UFC bias against signing Russian fighters?

Just been reading a few interesting Russian articles on this. You'll have to translate the pages obviously.

https://www.sport-express.ru/martia...ufc-ne-podpisyvayut-boycov-iz-rossii-1636615/

https://www.sport-express.ru/martia...zhet-pereyti-v-ufc-intervyu-s-boycom-1637147/

https://www.sport-express.ru/martia...lbert-tumenov-s-kem-sleduyuschiy-boy-1635901/

https://www.sport-express.ru/martia...lbert-tumenov-s-kem-sleduyuschiy-boy-1635901/

Basically says that the UFC has a limit on how many Russian fighters it will have on the roster at one time and they're at that limit now and it's basically a one in/one out policy at the moment.

- Shlemenko might be an exception as he's already known in the US.

- Albert Tumenov, Rustam Kerimov, Magomed Magomedov, Albert Duraev, Zhalgas Zhumaglov, Alexander Shabliy, Timur Valiev and Aliaskhab Khibriev are all actively trying to get into the UFC at the moment, but the UFC might not be able to sign them all.

- There's no testing in ACA, so some fighters aren't trying to come over.

- UFC doesn't want 4-5 ranked fighters in one division to be Russian, for business reasons.

 

Proves the claim that the UFC seeks out the best fighters to be completely false

It’s not a sport, it’s a business like WWE

 

150 million and all these great fighters.

Yet we still hear about the Americans not signing them. Russians cant start their own shit?

Absolutely pathetic.

 

Seems like the UFC is packed to the gills with Russian fighters. There may be a limit, but if there is, it seems pretty high.

 

Rocky influence

 

Need more Ivan Drago style fighters and less hug n tugs

 

Please. it is packed with random Americans more than anyone.

 

And yet they’re only a few percent of the roster. Now imagine if literally every third guy was Chinstrap Chinstrapov. It would be impossible to tell them apart and it might kill UFC’s popularity (such as it is).

I think they have just the right mix for good flavor. What they need is more big guys. When the average height on the roster is 5’7”, there’s a problem.

 

That’s what I was trying to say, but this guy said it better.

 

an english teacher beat the shit out of "the next big Thing" aka pink goofs cash cow.

The way he downplayed Roxys win was emberassing and he even said she isnt Ready for a top 5 .. which means = shes not good for TV.

 

They have 36 Russian fighters and 101 Brazilian ones, I'm not sure the average quality of Russian fighter is lower than the average brazilian fighter these days.

 

It's not that random. It is, after all, an American promotion. How many Americans are on the ACA or M-1 rosters?

 

It is the other way around. Most real Russian fighters are biased against UFC and their draconian contracts. Most of Russian fighters are from Chechnya, Dagestan and other *stans.

 

yeah, that's their excuse -- the UFC won't take them because they discriminate against Russians.

Not that these guys are all on PEDs and couldn't pass USADA if their lives depended on it.

It's not just the Russians of course. Like Amir Aliakbari, whom the UFC signed, then had to dump because he was on a lifetime WADA ban for PEDs. And the local paper said he couldn't get a visa due to sanctions on Iran or some bald-faced lie.

 

Those are not the best fighters. I've been to PFL events and seen the difference: it isnt just quality, but finishing ability. These Dagi fighters are a one dimensional bore.

I think if there were more Slavic sluggers and brawlers, the UFC would be in. But Dagi wrestlers, some of whom cant get a visa ala Abdulmanap? No thanks.

 

Only a few percent of the roster but a higher percentage of the ranked roster, or it wouldnt be a "problem".

Like the OP says it's the # of Russian names in the top 15 of each division that UFC is concerned about, not the # of Russians in the roster.

 

Exactly. PEDs, terrorist related immigration issues, and boring styles.

 

Well this is probably best for Sherdoggers as Russians get some of you very emotional

 

There are more Brazil fighters cuz they are good for TV

proof

Brazil man


russian/dagestani man

 

The entire concept here is flawed.
The UFC is a business, they'll sign anyone who can make them money.
There is absolutely no chance that there is a quota on the number of fighters from a particular country.