What's with these new champs passing number one contenders for "money fights"

First Bisping and now Woodley.

 

MONEY fights!

 

Everyone thinks they're fucking Conor nowadays. Sad and pathetic when they have no name value.

 

Not only is it a money fight but a fight against a big name that is possible easy money gets you more exposure as a champ can help raise your profile and later bargaining power when trying to rework a new contract

 

This wouldn't be happening if they just got paid what they deserve, blah blah fighter pay blah blah blah.

 

This is prize fighting. These guys should be looking for the money fight every time. The promoters should be looking for the money fight too. So maybe Wonderboy gets it but I would bet it's Diaz or GSP.

 

A fucking 0-3 loser makes this a fucking sham and wouldnt pass even in pro wrestling.

 

Blame the fans for wanting those fights, not the fighters. It's money fights because people want those fights.

 

Because fucking money!!!

Money > Everything else

come on man

 

Most of the current champions aren't the best in their divisions.

 

I blame this on Daniel Cornier. "I want the easiest fight in the division, Ryan Bader! "

 

I think that they are taking this route for two reasons, the fights are easier and the payoff is better, simple as that.

The UFC brought this on themselves, the fighters doesn't make that much money that they have the luxury to take
the fight that is more honorable, they need to make as much cash as they can and quickly.

With that said I don't like it at all as a fight fan, I would much rather see the most competitive fight in most cases.

 

Someone mentioned shitty fighter pay.

And when your promotion runs itself like the WWE, the big money fights are with the best talkers, not the best fighters. it's unfortunate, but whatever.

It's funny because Woodley didn't really do shit to get his shot, then he wins the title. He was the LEAST money fight, but Lawler took it anyway.

Lawler fought anyone anytime. I hope he got some big bonuses, because he earned them.

 

After a lifetime of post fight interviews saying "I want whoever the ufc wants me to bla bla bla" they saw Conor become a millionaire within a year or two and realised they have been playing themself their entire career and getting punched and kicked in the head for pennies.

Conor bless.

 

Since when in the UFC did the fighter get to choose?

 

Conor has just showed all the other fighters in the UFC the promised land and now they all going there.

 

Yeah crazy... a professional fighter with a short career targeting the easiest fights that pay them the most money... weird.

 

The UFC needs to institute a new rule: Before having funfights, money fights, alternate division fights, or superfights--the current champion should defend his belt a minimum of three or four times. This is getting out of hand.

Currently we have four champions who are doing all that they can to avoid fighting anybody in the top ten of their respective divisions.

Dominick Cruz - Had a controversial split dec win over Dillashaw in a very competitive fight. I thought TJ took it--but it was close. In the world of 'immediate rematches' I'm shocked that TJ wasn't offered one. Weidman, Rousey, Velasquez, etc. were all FINISHED--yet they were offered rematches. TJ lost split dec and was denied. Cruz opted to fight a fading Faber--and now wants to fight outside of his division, effectively ducking TJ who just beat Assuncao who is ranked top three in the world. WHAT? Cruz has had ONE title defense and now he's bailing on the division leaving everyone in the lurch and ducking TJ (and all other contenders).

Conor McGregor - We all know this story. No point in rehashing it too much. He bailed on his division. Never defended the belt. Considering that he's fighting this coming month, it'll likely be another four months before he fights again. That puts us around a YEAR since he defended the title. They had to invent an interim title for the division he's supposed to be champion of--despite Conor being in perfect health.

Michael Bisping - Could have fought anyone in the top 10 of his elite division. Rockhold beat him once and was caught in round one. Could do a rubber match. Weidman lost his shot due to neck surgery. Could have fought Weidman. Perhaps the worst was Jacare who Bisping openly told would get the next title shot--only for Bisping to seek out Henderson. Remember, Bisping falsely accused Rockhold of dodging Jacare (Jacare admitted he wasn't going to take the Rockhold fight anyway)--and during the press conference denied Rockhold a rematch and said Jacare was deserving. However, behind closed doors, Bisping sought Dan Henderson who isn't even ranked in the top 10, loses more than he wins, and hasn't had a decent top 10 victory in some time. I like the idea of Henderson knocking out Bisping again as much as the next guy, but that doesn't change the fact that Bisping is running from the most elite of his division.

Tyron Woodley - Perhaps the most egregious--or at least the most recent--Tyron told Wonderboy that he didn't want to fight him--instead he wanted to fight Nick Diaz who hasn't won since 2011 and is unranked. Oh, or maybe a retired guy like GSP. Ironically, Tyron was granted a title shot after an 18 month vacation--his last victory coming over a lower-ranked Kevin Gastelum in a split decision. Tyron was ranked fourth when he got his shot. Now, the last time Tyron lost, it was to Rory MacDonald. Who just beat Rory MacDonald? Oh, right, Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson. Wonderboy also beat the guy who Tyron never fought, Johny Hendricks, in the first round. Wonderboy beat both 1 & 2 ranked guys with relative ease. There is a good argument to be made that Thompson deserved this shot much more than Woodley. Yet, here Woodley is--after 18 months off--trying to pick his fights and denying a guy who actually WORKED for a title shot over the last year. Wonderboy is currently riding a 7 fight win streak, has only lost once (long ago before his game was as refined), and hasn't lost since 2013. What reason in the world would the UFC have to grant Woodley his wish?

Four poor excuses for champions. At least Conor and Dominick are somewhat challenging themselves--Bisping and Woodley are actively looking for fights with guys who aren't even ranked in the top 10 of any division. I get that there is more money to be made in other 'superfights'--but if the UFC isn't going to respect any rankings or the belts, what is the point? Nate Diaz is making more sense by the day--and that's frightening.

Superfights should be RARE and they should be EARNED. Diaz v. Conor is not a superfight--Diaz was knocked out by Josh Thomson and isn't exactly at the top of his division. It's a payday for the UFC. Good for them for making money, but in the long-term it seems smarter to try and honor rankings, build new stars, and bring legitimacy to the sport... Or else we should just put Kimbo Jr. in against Dada 5000 on bypass for a quick payday.

 

I agree but Tyron wasn't granted a title shot for beating Gastelum he got the title shot because Hendricks was a fat fuck and Dana white actually kept a promise.