There have been countless posters deriding Brown's general skillset and ceiling. It seems few feel he deserves a title shot, due to a lack of top 10 victories on his resume. I agree that a top 10/5 win would be ideal before a title shot. However, we've got to remember that the UFC is as much entertainment as it is sport, and this is why Matt Brown needs to enter that cage as a title challenger. The UFC is currently in a hairy situation. Their star power has taken such a staggering hit in the last few years that they're left with a small handful of marquee names, and little more. Ronda Rousey is a legitimate star. Jon Jones is a star (perhaps for the wrong reasons: disdain coupled with powerful sponsors that have helped make his name and face far more recognizable). Urijah Faber rides the fine line between an extremely popular fighter and a star, as could be said for JDS, Condit, Connor and Cain Velasquez despite his somewhat flat personality (fans love a vicious heavyweight, plain and simple). These are the promotions few major stars. They need more. Nick Diaz has the propensity to be a huge star, but will not fight. And this is where a guy like Brown needs to come into play. Much like Condit, who just had the wind zapped from his sails, Brown employs an aggressive style, finishes often and has a blue-collar, everyman attitude. That attitude is endearing to MANY. Throwing Brown in a title fight (whether he's entirely earned it or not) creates a story. It's - in an odd way - something of a Rocky story. Very few would favor Brown to win that fight. However, he's got the style to win fans over immediately. He's got the heart to make it a dog fight, and a gas tank to make it very interesting. He's also a far more liked competitor than Hendricks (who has something of a mild bad wrap due to a lot of rumors of his arrogance and general asshole demeanor throughout his college years). He's the perfect underdog to have fans out of their seats. The fact that he'd be forced to wade through Hell for a chance at victory would instantly endear him to fans. And if he somehow managed to win... well... At the end of the day, Brown is just polarizing enough (don't fuck with his chew) to draw crowds, and a relatable enough guy to make your average hard working guy say, 'that's a guy I can stand behind'. We need personality and aggression to build stars. Brown's personality isn't amazing, but his persona is. This is a fight that could make a lot of money, give fans a war they crave, and potentially birth a new full-fledged star, which the UFC desperately needs. Again, I'm not against Brown taking on a Top 5 guy first, but there's a lot to be gained with a Brown title fight next.
All I'm saying is look at the title shot's Edgar got against Aldo, Sonnen against Jones and Diaz against GSP. All pathetic, Brown getting a shot would be fine.
I roll my eyes a bit about the Brown hype, but I agree with you TS. I wouldn't complain too much if he got a TS, all your points are valid and I'm sure a PPV would do well. He's a tough ass dude who finds a way to finish, can't get much more simple than that. WW is so scrambled right now, Woodley, Brown, Saffiedine, etc... it's just a matter of who can fit into the schedule moreso that rankings. Any top 7 guy will do.
You make good points. Bearing this in mind, Brown jumping into a title fight right away would be less farcical than some of the more recent title shots (e.g. Diaz/St-Pierre, Sonnen/Jones). I still would like to see him beat a top 10 guy though...
Personally, I think the UFC needs to make another serious star more than Matt needs one more quality win. The promotion, in regards to stars alone is hurting. Fans need someone to go apeshit over. They need that new age Liddell figure; the guy who ALWAYS comes to fight and NEVER fights with a decision in mind. A guy that never turns down a fight, because not only is he a quality fighter, but he enjoys it. Guys like that - especially with natural power, which I believe Brown has despite being unable to put Silva away with a single shot last night, scream star.
it's the fight people are willing to watch.. he's earned it more than others such as carano coming back against rhonda
It's definitely got something to do with him being a star. That doesn't for a second change the fact that he's generally disliked (he doesn't bother me one way or the other, he's dominant and I respect the hell out of that).
but again, examine the business element of things. There have been an awful lot of title fights that weren't fair. The thing is, this fight could produce a major star for the promotion. At the end of the day, if we're hoping to see the UFC still successful in a decade or so, they've GOT to start building stars. Brown is a star that just needs one push to make it all come together. One could also take into account that every guy "in the mix" has a fairly recent loss on his ledger. According to Sherdog: Lawler is #2, he just lost to the champ. Woodley is #3 , he lost a fight to Jake Shields less than a year ago. Condit is #4, and he just lost to Woodley and will be out for some time. Lombard is a fair idea, as he's 2-0 since dropping to Welterweight. Rory's on a one fight win-streak, in which he failed to put Maia away after Maia was nearly incapable of standing after 5 minutes of fighting. It's actually a really interesting clusterfuck up at the top of the WW rankings.
Like to see him face Robbie Lawler, if he wins his next fight. Winner gets a title shot. It would be a war. http://mmarealfights.blogspot.com/2014/05/matt-browns-win-streak-continues.html#more
Here is where i disagree, even though i'm in the chorus of Brown nuthuggers wanting a title shot. Brown could be an egg on face type of investment. Sure he's got everything you want in a fighter, but can he hang around if he loses a title shot? He'd be treated much like Condit, probably given a higher ranking, more money, more exposure, but then he'd be used as a title gatekeeper until probably cut. It would almost make more sense to keep him in the same place he is in now, maybe feed him a top ten guy he could beat on a ppv, if he pulls through, give him a title shot.
I agree with the op. I am not at all opposed to a title fight, and even think it'd be very entertaining. If matt has to fight a top 10 to get into contention, I wouldn't be suprised.
Some of us still remember Browns "arrogance and general asshole demeanor" from TUF. The very thing you say will keep Hendricks from being a star. Not to mention the general media will have a field day with his sexist comments about his fellow co-workers.
Even though I think Brown needs a top 10 or top 5 win in the division to cement his status as a legitimate challenger, I think from a business perspective the UFC will try to bank on his winning streak and recent popularity. It makes for a "Rocky" scenario during the fight buildup with the champ. If he is given a top fighter in a number one contender match and he loses as I'm afraid he will, then all that is lost and the UFC can't bank on the story. I just don't see Brown beating the beasts that are in the top 10. Might as well give him his title shot, make $$ and move on after he loses (the UFC's perspective).
I would have absolutely no problem with Brown being in line next. The division is shook up enough for this to happen. As fans, we should be incredibly excited for a match up like Brown vs Hendricks.
