Did Punk open the door for more freakshow fights?

[KB Warrior]

The UFC has always been more conservative than other promotions when it comes to putting on freakshow fights. Sure the UFC has had their share but for the most part they stick to legit fights to draw fans. With the CM Punk fight over do you think the UFC will get more into the freakshow business or do you think this fight showed that freakshows have no place in the UFC?

 

[Sparkie]

maybe last night will close the door to some of them...

 

[GOAT]

The door was already open. You don't remember James Toney or even the early years of the UFC? The door never closed.

 

[Edwin]

The entire show was a cringe worthy freakshow. I don't see how Punk's fight made it anymore so.

 

[Shead202]

It closed the door but you never know. Dana does like to sell wolf tickets.

 

[chukutee]

We can finally go back to legit fights like Toney vs Couture or Gracie vs One Glove guy. Maybe Nunes can headline some more cards.

 

[Haj01]

NOT THE FIRST TIME CM PUNK TAPPED!

 

[Sgt Smith]

I don't think CM opened any doors with that performance.

 

[ThulsaDooom]

It was always funny when Dana ripped on other promotions then puts a 50 year old boxer in a fight, a pro wrestler with 0 mma experience gets a ppv fight and gives a fighter who is 3-6 in his last 9 fights a title shot. The UFC has been and always will be carny as fuck. Which is fine but don't pretend otherwise.

 

[themainman]

This wasn't the first and it won't be the last, money and interest will stuff like this happen again

 

[YoungRonniecoleman]

WME about the money you're gonna see hollywood fights in there soon

 

[snakedafunky]

I like a good freak-show fights once in a while.
But that was the wrong fight he should have fought someone like Royce Gracie past his prime showing up mostly for the money. Not a talented and hungry 24 year old trying to make a name for himself.

 

[SanJose90]

Mighty mouse vs. Struve
BOOK. THAT. SHIT.

 

[machidafan99]

I think he shut it closed
His opening sprint seemed like a kamikaze run out of pure fear.

 

[Brolypr]

Once upon a time Joe Rogan was going to fight Wesley Snipes (true story). Perhaps they can finally make it happen. One can dare to dream

 

[bubbleboyjones]

Gracie vs Hughes was a freakshow fight(not as big as this) but Matt Hughes was the top WW on the planet at the time.

Toney was a big freakshow because Toney didn't train much for it and fought a former champ

This is the biggest one to date but the only good thing was that Gall was a rookie.


These things may happen every 5 years or so. I think everyone needs to chill the fuck out worrying about this opening a flood gate. We got more important things in life to worry about like ISIS and a world economy that could pop at any minute.

 

[SmilinDesperado]

It was always funny when Dana ripped on other promotions then puts a 50 year old boxer in a fight, a pro wrestler with 0 mma experience gets a ppv fight and gives a fighter who is 3-6 in his last 9 fights a title shot. The UFC has been and always will be carny as fuck. Which is fine but don't pretend otherwise.

Toney was 42 when he fought a 47 year old Couture. He has also fought 8 times since his loss to Randy. (4 wins and 4 losses)
That MMA fight was not the "freak show" everyone keeps trying to make it out to be...at least no where near on the level of Punk fighting. Toney was an elite boxer that could have ended that fight in a punch. Boxing is a skill that is important amd applicable in MMA. Toney getting in there isn't a 1/10 as ridiculous as Punk being in there.

 

[DIABOLUS]

I hope Punk slammed that door shut, right off its fucking hinges.

 

[Sidecontrol87]

I like a little bit of freak show fights here and there. Wish they'd have one every 3 PPVs or so. What I'd enjoy watching:

Legends match. Two retired former UFC stars. I didn't like couture vs machida but if they'd take two retired guys and match them that'd be interesting.

Celebrity matches would be cool. Two rappers have beef? Let them actually fight. Lol. It would probably be lame but I'd watch. Or like if Edmond wanted to fight another mma coach, I'd watch that too. I also feel like they should have had cm punk fight the green power ranger

 

[Hi-Tech]

I don't think so. People shit on Dana White but he was never in favor of ridiculous freakshows, he was always a fight fan. Toney and Kimbo represented some sort of specific fighting background and were at least semi-legit. I mean at least you knew that they could take a punch and deliver some damage. There was also this MMA vs boxing angle that was interesting at the time.

Dana White wasn't in favor of CM Punk coming over, that was all Fertito brothers. Now that they're gone I expect Dana to put a stop to this.