It seriously has. I've been a fan of MMA since UFC 1 (obviously not as much of a fan as boxing, but still a fan) - and I can't recall any period so lacking in excitement as this one.
I've been saying it for months. Cage fighting reached a peak around UFC 100, it was huge. It's been all downhill since, and it really looks like there's no end in sight.
They have definitely hit a plateau at the very least. That's why there are so many re-tread fights like Franklin/Liddell, Tito/Forrest 3,etc. There are no "new" stars. Cue TFK talking about Carwin, Dos Santos and Velasquez but the bottom line is that they are not PPV worthy on their own (or even against one another) at this time.
Dana can post smilies all he wants, but if that post-fight melee does put CBS off MMA - i dont think it will, but hypothetically - then UFC will be tarred with that same brush. I think the strength of the first show should see them through.....but it'll be a strike against them at least, that's for sure.
Actually, I'm with TFK on that. The UFC heavyweight division is the only interesting division at any level of cage fighting right now. At least there's the element of the unknown with those guys.
I take your point...i think the reason we are seing fights like this is because of the amount of shows UFC put on now. They need more headliners, so they recycle some old ones.
It is amazing that three championship fights all went the distance. There were 10 fights on the card tonight and 6 stoppages. Unfortunately 3 of the 4 that went the distance were televised. While devoid of big names, the prelims were likely more entertaining.
I like entertaining fights to go the distance...KOs aren't always the measure of excitement....the shame here was the one-sidedness of the fights. Strikeforce were unlucky in that respect....on paper, they were 3 well-matched fights.
I'm not arguing the competitiveness of the division, just that they aren't bonafide stars capable of selling a PPV. The UFC is fortunate that their heavyweight division is picking up steam though. It can carry the promotion through this rough patch. As boxing fans, we know this all too well, but from the opposite end of the spectrum.
I love the frequency of the events but not as pay per views. There is a big difference between an acceptable free TV card and a pay per view worthy event. To be honest, the Versus show with Jon Jones/Vera and Gonzaga/Dos Santos was the best event the UFC has put on this year and that was a freebie.
I just hope none of the people who claim to be fans of both sports watched a Dan Henderson fight over the boxing tonight.
And sadly two of the top names in the promotion, Henderson and Mousasi, looked like crap. All in all it could be a very damaging night for Strikeforce. That becomes even more true if Jake Shields depart. I hope they stay afloat because I want Fedor on CBS or Showtime and not PPV.
Why? Despite a decent night of boxing, a free TV MMA card with 3 titles on the line including 2 guys in most peoples top 10 P4P should have drawn more attention.
ray: Wrong on all 3!!!! And yet TFK here supposedly knows his MMA better than the rest of us?!?!?! :: Like I said before, you can watch as much MMA as you like and discredit the "noobs" on here but you really don't know sh*t! Your MMA knowledge on here means f*ck all, TFK! :laughing:
What's up with these 5 round fights? Make em 3 rounds x 5 minutes each and make like 6-7 fights over a 3 hour broadcast.
3 fights tonight and all 3 were f*cking rolling around on the ground and jack sh*t getting done over 3 boring ass rounds. I don't think Dana White is crapping himself right now after the crappy ass show Strikeforce put on tonight. Bad night for MMA.
