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Originally Posted by Uvall  Pride had a huge fan-base and UFC knew it. They wanted this fan-base. Pride was big enough to give these fighters great exposure/hype, during its time. I'm sure this is why UFC did as you said. Stirkeforce on the other hand was mediocre at best. Sure the die-hards watched and payed attention to what was going on within the organization. But they definitely didn't give the fighters they had anywhere close to half the exposure Pride had given theirs. That being said, I doubt the UFC really banked on gaining much of a 'new' fan-base from the absorption, like they had when taking over and absorbing Pride. Because the Champions don't have as much weight behind their names yet. I mean, look at what happened to Jake Shields when he came over. And he actually had a little bit of that weight behind his name.
@ Mr. Cornute,
How many of these WEC Champs got an immediate Title Fight when they came over after WEC was absorbed? I don't think your comparison of these 'situations' hold any water because, as I stated above, it is actually a completely different situation. The only similarity with this is that they were absorbed by the UFC. You can't necessarily dismiss the organization known as Pride, its fan-base, and what it stood for within that fan-base to compare these situations. Pride gave its fighters a heck of a lot more exposure/hype, even after its death, because of its legacy. This is what the UFC feeds off of to further hype and sell their fights. Strikeforce didn't come close to giving it's fighters this kind of exposure, even during its prime. So they can't be compared. |
The only WEC champ that did not get a title shot (or title) was Pettis and this was due to Edgar and Maynard II resulting in a Draw. If that did not occur they would have given Pettis a shot, especially riding the heat from his fight with Bendo. They immediately recognized Aldo and Dom as champions and rightfully so as they were just introducing those divisions. By the time WEC folded the UFC already absorbed their larger divisions, WW/MW/LHW/HW.
Dan represented Pride when he came over when Zuffa bought Pride for both the MW and LHW divisions. Fedor held the HW title in Pride and did not sign and that is the ONLY reason and even then he still would have likely received an immediate title shot (DESERVING) if he would have signed to the UFC.
Hell when they brought Shields over he was billed as a champion (Strikeforce) and worthy opponent for GSP. They took Nate Diaz from Strikeforce and billed him as a champion vs GSP (until he fucked up the press conference).
I think many have missed the point that I stated "The UFC COULD do a CHAMP vs CHAMP because it is easiest to promote". I didn't state that Rockhold deserved it, nor did I state that Strikeforce was exactly the same but the two do compare.
In no way did I dismiss Pride, considering I stated that without Pride as competition the UFC would not be where they are today, I think it shows the level of respect I have for Pride, what it brought to MMA and the fighters the UFC absorbed with it.
What I am stating is that since the MW division is in a bit of flux this would be an easy fix for the UFC to promote Rockhold to fight Anderson.