Champs "staying busy"

[Only Here for Attachments]

Let's say a champ is ready to fight, but contenders aren't. Should they take on a random bum to "stay busy," or wait for a contender? If Leon were ready and the only available guy was Niko Price, would that be acceptable?

I just find this narrative funny since Bellator was flayed for doing stay-busy fights for their champs while tournaments were in process.

 

[Ozze]

I think as long as the opponent is in the top 10, and that if the option of waiting would sideline him for like 6 months since his last fight, I rather have them keeping busy.

That way I can also say that he only beat bums and was never any good once he starts to lose.

 

[Reach4theSky]

If Leon were ready and the only available guy was Niko Price, would that be acceptable?

No. That could easily blow up in Leon's and the UFC's face. One lucky punch from Niko and he turns the whole division into a joke. Not worth the risk imo..

Better to wait for a worthy contender..

 

[Shaddows]

Let's say a champ is ready to fight, but contenders aren't. Should they take on a random bum to "stay busy," or wait for a contender? If Leon were ready and the only available guy was Niko Price, would that be acceptable?

I just find this narrative funny since Bellator was flayed for doing stay-busy fights for their champs while tournaments were in process.

Well, Bisping got the belt that way, wasn't it?

So the precedence exists in the UFC...

I don't like it, but I rather see a champion defending against the very next (available) Top ranked contender (like Luke did) than when a brand new champion on a stacked division goes to fight guys from different divisions rather than defend their belt (Bisping is ALSO a good example here! - that's why I like/hate him... Bisping is a good and bad examples on so many things! )

 

[Clark Rogers]

Wait for legit competition imo

Idk how you can fuss about worthiness in cases like Colby, while at the same time advocating stay busy championship fights.

 

[Aegon Spengler]

In Boxing it makes sense because the competition pool is enormous and the champ almost always beats the hand picked guys he fights to stay busy.

MMA isn’t like that. Anyone can win almost any fight, any time.

 

[GOATtalks]

In Boxing it makes sense because the competition pool is enormous and the champ almost always beats the hand picked guys he fights to stay busy.

MMA isn’t like that. Anyone can win almost any fight, any time.

Lol, you contradict yourself. How come if the talent pool in boxing is “enormous”, everyone and their mom have undefeated records up until they fight a similar level superstar?

 

[ChimRichalds]

I don't have a problem with it. Champs shouldn't have to sit out indefinitely waiting for a worthy contender to pop up. I assume this was made in regards to Izzy/Strickland, but outside of du Plessis, there's no one that really qualifies as worthy at this point.

 

[Mentallooser]

I'm fine with it, if it is what the champ wants. MMA has an outsized risk of fight threatening injuries occuring in training camp, relative to other combat sports. So I also understand them waiting for a more substantial fight. If they thrive off of activity though? Have at it. As long as they are in the top 10 and coming off of a win, then fight who you want, if the others aren't ready

 

[svmr_db]

There's always going to be a next man up in the rankings, just like Strickland getting the shot when Du Plessis isn't available.

I really don't think UFC would ever have to stoop to someone Niko Price level getting a title shot lol. There will always be someone in the top 10-15 coming off a win ready to go when the most deserving challenger isn't available to make a certain date.

 

[Paolo Delutis]

Let's say a champ is ready to fight, but contenders aren't. Should they take on a random bum to "stay busy," or wait for a contender? If Leon were ready and the only available guy was Niko Price, would that be acceptable?

I just find this narrative funny since Bellator was flayed for doing stay-busy fights for their champs while tournaments were in process.

I mean it depends...

Lots of factors to consider..

But it should at minimum be someone in the top 10 .. and only if legit top 5's are unavailable...

After that comes pay ...that alone would likely be a roadblock..

But if a champion is dead set on staying busy and no1 wants the smoke inside the top 5... Then ranks 6 thru 10 is acceptable for a stay busy fight...it raises the champs stock , gives newer blood a chance.. fans love people taking risks and underdogs .. so its a win ,win, win ...really ...plus Dana can play hero be like " nobody wanted this fight only this guy, you gotta love that, he stepped up and made this card possible and the champion is willing too , we made this fight for the fans it's what we do here"

Anything else is just kinda strange and fringe...

 

[sdpdude9]

It’s gotta make some type of sense in my opinion. All these guys dedicate themselves to get those opportunities and you’ll give it to some random undeserving fighter way down the rankings simply because of availability? I don’t like that, surely they won’t have to wait that long to get somebody that makes a little sense.

 

[El Fernas]

Let's say a champ is ready to fight, but contenders aren't. Should they take on a random bum to "stay busy," or wait for a contender? If Leon were ready and the only available guy was Niko Price, would that be acceptable?

I just find this narrative funny since Bellator was flayed for doing stay-busy fights for their champs while tournaments were in process.

As long as they are not non title fights like Bellator did then it should be just fine.

 

[Aegon Spengler]

Lol, you contradict yourself. How come if the talent pool in boxing is “enormous”, everyone and their mom have undefeated records up until they fight a similar level superstar?

Happy to clarify that point.

I don’t mean that the majority of fighters in boxing are all super talented, I just mean there are a lot of professional boxers. By large talent pool I mean large group of professional level fighters not a large group of top notch, memorable guys.

With a “large talent pool” champions and their management can select weaker opponents (who nevertheless have good records) to win fights against.

 

[GOATtalks]

Happy to clarify that point.

I don’t mean that the majority of fighters in boxing are all super talented, I just mean there are a lot of professional boxers. By large talent pool I mean large group of professional level fighters not a large group of top notch, memorable guys.

With a “large talent pool” champions and their management can select weaker opponents (who nevertheless have good records) to win fights against.

I guess then they have just a “large pool” of fighters, not a large talent pool though

 

[goOb]

The UFC should change the way they do things entirely. They should start running things like they did in the Movie Bloodsport.

Live cash betting action and chickens running around included.

 

[Aegon Spengler]

I guess then they have just a “large pool” of fighters, not a large talent pool though

I see what you mean, but it never hurts to throw some respect on the pros

 

[Sincere Guy]

No. That could easily blow up in Leon's and the UFC's face. One lucky punch from Niko and he turns the whole division into a joke. Not worth the risk imo..

Better to wait for a worthy contender..

I mean, Leon won by a "lucky" high kick in the end... Ok, he won their next fight very well, but let's not pretend people loved Leon before Kamaru. So, if Price shots a lucky punch and wins, he is good as Leon or any other fighter. And if he goes there and beat him again, he is solid like Leon.

Fighters must have their opportunities, we don't choose and we don't have to choose anyone to be a champion. The better fighter wins, that's simple.

 

[Reach4theSky]

I mean, Leon won by a "lucky" high kick in the end... Ok, he won their next fight very well, but let's not pretend people loved Leon before Kamaru. So, if Price shots a lucky punch and wins, he is good as Leon or any other fighter. And if he goes there and beat him again, he is solid like Leon.

Fighters must have their opportunities, we don't choose and we don't have to choose anyone to be a champion. The better fighter wins, that's simple.

Leon was a worthy contender. Niko not so much. I have no problem with any fighter getting a shot as long as they've earned it.

 

[2004 account]

I liked how pride would give a gimme/non ranked fight to champions once in a while...it breaks up the monotony and it puts added pressure on the champ to defend against the big underdog. Of course the title wouldn't be on the line, the challenger would get a rematch with the title up for grabs if he won the first match.


If the underdog wins it causes huge commotion in the mma world which is fine with me. This is the only way you can justify a more marketable fighter jumping the line to fight the champion in what is supposed to be a meritocracy in the ufc. The problem that gets fans angry is that the title is always on the line for those gift title shots.