Eddie Alvarez: "They're Only Important Names Because They Fight In The UFC"

UFC is like WWF, in more ways than can be counted almost it seems. White ~ McMahon, buying smaller organizations (not a bad thing btw), monopolizing the sport (in certain areas). This last point is relevant for this thread I believe.
Back in the 80's, the WWF was the go to professional wrestling organization, however, most knowledgeable fans were aware of the rival organizations, the NWA and the AWA. In every wrestling publication, the champions were always rated higher from the NWA and Verne Gagne's AWA than Vince's WWF. Ric Flair = Rick Martel > Hulk Hogan; Road Warriors = Von Ereich's > British Bulldogs or Dream Team Valentine and Beefcake, etc. However, the WWF was marketed way better than the other 2 organizations thus more people were aware of the WWF Superstars and they were way more famous. As a kid, I only read about Flair, and saw Martel occasionally being Canadian and all. But the wrestlers were far superior to the WWF wrestlers in athleticism and performance. It simply looked 'realler', more genuine, but the WWF guys were larger than life.
I believe this is the point the OP was making. However, being in North America, I believe this has a huge impact on my opinion. UFC is, I believe, a North American targetted organization. I very easily could be wrong as I honestly don't knowe much about MMA other than UFC (which is the same as when I was watching pro rassling in the 80's). Does this make sense to anyone lol?

 

I agree with you completely about the fact that MMA is 'real' and pro wreslting is 'fake' (not gonna even get into the arguments about the athleticism of the wreslters, etc.), but don't you feel that UFC has a very distinct WWF feel to it when compared to say boxing (and maybe even other mma organizations)? The in ring interviews with the crowd is a big thing for me, and the call outs for other fighters, and the challenges. The charisma of most of the UFC fighters is leaps and bounds beyond those in boxing (ok, yes, I'm a boxing fan, but I really do enjoy watching UFC), and I wonder how much of an influence Dana White has behind the scenes in choreographing the UFC fighter's character beyond the actual fighting.
Just out of curiosity, has any UFC fighter called out a non-UFC fighter after a fight in the Octagon, or praised a non-UFC fighter in an interview, either in or out of the ring? I'm sure they have, but I wouldn't be surprised if that has never happened, or if it has, dya think White might secretly fine the UFC fighter for promoting another organization?
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that MMA and UFC is a lot like 80's wreslting, whereas other sports not so much. You regularly hear CFL players talking about the NFL and vice versa. Hell, when players don't make NFL, they are welcome to play for CFL, and usually even have a stipulation in their CFL contract that they can leave if they are offered an NFL contract. On NHL broadcasts, you hear mention of all the European Leagues, Soccer MSL they talk about European Football, and the list goes on and on for most professional sports. Even in boxing, you can have a WBA title match, and they will talk about other organizations. David Haye is fighting Wlad. Dya think you's ever see The Strikeforce or whatever champion fighting the UFC champion in a UNIFICATION match?
I think that may very well be the crux of my point. White seems to protect his fighters from other fighter's in other organizations to keep up the illusion (?) that his fighters are the best in the world, much like Vince did in the 80's. Please don't think I'm saying that the two organizations (UFC and WWF) are comparable on an actual fight talent level. Just the marketing and presentation to the media and audience. Does White normally even acknowledge that there are other champions other than his?

 

lol, I can't name any. that's why im asking opinions. I'm not that educated on the 'new' mma (i used to watch way back when howard was a force, and taktarov, ruas, polar bear, etc., before weight classes and time limits and rounds, and RULES lol). But you're saying they are preparing for a unification fight between UFC and Strikeforce? That's good then. MMA seems to suffer right now from you said was killing boxing, too many champions. The best thing for either sport is to have ONE champion across the board for each weight class, like they try and do in boxing when KING isnt involved (could we go as far to say White is like the genetically mutated step child of McMahon and King?). Klit / Haye is GOOD for the sport of boxing and heavyweight boxing in particular. Maybe Cain could fight the Strikeforce champion (not sure who that is cuz I only hear about UFC unless i dig through these columns, kinda like the WWF and Hulk Hogan...Flair? who the hell is that? Some midwest cherry farmer?) If they fought, we would have ONE recognizeable champ.
However, you don't see other sports traditionally doing the unification thing, probably because there are general consensus's as to which organization is the best, except maybe the big club championship for soccer in Europe.