Did Conor Ruin The Sport?

[Epicman1324]

Since Conor's precipitous rise, we have seen the overwhelming increase of superfights (when Dana was reluctant to make them in the past, see Silva-GSP) even though you could hardly call a fight between 2 champions who haven't defended yet "super".

We have also seen the overwhelming increase of moneyfights (BMF belt, Conor likely getting a TS without a win at 155 in 6 years, etc) and immediate rematches w̶h̶e̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶r̶o̶n̶g̶ ̶g̶u̶y̶ ̶w̶i̶n̶s̶ or w̶h̶e̶n̶ ̶D̶a̶n̶a̶ ̶j̶u̶s̶t̶ ̶d̶o̶e̶s̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶ ̶s̶o̶m̶e̶b̶o̶d̶y̶ ̶e̶l̶s̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶g̶e̶t̶ ̶a̶ ̶t̶i̶t̶l̶e̶ ̶s̶h̶o̶t̶ or other completely justifiable reasons.

Not to mention, he's become a scapegoat for Dana still not paying fighters fairly, always falling back on ol' reliable: "If you want to get paid, learn how to sell a fight like Conor McGregor". Although the UFC has always been somewhat crooked, it seems to have been multiplied with Dana bending over backwards to appease McGregor.

This begs the question; did Conor ruin the sport?

 

[Get To Da Choppa]

Although the UFC has always been somewhat crooked, it seems to have been multiplied with Dana bending over backwards to appease McGregor.

You've already said it here. It's Dana and the UFC coddling Conor and milking the shit out of his star power at the expense of building up other fighters that's ruining the sport

 

[Orochimaru 大蛇丸]

No, the sport is better than ever

The double champ shit got outta hand for a minute, but it hasn't "ruined the sport"

Also, Dana never said Conor is getting the shot, all you guys freaking out about it should actually watch the interview

 

[Bork Neslar]

Yes and no.

 

[Orochimaru 大蛇丸]

You've already said it here. It's Dana and the UFC coddling Conor and milking the shit out of his star power at the expense of building up other fighters that's ruining the sport

Yeah, those two fights against Dustin have really decimated the 155 division, and every other division for that matter lol

 

[genecop]

Not single handily, but he contributed

 

[Adebisi]

It was inevitable, regardless of Conor. Dana’s goal for the UFC was always to reach this point of popularity.

Any time you have that in mind, you have to sacrifice some happiness of your hardcore customers to increase your mainstream appeal. It happens in all facets of entertainment.

 

[Orochimaru 大蛇丸]

It was inevitable, regardless of Conor. Dana’s goal for the UFC was always to reach this point of popularity.

Any time you have that in mind, you have to sacrifice some happiness of your hardcore customers to increase your mainstream appeal. It happens in all facets of entertainment.

We're still in the good times IMO, wait until it's all corporate people running the UFC, and all the holdouts from the old days are gone. Yeah Dana's a POS in many ways, but at least he is a legit fight fan, eventually, it's gonna be dudes like Dana except they don't even like fighting running shit... that's when it'll likely get bad. I hope I'm wrong though, we've never really seen a fight promotion like the UFC so it's tough to say how it'll go.

 

[TheWave111]

Conrat didn't do anything.
He just played the role the American public wants to see.
The American public is a WWE public who will support a foul mouth confident blond guy with striking abilities.
Conrat just played that role.
This is only possible in a popcorn society.

 

[Arrrrgh]

No.
The sport grew in popularity in large part because of Conor McGregor.
The UFC was always biased in their matchmaking and lacked objectivity.

 

[GrantB13]

Overall, yes. He showed how glaringly obvious the UFC can be with favoritism if they want to be and he paved the way for everyone to think they need to trash talk. Guys who don't have the personality to talk bad about other fighters were forcing canned lines and trying to start beefs. Lots of fighters became divas. Money became one of the biggest arguments for who the best is. His fights may have been entertaining, but outside of not getting to witness a handful of bouts if he had never come around we wouldn't be missing anything.

 

[VinceArch]

He definitely hurt it so in a sense, yes. Dana is also responsible.

 

[Dana's Moonface]

No he didn't ruin it
The promotion will ruin itself in time, as I think it has definitely peaked

I think conor is a dickhead but he brought more casual interest

 

[gunlok]

there was the sport before Conor?... All jokes aside he did slightly improve a lot of things, while ruining his own career in the process

 

[DS66]

UFC is dying

 

[Worthmore]

Conor made UFC mainstream and thats one of the main reasons why the fighter pay has gotten up so much in past few years.

 

[Dream Evil]

Long before Conor, we had Brock getting a title fight with a 2-1 record, I think it was? Ridiculous matchmaking has always been a thing.

 

[HNIC215]

 

[VAfan]

yes. i honestly think he did.

 

[immyaxl]

No, the sport is better than ever

The double champ shit got outta hand for a minute, but it hasn't "ruined the sport"

Also, Dana never said Conor is getting the shot, all you guys freaking out about it should actually watch the interview

The sport peaked years ago. Sure the UFC still makes a lot of money due to the crazy tv contracts they have but no one else is really even a player. I've never been less interested in what the UFC is doing than I am now. I've been around since UFC 1 and when the sport was called no holds barred. I've seen it all.