Is There A Need For World Champions In MMA?

[Blackjack]

Instead of The UFC Championship Titles being the most prestigious titles in MMA, should there be actual World Championship Titles for all the weight classes where The World Champions have to defend against not only UFC fighters but fighters from other promotions as well?

These would be World Champions that would travel to defend their titles. In The UFC almost every PPV is in The USA and half the PPVs are either in Las Vegas or Los Angeles. I picture the World Champions defending in Las Vegas, then maybe Rio De Jainero, Tokyo, Mexico City, Toronto, Paris, etc.

 

[FallonFoxGOAT]

Why would the UFC want to promote/legitimize their competitors?

 

[Face Punch]

Isn't this the same argument in boxing? Less titles? If UFC champs are fighting competitors outside the UFC regularly, what would be the point of the other organization at all?

 

[Kaipo4481]

 

[RachelZane**]

or ufc could keep buy all its competitors and their belt will be the world belt

 

[jiujitsuforever]

a world belt would lead to contract disputes in my opinion

 

[Evan]

Back when you had WAMMA going around trying to be promotion-neutral they bestowed a world title on Fedor Emelinenko in the two Affliction promoted events that actually made it to fight night. WAMMA never got a foothold in any other promotion (UFC, Strikeforce or even King of the Cage) simply because promotions did not want to devalue their own titles. Even when Fedor came in to Strikeforce after Zuffa bought them out that title was never mentioned, simply his Pride achievements (also Zuffa owned by that time).

Bottom line, it's been tried before and failed miserably. Zuffa's stranglehold has only grown stronger since. Don't hold your breath hoping for it to come around again.

 

[bernsy666]

or ufc could keep buy all its competitors and their belt will be the world belt

This

 

[BlackHoleSun**]

Honestly, I would rather have annual tournament champions, PrideFc/SF grand prix style.

cro cop will always be the 2006 pride grand prix open-weight champion.

makes things more interesting, gives more fighters an opportunity to become a champion and it makes potential super fights a lot more likely.

 

[Degen Gambler]

Nobody outside the UFC beats a UFC champ.

Inb4 hipsters say Alvarez beats Pettis and Askren beats Hendricks

 

[Concrete]

I would prefer that to every promotion claiming they have world champions. If you could get European promotions to agree on a European title, Asian orgs to agree on an Asian title etc that would be cool. But they all think they're going to be no.1 one day.

 

[cade187]

Great idea TS.

Spoiler

 

[KStevens]

UFC belt is the World belt

 

[joey1980]

Back when you had WAMMA going around trying to be promotion-neutral they bestowed a world title on Fedor Emelinenko in the two Affliction promoted events that actually made it to fight night. WAMMA never got a foothold in any other promotion (UFC, Strikeforce or even King of the Cage) simply because promotions did not want to devalue their own titles. Even when Fedor came in to Strikeforce after Zuffa bought them out that title was never mentioned, simply his Pride achievements (also Zuffa owned by that time).

Bottom line, it's been tried before and failed miserably. Zuffa's stranglehold has only grown stronger since. Don't hold your breath hoping for it to come around again.

I always did wonder what the hell that WAMMA actually was. Was it an actual organisation or just some title given out by a company?

What may possibly work would be something a bit like the Ring's P4P "belt" that they award - however is there any publication with enough clout, or not in the UFC's pocket, that could do such a thing and have it matter?

 

[wookie brawl]

I agree - fans will get what they want sooner or later.

 

[Mma Adiction]

the ufc champonship is already a world championship

 

[JosephTessaro]

It will never happen because Dana will not co-promote.

The lower tier orgs have up and comers, then if the up and comers are good they get signed to a bigger organization. Then possibly the UFC. The UFC fighters that are good but not entertaining, or won't get a title shot any time soon get spit out by the UFC down to the "middle tier" orgs that are trying to compete with the UFC...your Bellator's, One FC and WSOF's.

Why would the UFC want Hendricks vs. Pahlares?

 

[nick1990]

UFC belt is the World belt

Pretty much this.

 

[milenss]

UFC owns 95% of world's top talent.

It's pointless.

 

[jiujitsuforever]

UFC owns 95% of world's top talent.

It's pointless.

and yet still not a monopoly, like a boss