MMA News Forums » MMA Forums » General MMA Forum

[ChrisAM]

I don't see why they would bring over guys, most of the 185 and 205 is trash compared to the UFC counterpart. Especially 205, Cantwell would get smashed by any 205er in UFC I think.
Only person I think they should bring over is Paulo, he is the biggest talent those 2 weight classes have, unless im missing someone.
Though if Filho can make 170, that might be nice, he wouldn't fight Anderson.

[Severn]

Originally Posted by Witchdoctor

I agree, Filho better drop down. He will get overwhelmed at 185 in the UFC. At 170, he could do some damage.

I also don't understand the strategy here. While showcasing smaller fighters seems like a good idea, the WEC isn't the best place to do it. There is little exposure on VS., and it seems like a waste to me. It just waters down the talent pool at 170 and 155, and neglects 2 of the most exciting fighters they have in either org.

Faber and Torres in particular deserve the big stage only the UFC can give them. If they aren't careful, an org like EliteXC or Affliction is going to wise up and realize they can steal those guys and give them more exposure than the WEC can currently offer.

I said it before, just expand the UFC and get a network deal already. Stop wasting time experimenting with this, IMO dumb idea. Showcase the smaller fighters on network TV and UFN, where the fast paced action will best serve them, pleasing the fickle fans that will bring with it. Save the big boys for PPV.

Sorry but if you're going to have a network card of just the lighter weight classes then your ratings are going to suck. Regardless of what the diehard fans think the mainstream audience would rather see two heavyweights go at it than two or two bantamweights or featherweights fight.

As for the WEC lower weight classes they're doing just fine on VS. No other org will grab Torres or Faber because VS. is the only place where you can actually watch Bantam and featherweight fights on TV. As far as some people are concerned those weight classes might as well not even exist. It took a while for the UFC to build and stabilize their 155 lb division and now it can carry a PPV main event on it's own and the fans will buy it and get hyped up for it like they would any higher weight class but those smaller divisions take time to build up and create interest. The UFC is being smart and more or less devoting an entire promotion to the lower weight classes. If that's not showing commitment to Faber and Torres then I don't know what does.

in terms of watering down the 155-170 division I disagree. The cream always rises to the top (at least in MMA) and as we've seen this past year the UFC does do massive cutting of their roster. If they can't hang then they're gone.

[jlruthven84]

Originally Posted by Severn

The way I see it it's a showcase for the fighters who are 126-145 and at the same time a farm system for th 155-170 divison for the UFC.

Agreed. I don't see what's so complicated about the concept. The WEC can't hold that many divisions, so it only makes sense to dissolve their highest weight classes, and focus on showcasing the lighter fighters. Good business move, all around.

[OG&C_Inspector]

If the Nightmare is really re-devoted to fighting, then I would love to see him fight Condit, I think that would be a fight of the year canidate. As for the heavier classes I think Cantwell would suprise alot of people in the 205 division. And like him or not I think Sonnen would be an intresting add to the 185ers. And Paulo will always make for a great fight. I mean there is just so much that bringing them over to the UFC could do. Also it would free up money to hopefully increase some of the WEC fighters salaries. And maybe generate enough of a lighter weights focus to draw some of the other talent out there in like maybe Kid.

[Bran]

it'd be cool to see a unification match with anderson and paulo, but does anyone wanna see cantwell fight forrest? nope. i really wouldn't care if he, stann or marshall were even on the main card in UFC. Cantwell's alright, but i do not like stann at all. sonnen can probably hang at 185, though i don't like him much, but sonnen can definitely stick around in the UFC. i don't see ANY WEC 205ers lasting more than one fight in the UFC. its UFC's strongest division and i can't think of a single WEC guy that can do it.

[Witchdoctor]

Originally Posted by Severn

Sorry but if you're going to have a network card of just the lighter weight classes then your ratings are going to suck. Regardless of what the diehard fans think the mainstream audience would rather see two heavyweights go at it than two or two bantamweights or featherweights fight.

As for the WEC lower weight classes they're doing just fine on VS. No other org will grab Torres or Faber because VS. is the only place where you can actually watch Bantam and featherweight fights on TV. As far as some people are concerned those weight classes might as well not even exist. It took a while for the UFC to build and stabilize their 155 lb division and now it can carry a PPV main event on it's own and the fans will buy it and get hyped up for it like they would any higher weight class but those smaller divisions take time to build up and create interest. The UFC is being smart and more or less devoting an entire promotion to the lower weight classes. If that's not showing commitment to Faber and Torres then I don't know what does.

in terms of watering down the 155-170 division I disagree. The cream always rises to the top (at least in MMA) and as we've seen this past year the UFC does do massive cutting of their roster. If they can't hang then they're gone.

You are pretty much contradicting yourself. You are saying on one hand it's a good idea to build an entire promotion around smaller fighters, then saying it's a bad idea to put on a network card featuring all smaller fighters because people won't watch.

Which was not my suggestion, merely that they should use them on the card to ensure exciting fights with a lot of action. People would rather watch an exciting featherweight bout any day than a boring HW or LHW bout. I've never heard a boo at a Torres or Faber fight, but they sure boo'd Vera and Andy. Also, the highest grossing boxing match in history was De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, not big guys.

As far as watering down, well if you take one group and split into two groups, it is in fact "watered down".

[Legend]

I think most ppl saw this coming and it is good to hear. However, I am disappointed that the 170 division will not be carried over as well. There is not really a whole lot left for Condint in the WEC. I mean unless you consider a Larson rematch awesome then he just needs to move up to the UFC.

[Severn]

Originally Posted by Witchdoctor

You are pretty much contradicting yourself. You are saying on one hand it's a good idea to build an entire promotion around smaller fighters, then saying it's a bad idea to put on a network card featuring all smaller fighters because people won't watch.

I don't see how I'm contradicting myself. Building a promotion around one product is one thing, putting only that product on network TV is another matter. Versus is not Network TV. I'm hoping you understand the difference. Versus is a channel that's not even on every cable package. What, you think CBS, NBC or ABC would want to pour their resources into a card that only features bantamweight and featherweight's? A card like that wouldn't even get on the air.

[Witchdoctor]

Originally Posted by Severn

I don't see how I'm contradicting myself. Building a promotion around one product is one thing, putting only that product on network TV is another matter. Versus is not Network TV. I'm hoping you understand the difference. Versus is a channel that's not even on every cable package. What, you think CBS, NBC or ABC would want to pour their resources into a card that only features bantamweight and featherweight's? A card like that wouldn't even get on the air.

Once again, I never said featuring only bantam and featherweight. I meant that guys like Faber and Torres are perfect under card fighters, especially for network TV. They always put on exciting fights. There is not enough quality fighters at those weight classes to sustain a whole card, I agree. But the little guys always fight at a pace more pleasing to the audience, IMO.

I understand the difference between VS and network, that's the whole point of my thread. I think it's bad for MMA if Faber and Torres can only be seen on a second rate cable station like that. Most of my buddies who fallow MMA, albeit more loosely than I do, don't even know who they are. That's all I am saying.

[Tenacious_Thunder]

Originally Posted by Dork8503

Looks like Forrest might get a easy title shot.

I mean if they bring in the champs they will have to fight each other.

So maybe Forrest will defend his belt 1 time.

hehe lol.

lol.
some were, i dont remember where and dont want to look it up, but they said that the champs are not going to get an automatic title shot. Cantwell is obviously ranker #1 in the LHW class for the WEC, but there is no way he would be top 5, 10 hell or even15 with out proving him self aginst TOP fighters..... ( O.K. harsh, but he would do good, but would not deserve a title shot right away.)


I say Cantwell aginst the loser of Jardine and Vera if that fight happens.


and Stann aginst Eric Shaffer (lol has been a steping stone for most fighters lol)