The debate concerning the popularity of mixed martial arts’ versus boxing has been ongoing for quite some time. Many fans of boxing have become fans of MMA for the sheer fact that the match-makers conduct the fights that the people want to see. The UFC is essentially the only MMA vehicle that matters, in which there is no beef between the differing promotional companies or the fighters.
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No fight in the UFC is similar to a Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao box-match, which is a huge selling point for President Dana White.
As the MMA provides a larger dose of thrills than does boxing, the UFC holds a monthly pay-per-view event, and as of lately, has been presenting some of its most enticing fights on FOX and FX networks. Needless to say, these fights are far more entertaining than ESPN’s Friday Night Fights (boxing’s equivalent of free fights). For instance, FOX broadcasted the first ultimate fighting heavyweight championship between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos; it doesn’t get much better than that. And within a few months, these two fighters will appear on pay-per-view in a fuel-driven rematch.
The UFC and MMA continue to gain popularity, attracting more and more boxing fans in the process. However, some of the challenges that plague pugilists have also begun to plague the UFC and mixed martial artists alike.
For one, fight expectations have taken a massive leap. The Velasquez and dos Santos fight that the UFC aired for free was an utter disappointment; Dos Santos knocked Velasquez out within the first two minutes, which is not ideal for the UFC. Unfortunately, excited viewers wanting to get a taste of the sport for the first time that night did not get the best of what the UFC has to offer. The fight set a precedent for what seems to be the underlying criticism of all fight arenas. However, this has yet to seriously affect the UFC.
UFC fights have always been deemed exciting; a first round knockout is stimulating stuff…but not when it’s free. When free fights are shown, the UFC’s goal is to get the not-so-eager consumer to see the splendors of the MMA; despite its brutality, there is beauty behind mixed martial arts. Quick knockouts were what made the UFC before it grew so popular; now, UFC fighters are expected to put on a show that will give the fans their money’s worth.
The UFC is also challenged by its fighters’ growing egos; more success equals more money, and mo’ money equals mo’ problems. Fighters aren’t as willing to dive into the cage as often or as recklessly as they used to. The UFC was originally represented by a touch, bare-knuckle, “anywhere at any time” kind of fighter. However, this is not the case anymore.
The UFC is as much about business as it is about fighting. Anyone recall the recently canceled UFC 151? Dan Henderson, an “anywhere at any time” kind of fighter, was forced to withdraw from his light heavyweight title fight against Jon Jones. The UFC’s solution: stick Chael Sonnen and Jones in the octagon with 8 days notice. Sonnen was glad to do this, but Jones wasn’t.
Following the advice of his camp and trainer, Jones chose to protect his career over the fans. If Jones were to win the fight, then he was supposed to win. However, if he took the fight and lost, it would be heralded as one of the sport’s biggest historical upsets, tabbing Jones as the goat. Being put in “lose-lose” situation, it was only logical that Jones didn’t take the fight.
But MMA isn’t about logic. Logic is for boxing.
MMA has the “anywhere at any time” attitude; the UFC is recognized for its propensity to put on the best fights, regardless of politics.
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However, Jones put an end to that in about one day. Jones did what the UFC deemed unthinkable, and the ball began to roll. Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Rua, both who had been defeated by Jones previously, turned down the opportunity to fight him in the weeks following the UFC 151 fight, citing “short notice.”
The UFC must be careful not to lose its advantage over boxing; the best fights have to happen on a consistent basis, and not just a few times a year.
If fighters begin to over-think in the UFC, disregarding their just fight-mentality, then the MMA’s chances of surpassing its big brother could suffer an early knockout.
