You've pretty much answered your own question. It's the fans that call for these money fights. People vote with their wallets and their wallets just want to see the fight that feels most like WWE in the build up. That's why my gripe is with the fans because the organization is just giving them what they want. I like flashy fighters too but it's rather see the best fight the best. Maybe my thinking is too old school and the boxing model is correct, at this stage I'm doubting myself. I used to be well into boxing until PBF vs. Pacman just kept being delayed and GGG was being avoided by Canelo etc. I like seeing the best fight the best. Don't care one bit about the drama and all that nonsense.
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See post #20287- # 20289 Please don't make me regurgitate everything
Basically I think all fighters are subject to the same pressures going into a fight and I think dealing with all this pressure etc is part of the sport, just like it is in any sport. It was put to me that fighters facing McGregor were at a disadvantage, because of all the atmosphere created by the crowd on fight night and also by all the extended pre-fight malarky. I called bullshit, and said it was the same for both fighters.
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In fairness though mate isn't it a mixture of both?
Weidman fought Romero, 2 of the best. The winner now fights the champion.
Ronda is fighting Nunes who in theory are the 2 best.
DC is fighting Johnson who are the 2 current best.
Werdum is fighting Cain in a title eliminator, again 2 of the best.
Woodley and Wonderboy was 1 vs 2.
It's not like it's just Conor is the only fighter. I can understand your frustration but it's nowhere near as bad as boxing. Top fighters do fight each other all the time in the UFC, the same cannot be said about boxing at the moment (except Ward vs. Kovalev.)
I can kind of draw parallels between Conor and Cristiano Ronaldo. Both seen as huge stars from a young age. Praised by their fan boys however hated by many others. At a young age both were seen as flat track bullies and one trick ponies (McGregor as a striker and Ronaldo for step overs).
Both have developed massively and rounded their games but people prefer to talk about their deficiencies rather than their supreme talent at what they do best. Even though they are world class with their consistency, training, dedication to their sport and results they are still undervalued by some. Both also have an amazing self confidence and a bit of an ego. Many people rate them as being lesser compared to more rounded stars in their sports (Messi for Ronaldo, Aldo originally for McGregor)
Both are maybe underrated due to hatred for some fans because of their perceived personality rather than their achievements
Both have developed massively and rounded their games but people prefer to talk about their deficiencies rather than their supreme talent at what they do best. Even though they are world class with their consistency, training, dedication to their sport and results they are still undervalued by some. Both also have an amazing self confidence and a bit of an ego. Many people rate them as being lesser compared to more rounded stars in their sports (Messi for Ronaldo, Aldo originally for McGregor)
Both are maybe underrated due to hatred for some fans because of their perceived personality rather than their achievements
Yeah I agree, is ok for now but it's shifting towards these money fights mainly due to McGregor and Brock success. I just hope there is some balance in the long run. McGregor is ok as he's unique. I would hate a ufc full of McGregor and money matches.
What do you mean by all time PPV record? Just for the UFC?
I thought 202 had the record and I thought this would surely beat it. Stacked card, first New York, first MSG, Mcgregor 2nd world title, press conference incident went viral.
The casuals that buy Mcgregor cards didn't know who Nate was anyway. Sure there were some entertaining moments in the build up that spread through social media that helped the buy rate but Mcgregor can do that with anyone really, he did it with someone who can't even speak English in Aldo and his 205 press conference/chair throwing incident with Alvarez got a lot of hype.
He can easily get 1.5+mil with Ferguson which would have a crazy build up, and Khabib loves to talk as well although his English isn't great.
I don't think it's ufc highest. I think that was either nate v McGregor 2 or ufc 100?
202 had 1.65 million for the record.
UFC 100 and 196 are both listed as 1.6 mil, it was repeated that UFC 100 still held the record but Mcgregor refuted that.
Seen many people on the Internet calling him the greatest and i wasn't accusing you of being one of them mate.
I never said he isn't a great fighter, far from it. I respect his skills and abilities like i stated many times before. IMO he's amongst the best counter punchers in the UFC.
If money made for the company and making UFC famous is what dictates who's calling the shots in UFC than it isn't a competitive sports anymore, it's more of an entertainment franchise, something like WWE.
As i previously stated "forced history, but still history". He had immense wind in his back from the UFC in becoming dual UFC champion, won't you agree? How the heck can you remain a FW champion for a year without making a single title defense but instead fighting in higher divisions without being stripped?
Rags to riches yet I'm yet to see him being humble and thankful for things he's achieved. Instead you can often hear him calling out those less fortunate like for that UFC 200 world tour when he said he's the money fight every poor-ass fighter there present wanta to get.
Like i said i have all the respect for his skillset and things he does in the ring.
Yeah it's a conundrum potentially for the future. I don't think it's that bad at the moment though. Equally I don't know how many McGregor's come around in a lifetime really so it may not even be an issue in a few years time.
I appreciate you're points and where you're coming from. For me at the moment though I'm just going to enjoy it purely cos I dunno how long it will last and it's been some of the most exciting times to be a UFC fan. Even if not a gfan of the press conference stuff the fights have been brilliant on the whole for the last few years.
Yeah it's not got the most buys. That's still Diaz vs. McGregor 2 apparently.
Diaz 1 and Diaz 2 are Number 1 and joint 2nd on the most ever. I think Nate deserves some credit for them buys, obviously the bulk are McGregor but the 2nd fight especially he played his part. My point was that if I had to guess where McGregor's next fight was, I'd guess the trilogy fight as it's the one with the most interest from people as shown by the PPV numbers.
Away from the McGregor talk, I'm actually quite looking forward to 206. it actually looks decent thanks to the two cancelled 205 fights, which would have made 205 too long anyway.
Two small cards this weekend... not very interesting but I'll watch them anyway.
Two small cards this weekend... not very interesting but I'll watch them anyway.
Bellator 165 this Saturday. MVP v Gonzalez, Chandler v Henderson the main event. Trying to follow all MVP fights now.
Don't know about that. Even if you remove Conor from the equation, very few want to see a 'dry humper' dominating a division. It takes a real appreciation of groundwork and wrestling to give certain fighters their due and there's only ever been a select grouping of fans who have and will do that.
The average fan just wants to see a tear up or someone 'KTFO' and failing that, a really showy display of standup etc.
The WWE-esque stuff might be bringing in a different bunch of fans, but they're an addendum to the general apathy there is for 'dry humpers'.
Like I said before, the UFC, imo, actively work against giving the aforementioned title shots until it is absolutely unavoidable unless they have a following that negates the usual hurdles these kind of fighters have to overcome.
The UFC did feck him over and I sympathise with that but when are these fighters going to stop with this "If I don't get my title shot I'm leaving" shite? Aldo did it and it was embarrassing when he is still sticking around and Khabib probably won't leave either.
Exactly... What is he going to do, become a Sambo coach? No one is buying this site.
I see your point and yes, after thinking about it, I think you're right.
I think Khabib would actually walk out. He was out of action for 2 years and still was doing well, didn't seem money motivated either and seems like the kind of guy that didn't pull empty threats. I could be wrong though.
yeah 206 and 207 are both good cards. 206 benefitted from the injuries big time it was looking bleak at first for it.
If he wants to I hope he does and he finds success elsewhere. He could go to bellator and probably stay unbeaten and come back in a couple of years.
My main complaint is until someone actually does it they all just look a bit stupid constantly threatening to do it and nothing ever comes of it.
I've talked about it earlier. The best thing that could happen to McGregor's career was that Mendes fight on short notice. He's game changed drastically after that fight because he realised he can't be charging on wrestlers like he was especially since he has no grappling background himself.
The fact that Mendes who is a lot smaller than him and was on two weeks notice took him down and held him pinned every time he wanted was a great wake-up call for McGregor.
I agree with what you said but big problem is getting inside the pocket to tackle him but survive it because that left hand combined with his speed, timing and huge reach is deadly combo especially since he's southpaw with weird wide karate stance.
It will take someone with similar reach and good chin to get close to him in order to take him down and avoid his counter punching. Eddie's tactics were all wrong IMO. He was over extending way too much and his head movement was non existing.
Eddie plan before the fight was great, keep kicking the lead leg and wrestle when there is the opportunity to do so. Him abandoning that and changing the game plan to "try and win" was awful.
As Mike Tyson once said, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.
These comments from Eddie's striking coach are remarkable.
Whilst I think he has a point about Conor's power the cynic in me thinks he is probably saying such good things to
a) make his fighter look better "Who could stop this guy?" etc
b) make himself look better "THere's nothing we could do"
The bit about Mayweather is just ridiculous and to me reeks of protecting yourself or your investment.
I think McGregor would of won either way cos he's just a better fighter but Eddie clearly panicked in there and I'd say his coaches did nothing to help him inbetween the rounds.
a) make his fighter look better "Who could stop this guy?" etc
b) make himself look better "THere's nothing we could do"
The bit about Mayweather is just ridiculous and to me reeks of protecting yourself or your investment.
I think McGregor would of won either way cos he's just a better fighter but Eddie clearly panicked in there and I'd say his coaches did nothing to help him inbetween the rounds.
After nearly every Conor fight its always the same, if opponent did this or that
ITs surely beyond coincidence now that gamelans go out the window because he is very very good at what he does
I think a) and b) are partially true but there are people with no dog in the fight coming out with almost identical comments.
Brendan Schaub, said this on Joe Rogan's podcast.
Don't get me wrong I think McGregor is very good at what he does and often doesn't get the credit he deserves. I'm a huge fan of his and think it's ridiculous how quickly people dismiss him as "all talk" etc. I just find it funny when coaches/fighters have to beck pedal after making stupid comments previously. I get fighters selling the fight, although saying the person you're fighting isn't that good is just weird cos you can end up looking stupid. I never got why Mark Henry got involved though like he did. Leave the trash talk to Eddie and focus on the fight. It's why he has to back pedal like this now.
Re Schaub I don't listen to him cos I find him really annoying but in fairness I think he did predict Conor to win pretty decisively.
If you've not heard it I thought Kavanagh on the MMA Hour is probably the best interview for the fight reaction. Brutally honest about it all and sounds like they knew it would be an easyish night.
I think the UFC have always been very aware that a lot of people, especially people who are not hard core fans don't want to see 15-25 minutes of grappling. This video shows White sort of alluding to that at the start.
Changing topic slightly but am I the only one who thinks that Maia should be given the next title shot at welterweight? I don't see why a draw automatically means you should do a rematch. From where I'm looking a title shot means it's your chance to win the belt off the champion. If you don't do it and that includes a draw then it should be next in line if there is a deserving contender. Maia had more or less as good a claim to the original shot as Wonderboy anyway. Wonderboy had his chance, now Maia should get his and Wonderboy can fight the winner.
He hasn't got time on his side and it's really fecking me off seeing such a master of his craft get fecked over again.
He hasn't got time on his side and it's really fecking me off seeing such a master of his craft get fecked over again.
I agree with you but I can see why a draw requires a rematch. It doesn't prove who is the definitive better fighter, so to sort that out, a rematch helps but in this case, where wonderboy is banged up but Maia and Woodley are fresh to fight, I'd say let them fight whilst wonderboy recovers, then give him the next shot. but this is UFC, and they'll probably give Condit the next shot for no reason
Plus, this is the ufc options:
Good looking guy, good personality, marketable and a fighting style that people love
Or
Ageing Brazilian dude who didn't say much, has a style that common viewers hate and will be hard to get title off...
You can bet your bottom dollar on which option they prefer.
Schaub is full of shit sometimes, you have to take what he says with a pinch of salt, he tends to get very easily get carried away.
He poo-pooed Holly Holmes (he can't say Holm for some reason) for weeks, claiming the UFC were fake hyping her to make the fight seem like it would be even close, Ronda would never be beaten etc. Holly Holm was then the greatest of all time for a few months. He tends to back favourites is my point.
Actually, to be fair to him on Connor he has expressed his doubts on the rematch with Nate and he was genuinely concerned that Eddie would wrestlefeck the win, but did tip Connor.
Vince McMahon didn't die for this to become labeled the Notorious walk.
Schaub thinks the Diaz brothers are better boxers than Conor.
Schaub has been knocked out a few too many times.
Schaub has been knocked out a few too many times.
Rogan is the same although slightly more tolerable.
I nearly muted the TV during the JJ vs. KK match at 205. Rogan has a narrative he likes to stick to (Ronda is once in a lifetime, nearly crying when she beat Correira) but he was painful during that fight. Any time there was a decent Karolina attack he'd ignore it and go over the top on something JJ did about 20 seconds before. It was annoying to listen to. I get people will have favourites but the commentary is meant to be impartial!
Ill add that Schaub gets a shocking amount of his fight predictions wrong, really laughably bad.
His podcast co host gets a lot more right and he's just an actor. Funny thing is then Schaub tries to claim Callen's perdictions as his own after the fact.
Brendan really is nothing like Joe.
There's definitely that, but Dana is heavily biased against them, too. I remember watching the first seasons of TUF where he wasn't so mindful of his words and spoke just as much from a fan POV as a businessman. He made little attempt to mask his desire for explosive fights with conclusive ends. I doubt he's changed in regard to that even if he doesn't come out and speak his mind like he used to... and if that's a key match-maker in the UFC, the grapplers (without a strong fanbase) are facing a tough slog to earn their title shots.
Yeah i remember that from TUF years back, i think you are right he not the biggest grappling fan. Will always be tough for pure grapplers to get a push from the UFC, they are just not as entertaining for the more casual viewers.
He totally deserves it, agree with your post.
And agree with Maia for not wanting to fight again till he gets his title shot.
The only fight i would accept before Maia would be Conor and the chance to triple belt. That way we get done with it sooner and hopefully a KO from Woodley would put things back into some normality.
Wonderboy (who blew his chance) should fight Robbie Lawler to decide the next title shot (after Maia).
Also, if Cowboy Cerrone keeps finishing guys, he should get his chance pretty soon.
WW division is not the most stacked division, so in my mind its pretty clear the pecking order. I hope the UFC don't keep fecking it up. A straight Wonderboy rematch would definitely stall things...
Agree on Schaub being a tool. I love it when he pretends he has sources but he's just repeating shite he's read on Twitter.
I still end up listening to his and Callen's podcast though...
I still end up listening to his and Callen's podcast though...