Regional UFC

[green ribbon]

What would people think if the UFC had some sub-company thing going on like UFC Europe, UFC Asia, UFC Americas. These companies would run monthly fight nights in their region. Even have regional champions. It would be used as a stepping stone to the main UFC PPV shows or FOX shows or whatever.

I think this would be useful for growing the brand in these areas, would be good to publicize and grow these fighters in those markets.

I think the UFC is very bloated right now, something has to give.

 

[jiujitsuforever]

i miss the wec

 

[BionicCommando]

They pretty much do that already under the UFC banner. They just don't sectionalize it and I don't think they can afford to in terms of the draw.

 

[dmwalking]

I like the idea. Have local promotions with local promoters running it under the UFC name. Use it like farm teams. Great way to develop local talent and get a local fanbase. Build them up. Bring them to the majors. I like the idea. Keep it small too. Maybe call it UFC minors or something. But yeah that would be cool. I'd love it if we had 3 or 4 MMA events per year in my city instead of one every other year.

 

[mma2013]

i like the idea as well. it would be cool if the regional fights are open to the public to see new and upcoming fighters competing.

 

[SocraticMethod]

I like the idea, at least in theory. That way the "UFC" would be the best of the best. There'd still be plenty of fights with up-and-comers and TUFers and whatnot, and the UFC would be making money off it, but there wouldn't be the stigma of "these guys are in the UFC and Ben Askren isn't?" type thing. Whether it's a regional thing, or just a WEC type "minor league" that the UFC/Zuffa still runs.

Of course, I guess there's a reason they absorbed the WEC and Strike Force into the UFC. I'm obviously no businessman.

 

[FinBJJ]

This has been discussed numerous times and I don't see the need for it.

The smaller promotions are basically stepping stones to the UFC. If you can't cut it, you're stuck there. I don't think it's worth the trouble for them. They have the smaller promotions doing the job for them.

 

[dropshot001]

the ufc doesn't have to do this because they can just raid the rosters of the smaller organizations and take their top talent.

 

[spid3yo]

It's already going that way. More fights overseas, more corporate offices overseas. As far as how you want to brand these events in other countries that's up to them.

 

[SocraticMethod]

This has been discussed numerous times and I don't see the need for it.

The smaller promotions are basically stepping stones to the UFC. If you can't cut it, you're stuck there. I don't think it's worth the trouble for them. They have the smaller promotions doing the job for them.

the ufc doesn't have to do this because they can just raid the rosters of the smaller organizations and take their top talent.

I think, unless I'm misunderstanding the OP, is that the UFC is already kind of doing it, just under the UFC banner. (That's my point anyway, even if it wasn't TS'.) So, rather than having the lowest level guys that are currently fighting in the UFC continue to fight under the UFC banner, there'd be a separate "minor league" that's affiliated with the UFC. So the UFC/Zuffa would still get the benefit of having these guys under their umbrella and making money off of the fights/cards, but the lower level guys wouldn't actually be on the main UFC roster, detracting from the idea that the UFC is truly the best of the best and avoiding complaints like "Fitch and Okami are cut and Askren isn't good enough, but Bubba McDaniel is in the UFC?" So you'd take those lower level guys, TUFers, etc., and put them on your minor league or "regional" cards.

The problem with that idea, I imagine, would be that they probably won't make as much money off a "regional" or "minor league" event than they would off a Fight Night that's mostly filled with those guys anyway, but has a decent main event with relevant fighters on it. As I said in my other post, I'm no businessman, and I imagine there's a reason that the WEC and SF were both folded into the UFC, rather than being run as a minor league organization.

 

[Unbreakabull]

I think, unless I'm misunderstanding the OP, is that the UFC is already kind of doing it, just under the UFC banner. (That's my point anyway, even if it wasn't TS'.) So, rather than having the lowest level guys that are currently fighting in the UFC continue to fight under the UFC banner, there'd be a separate "minor league" that's affiliated with the UFC. So the UFC/Zuffa would still get the benefit of having these guys under their umbrella and making money off of the fights/cards, but the lower level guys wouldn't actually be on the main UFC roster, detracting from the idea that the UFC is truly the best of the best and avoiding complaints like "Fitch and Okami are cut and Askren isn't good enough, but Bubba McDaniel is in the UFC?" So you'd take those lower level guys, TUFers, etc., and put them on your minor league or "regional" cards.

The problem with that idea, I imagine, would be that they probably won't make as much money off a "regional" or "minor league" event than they would off a Fight Night that's mostly filled with those guys anyway, but has a decent main event with relevant fighters on it. As I said in my other post, I'm no businessman, and I imagine there's a reason that the WEC and SF were both folded into the UFC, rather than being run as a minor league organization.

Bubba McDaniel is a top fighter, Ben Askren isn't.

Seriously though, if the new guys get nice finishes, highlights, the UFC would rather catch those under their own promotional name. And, I think the UFC brass is a bit confused on how the business has unfolded as of late - At least I hope so, because it sure looks like someone doesn't know what they're doing

 

[Sopapo]

I thought about that too all this time. Then I realised the UFC doesnt promote fighters, it promotes the UFC.
If they wanted to promote guys they would do it under the same banner.