Does UFC Need to Pad Records to Build New Stars?

JBJ being the huge exception here, he fought like 18 times last year.

I do agree with lining up contenders along separate paths though, in order to build contenders. I felt that way with Bader vs Jones. Why ruin one prospects trajectory, when they could possibly have two undefeated number one contenders? As opposed to offering title shots to Rampage and Lyoto (note that I’m ignoring the fact that those two are former champions and PPV draws, so I understand why)

Prospects like Chris Weidman, Jon Jones and Cain Velasquez are called up when they have 4, or so, professional fights and are given a shot in the UFC and are not given time to build a highlight reel of 15-20 professional fights, with 14-19 stoppages, against lower tier guys. They are needed at the highest stage because there are not enough talented fighters to run the number of cards that Zuffa wishes to run. Until the talent pool catches up with the popularity that Zuffa craves, this will be the norm.

As far as squash matches for champions…are you suggesting non-title fights? Or are you suggesting to have title fights with a 20th ranked guy that has no business being in a title fight? Has the UFC ever staged a non-title fight of this nature?

I agree that the UFC can use free TV to build a fighters fanbase, but I think it needs to be when a fighter first comes into the UFC. Showcase the prospects as soon as you have an inkling that they might be championship material, make them fight 5-6 times in a year (barring injury), and have everyone of those matches on free TV. At least at that point, you have the ability to bring in lower-tier guys that probably shouldn’t be in the UFC, and if they happen to score a huge upset, then you already signed them to a contract that gives another 2 fights if they win. Otherwise your porspect gets a squash match and it builds more hype for a potential championship match against someone the casual fans probably already realize is good if he is the champ.

While I agree that fighters need better records, what they don’t need are fighters going 40-0 fighting no name guys. That’s one problem with boxing is that you never really know how good a 20-0 or 30-0 fighter is until they face off against a relevant name.

I also think it’s important to pad fighter’s records a little. It’s hard for a casual fan to see Randy Coture’s record and see him as a ledged.

build potential stars up on free tv and only free tv. allow them to fight gatekeepers who are considered entertaining fighters or newly signed fighters who have highlight reel fights in the minors. fighters like MacDonald, Hettes, Wiedman and the brazilian kid who just one TUF, (as examples) this way no one is padding records and the fighters are weeded out before they reach PPV status. at one point the UFC was doing well w/ this model (Diego, Kos, and Leben) w/ the early fight nights. this way no ones record is being padded and PPV stars are potentially being built up.

They can’t rush a prospect, which they do sometimes. Take for example Rory Macdonald: He goes from Mike Guymon, to Carlos Condit in just his second UFC bout? Yeah, he was beating Condit right up until the end, but in theory, that may have been too quick. Sometimes I wonder what Joe Silva and crew are thinking when they make certain matchups. In the end, you can’t meddle too much. Any fighter can beat another on any given day, so all they can do is make the best fights they can and the rest is in the hands of the fighters. A better marketing push would be more effective. The UFC marketing of their fighters is very bland these days.

Two of the three bizarre Anderson Silva fights you mentioned were brought about by a system just like you describe: fighters gaining title shots after beating a series of non-contenders. Thales Leites got his title shot after beating Drew fucking McFedries. Cote got his off Ricardo Almeida. The only merit in their title shots was that both were riding decent win streaks. Maia’s case a little different because he was a late replacement for Vitor and had no win streak, but still gained his shot after beating middling competition. Contenders need to fight each other. Yes, it will diminish one of the contenders, but number 1 contender matches tend to make better title fights.

after reading this Ronda Rousey comes to mind. so does Satoshi Ishii. felt like he maybe was kinda fed to Fedor.

I agree that there was no need for Bader and Jones to knock each other’s careers off. They were both young and were riding a ton of momentum. I think that Jones/Bader could have been a great title match.

he should be fighting at 205

these guys had big names to us hardcore fans but to casuals they were nobodies. they could have benefited greatly by fighting mid tier and exciting gatekeepers on free tv to build confidence and fanbase

• Keith Jardine thought Alexander Houston was going to be an easy fight.
• Chuck Liddell (and John Hackleman) didn’t think much of Rashad Evans prior to UFC 88.
• Who is Jim Hettes? He doesn’t have a name. He’s not a star. Was he brought in to pad Nam Phan’s record?

You really can make an argument that these guys are facing some top competition in the UFC.

it’s a very interesting point with advantages and disadvantages.

padded records just look bad in the end I rather see top 10 guys fight top 10 guys and so one and interesting match ups than squash matches to get people over.

Part of the problem is the UFC dosen’t sell their champions its always Joe saying ya know I know I said fighter X was the perfect formula to beat Champion X but really its this guy LOUD NOISES. If they just sold they champ as one of the baddest men on the planet and the sheer act of defending his claim to that title is a worthy major event they would do better. Either A the champ you just built up wins and looks good or B he loses and maybe gives the new champ a bit of a rub.

You want stars start doing tournaments again is the easiest way and quickest way to build stars

The tournament model has an advantage over the way the UFC makes matches insofar as the fighter know they are working towards title contention for sure. And it also allows newer fighters to fast-track their careers. Daniel Cormier is suddenly a “name” to consider because of his success in Strikeforce.

It also provides a space for experienced fighters to get back into the mix without necessarily having do gate keeping duties at mid-card.

What I like BEST about tournament structures is the interesting mix of match ups that are possible. I loved seeing CroCop fight Wandy in PRIDE!

The downsides however are numerous. The threat of injury makes some fighter risk-averse. Whereas in the UFC, a fighter can move up the rankings based on how WELL he wins, not simply whether he wins Also, tournaments mean the champ is just sort of on hold or taking non-title fights. This to me erodes the prestige of the championship and makes the tourney winner disproportionately more important. Fighting once a month for three months vs. fighting MAYBE twice a year?

The UFC’s way of doing things isn’t perfect, but it is probably the most sustainable way of promoting a stable of MMA fighters. If they use Strikeforce effectively, a good fighter in the UFC who flounders can still fight in the second tier promotion and not necessarily have to worry about their livelihood or go the Bellator route.

Not at the title level, but for the contenders. Especially for a guy like Rampage who blows up between long layoffs and then takes 3 months just to cut the weight. If you had him fighting a Bonnar or Vera or something in between, you’d have an easier time convincing him just because he legitimately doesn’t need to train as hard. You simply can’t fight top competition 3 times a year because your body breaks down when you are trying to peak at 105%.

i don’t believe in gimmie fights. you’re in the marquee league. have them fight the best and promote the fuck out of it.