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[Goremire]

Not real happy with the matchup, because I don't like the precedent it has the potential to set. Personally, a big reason I like to watch MMA is to see the best mixed martial artists in the world fight each other - especially when a title is on the line.

Unfortunately, in this situation Sonnen has hyped his way into a title shot with absolutely no credibility behind him at 205. Yes, we have had title challengers before who haven't exactly been deserving, but there are degrees of undeserving. This title shot is at least according to my memory unprecedented.

This isn't a knock on Sonnen: good on him, I say. It's not his job to ensure the integrity of the UFC title challenger selection process. It's his job to get himself the best fights possible and realise his dream of holding a world title. Unfortunately, in this case I think he'll just go even further in cementing his legacy as Most Losingest Title Challenger in MMA.

I am saying this while being (I think) 100% cognizant of the business reasons behind this fight and the TUF season. It's going to get great ratings and the PPV will sell like gangbusters. If the goal of any business is to make money, then this is a slam dunk for the UFC.

Having said that, the UFC sells itself as being the premier MMA org on the planet. Part of being the premier MMA org on the planet involves having meaningful titles, surely? While I grasp that commercial drivers (putting asses in seats) are a part of matchmaking, I believe there's a balance to it. If I'm correct, then this is the most imbalanced title fight I can remember.

I guess my biggest fear is that this whole scenario makes a shitload of money, and the UFC goes out to replicate it. Other fighters can't help but see that Sonnen's approach is wildly successful, and who could blame them for seeking to emulate it? Personally, I don't want the UFC title picture to be about who talks the most smack, I want it to be about who kicks the most ass. Sorry if thinking that and posting it makes me melodramatic.

I was critical of Jones for not fighting Sonnen previously and I was also critical of the UFC for the part they played in the 151 fiasco. But a short notice scramble to save an event is a completely different animal to what's going on here, and I believe that the integrity of the UFC's title picture is worth more than better TUF ratings and more PPV numbers.

Ah well. Forrest needs an opponent now, so I might get one last Bonnar fight. Clouds, silver linings, etc.

[fuzzrocks5285]

lol the amount of shit talking will be epic.

[Rumble]

I'm gonna just let my hypocrisy flag fly and say I love this. I find it hilarious and I'm not surprised at all. Neither should any of you.

Is this a slap in the face to worthy title contenders? Somewhat. But since all the "contenders" appear to be booked (Shogun/Goose, Hendo/Machida, Glover/Page) why not have the big money bad blood fight? From a business and marketing stand point, this is pure gold.

This is a practice the UFC has used over and over again, so this should really come to no surprise. No need to get mad, just sit back and enjoy the entertainment.

[MickeyKnox]

It's funny...

When I first came to this forum, I was someone who didn't really give much of a shit about the sport aspect of MMA at all. Granted, I only started watching MMA in 02-03 as a teenager, so of course all I saw in it for years was just the fight. Entertainment. Violence.

It wasn't until I joined this forum that the sport aspect was shown to me by guys on here constantly preaching about it. I never followed any sport before. It showed me how much I really loved the spirit of competition and hooked me to that part of the game. It used to be the majority of guys on here that felt that way I could have sworn... Am I delusional?

[grambino]

This is the most shameless act thus far by the UFC. Sonnen has proven to the world that you can talk your way into the top spot. All honor and integrity is out the window. Gimmick after gimmick after gimmick. The all mighty dollar wins the day and many deserving fighters who've busted their asses for a shot are passed over by a guy they'd demolish. I'm literally sickened by this!

[dbader08]

Originally Posted by Rumble

I'm gonna just let my hypocrisy flag fly and say I love this. I find it hilarious and I'm not surprised at all. Neither should any of you.

Is this a slap in the face to worthy title contenders? Somewhat. But since all the "contenders" appear to be booked (Shogun/Goose, Hendo/Machida, Glover/Page) why not have the big money bad blood fight? From a business and marketing stand point, this is pure gold.

This is a practice the UFC has used over and over again, so this should really come to no surprise. No need to get mad, just sit back and enjoy the entertainment.

No thanks. I'll continue to believe that this is wrong and the guys who should be fighting for the LHW title are the ones that have actually had success there and actually fought there in the past 6 years.

Silva EASILY stopped Sonnen's takedowns in the 2nd round of their last fight. Jones is considerably bigger and a much better wrestler than Anderson. Sonnen will get destroyed. The fact that these guys are going to talk shit to each other for months does not make it any more interesting to me. This isn't WWE.

Do you really think the UFC would make this fight if they thought Sonnen had a legit chance of winning? Do you really think they would let one of their precious few stars in Jon Jones lose to a guy who would struggle to even defend the title one single time if he won (when we all know Jones is on his way to being a much bigger draw than Shogun/Machida/Goose and Henderson has very little time left in the sport, anyways)? This is a huge mismatch.

[CanaanCreed]

Originally Posted by BonesKnows

Yea cause money laundering and mortgage fraud makes this a terrible fight, you need to lay off the sonnen hateraid for a minute and not let your hate for sonnen affect your judgement.

I remember when everyone was shit talking jones for not taking this fight in the first place, now the fight is happening and everyone (minus a few) are bitching and complaining.

Sakara was right about everyone reacting like 15 year old girls.

Im going to assume that 99% of the people complaining on this thread are still going to tune into TUF, still buy / watch the PPV and enjoy every minute of it...but will still find something to complain about after its all said and done

CM

I think it makes for an entertaining if not a one-sided fight. One that I'll watch. However, I don't have to applaud the fact that a dude who constantly runs his mouth gets an automatic title shot solely based on his ability to talk shit.

[Sniggles]

Originally Posted by dbader08

Yeah Sonnen stepped up against Jones when nobody else would but to be honest, he would probably just have quit and collected a fat check the first time he got put in a bad situation, just like he did against Anderson.

By your definition, Bonnar quit against Anderson too.

In reality, both got finished with vicious knees after putting themselves into horrible positions due to lack of technique. They both got promptly trounced after making mistakes.

[Sakara=Excitement]

Originally Posted by dbader08

If you say so Mr. businessman. I don't really see you doing anything but taking the "it's a business" route that any idiot could take just because you like Chael Sonnen lol.

I'll take that route like an adult and you take the whiney, cry baby, 2 year old route.

[Sniggles]

Originally Posted by grambino

This is the most shameless act thus far by the UFC. Sonnen has proven to the world that you can talk your way into the top spot. All honor and integrity is out the window. Gimmick after gimmick after gimmick. The all mighty dollar wins the day and many deserving fighters who've busted their asses for a shot are passed over by a guy they'd demolish. I'm literally sickened by this!

Dana has said in the past that Twitter followers and self-promotion will get garner you as much regard from the UFC as fighting like a berserked savage rather than fighting intelligent.

When you say "it's only business," you are completely dissolving the idea of legitimate sport and competition.

I like Chael Sonnen.

Sonnen does not deserve this title fight and should not have recieved it until he has beaten 2-3 more top 10 LHW opponents. "Doing well" against Anderson Silva should not earn you a title shot.; Fact is that he had TWO losses. TWO.

If it is not already official with Brock Lesnar, Silva's disregard of who the top contender is multiple times and now this ridiculous money grab, then let me now clarify it for you all.

The UFC belts are not legitimate. They are material displays of hype. Whoever has the most hype behind them will get the title shot or a fight with a champion beyond someone who has earned it in the cage.