Does anyone care Justin Willis (8-2) is released from the UFC for not taking Wilt Harris this summer? Does anyone care Elias Theodorou (8-3) was cut because of a lackluster couple of fights? Here’s why you should.
You have to take risks to be exciting in the cage. You also have to WIN. There’s no longer a three strikes and you’re out policy. That’s OVER. Now all it takes is ONE. The UFC’s fuck or walk policy is seen as a motivator.
Put yourself in their shoes. You’re walking out of the arena. Thousands of fans screaming at you. You know you have to win this fight. If you don’t showcase a spectacle you might not get inside this cage again. If you don’t knock out your opponent, you’re fired. If you get knocked out you’re fired. If you win a boring decision, YOU’RE FIRED.
Imagine a young GSP in this scenario. He would be CUT in today’s landscape. This is not the only deterrent. The UFC does not take kindly if you are injured and want to opt out of a fight. Ask Conor who was forces to fight Khabib while injured. What did he get in the end? Praise for being brave? Just a one way ticket to Palookaville.
What if ... you win? You win so much, your record CANNOT be denied. You have to fight for the title or there will be riots on the streets. Ask Tony Ferguson. He will tell you all about that...
The UFC has always tried to balance sport and spectacle but now the scales have TIPPED. Endeavor (company that owns UFC) is going public with an IPO. What does that mean? So many things... Imagine Warren Buffet owning a large share and DEMANDING they bring back Mighty Mouse. That’s the kind uncertain future the sport faces.
Will Smith’s invisible hand guide the UFC to new heights? Or will the bottom line hurt the development of the new generation of fighters?
You have to take risks to be exciting in the cage. You also have to WIN. There’s no longer a three strikes and you’re out policy. That’s OVER. Now all it takes is ONE. The UFC’s fuck or walk policy is seen as a motivator.
Put yourself in their shoes. You’re walking out of the arena. Thousands of fans screaming at you. You know you have to win this fight. If you don’t showcase a spectacle you might not get inside this cage again. If you don’t knock out your opponent, you’re fired. If you get knocked out you’re fired. If you win a boring decision, YOU’RE FIRED.
Imagine a young GSP in this scenario. He would be CUT in today’s landscape. This is not the only deterrent. The UFC does not take kindly if you are injured and want to opt out of a fight. Ask Conor who was forces to fight Khabib while injured. What did he get in the end? Praise for being brave? Just a one way ticket to Palookaville.
What if ... you win? You win so much, your record CANNOT be denied. You have to fight for the title or there will be riots on the streets. Ask Tony Ferguson. He will tell you all about that...
The UFC has always tried to balance sport and spectacle but now the scales have TIPPED. Endeavor (company that owns UFC) is going public with an IPO. What does that mean? So many things... Imagine Warren Buffet owning a large share and DEMANDING they bring back Mighty Mouse. That’s the kind uncertain future the sport faces.
Will Smith’s invisible hand guide the UFC to new heights? Or will the bottom line hurt the development of the new generation of fighters?
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