a 4-man mini-tournament to crown a new FW Champion.
-Strawweight class established for the WEC, fights start being held.
-WEC signs a number of Bantamweight prospects in preparation for that division’s conversion.
-A Strawweight Champion is crowned.
-The top 16 or so Bantamweights are sent to the UFC. A couple of UFC Featherweights move down to that division, and a couple of outsiders may get signed, like Masakazu Imanari.
-a 4-man mini-tournament is held to determine the next Bantamweight Champion.

Every 24 months the top 3-5 people in each division are sent to the UFC, with a 4-man mini-tournament used to crown the replacement champion. This is done on a staggered rotation so only one division is vacated every 8 months. The WEC maintains 3 non-exclusive weight divisions that act as feeders, and 2 exclusive ones.

This is not the only plausible scenario or even my favorite one, but it’s a certainly plausible example of what they could do (my pipe-dream fantasy one is like twice as elaborate and several times wackier and requires having two feeder leagues with different weight classes, and the UFC having 9 men’s divisions and 4 women’s divisions and doing weekly three-hour shows on network television; I’ve done the math and financially and logistically it’d be plausible, albeit just barely).

by Chromium on Oct 3, 2010 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I just felt I should let you know that at least one person read this.

I like some of your ideas but I do think you’re making it more complicated than it needs to be. There are also some problems with regards to Versus, namely that they are not going to want to be showing a “feeder” league, even if it is UFC-branded.

by HarmlessNinja on Oct 4, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

What if

they held bouts in which the winner gets a UFC contract instead of a belt, a la TUF.?

by dribblebib on Oct 3, 2010 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

Not a bad idea.

by HarmlessNinja on Oct 4, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I like the idea on merging the 155 wec division into the ufc, and bring the 45’ers as well. Open up the 125 division in the wec and really get an oppertunity to really showcase 135, and help hype the 125’ers.

by ssstute89 on Oct 3, 2010 3:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

125-135-145 TUF already

They need to go ahead and do that .

by Cableguy on Oct 3, 2010 3:16 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Interestingly enough, this never happened despite being mentioned last year by people in and around Zuffa including Harris.

Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

by Leland Roling on Oct 3, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Is the idea that Jose Aldo is the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world helping Zuffa realize a merger is the best option?

Well, it didn’t when Faber..then Miguel..then Brown did, so I doubt it does now, either.

I feel like this topic makes a strong push in forums every time a belt is defended in the WEC. I wish I could enjoy redundancy to the same extent so many other people seem to, but I feel speculating over the hypothetical assimilation of the WEC and UFC – or any other ambiguous compliance – has more than run its course in the last couple years.

by Simco on Oct 3, 2010 3:18 PM EDT reply actions

Understandable that not everyone is going to be down with these redundant arguments, but I feel that more information comes out at almost every instance of these pieces.

Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

by Leland Roling on Oct 3, 2010 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Heres the bottom line

The WEC consistently puts on engaging, entertaining, exciting fights. It is a RARE occurrence when one turns into a snooze fest. The UFC, on the other hand, has had an increasing number of fights that have not entertained the paying customer. It is in the UFC’s best interest, and subsequentially, the fighters and fans, for the merger to happen.

There will NOT be a dilution understanding by adding two more weight classes. People’s minds can handle such small increments in linear organization. You want to know what does confuse and dilute? Having a LW class in the UFC and one in the WEC.

by Cocytus on Oct 3, 2010 3:21 PM EDT reply actions

I agree ,Its crazy.
For one im sick of only seeing either ben vs cowboy or cowboy vs varner or ben vs cowboy. throw them in the ufc and see if they can swim in the deep end

by Cableguy on Oct 3, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

One random thought… it might be prudent to be careful when talking about very long reigns. Even the champions that appeared indestructible have fallen and will fall – often sooner than we think. Machida Era, anyone?

Don't like wrestling in MMA? Go watch K-1.
Can't deal with the occasional boring fight? Let me introduce you to ROH.

Dear Mr. White - would it kill you to drop a few f-bombs less?

by Monday Morning Martial Artist on Oct 3, 2010 3:23 PM EDT reply actions

The Machida Era is just on pause. :)

by HarmlessNinja on Oct 4, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

FYI

Dick Ebersol hates MMA it’s not out of the question that he jettision’s the WEC.

by MattParker117 on Oct 3, 2010 3:24 PM EDT reply actions

Just curious but what is stopping the 155ers in the WEC from asking for a UFC contract? Surely they would rather be in the UFC for more money and recognition? So when its time to renew their contract why don’t they just ask or negotiate for a ufc lw fight?

If Faber was 155 and his contract was up Zuffa wouldn’t refuse him a fight in the UFC and risk him signing somewhere else would he? Not everyone would have the leverage as Faber but I’m sure others could.

by Tats16 on Oct 3, 2010 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

The second bullet option is the best any testing that will be done will not make people go back and watch them on WEC but rather think they have done poorly and have been reduced back to the WEC

I’m not resting until I’m officially Anderson Silva status.- Jon "Bones" Jones

by AfroSamurai on Oct 3, 2010 5:02 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t think people will think that at all, especially if it’s laid out that they fight within the WEC and are potentially coming to the UFC as a new division.

Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

by Leland Roling on Oct 3, 2010 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

cage size

sorry if this has been asked before, and this question really has no deep connection to the conversation, but It did make me think of this: Is the cage in the WEC smaller? Is it a significant difference? Would it have any initial impact on the WEC fighters if some sort of merger did happen?

by slaughterhousejacksonfive on Oct 3, 2010 6:37 PM EDT reply actions

it is smaller

but i dont think it would have a significant impact on the fighters.
i think the ring to cage conversion is a lot more troublesome for fighters, but a slightly bigger cage probly wouldn’t change much.

by fontgangsta on Oct 3, 2010 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Smaller Cage

Might be actually a small part of the reason WEC fights are more action packed…Just a thought.

by SES 84 on Oct 3, 2010 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions

actually

I think it was Joe Silva who, when asked in a interview about changes he would make to the UFC product or something, said he would like to make the UFC cage smaller, the size of the WEC’s. My memory is a bit fuzzy though.

Kuwabara Kuwabara

by J. B. Maddox on Oct 4, 2010 5:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I never understood the argument that a merger would mean too many weight classes or too large of a roster. The weight classes and roster are already there. You change the cage and the letters on belt and now its all the UFC. The real stumbling block is the remaining contracts. With a merger you get two more titles added to the mix available for UFC cards. Plus the lighter weight classes get more exposer and can then hopefully entice more of the top talent from asia to come over. I think this vision Zuffa has of making the WEC as large as the UFC is bit of a stretch.

by patsmcd on Oct 3, 2010 7:44 PM EDT reply actions

Plus the lighter weight classes get more exposer and can then hopefully entice more of the top talent from asia to come over.

I think you may be on to an undervalued point here, too.

Given Zuffa’s desires to expand in Asia and the propensity of Asia fighters to fill the smaller weight classes, adding those classes to the UFC could be an integral part of the expansion into China, Japan and Korea.

I like Fedor, it’s just his fans that are intolerable...and his management.

by Razreshat on Oct 3, 2010 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Merge already

It’s more title shots, thicker PPV and fight night cards and who doesn’t want to see BJ Penn drop to featherweight and take on Aldo or see Aldo try his hand at the UFC lightweight belt.

by Chris Hines on Oct 3, 2010 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

It’s not going to happen, all the talk and wishfull thinking is just that nothing has changed on either side of the argument not even with any disparity between the last UFC show and WEC show.

There simply isn’t a reason for it to happen fight now, the only merger that will happen is eventually when they at the 125 weight class. They’ll probably end up taking the LW’s and bringing them to the UFC that way they can have 3 full divisions to book and the UFC LW division can get some fresh blood.

"they mad at me, I keep going hard reppin/
cause what's your Rampage to Rashad Evans/"
-Joe Budden (Something To Ride To)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/76866807deabe3c1/

by Nightwhistler on Oct 3, 2010 10:58 PM EDT reply actions

Merge, and maintain WEC as a developmental league for all weight classes, where Zuffa could take a chance at some prospects before Bellator, Strikeforce, or Dream sign them.

by dpk875 on Oct 3, 2010 11:22 PM EDT reply actions

The UFC will add 145ers and WEC will be a farm league. The writing is on the wall. Aldo is a cash machine waiting to happen. This resource wont go untapped much longer.

Your beliefs become your reality.

by Hardy's in your face on Oct 4, 2010 2:14 AM EDT reply actions