The 4 Ailments Of UFC/MMA, Let's Collectively Try To Fix Them!

[Ridian]

So UFC has problems just like any other sport and/or organization. The 3 biggest problems that are stopping UFC from being as popular as say NFL are, in no specific order-

1. Horrible Judges and/or Points System

2. Fighter Injuries

3. Boring Fights and/or Bad Referees.

4. PED's and Drug Testing Procedures/Severity

What can be done to fix this? Can we all brainstorm and maybe at least start a dialogue on what we can do to make the sport we all love last and continue to evolve?

 

[Ruhler]

you forgot TUF though

 

[LiverpoolUFC**]

Base fights on damage done/urgency rather than control. I know there's no way to quantify damage yet, but yeah, giving a guy the round because he gets one TD at the end after being lit up in the stand up is stupid.

 

[Ridian]

We have to start with what draws a fan to a sport-

Intensity, skill, competition- So boring fights where both fighters lay on the mat or just dance around won't attract anyone.

Fans that see rounds and/or whole fights scored horribly, they don't understand it, they just clearly saw something but the judges completely scored it differently and that is frustrating and confusing.

Fans can route for a fighter they never get to see fight because he is always injured.

How the heck do we fix this?

 

[Bogeyman]

Make takedowns count for less. Too often you see a fight that's close on the feet with one guy clearly winning, the other guy gets a flash takedown at the end of the round and does nothing with it. The round is then awarded to him. Takedowns should be rewarded for sure but no more than a clean jab or even a takedown defense.

 

[Break Brick]

I'm tired and Dana isn't paying me enough to fix UFC problems. Get Mike Goldberg to do it

 

[rplende]

Where the heck is Gabriel Gonzaga and Frank Mir? Why not match them up? And a stack of other fighters that don't seem to want to come out and fight! Why did we have to wait so long for Nick Diaz to fight? Surely there was someone in the interim for him to warm up on before Anderson Silva is cleared. Nick could have fought late September and then be ready for January vs Silva! The UFC and/or the fighters don't give a rats ear!

 

[Promtheus]

PEDs aren't a top 3 problem...???

 

[Ridian]

PEDs aren't a top 3 problem...???

I stand corrected good sir and will add that in

 

[spid3yo]

Base fights on damage done/urgency rather than control. I know there's no way to quantify damage yet, but yeah, giving a guy the round because he gets one TD at the end after being lit up in the stand up is stupid.

Give us some examples of rounds where a guy got his ass kicked for the first 4:50 and then won it with a TD

 

[Deleted member 429137]

I stand corrected good sir and will add that in

Watered down cards?

 

[Sakurabinette]

1. Horrible Judges and/or Points System
2. Fighter Injuries
3. Boring Fights and/or Bad Referees.
4. PED's and Drug Testing Procedures/Severity

1. Ban judging & ban the points system.
Fights have no time limits and must end by KO or submission.
Give them enough time and someone will break.

2. No training of any kind permitted during the 4 weeks leading up to a fight.
Any fighter caught training will be treated like someone who tested positive for PEDs.

3. Yellow card system. 10% purse deduction for stalling.
Referees are only allowed to intervene when the corner throws in the towel. No more early/late stoppages.

4. Random testing for a couple of randomly-picked fighters on every card.
Any fighter who pisses hot is banned from MMA for life.

All fixed. No need to thank me.

 

[Ridian]

Watered down cards?

I hear you loud and clear but I think watered down cards are a byproduct of injured fighters, failed drug tests and horrible judging

 

[Ridian]

1. Ban judging & ban the points system.
Fights have no time limits and must end by KO or submission.
Give them enough time and someone will break.

2. No training of any kind permitted during the 4 weeks leading up to a fight.
Any fighter caught training will be treated like someone who tested positive for PEDs.

3. Yellow card system. 10% purse deduction for stalling.
Referees are only allowed to intervene when the corner throws in the towel. No more early/late stoppages.

4. Random testing for a couple of randomly-picked fighters on every card.
Any fighter who pisses hot is banned from MMA for life.

All fixed. No need to thank me.

All really good except part of #1 and #2. Keep time limits but I could agree on no points and judges, if you don't get the KO/TKO/Sub than it's a draw. 4 weeks is a bit much but I like your idea. Some kind of no hard contact clause for the two weeks leading up to the fight, 4 just seems too long.

 

[Renzo Gracie NH]

As fars as the UFC goes I would add inconsistency in cuts be it for disciplinary issues or losing.Cuts like Okami and Sheilds were obnoxious given the go that guys like Garcia and HArdy were given. I understand the value of exciting fighters but cutting guys that are still top 10 bothers me.

 

[Ridian]

A debatable #5 could be the high cost if and sheer number of PPV's. You can't use the argument of just go to a bar, I should be able to watch my favorite sport wherever I want. At $40+ a pop this is an expensive sport to love lol