Stipe’s star potential

[Epicness]

So i see alot of people saying Stipe isnt a draw, hes unmarketable, no personality, blah blah blah but i totally disagree.

His background and humility are perfect for a marketong team that isnt brain dead just looking for giant freaks like Lesnar/Ngannou.

This is anecdotal so take it with a grain of salt but I work with a bunch of military vets, ex-cops, EMTs and kids in the police academy who dont follow MMA really at all but last night were asking me about “that white dude who beat up the big african beast 50lbs heavier than him”.

I showed them the fight highlights, some post fight presser clips, then told them Stipe is a firefighter from Cleveland. Their jaws were on the floor, they were asking when his next fight was, to see more highlights and comparing him to Rocky Balboa.

TL;DR: Casual fans would fucking love Stipe. UFC just needs to do their part and promote him correctly. Not everyone has to be like Conor or Brock

 

[hedidhisownstunts]

i'm pretty sure Stipe is a very good draw. he got a lot of attention winning the title around the same time as his local NBA team won the championship. his sound bytes are great too. he's concise and doesn't like to be bothered. he doesn't spend a lot of time playing for attention cause he's more interested in his friends and family. the guy's great. all he has to do is keep winning.

think about how famous Fedor got without ever even fighting in the UFC. he wasn't a polarizing personality. he just kept winning.

 

[WARinsertname]

Usually the guys who walk/talk softly carry a big ass stick.

Stipe seems to lack that one it factor that other quiet champs who didn't talk much had.

Fedor had explosive speed and power along with being insanely well rounded. There was an air of invincibility/something special there.

Now with Stipe, he is a good sized heavyweight with some decent power and good anywhere it goes. He doesn't have that "It factor".

I like Stipe, and you can see him adding things to his game and getting better/more polished with every fight. There is just something missing... a "Je ne sais quoi?"

With all that said, he is a great guy and respectable champ.

 

[Private Whatley]

How the UFC can’t effectively market the active firefighter angle is beyond me. Get a picture of him saving a cat from a tree, for fuck’s sake!

 

[JackSchtotll]

He is the biggest star right now.

 

[TrevorLahey]

I've been a huge fan of Stipe since his 5 round war with JDS... If you're not interested in that type of fighter I don't know why you would even watch MMA. Since that fight the man is 6-0 with 5 knockouts and 4 first round knockouts against the divisions elite, if you don't find that marketable go watch figure skating or some shit.

 

[Luis Rivera]

think about how famous Fedor got without ever even fighting in the UFC. he wasn't a polarizing personality. he just kept winning.

Keep on winning might help him, but not necessarily (think mighty mouse), you either have it or you don't and Stipe doesn't really have it, in my opinion. I also think Fedor's personality was actually a draw, you don't need to be polarizing to atract attention, it was the fact that he looked like a calm stone cold killer that I liked and so did a lot of people.

 

[Psychedelic]

0 potential.

You either have the X factor or you don't. Stipe doesn't.

 

[zeli_papa]

Stipe is pretty unremarkable , I don't think he's got much of a star potential unless he keeps winning his fight in spectacular fashion. He also barks like a dog when he speaks which is hilarious and annoying at the same time.

 

[migeru29]

Potential to be one of the best (if not the best) fighter in his division? Yes, maybe.
Star (defined by casuals), No, I doubt it.
To be a star is about popularity which is achieved with having a controversial character, charisma, flashy techniques, attractive physique, etc.

 

[KOskater]

Some of us watch the sports for the scrapping not the talking.

You WWE fanboys can go watch Rhonda talk in WWE

 

[Phi-]

You shitheads all got brainwashed by watching American Idol and Big Brother too much. Star potential, X factor blahblahblah.

Just put a guy on billboards, posters and good commercials. Focus on him and talk about him as if he was something special. Make him go to the barber and get a silly hairstyle some kids will imitate for a few months. Promote him like he is the most dominant HW in UFC history. If that's too hard promote him like he was Francis or Alistair. That's enough to draw most peoples interest.

It's not fuckin rocket science, don't act like it is.

 

[Michael Wetzel]

His background and humility are perfect for a marketong team that isnt brain dead just looking for giant freaks like Lesnar/Ngannou.

Marketing teams know that giant freaks sell to the brain dead public; humility and working class background do not.

 

[Alxair]

It really depends on what the public wants. It's pretty obvious that people love the McGregor/Jones type characters over the clean cut Miocic/Cormier types. I love guys like Miocic that don't really care too much about the pageantry, focus on fighting and treat it like a job but I realize the majority of casuals think otherwise, or at least it appears to be the case.

If Stipe is ever going to be a star probably depends on how the audience reacts to him on TUF and the fight vs Cormier. I wouldn't rule out Stipe becoming popular simply via UFC giving him a lot of airtime in front of the viewers. GSP wasn't an exciting fighter and doesn't have an exciting personality either but he still is a major draw.

Star or not, guys like Miocic are good for the sport. Doesn't mess around, doesn't get himself banned, defends his belt. I don't need him to do anything else.

 

[Swoliosis]

Marketing teams know that giant freaks sell to the brain dead public; humility and working class background do not.

It’s ironic since Dana spoke at the republican national convention advocating Donald Trump. You would think Stipe would be marketed and loved by the red conservative crowd.

 

[g*r*b]

Stipe doesn't have a style that usually lends itself to MMA stardom, and his speech issues are a great roadblock to him being understood at a glance and soundbite. But once you dig a little, his personality turns out be very engaging. You should check out the comments on r/mma sometimes, they slobber like a St Bernard all over Stipe. With the right marketing and exposure, he could go over surprisingly well.

 

[Fox by the Sea]

stipe makes cain sound exciting

 

[Myrddin Wild]

Stipe has a good shot at getting the attention of the casuals, but he has undersold. Jones was the same way though... so hopefully if he keeps winning people will start recognizing.

Coaching TUF & headlining international fight week is a great start. This would be the time for the UFC to kick up their Stipe love in the media. I also got love for DC but outside of the Jones feud, he doesn't sell either... so lets double up on both these great guyz & make some noise with some big promotionz.