I work in online marketing and I'm pretty confident that there is hype/astroturfing/"growth hacking" going on with these guys in order to boost their profile. Which is not at all to say that they aren't legit fighters.
But since interest/profile is a large part of getting big fights, big paydays, and the other benefits that come with fame as a fighter, it makes sense that some might be outright investing it and gaming it, exactly in the same way that people promote anything else online.
Sometimes that's self/star charisma driven (ie Conor) and sometimes there's a hidden marketing machine behind it studying the data and acting accordingly.
Are you talking about Russian marketing firms that Rogan talks about?
I mean instead of politics they are fanning the flames of MMA is what I am talking about.
Also to give you context, I live in a part of Canada that in 2005, there was an MMA gym in every corner, in every part of town. Even traditional martial artists were doing MMA classes or conditioning. Old ladies knew guys like John Alessiou or Mac Danzig.
Now there is barely any MMA gyms in our town. BJJ gyms are doing well though so that's the only difference.
Americans and divas are sitting out the big fights or losing the big ones they do fight. MMA fans like whoever is the best, from whatever country. Africa and Russia seem to have tons of good fighters in the ufc right now.
I don't know much about Africa, many different countries in Africa so its hard for me to have an opinion.
Google does wonders to look things up.
Google doesn't have specify commands champ!
Ok well i dont understand a "hey..there sure are alot of russians around here" thread
I mean,welcome to 2005 bud
Look here mate, in 2005, my town was FULL of MMA gyms until 2012.
After 2012, things changed slowly, some of the gyms became BJJ dojos because people realized they like grappling more so than sparring and they don't want to show up to work with black eye. Other MMA gyms closed down for good.
Now life goes by fast, I closed my eyes and its 2020 and my mind is stuck in a past a bit in regards to MMA. Like now I am curios to know what is the driving factor with the up rise of MMA in the counties I mentioned.
I am not trying to be an asshole here nor am I being difficult. I just want to know what is motivating other countries for MMA stardom and what value system have we lost that has discouraged folks in North America to pursue MMA.
