Media Luke Thomas says MMA fans last between 5 to 10 years before the fall out of love with MMA

[STAY GOLD]

UFC events are so watered down that I skip them more often than not.

This. I used to watch all of the prelims and now I skip a ton of cards. They oversaturated the market and had to sign a lot of talent that isn't world class and passed on talent that is world class in favor of signing the others to fill out cards.

 

[Nimrod]

Muppet.

Been watching since early 1990s vale Tudo and shooto stuff.

 

[tgv976]

22 years and then lost interest. Only tune in for select fights now or just wait for the highlights to be posted.

 

[TheWobbler]

I only watch the big fights now.

 

[Russie]

I've followed since the 2 UFC. A friend exposed it to me after seeing the first UFC. He soon dropped off while I've stayed with it. I in turn have introduced it to others over the years and they dropped off watching after a few years. Luke's statement is about spot on.
It's a commitment unlike any other to follow and keep up with. Stars can fade fast. New ones come on the scene constantly it seems. Depending how you consume your MMA it can be expensive. Some don't have the lasting interest in the various fighting forms in MMA. Some just aren't interested in grappling and mat work. Length of cards and regularity can wear out some after a while if trying to follow it. So unless they're seeing things that consistently interest them they drop off.

 

[geardo]

I guess I’m on year ten now of regular viewership. I watched every event the first few years. Their greedy ass price gouging for PPVs and live tickets has probably been the biggest factor in me scaling it back. It’s still my favorite sport. Now I’ve settled into a routine with it where I always keep up with the sport but only watch the events that appeal to me and that I have time for.

 

[Chagaev]

10 years is pretty good, probably more than the average length of a marriage these day.

 

[Spam On Rye]

This is where I'm at, still watch all the events and fights prelims included if possible. But don't really keep up with interviews, personal lives, twitter beefs drama etc. Just like watching people beat each other up at this point, I still have my favorites that I do pay attention too I guess.

Yeah just wanna see the best guys fight each other. Don't really care about belts either anymore. I still like Aldo and Poatan is the only recent guy on the roster that I get excited for.

 

[CC27]

as a hardcore day in day out fan its been about 23 years so not for me.

 

[sdpdude9]

At about 20, interest has waned in the last probably 5ish years but I still watch quite a bit.

 

[HHJ]

"oh I was into that fighting stuff, but then I stopped!"

 

[HOLA]

Still watch infrequently even though “this is actually pretty fucking stupid” thoughts enter my head nowadays, to be honest.

Starting watching regularly after The Smashing Machine documentary. Was pretty addicted during the Pride era and shortly after.

 

[JohnMandick]

^ forgot I quoted this, but leaving it as it describes the world perfectly right now

UFC events are so watered down that I skip them more often than not.

Ditto.

Too many garbage cards. I miss the days of only one or two events a month (at most) and ever card mattered. Also Pride, WEC, Strikeforce, etc...

 

[Bork Neslar]

Lucy Thomas talks a lot of shit.

 

[HHJ]

Lucy Thomas talks a lot of shit.

Well he's right, apparently...

look at how many crying sissies are in this thread.

 

[The XL]

Watered down cards have hurt my interest in the sport. For me I think it's really that simple

 

[MixMartialFarts]

Tell that bum Luke Thomas to check my join date

 

[Patof]

That's not far off if you look at Sherdog. How many times a week do you see posts about not watching anymore and reminiscing about the heyday?

I think that's always been the case though. I remember in like 2014 seeing many posts about how the UFC had degraded since 2008.

 

[MrShady]

My introduction to the sport was when Anderson Silva fought Chris Leben. I was hooked. Went back to the tapes and Pride opened my eyes to the stars of the sport (Fedor, Shogun, Wanderlei, Crocop etc)

I've seen everything and anything the sport has to offer. Real characters that felt like street fighter video game or bloodsport movie (Iceman, GSP, Silva, Aldo, Jones, Machida, Pettis, Diaz brothers, Ferguson, etc.)

We got to witness the best of the best win streaks, the goats, legends. The greatest rivalries (Chuck vs Tito, Rampage vs Silva, GSP vs Matt's, Cain vs JDS, Khabib vs Conor). What else is there?

Other than a few individuals I follow (topuria, islam), my interest has definitely waned.

It ain't ever gonna be like the good old days.

 

[fzoid4454]

Do you agree?

I do.

Video is time stamped.



Intro - 00:00
Burned Out On The Sport - 1:26
MMA Media Landscape - 10:34
Lack of UFC Criticism - 17:45
Media Being Replaced - 23:30
Politic Obsessed MMA Fans - 27:01
Dana White Privilege - 38:54
Pereira vs Ankalaev - 41:45Gaethje vs Hooker Off - 49:18
Islam vs Topuria - 52:25

Feels like it, but that's more about how Dana has managed the UFC since they've mostly swallowed up major competitors. They're the only game in town, and there's no incentive for them to keep it fresh and exciting for the fans.