Anyone else feel like UFC blew it?

[Drunken Blindness]

TS I know what you are trying to say. Excitement is kind of going away. There are many factors why..

It is popular to put out some sales data or whatever to say the contrary but I think the "realness" of the sport is definitely dying out.

Its like a local restaurant that you've enjoyed growing up, but as they get a more mainstream customer base, they start changing menu items and whatnot. They changed all their patties to tofu based, etc... The authenticity goes away and is replaced by sterile furniture and marketing...

Yeah as weird as this reply is...it actually makes sense

If you're not feeling it
then move on to other things
for a time
world is full of interesting places to put one's attention bro

thanks for that man, srs

Not sure to be honest if I am just out growing it so to speak or what I loved of the sport is now a show and its not what I loved anymore? Either way I guess it is moving along and I am back here. It might be time to move on.

Not trying to say it isn't worth watching for anyone else. Not saying anything bad about it other than I guess...I feel the real sport is gone and its just a show now.

When I said "blew it" I guess I always thought the UFC would be right next to NFL, and the NHL and those other sports that don't count we pretend to like them.

 

[Drunken Blindness]

We all felt this way when we realized Dennis Siver would never be champ. And the guy who beat your guy just got starched by Nate.

The pain is normal, you are supposed to feel it. It's the human condition.

Dennis has lost many times. Losing never bothered me. I am a huge fan of TB too and Wineland and they have losses. Not sure why people get so caught up on losses like that is all that matters?

 

[fatlipjesus]

Didnt read or can't read? I'm guessing the latter.

 

[AmazingGebi]

If you're not feeling it
then move on to other things
for a time
world is full of interesting places to put one's attention bro

 

[Rittsy]

I feel like what you want is more defined matchmaking rules:

Like... when can a Champion move up/down for Superfights?

When does an ex-Champion deserve a rematch?

When does a contender deserve a rematch?

How long until an interim title is on the line?

How long until a Champion is stripped?

Where do you have to rank to get a title shot?

Can you get a title shot off a loss?

Can a Champion fight a non-champion in another weightclass?

They need official rules to follow; make them flexible (ie: a champion needs to defend within a year before an interim title is issued; however if the Champion is out 13 months, you don't bother with the interim), but there needs to be consistency so the 'sport' side isn't pushed aside.

 

[JosephTessaro]

I am a huge fan of MMA. It is my sport.

Been following mostly UFC, guilty as charged. Just don't have the time to follow outside of the main show cased company.

With that said, just wondering if anyone else has felt a massive decline in interest over the last 2 years?

Feels like there isn't any excitement left.

Maybe I am just stupid.

I honestly can't think of a fight I even care about right now.

I feel rather...blah.

Who can watch all the other shows when the UFC puts 87 cards on per month?
No, no big decline, just don't watch every event.
There is still excitement.
Maybe you are.
Then don't watch UFC for a while.
Go get laid.

 

[Drunken Blindness]

I feel like what you want is more defined matchmaking rules:

Like... when can a Champion move up/down for Superfights?

When does an ex-Champion deserve a rematch?

When does a contender deserve a rematch?

How long until an interim title is on the line?

How long until a Champion is stripped?

Where do you have to rank to get a title shot?

Can you get a title shot off a loss?

Can a Champion fight a non-champion in another weightclass?

They need official rules to follow; make them flexible (ie: a champion needs to defend within a year before an interim title is issued; however if the Champion is out 13 months, you don't bother with the interim), but there needs to be consistency so the 'sport' side isn't pushed aside.

This all sounds really logical.


I am in no way saying I have answers. I have no clue, if I did I would be running the company.


This sounds good though. I guess, or at least I think I want to be following a sport like I used to and figured by now, it would be seen as a real sport. I feel however that it is WWF all over again. I am not interested in the show. Maybe and the more I think about it, that is what I think bothers me. I think the sport has morphed into the WWF and its just a circus stunt show now more than a sport as I used to see it.

Not discrediting anyone who loves it. I get it. I understand. I validate your enjoyment. I just really been growing disinterested more and more as time goes on but still love the sport and still train.

 

[M3LDY]

I used to look at the UFC between UFC 40-100 with rose tinted glasses, but gotta just accept change and embrace it!

 

[MachidaNo1Fan]

Are you high?

The UFC is doing better than it has ever done. But the LHW and HW divisions weren't as good as they were before. Lighter weights are getting the most spotlight now.

 

[fatlipjesus]

Based on the replies I wonder if what I take out of the sport has changed?

Maybe I see the sport as really being pushed aside for the show and people are happy to see the show get highlighted. Not sure if any of this makes sense. I know its selling more than ever and yet...seems to be less important than ever.

You'll just get flamed in this thread by all the UFC fanboys who for some reason feel compelled to immediately rush to the UFC's rescue. However, as a longtime fan from the early days of Pride/UFC/K-1, I also am starting to feel the same. There's still lots of fun fights that I enjoy, and I mostly tune in, but I dont feel the same excitement I once did. Part of it I think is because once it started becoming more mainstream the cards started getting watered down and more frequent. And I can't stand the WWE trash talk routines.

 

[discrawg]

No. Just no.

 

[zach lasseter]

Didnt read or can't read? I'm guessing the latter.

. You're a weird sad little man aren't ya. Welp, I better finish.

 

[Drunken Blindness]

You'll just get flamed in this thread by all the UFC fanboys who for some reason feel compelled to immediately rush to the UFC's rescue. However, as a longtime fan from the early days of Pride/UFC/K-1, I also am starting to feel the same. There's still lots of fun fights that I enjoy, and I mostly tune in, but I dont feel the same excitement I once did. Part of it I think is because once it started becoming more mainstream the cards started getting watered down and more frequent. And I can't stand the WWE trash talk routines.

Thanks man.

I have always loved the sport I guess. I really don't want to be seen as a troll here or trying to badmouth Dana or the UFC. Enough of that already happens. I am just thinking that at least to me, it seems the sport is being or has been sold out for the show.

 

[Which Doctor]

Dennis has lost many times. Losing never bothered me. I am a huge fan of TB too and Wineland and they have losses. Not sure why people get so caught up on losses like that is all that matters?

Helax, I was only partly joking. Get old with dignity for fucks sake and stand tall like a man. So you don't like some of your toys as much as you used to; Get some new toys, or better yet, get in shape. Learn to fight and train your ass off. Then, when the time is right, go challenge an old-ass Siver to a duel at the cotton mill/temple/open field/local pub for your honour and the childhood you couldn't hold on to because he kept losing.

Like I said, it's the human condition. Youse growing up and gettin' old you drunken fool, mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Spoiler

It's already happened to plenty of folks, that's why it's funny. Recurrance of sociological events

 

[Drunken Blindness]

Helax, I was only partly joking. Get old with dignity for fucks sake and stand tall like a man. So you don't like some of your toys as much as you used to; Get some new toys, or better yet, get in shape. Learn to fight and train your ass off. Then, when the time is right, go challenge an old-ass Siver to a duel at the cotton mill/temple/open field/local pub for your honour and the childhood you couldn't hold on to because he kept losing.

Like I said, it's the human condition. Youse growing up and gettin' old you drunken fool, mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!

I can't tell the meaning of some of what you say, whether you are joking, serious or in the middle waiting for my reaction?

Sounds like you have some good stuff in there though, so thanks bro. I am not here to cause problems. I do train btw. Siver isn't old. He is like a fine wine, just getting better with age. Like me.

 

[mmafan559]

i hate these whiny cry baby threads about not liking something and looking for others who also whine and not like something

 

[Rittsy]

This all sounds really logical.


I am in no way saying I have answers. I have no clue, if I did I would be running the company.


This sounds good though. I guess, or at least I think I want to be following a sport like I used to and figured by now, it would be seen as a real sport. I feel however that it is WWF all over again. I am not interested in the show. Maybe and the more I think about it, that is what I think bothers me. I think the sport has morphed into the WWF and its just a circus stunt show now more than a sport as I used to see it.

Not discrediting anyone who loves it. I get it. I understand. I validate your enjoyment. I just really been growing disinterested more and more as time goes on but still love the sport and still train.

Maybe you're just overexposed.

I think with more clearly defined 'rules' relating to rankings and matchups a lot of the complaints would ease.

I don't think there's anything wrong with fun fights; McGregor/Diaz II was a great idea and I'm interested in it, but it shouldn't happen if Conor's still Featherweight Champion.

I suggest you take a break. Watch the match ups you want, ignore the rest. If you miss something great you can always catch it later.

Personally, I'll probably skip this weekends card aside from maybe the co-main and main. I'll watch a couple of fights off the next card, catch Jones' return, and take the day off and rug up with some snacks for 198.

Fight Pass makes catching up easy. You can always torrent. The sport moves quickly but It's not that hard to watch a card you missed.

 

[Paynebringer]

I actually think there's more excitement now than 4yrs ago, you can thank a certain Conor bless for that and bringing a mass casual fan base leaving us hardcore in the small back room that smells like dirty lockers.

 

[Morning Star]

My interest has waned at times but I'm too addicted to give up MMA. Of all the sports it's the one I still get the most excited about. I think MMA is in a good place. They have plenty of interesting fighters and fights on the horizon. I can see why the last 2 years might have been rough though. Lots of injuries and cancelled events. Guys like Silva, GSP, BJ, Machida, Rampage, etc. are all over the hill or retired.

 

[Jesus Freak]

I am a huge fan of MMA. It is my sport.

Been following mostly UFC, guilty as charged. Just don't have the time to follow outside of the main show cased company. I do like boxing and watching tkd when its on though.

With that said, just wondering if anyone else has felt a massive decline in interest over the last 2 years? I think it is because they pumped these stars up so much, put everything into them, let everyone else rot and then when those stars lost...it was like, "ok now what?"

I know its marketing and all of that but still. Feels like there isn't any excitement left. They glorified people who are only human, but they rose them up so high that when they fell it was like no one else matters.

Maybe I am just stupid. That is probably true but just wondering if anyone else has also felt like the UFC has basically spent the sport?

I honestly can't think of a fight I even care about right now. I know there are tons of great fights out there waiting to happen but nothing has that feeling anymore. Nothing carries that blood pumping excitement now. Its as if the fighters who are not stars have been made out to be just joe schmoe's and how cares about that dude?

I guess I just feel like that with everything said and done, this could be a pinnacle age and time to be a fan of MMA and the UFC but rather than feeling like that, I feel rather...blah.