UFC had Conor and Ronda at their peaks in 2014-2016. UFC will never catch lightning like that again

[Gamer2k4]

Conor definitely did at one point

Honda no

People were honestly asking how Ronda would do in boxing because of how dominant she'd been in the UFC. Now she's in the WWE, and don't forget about her TV/movie roles either. All that activity outside of MMA - because of her success and popularity in MMA - is pretty much the textbook definition of "transcending the sport."

 

[Baal]

People were honestly asking how Ronda would do in boxing because of how dominant she'd been in the UFC. Now she's in the WWE, and don't forget about her TV/movie roles either. All that activity outside of MMA - because of her success and popularity in MMA - is pretty much the textbook definition of "transcending the sport."

Yeah now that I think about it, you're right

 

[HavokHarmon]

In 2013 the UFC lost GSP and Silva as champions and people talked about how screwed they were.

Things always happen. Stars get made, then fall off/retire. People like that never truly get replaced but there will always be new stars to rise up and appeal to fans in a different way.

 

[clutchCAT420]

Trash they relied on a midget leprechaun to represent them. Fall from grace after BROCK HE champ.

 

[vinnie245]

In 2013 the UFC lost GSP and Silva as champions and people talked about how screwed they were.

Things always happen. Stars get made, then fall off/retire. People like that never truly get replaced but there will always be new stars to rise up and appeal to fans in a different way.

Exactly, 10 years ago nobody had a clue how big Ronda and Conor would actually get, you never know what the future holds and what stars come out of nowhere.

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

2014 was a rock bottom year for the UFC. Conor and Ronda didnt blow up as major PPV draws until 2015. But yeah, all in all the UFC got very lucky around late 2015 through 2016 to have an active Conor, plus Ronda and UFC 200 with Brock returning.

There was a point where the UFC simultaneously had Brock, GSP, Anderson, Chuck, Randy, Tito, BJ, Hughes, Rampage, Hendo etc actively on the roster which was an even higher point in terms of overall star power imo.

 

[Harlekin]

They don't want that big single stars anymore.
Both had multiple mental breakdowns
Both retired young

They try for multiple smaller stars, which isn't working out that well in the media, but in the numbers.

Ronda retired at 29
Conor "luckily" for the UFC has a drug and money problem.
He fought 3 times in 2015 and 2016
Not in 2017
Not in 2019
Not in 2022
Not in 2023

 

[MCDojoMMA]

There will always raise a bigger star. Please do not worry.

 

[C0NCH3TO]

It’s true that the ufc is currently lacking super stars like Chuck, Honda or Conor. They are a bit more difficult to come by than people think. It takes more than being good at mma to become a star.

Particularly a mega star like Conor, a guy who at some point got bigger than mma. Even boomers knew who he was. I highly doubt there will be another Conor again.

 

[scorpiorising]

I believe this is intentional though. Same thing WWE does. It's not about the fighters anymore, it's about the organization.

 

[CashMoney1991]

Been watching this sport for a long time, Ronda made WMMA and Conor is easily the biggest star they have ever had, curious to see how big Suga gets

 

[GrantB13]

Meh. They survived before them and they are setting record years without them.

 

[HHJ]

No omg not chuck and randy! the sport will never be the same again!

 

[capnlarge]

The UFC are actually rather fortunate that everything on TV except live sports is dying, so no matter what they will keep making more money

 

[Bearknuckle]

Dying is UFC - Yoda

 

[terrapin]

In the case of Conor, we can hope that people have gained some wisdom and never fall for that kind of hubris arrogance and bombastity again....

 

[doggo]

2014 was a rock bottom year for the UFC. Conor and Ronda didnt blow up as major PPV draws until 2015. But yeah, all in all the UFC got very lucky around late 2015 through 2016 to have an active Conor, plus Ronda and UFC 200 with Brock returning.

There was a point where the UFC simultaneously had Brock, GSP, Anderson, Chuck, Randy, Tito, BJ, Hughes, Rampage, Hendo etc actively on the roster which was an even higher point in terms of overall star power imo.

The latter ones mentioned are the ones that appealed to us, not the mainstream and movie makers/dollar payers.

 

[doggo]

In the case of Conor, we can hope that people have gained some wisdom and never fall for that kind of hubris arrogance and bombastity again....

I was thinking this could be the exact same cause, as to why this will take a while to replicate, but hold on because people never actually fucking learn.

It will be hard to find someone with such well lined up fights/wins and the Character to pull it off though.

Even the Damn Siver fight was interesting to people Because Conor went all out and called him a Nazi publicly....apologized later yeah but the splash was already made.

 

[NationWideNinja]

They make more money now than they did then because of the ESPN deal. They dont even need them anymore.

They get 500k worth of buys for crappy cards from Disney and pay guys peanuts while doing so.

That deal doesnt last forever. If the product keeps getting worse the viewership will decline, and ESPN wont sign another juicy deal if it isnt worth it anymore for them. They will always need fighters who are to some extent "stars" that will maintain a healthy viewership.

 

[HHJ]

In the case of Conor, we can hope that people have gained some wisdom and never fall for that kind of hubris arrogance and bombastity again....

That will never happen. People WANT to fall for that all over again. Even if it only changes their bum lives for 3 yrs.