Why hasn't the UFC been able to produce a major crossover star since Conor?

[lsa]

They've been busy expanding world wide. Also, you don't just make some big pop culture star at will, it's difficult to do.

The UFC also limits fighters from getting things like sponsorships with big companies which will be a road block in hitting mainstream success. The UFC wants to control fighters careers, which can make it hard to break out into the mainstream.

Do they? Israel was sponsored by BMW.
Holly Holm has/had Mountain Dew as a sponsor.

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

People always use this "The UFC doesnt want stars bigger than the company" argument (its one of many weird parallels with the WWE which had the same criticism aimed at it) but the reality is stars at Conors level dont grow on trees, they never did. You cant force it to happen. It needs the right persona, right fighting ability and right circumstances in terms of available fights etc etc to make a star like him.

 

[bjjwar]

Conor is nothing special. It’s just a personality thing. Most fighters nowadays are more social media wh**** and try to look good in the eye of the public. We dont have any fighter going full heel anymore like Conor did. You just have to talk alot of sh** like Chael also did and win some fights.

Nowadays everyone is trying to act respectful in some kind of way. Look at all the champs Merab, Islam, Belal, Dricus, Pereira and Jones (i mean he’s an a**hole but he doesnt talk trash).

If Pereira woule act like a total retard like Conor and talk sh** about everyone he’d be even bigger than Conor with the way he fights, his insane uprise and beef with Adesanya.

 

[spinup]

Do they? Israel was sponsored by BMW.
Holly Holm has/had Mountain Dew as a sponsor.

Don't forget Gaethje and Trojan.

 

[Harlekin]

They don't want to.
Those guys leave the UFC and don't fight anymore. It's too much work for not enough money.

Their new strategy is trying to generate a dozen stars below 10m followers.

Rousey with 17M and McGregor at 47M make their own money, but don't fight.


Topuria going fast and towards 6M early in his career. aaaaand he is taking a break. Making money with sponsors, ads and other ventures.
A few more fights, going over 10M and byebye UFC

 

[Doctor Grudge]

Do they? Israel was sponsored by BMW.
Holly Holm has/had Mountain Dew as a sponsor.

They have to get permission from the UFC to do that though.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Conor is simply an anomaly to combat sports.

 

[haj02]

He gained way too much power for Dana's liking, his ability to negotiate frustrates Dana but he also knows he has to deal with him. I don't think they'd ever promote someone the way they did Conor in the build up to the Aldo fight again for their first title shot.

 

[lsa]

They have to get permission from the UFC to do that though.

That may be, but fighters can have sponsors outside the UFC.
Just look at their SoMe and you see them have sponsors.

In total I am pretty sure the UFC fighters make more money on their own sponsors than most fighters in other orgs.

 

[Söze Aldo]

He gained way too much power for Dana's liking, his ability to negotiate frustrates Dana but he also knows he has to deal with him. I don't think they'd ever promote someone the way they did Conor in the build up to the Aldo fight again for their first title shot.

This is what a few people here are missing. For sure, the UFC didn't create Conor the man or persona. But fighters don't get international press tours based around them (not the UFC event) anymore.

Look at the Sphere event, the promotion for it was more about the UFC itself by far, than any of the individual fighters on the card that night.

Conor was promoted more the way star boxers are.

 

[skylolow]

Do people still believe that promoters/promotions make stars?????????????????????

Boy, only if it was that easy.


Look at the WWE they control every aspect of what you see and hear and they can't just create stars.