Is 230 A Return to Sensible Divisional Matchmaking

[Negator402]

About 5 years ago, during the Joe Silva era, the UFC had a wise habit of stacking relevant fights per weight class in one card. A great example was (only 3 years ago) putting Romero-Jacare on the same card as Weidman-Rockhold. UFC 146 was even more clear a plan, with almost all heavyweights.

The advantage of this approach is several-fold. First, it allows for easy slot-ins in the event of injury. Second, it sorts out divisions in a similar time, and allows for the winner of the title fight to be on the same schedule, baring injuries, as the winner of the next-contender fight, while allowing the losers of those fights a chance to get a comeback fight. Keeping a division on the same time track is wise. Finally, it made it easier for fans to follow divisions by rotating their relevance per card.

UFC 230 will feature 3 high-ranking 185lb fights (though not the Whittaker/Gastelum tilt). The winner of Rockhold-Weidman 2 will have a very strong claim for the title shot, with a close runner up for the winner between Romero and Costa. Jacare and Branch gives both fighters a chance to have their next fight be of the quality of the first two on this list.

This is quality matchmaking, and wise long-term planning. A breath of fresh air in the WME era.

 

[Kumason]

Yeah I agree.It all going down smoothly is another thing =/

 

[Danespina]

We already had it. The cards just kept falling apart.

THE PLAN
222: Holloway vs. Edgar - return of the 145 division.
223: Khabib vs. Tony - return of the 155 division.
225: Whittaker vs. Romero - return of the 185 division.
226: Holloway vs. Ortega - second return of the 145 division.

We keep getting close, then some wrench gets thrown in the mix.

For example, expect every middleweight bout you just mentioned to get cancelled.

 

[chrisdiaz]

We already had it. The cards just keep falling apart.

THE PLAN
222: Holloway vs. Edgar, the return of the featherweight division.
223: Khabib vs. Tony, the return of the lightweight division.
225: Whittaker vs. Romero, the return of the middleweight division.
226: Holloway vs. Ortega, the second return of the featherweight division.

We keep getting close, then some wrench gets thrown in the mix.

For example, expect every middleweight bout you just mentioned to get cancelled.

While I agree with you in theory, Had they had say stevens vs aldo on 226, either of those two could have been subbed in for holloway.

It also needs to be in the contract that there is a possibility of fighting another person on the card from your same weight class.

 

[Kryptt]

For example, expect every middleweight bout you just mentioned to get cancelled.

The fear is real!

 

[Gnomecuddler]

If there are no pullouts it's a dream card for me. MW has always been one of my favourite weightclasses

 

[Danespina]

While I agree with you in theory, Had they had say stevens vs aldo on 226, either of those two could have been subbed in for holloway.

Aldo/Stephens being on 226 wouldn't have made a difference, cause Ortega was offered those opponents but he turned them down regardless.

Having backups is a good idea though.

 

[smiles mma]

Yeah, for the sake of keeping possible match ups on a similar fight schedule they should do these sort of cards more often.

 

[thewhiterooster]

This is quality matchmaking, and wise long-term planning. A breath of fresh air in the WME era.

agreed. the wme era has been ugly and disappointing to the die hard fan. this card is off to a good start

 

[Mormont]

I'll tell you what it is, a stacked fucking card. We need that shit badly.

 

[Danespina]

I thought UFC stopped making cards so far in advanced. Don't 228 and 229 need to be figured out first?

 

[Lawrence]

Rockhold was supposed to go up to 205

God soldier was supposed to go up too

That would have been sensible!