Should fighters get immediate title shots after long lay-offs?

W

WarDronx

Blue Belt
@Blue
Joined
Nov 18, 2017
Messages
868
Reaction score
292
Guys like Velasquez and Gustafsson are talked about in the title discussion as if they are active fighters. Should guys like them get immediate title shots?

I really think they should fight at least one fight in the division before they fight for the title, no matter how good they are (and these two guys are obviously very good). We have seen even active fighters being very different from fight to fight.

Also it would be good for them too, getting a chance to measure themselves after the long lay-off and finding out if they are in their former condition and if they need to work on something that might be a bit rusty.
 
IMO screw immediate title shots. it disrespects the up-and-coming guys working hard to get the shot themselves.

if you're that good, you're going to win your tune-up fight easily anyway.
 
It depends if I want to see that guy fight for a title more than whatever guy is the next in line.
 
Still LOL whenever I think of Nick Diaz fans trying to rationalize an immediate title fight against Lawler when he was champ due to Nick beating him 10+ years prior.
 
No, even if they were challengers imo. Showing up to work is extremely important.

I am talking about long layoffs not 1-2 month fight delays.
 
that "sport" is run by name value.
 
Yes if it's interesting, give Conor any title shot he wants, he's interesting. We want an interesting champ. T-wood have to go
 
Cain absolutely not. he has had an incredibly long layoff.

Gus fought in May 2017, and utterly wrecked another top 5. he is undoubtedly the 2nd best LHW in the world - now that Jones and AJ don't apply. so he doesn't fall under the category you defined ("...after long layoffs").

if there was anyone even close to him at #3 there might be some debate. but the gap between #2 and #3 is too vast. in fact, 5 seconds of googling tells me that the current 3rd best on ufc rankings is the guy he just utterly wrecked.

Gus should have gotten the title shot, absolutely, if the champ wasn't going up to HW. this shouldn't even be a little bit debatable.
 
The champs of both divisions are booked months from now, so presumably Gus and Cain will end up fighting other people as you suggest.

Edited to add: I certainly think Cain should have a fight or two before getting a title shot. I would've had no problem with Gus rematching DC.
 
I would say give them a big fight, if they feel good and confident enough but not a title shot. A big win can justify a great fighter getting a shot at the title, even if it's one fight. But returning whenever you want for an immediate title shot is not the best course of action, even for the fighters themselves. This was the case with GSP and it pains me to write it but he shouldn't have got a title shot. It turned out fine but the problems he faces now that might be a result of extreme conditions on the body after a long lay-off are a negative sign.
 
I had no problem with GSP getting a shot at Bisping, but that was probably because I had no interest in seeing Bisping fight anyone at MW.

When Jones comes back after his (up to) 4 year suspension, I suspect he'll fight whatever can is holding the LHW strap, and I'm ok with that.
 
Much as it is now, I believe it's a highly "situation dependent" decision. I agree with arguments from both sides.
 
WarDronx said:
Guys like Velasquez and Gustafsson are talked about in the title discussion as if they are active fighters. Should guys like them get immediate title shots?

I really think they should fight at least one fight in the division before they fight for the title, no matter how good they are (and these two guys are obviously very good). We have seen even active fighters being very different from fight to fight.

Also it would be good for them too, getting a chance to measure themselves after the long lay-off and finding out if they are in their former condition and if they need to work on something that might be a bit rusty.
Click to expand...
should have to earn their way back into the rankings with at least a couple fights imo
 
worked out well for gsp (v bisping) and randy couture (v sylvia)
 
eb9.gif
 
Case by case bases in my opinion. Shouldn't be set in stone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
1,254,396
Messages
56,644,890
Members
175,330
Latest member
vitalv

Share this page

Back
Top