If Chimaev only fight till the age of 34 that's about only 4 - 6 fights left in him.

[Alpha_T83]

For bigger names, it isn't encouraged at all to take risks and be active. And there's no reward either.

Paddy Pimblett has averaged 1 fight a year for the last 4 years and the UFC was trying to get him the easiest path to the title with a Gaethje fight but Gaethje said he's holding out for a title shot. And now the narrative was they were just gonna launch Paddy right into a title shot.

This sport is in terrible shape right now.

Agreed. It's a huge problem.

Former champions and top fighters like Randy Couture used to fight guys like Mike Van Arsdale to keep active. I think Van Arsdale was ranked like #30 in the world at the time, but it was a fight to keep active. You just don't see that anymore. They'd all rather rank squat and fight against other top fighters, so at least if they lose, they don't lose much ranking. And as you said, they are all also trying to sit out and wait for a title shot the moment they are in the top 5, coming off even a single win.

 

[JBJ was here]

The amount of faith some here continue to have in UFC booking is almost inspiring!

It certainly inspires something!

 

[CasualBot]

He already retired

 

[JBJ was here]

Since his primary game relies extremely heavy on wrestling there's some validity to this.

All Borz' other health problemz aside, the kneez & joints of wrestlers take an absolute beating. We see lots of OG wrestlers lose a step much earlier than striking heavy fighters for that reason. Unless they transition to a more striking heavy approach like DC did, who all but abandoned his wrestling completely at the end.

And it's not just wrestling: it's particularly explosive wrestling. Explosiveness is the first thing to go when the joints start to suffer and it's also the thing most likely to cause the joints to suffer in the first place.

 

[shunyata]

Agreed. It's a huge problem.

Former champions and top fighters like Randy Couture used to fight guys like Mike Van Arsdale to keep active. I think Van Arsdale was ranked like #30 in the world at the time, but it was a fight to keep active. You just don't see that anymore. They'd all rather rank squat and fight against other top fighters, so at least if they lose, they don't lose much ranking. And as you said, they are all also trying to sit out and wait for a title shot the moment they are in the top 5, coming off even a single win.

The Colbification of the sport.


I think the solution is more top 5 guys fighting ranks 6-15 after a loss and no more rematches outside of draws or highly controversial decisions.

 

[Hymen Crusher]

The ufc has made it obvious if your top 5 and wait you might get a title shot. If dana likes something you said or did you may get moved up. Why should they fight it isnt beneficial

 

[Kwic]

Doesn't matter who he blankets, you only see half of the other guy anyway.
Maybe ablack guy would be best, the contrast would make it easier for the people in the stadium to figure out whose limbs are where on the floor.

They should have octagon floor and octagon cage itself in skin color. And make the fighters wear skin colored gloves and shorts with no brand on it. Only blood would make them visible. Otherwise just boos from the crowd as they can't see shit.

 

[World eater]

Damn yo.
We got some believing in Santa Claus naive motherfuckers up in here.

2-3x a year.

You guys are fucking hilarious

There was a guy recently who claimed he will fight 4+ times in 2026 and we could “mark his words”. Naturally, I forgot who it was.

 

[jeff7b9]

There was a guy recently who claimed he will fight 4+ times in 2026 and we could “mark his words”. Naturally, I forgot who it was.

If it was Kevin Holland I'd believe it.