Fighter Trajectories are weird! (Regarding Matchmaking)

[legkicktko]

Islam Makhachev is 6-1 in the UFC. He beats veteran Nik Lentz, knocks out 20+ fight UFC veteran Gleison Tibau, and then submitted Kajun Johnson. He was then briefly linked to a fight with top 5 Kevin Lee. So what makes the most sense? Have him fight a guy making his UFC debut who literally doesn't have a wiki page.

Since returning to LW, Charles Olivera has won 5 of 6 fights with all five wins via finish. He is on a four fight win streak with his recent win over David Temur being super impressive. All of the guys on the streak are fringe top 15-25. What does he get next? A third fight with Nik Fucking Lentz. I don't understand why they don't have him fight up the ladder.

Wouldn't it make sense for a guy like Olivera to fight someone like Gregor Gillespie, who deserves a step up but he's not fighting Justin Gaethjie just yet. And for Islam, why is he not fighting someone like Trinaldo, James Vick, or even Lando for fucks sake. He fights a newcomer and thinks he's close to a title shot but hasn't fought anyone in the top 15. Meanwhile, god only knows who they will match up with Gregor.

 

[Psychedelic]

They are betting on the defeat of Islam.

Islam cannot be defeated. Resistance is futile.

 

[Pious Augustus]

the word is they couldn't find him an opponent from the top 15

What's funny though is having GG ranked #10 after beating Yancy and Islam is still unranked after beating a tough opponent in Tsarukyan

 

[Doctor Lenovo]

Fighter trajectories are pretty much predictable. If you are super popular, and the time is right, you will get a title shot in 5 to 6 fights or less. Most of these fights will be favorable match-ups.

If you are 6 fights deep in the UFC, and still not in the title picture, then you need to keep working your skills, because it will be a long time before you get a title shot.

Popularity is 85% of the criteria that leads to a title shot. Winning your match-ups is 10%, and the right timing is 5%. Popular fighters don't take long to fight for titles.

 

[Yacob]

Skills don't pay the bills on their own in prize fighting

 

[g*r*b]

Fighter trajectories are pretty much predictable. If you are super popular, and the time is right, you will get a title shot in 5 to 6 fights or less. Most of these fights will be favorable match-ups.

If you are 6 fights deep in the UFC, and still not in the title picture, then you need to keep working your skills, because it will be a long time before you get a title shot.

Popularity is 85% of the criteria that leads to a title shot. Winning your match-ups is 10%, and the right timing is 5%. Popular fighters don't take long to fight for titles.

Which means most of the time what ends up happening is that fighter being pushed too fast into a situation he's not ready for and he loses, pumping the brakes on his hype train and putting a dent in his popularity. Ahhh, the brilliance of UFC fighter promotion...

 

[Slatersan]

Islam is the back up khabib. If khabib decides to retire then they can starting pushing khabib lite to keep the Muslim fan base.