The UFC is oversaturated with mediocrity.

[mjfan23]

We lost a big part of the UFC when you couldn't soccer kick the head of a downed opponent anymore.

But we have the foot stomps. Omg that is some really exciting shit

 

[Andy Capp]

In the very early days you had people like Elvis Sinosic and John Lober competing for titles when IIRC they had losing records.

I think that sort of thing was mainly due to lack of opportunities to compete, though, wouldn't you say? From 1995 to 2005 there were an average of events a year. Now, this counters what I said above regarding their being too many events and too big a roster, since clearly early UFCs didn't provide sufficient opportunity for fighters to practice their craft in competition (similar to World Snooker (the pro league), which, incidentally, was purchased by gambling interests, then embarked on exactly the same plan as the UFC, a Q school, far more events in far more places, far larger talent pool. But it's still a tournament format on a regular circuit of events, like pro golf, so it doesn't have the same negative effect as this situation. Thanks to the greater opportunity to complete in competition the standard of play has gotten better overall rather than worse.)

Consequently, I think there is an ideal spot somewhere in between but the UFC crossed that line ages ago and then stepped on the gas. Wikipedia tells me they've averaged over 40 events a year since 2014. give or take a couple of years that's about when they lost me. They're obviously never going back to the tournament format either so...

 

[Kumason]

One thing I wish is they'd stop giving out so many contracts on the contender series, it's beyond ridiculous.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

I think that sort of thing was mainly due to lack of opportunities to compete, though, wouldn't you say? From 1995 to 2005 there were an average of events a year. Now, this counters what I said above regarding their being too many events and too big a roster, since clearly early UFCs didn't provide sufficient opportunity for fighters to practice their craft in competition (similar to World Snooker (the pro league), which, incidentally, was purchased by gambling interests, then embarked on exactly the same plan as the UFC, a Q school, far more events in far more places, far larger talent pool. But it's still a tournament format on a regular circuit of events, like pro golf, so it doesn't have the same negative effect as this situation. Thanks to the greater opportunity to complete in competition the standard of play has gotten better overall rather than worse.)

Consequently, I think there is an ideal spot somewhere in between but the UFC crossed that line ages ago and then stepped on the gas. Wikipedia tells me they've averaged over 40 events a year since 2014. give or take a couple of years that's about when they lost me. They're obviously never going back to the tournament format either so...

There were still more regional events than people remember, although not nearly as many as today.

If people like the tournament format then there's always PFL.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

One thing I wish is they'd stop giving out so many contracts on the contender series, it's beyond ridiculous.

I think that's kind of reflective of the calibre of fighters you get on there now. The first couple of seasons it was all American regional guys, now you tend to get the top prospects from around the world accepting the chance to go on there, so I think it makes sense you'd offer contracts to more of them.

 

[Kumason]

I think that's kind of reflective of the calibre of fighters you get on there now. The first couple of seasons it was all American regional guys, now you tend to get the top prospects from around the world accepting the chance to go on there, so I think it makes sense you'd offer contracts to more of them.

That's totally understandable, but the last season saw 43 contracts handed out in 49 fights (39 & 37 previous season) that's just way too much imo. More because of higher talent, yes, but it's just too many.

 

[TeTe]

I completely agree, I'd rather have half the events if the cards were stacked like yesteryear.

I have this conversation a lot.

@HuskySamoan can vouch

This

 

[Poirierfan]

As of July there were 721 fighters in the UFC, this is far too many. It should be only half of that imo, I think Bellator has like around 200.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

That's totally understandable, but the last season saw 43 contracts handed out in 49 fights (39 & 37 previous season) that's just way too much imo. More because of higher talent, yes, but it's just too many.

Tbh if I look at this year, it's actually the quality of the direct hires that concerns me more than the ones they get through the contender series.

 

[CashMoney1991]

I agree, too many cards, the next good card isn't until SuperBowl weekend barring any injury, they need to cut a fuck ton of fighters and them raising ppv prices on top of espn plus shit is beyond stupid, back in the day it was $60 and on a channel you can click on, so much easier and the cards were better too, it does hurt them that they don't have a real star yet, maybe O'Malley if he gets the belt, Paddy sucks, he will get killed by any of the top 10, Conor isn't the same as he used to be, Francis has a bleeding vagina right now, etc.

 

[storeybuckle]

Are we starting to see the effects of low fighter pay, combined with just far too many events?

All their big stars just split, or are very inactive for one reason or another. GSP, Jones, Honda, McGregor, Ngannou. This wouldnt happen if the money was appropriate.

Dana White said that the main event the other night was terrible, & I'm inclined to agree. Forget the last 2 rounds, even before that it just felt like I was watching 2 plodding sluggers. So few fights have that really big fight feel now. For goodness sake, a 43yr-old Glover is challenging for the belt & way closer to winning it than he ever was at 33.

It was exacerbated by Gordon vs Pimblett in the CO-MAIN EVENT! When I started watching 12 years ago, that would be a prelims fight. It was embarrassing.

I'm certainly not saying "tHe UFC iS DyInG", but they are in danger of diluting their brand. For decades they've kept fighter pay low and tried to make Dana White (& the UFC) the star instead of the fighters, but the cracks of this strategy are starting to emerge IMO. U used to have to really be somebody to be in the UFC, yet the last guy Pimblett fought at the O2 couldnt even throw a punch.

I think it’s too many events. All fighter pay starts low but the incentive to be a big star will always be there!

 

[Black0ut]

Jesus, can we stop pretending Ngannou is some insane draw or a potential GOAT, seeing his name with the likes of GSP, Jones, Connie, Anderson is bat shit retarded.

 

[skylolow]

I think its combination of a lot of things.

I got friends who's kids are eating up every UFC event today like I did in 2004 whatever. But as the years past I became more cherry picking in my events I watch. In fact I rarely watch an event live. I record and watch the next morning usually.

To get massive media deals you must pull the ratings with your content. If you can't pull massive ratings(ie:NFL) then you must provide more content to get paid the amounts you want. Which the later is what most sports fall into. The UFC aren't idiots. They know some these cards are weak but they can't come out and say that. They just chalk it up as content to give to our media partners that are expecting it. Remember the UFC's number one goal is selling the UFC brand much more so than an individual fighters. They know only a couple fighters on the whole roster can sell with out the UFC name. So by having more content airing is just more exposure to the brand. As fans we are much more concerned about overall quality of each event than the UFC brass are. Back in the day all we wished for in 2006 was more events and never thought too much would be to much. Now we got all we can handle and for some its too much and for others they'll take even more if you can give to them.

When talking about stars that is just the course of any fan watching any sport. Your dad probably has looks at the greats of his era in Football much more differently than the greats of today that he watches. Where you probably think the stars of yesterday can't even hold the jockstraps of today's stars. Going back to my friends kids. To them Usman is the man and in my mind I think GSP is the man. Neither of us is wrong, just different perspectives.