Official Mixed Martial Arts Thread

[Kebabilicious]

I could not agree more. I believe Woodley would absolutely destroy him. How those hardcore wrestling guys consistently cut that much weight is beyond me. 

[Doomguy]

7 hours ago, angel said:

That was so weird, as soon as BB said 47-47, 47-47 I was like uhuh majority draw. Then they managed to not have conors 2nd belt ready, honestly this 'new' UFC are really fucking some things up. Conor was mad and rightly so.

 

The new UFC is in 4 billion dollars worth of debt and won't pay it off until 2030. They've sacked half the production staff ('cost cutting measures') which was already streamlined to fuck anyway. Along with all the other stupid things they've already done I'm expecting the rise of Bellator and Rizin over the next few years; Pride 2.0. 

[schmojo]

So who does everyone want for Conor next? 

 

I'd go for Khabib, but Ferguson is an awesome fight. Assuming that Aldo (at 155), Woodley and Nate are on the table too, what's everyone into? 

[Don Rosco]

For fight entertainment value, ferguson would be my pick. He's such a wacky fighter, I'd love to see him and Conor throwing shapes. The destiny fight is khabib though. That's one to shut the haters up if he wins. 

[skittles]

My views on the event and fighters.

 

Khabib - Nobody is beating this man IMO. Another absolute mauling. Once he gets a hold of you, he will do whatever he likes. And I think he can probably take a shot or two. I had 5 quid on a 3rd round finish and it came in. Nice. 

 

Wonderful post fight presser and full of truth. I truly believe he is being sidelined because of where he is from and his beliefs and that will be hard to market. Intelligent bloke it seems, particularly enjoyed his comment about 150m Russians that could get behind hm.

 

Romero - I thought Weidman was dead for a moment. Vicious vicious knee. Loved how during the interview the camera panned to Michael Bisping who just flipped him off. Classic Michael. I had money on Weidman rd 3. 

 

Joanna - Another great performance and got caught in one of the rounds. Karolina got close but not close enough, didn't look particularly trouble just outclassed in the stand-up. How fucking cute are both of these girls also? I called the decision win.

 

Mcgregor - I had KO in the 3rd. Just a masterclass on counter punching and timing. I don't think people realise how much distance he covers with that straight left down the pipe. Pin-point accuracy and unreal power. I think Khabib beats him but he beats Ferguson easily. 2 weight champ! Well done son. How about that ring interview, he is SUCH a clown.

 

"I have spent a lot time of time slating everyone in the company. I have ridiculed the entire roster and I just want to say from the bottom, I want to take this opportunity to apologise...to absolutely nobody!"

 

LOL.

 

Taking time off is an issue. I think they take the featherweight belt off him and form an interim champ. (Aldo vs winner of Holloway v.?)

 

Woodley -  I had it a draw or split decision win to woodley. Nice fight but he never looked troubled.. Didn't particularly do much in the fight either but perhaps I need a rewatch.

 

Edgar -  Happy he won in his home town. Reasonable fight. I had Stephens by 3rd round KO.

 

Tate - Who gives a shit, Khabib should have been on the main card.

[angel]

Tate has looked terrible all year, she pulled it out late against Holly but ever since shes been awful. Her stance, her whole approach is tentative..its like she needs to get beaten up before she can start to fight, and against the top girls its too late. She's only 30 and only retiring because she can't pull the trigger for some reason any more, she's just gone from the fight game mentally I think. Like someone said though (cant remember who), once the phone stops ringing in a month or so, she'll regret it.

[luckypierre]

While marketability comes into it Khabib's issue is the amount of injuries he's had. He was talking retirement a year or so ago if I remember right. He hasn't beat anyone that good yet either. A prejuice RDA is his best win on on paper and that's it. You can't come back from two years off, win 2 fights against mid level opponents and expect a shot. Ferguson deserves it more imo.

[schmojo]

Ferguson was getting hit by Lando. Johnson catching Khabib on Saturday, prior to a mauling, is the most he's looked in danger.

 

Knowing the UFC they'll put them against each other, killing off a perfectly good contender, but taking one out of the long Conor queue.

[skittles]

25 minutes ago, luckypierre said:

While marketability comes into it Khabib's issue is the amount of injuries he's had. He was talking retirement a year or so ago if I remember right. He hasn't beat anyone that good yet either. A prejuice RDA is his best win on on paper and that's it. You can't come back from two years off, win 2 fights against mid level opponents and expect a shot. Ferguson deserves it more imo.

 

I just looked at his record and you are right. Nothing too impressive. 

[Gotters]

Been thinking about the whole Conor asking for equity thing (asking, not getting) and its an interesting situation.

 

Firstly lets not think he's getting a tangible stake (if any) at $4b dollars 1% is $40m at the purchase valuation. Secondly whilst he is a massively bankable asset they are not going to want every fighter who strings 4 wins together to be shouting on stage demanding a slice of the company.

 

Finally can you imagine what a brat he'd be if he did get even a slither of the action - every press conference he'd be telling his opponents that 'I'm your boss' 'I own you' 'Show some respect to the guy who owns the company' etc it would not only be unbearable it would make the whole ownership and corporate thing front and centre of stage all the time, and most corporations don't want to be the story like that.

 

I don't know how it plays out as he's got a good track record of getting what he wants out of them, this may be a step too far though.

[schmojo]

Superficially, it seems like a no-brainer to say no. But I think he just brings in *that* much money. As in, probably as much as every PPV he's not in combined.

 

I did wonder how funny it would be if they just let it go, stripped him of the belts, and moved on. But that likely doesn't hit their financial or publicity goals. Conor's timing is, as always, impeccable. His next fight is very loseable, whichever of the 4 or 5 it is. But by then, according to his plan, he'll have equity and it won't matter.

 

If they do it though, they're heading down the boxing road. Which could be the end of UFC in its current shape.

[Gotters]

He's hugely bankable, slightly more so than GSP ever was and Rousey, think he's got 4 of the biggest 5 PPVs of all time. He brings mainstream media attention to the sport for his events (both Talksport and the BBC mentioned 205). That makes him well worth points on the PPV and he earns every penny.

 

What nobody has done yet though is expand interest and awareness of the sport beyond the events they participate in - you see these huge cards with Ronda & Conor exceed 1m PPV's, then as soon as the next one comes round (Rumble vs DC) it will be back down to 300-400k and it won't be covered in any of the mainstream press/radio in the UK (think the guardian may hide it in their sport section somewhere)

 

General interest seems capped in most events and nobody has managed to elevate interest in the whole sport, he's only worth equity if he can crack that nut.

[Kebabilicious]

There has never been a better time for Conor to try this power move. He knows that if they say no, there's a Mayweather fight there for major $$$$$$$. 

The UFC really have their hands tied now. Conor is just too profitable for the UFC to let him go. He knows that. 

[Gotters]

Leverage cuts both ways though, where else is Conor going to be provided with a string of credible opponents and the machine behind it to sell and give him a % of over 1m PPVs ?

 

They both need each other, but in all honesty he needs them a bit more than they need him, unless he just wants to do a 'one and done' freak show with Mayweather

[Kebabilicious]

One and done then movies, or whatever the fuck he wants. I agree with you, but my concern is that the UFC need him to make money, but Conor doesn't need them to make money. 

To fight, yes, he does, but I genuinely believe that McGregor would do anything if the money was right. Doesn't have to be fighting.

[angel]

Another thing brilliantly choreographed by Conor is that the next couple of events, in particular 206, are going to sink like stones. Both on their own lack of merits (due to nothing being able to match 205), a little bit of fatigue, and not-too-strong cards. So it exacerbates the situation even further...proving how Conor is basically the prize asset and no one really comes close.  I agree Rousey used to be close, even arguably neck and neck, but after this year and 205 it's not even close. Conor came back from his loss to avenge it and claim double belts. Ronda ran and hid for 6 months, and scowls her face at everyone and anyone.

 

Even if she reclaims her title in Decemeber, no one cares about the opponent, it looks a bit shabby as an achievement (oh, the same single title achieved via instant title shot against no name opponent and without any of the Conor razzmataz). If she loses, game over, retirement. My point of all this is Conor's right, he is the star. Jones has ruined his career and Dana openly stated he will never main event again, no one in the general public really cares about DC or Rumble, Woodley and even Joanna are still niche and show no sign of breaking through the publics consciousness. This is what makes Conor such a special athlete, that he takes it to the big time, he sees the bigger picture.

 

I mean Conors outfit at the 205 week presser, the other fighters are all still calling him Cruella de Vile, pimp and so on. They absolutely do not understand PR, showmanship, taking the event to the masses.  That is why (IMO) Conor is irreplacable now, even when he demonstrates how to do what he does, the others to man still do absolutely not get it. See Ferguson saying "peace out" and droppping the mic instead of cutting a promo. Khabib did a great job on Saturday, he's finally starting to understand, but 99% of the rest don't.

 

So give Conor his stake, pay the man, the rest of the fighters will stay on their 40/40 contracts like Cerrone and so on, hunting out their 50 grand bonuses, while Conor probably spent that on his car rental for the week. I'm an MMA fan, I'll still be watching after he''s walked away, but I think that 4 billion valuation will be seen as the vastly inflated price that it was. The Fertittas aren't silly, they took the money and ran while Conor was inflating that price.

 

Sorry for the big waffle, tldr = Conor's worth the money, pay him.

[Tofu]

Its not going to happen though. The most he can ask for is a percentage of the gate and ppv views. Giving him equity in the company WHILE he is still fighting just isn't feasible.

He should ask for a percentage of the ppv then have a agreement in writing to purchase X number of shares at a predetermined price.

 

Conor has leverage but he still needs the UFC to maximize his earning potential. He can go to another promotion but he won't make close to what he is making now or could make in the future.

 

Giving Conor a piece of the company doesn't make sense and it would set a tough precedent moving forward.

 

However, I agree Conor is underpaid.

 

 

 

[angel]

Hes a unique fighter though, a one off, and as he says...countless other celebs have stakes in it, wheres his cut, as the guy who brings in the money?

[ckny]

Just signed up for Fight Pass again a couple of years after cancelling. It's completely different now, great user interface, enormous library of fights and events from outside the UFC and the numbered PPV shows are available after 48 hours for us in the UK now. Nice.

[The Bag]

I think they should let Connor invest in the company, they've courted stars from other sports to do so but not their own.

[angel]

I think his plan now is to sit back, watch how low the PPV numbers are on 206, 207 and so on, strengthening his bargaining position. He takes spring and even summer off, let Khabib, Ferguson, Holloway and so on all take each other out, then comes back next August to take out the winner.

[Orion]

There are stars who are paying to be investors in the UFC. I doubt they are making any money of it. They just want their ringside seats and thinking they are part of the show. Conor wants real big shares in the company. Thats a big ask even if he is the moneymaker.

 

Conor wants Mayweather money tbh. He wants the majority of the PPV money but he will never get it as part of the UFC. The top boxers set up their own promotion companies and control everything to get that to fuck over the promoter's . De La Hoya, Mayweather, Hatton, Haye etc. Thats what he wants.

[angel]

I dont think he does, one thing Conor does is his homework. He knows the UFC wont work with external promoters. He wants, as he puts it, to be set for life, in whatever way they can do it.

[Orion]

11 minutes ago, angel said:

I dont think he does, one thing Conor does is his homework. He knows the UFC wont work with external promoters. He wants, as he puts it, to be set for life, in whatever way they can do it.

 

Conor is selling Mayweather type PPV numbers and gates. Of course he wants Mayweather money. He talks about it all the time.

 

The UFC would not co-promote with Fedor. Who was never a draw outside Japan. That does not mean they would not work with a McGregor Promotions. Conor has more chance of co promotion than the UFC giving him a percentage of the company tbh.

 

 

[angel]

1 hour ago, Orion said:

 

Conor is selling Mayweather type PPV numbers and gates. Of course he wants Mayweather money. He talks about it all the time.

 

The UFC would not co-promote with Fedor. Who was never a draw outside Japan. That does not mean they would not work with a McGregor Promotions. Conor has more chance of co promotion than the UFC giving him a percentage of the company tbh.

 

 

 

I didnt say he didnt want mayweather money, but he knows the UFC wont co promote, dana's been on record saying they won't do it with anyone. Conor just wants a chunk of equity or cash that represents his value to them.  Right now hes an independant contractor, he could retire tomorrow and knock 50% off the companies value, and they know it.

[schmojo]

Dana's been on record as saying a lot of things. Remember when women didn't belong in the Octagon? The future of the sport *has* to be co-promotion, but I don't blame UFC for not wanting to give up their iron grip.

 

The thing is, Mac could co-promote a fight of his with the UFC, but I'd assume his contract means that he couldn't co-promote with anyone else.

 

Right now hes an independant contractor, he could retire tomorrow and knock 50% off the companies value, and they know it.

 

Definitely right now, but who's to say that they won't bounce back? I'm sure there are plenty of youngsters ready to take the Mac template to an even higher level.

 

Unless we believe that Conor is the biggest star that the UFC will ever have.

 

It's an interesting time, and Conor's certainly changing the shape of the sport.

 

[Floyd]

That's true, Conor is bigger than ever now, he holds all the cards. Though, I do think he has to defend that featherweight title next or lose it. 

[angel]

37 minutes ago, schmojo said:

Dana's been on record as saying a lot of things. Remember when women didn't belong in the Octagon? The future of the sport *has* to be co-promotion, but I don't blame UFC for not wanting to give up their iron grip.

 

The thing is, Mac could co-promote a fight of his with the UFC, but I'd assume his contract means that he couldn't co-promote with anyone else.

 

 

 

 

Definitely right now, but who's to say that they won't bounce back? I'm sure there are plenty of youngsters ready to take the Mac template to an even higher level.

 

Unless we believe that Conor is the biggest star that the UFC will ever have.

 

It's an interesting time, and Conor's certainly changing the shape of the sport.

 

 

True, Dana will backtrack most things, but when he sees it as personal he really holds a grudge, I dont think he likes the idea of being held to ransom. I really think Conor might well be the biggest star they'll ever see, we've seen incredible fighters but they just do not know how to promote themselves. We've got a white irish kid who's like a cross between kanye west and floyd mayweather, showmanship and and a pure killer. I don't think we'll see the like again. 

 

It sounds hyperbolic to say he's changed the game, but he really has. I won't be satisfied if in a few years time we're back to good fighters who are happy with one belt,  "I'll fight whoever the UFC says", and we're getting crap speeches through a translator. That used to be fine but not any more, we've seen the next level, and you can't go back.

 

[schmojo]

If the sport of MMA is to persist, and even get to boxing's heyday, surely we'll see even bigger stars?

 

At the very least, as time goes on Conor's paychecks will fade into quaint insignificance.

 

The guys in the UFC currently didn't grow up with Conor and the lengthy scripted promos - the next generation will have done.

[angel]

You might be right, I look at him as a modern day George Best or something, someone who could well be talked about for decades to come (especially if the sport keeps growing). I can't see too many emulating him successfully, its like he's a lightening in a bottle combination and a promoters dream. He has a killer personality too, I think people forget, he's genuinely funny.