Do you think UFC cares about nationale diversity in the roster?

[PulsingJones]

I imagine they have some internal caps on how many Brazilians or Russians they can hire... And they probably try to sign and push American talents since the US is the biggest market

I have a feeling that if they didn't care about diversity, Americans will be overshadowed quickly

 

[You Will Vote For Dreyga]

They do in fact they have roster quotas and demographic goals. It’s all by design

50% of the foster spaces are reserved for American fighters. 50% of the roster is for international fighters

This also reflects where they have shows (back when they traveled). 50% Domestic shows and 50% international

1/6 of the roster is female

They have 90 Brazilian fighters on the roster. This is because— outside of the US—Brazil is their biggest market.


They have plans to have 70 Chinese fighters on the roster sometime in the near future. Hence the UFC Academy they built in Shanghai. This because China is the number one growth market in the whole when it comes to sports

They also have plans to have 30-50 Mexican fighters on the roster in the near future. Hence the UFC Academy they are planning to build in Mexico City. Because they want to capitalize on the huge boxing fandom already present on this country and the fact that it is the largest Spanish speaking country in the world.

 

[ALAN PARTRIDGE]

they care about new markets in different countries

 

[GrantB13]

Not in the sense that they need a fighter from as many countries as possible but they definitely want certain regions to be represented for marketing

 

[Evangelion]

I imagine they have some internal caps on how many Brazilians or Russians they can hire... And they probably try to sign and push American talents since the US is the biggest market

I have a feeling that if they didn't care about diversity, Americans will be overshadowed quickly

Yea we all know America struggles to produce top athletes

 

[PulsingJones]

They do in fact they have roster quotas and demographic goals

50% of the foster spaces are reserved for American fighters. 50% of the roster is for international fighters

This also reflects where they have shows (back when they traveled). 50% Domestic shows and 50% international

POST STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Super lame, this isn't 1995 anymore, MMA is a global sport, limiting "foreigners" to just 50% ensures we never get close to seeing the "best fighting the best" as Dana claims.

 

[PulsingJones]

Yea we all know America struggles to produce top athletes

We'll never know the true answer to this since America is over represented compared to other countries

 

[TGArthur]

UFC is a business. They have one concern and that's driving traffic with high promotable fighters at the best price. It sees no color/race

 

[You Will Vote For Dreyga]

Super lame, this isn't 1995 anymore, MMA is a global sport, limiting "foreigners" to just 50% ensures we never get close to seeing the "best fighting the best" as Dana claims.

There are a lot of monetary and logistical concerns that dictate the need for massive American roster

Its a lot easier for them to do get the paperwork in order for American fighters, call them up on short notice, fly them to different locations, maintain communications, etc.

And America is the largest sporting market in the world. The most amount of money is to be made here and the UFC needs to maintain interest by keeping a roster of athletes that American fans can easily identify with. If the UFC ever lost their American fanbase—- the organization would implode—- so they stack the deck to make sure most of the stars are American.

 

[Evangelion]

We'll never know the true answer to this since America is over represented compared to other countries

What if they had an event say every 4 years where they gathered all the best athletes and had them compete in a myriad of different athletic feats. They could call it the Olympics.

I wonder how America would fare at that?

 

[FIghtxIQ]

Super lame, this isn't 1995 anymore, MMA is a global sport, limiting "foreigners" to just 50% ensures we never get close to seeing the "best fighting the best" as Dana claims.

Not really because the best in those regions would be part of that 50%.

 

[PulsingJones]

There are a lot of monetary and logistical concerns that dictate the need for massive American roster

Its a lot easier for them to do get the paperwork in order for American fighters, calm them up on short notice, fly them to different locations, maintain communications, etc.

And America is the largest sporting market in the world. The most amount of money is to be made here and the UFC needs to maintain interest by keeping a roster of athletes that American fans can easily identify with. If the UFC ever lost their American fanbase—- the organization would implode—- so they stack the deck to make sure most of the stars are American.

Yeah, it makes sense from a financial perspective, but it's disappointing as a fan, 50% is just way too low to group the "rest of the world" in.

The fact that all but one of the current champs is American (though he represents Nigeria) says a lot... What if there was no 50% cap?

What if they had an event say every 4 years where they gathered all the best athletes and had them compete in a myriad of different athletic feats. They could call it the Olympics.

I wonder how America would fare at that?

Thought we're talking MMA here...

 

[kingofthecans]

They only see green.

 

[Evangelion]

Yeah, it makes sense from a financial perspective, but it's disappointing as a fan, 50% is just way too low to group the "rest of the world" in.

The fact that all but one of the current champs is American (though he represents Nigeria) says a lot... What if there was no 50% cap?


Thought we're talking MMA here...

Im just wondering why you would think Americans would get pushed aside in mma when we excell in so many different sports. When mma is more popular here than anywhere. How would that make sense?

 

[You Will Vote For Dreyga]

Yeah, it makes sense from a financial perspective, but it's disappointing as a fan, 50% is just way too low to group the "rest of the world" in.

The fact that all but one of the current champs is American (though he represents Nigeria) says a lot... What if there was no 50% cap?

Over time American fans we oiled lose interest in the UFC and without that revenue the company would implode

 

[PulsingJones]

Not really because the best in those regions would be part of that 50%.

In the presence of a cap, if there were 30 equally great prospects, you are forced to choose 10 just so you don't exceed quota.

 

[po_thead]

Yes, but only for the money

 

[Tentacle Grape]

I imagine they have some internal caps on how many Brazilians or Russians they can hire... And they probably try to sign and push American talents since the US is the biggest market

I have a feeling that if they didn't care about diversity, Americans will be overshadowed quickly

Just like the NBA has a cap....

 

[FIghtxIQ]

In the presence of a cap, if there were 30 equally great prospects, you are forced to choose 10 just so you don't exceed quota.

That's assuming the number is limited to picking only 10 from 30, but they will still pick the best out of the region they can get. So it would still be the best representatives for mma. If the other prospects exceed expectations and do better than the original picks, they will end up in UFC as well.

 

[PulsingJones]

Im just wondering why you would think Americans would get pushed aside in mma when we excell in so many different sports. When mma is more popular here than anywhere. How would that make sense?

Because the world is larger than America, and MMA is growing globally every year. Compare champs 10 years ago to today...Right now there is only one American champ, and this is despite America having 50% of the roster.

Top Tens of each divisions have more International fighters than Americans, too.