I think the MMA just acquired legions of fans.

Why? Imagine the heavyweight division since 2003 without the Klitschko's. The title would've changed hands during every new moon.. I remember how much I loathed the division in 2005 when there was Rahman (WBC), Byrd (IBF), Brewster (WBO) and Ruiz (WBA). Maybe one of Peter, Ibragimov, Chagaev, Povetkin or Haye would've had a title for longer than a few years, but no way either of them would've unified (limited by politics and/or ability) and it would've been stale as ****. The Klitschko's might be boring, but without them, heavyweight boxing would truely be six feet under.

 

The horror, the horror!

Seriously, I just think it is exciting that no matter how invincible a champion in MMA seems to be, there will always be some weaknesses to his game that can be exploited. And guys like Penn, S:t Pierre and Silva have been good enough to really put a stamp on their divisions, but still they have faced very tough challenges. Silva's last defence was effing epic.

 

No, not in my experience. St Pierre, Silva and earlier also Penn and Lesnar are guys you want to see since they've elevated themselves above the rest. I especially enjoy watching Penn because of his sublime technique.

 

Lesnar got really exposed last night, but that is part of the thrill. He looked invincible when winning the title, but in his last defense one got the feeling that there were parts of his game that really wasn't up to scratch and then along comes a challenger and shows that to be precisely the case.

 

Agreed on all counts. They're selling a product, a life style. One that is very popular, but in the long term, you need established names to build on.

 

:huh Care to explain that? What kind of lifestyle would that be?

 

That's one fighter.

Well, your first line really summarises this. You're certainly no expert on MMA. There are many, many MMA organisations. The UFC is simply the cream of the crop, where most of the top fighters fight when given the chance. Outside of Fedor, most top guys from other orgs are more than willing to try their hand in the UFC when offered the contract. Strikeforce and the WEC are the other two top organisations, but still well behind the UFC. You see fighters making the switch to and fro all the time.

You're right. I'm sure every MMA fighter lives under a rock without internet or television, and has done so their entire life to not know what they're fighting for.

Again, you really don't know what you're talking about. There are vast differences between "organisations" in MMA and boxing.

 

Valasquezas heavyweight champ will give the UFC a huge boost in Latin America and deservedly so, Cain is a monster.

The UFC have taken the WWE template and this makes it easy to market to fans, both hardcore and part time. The sports can co-exist, but it is in boxings best interest toput the fights on people want to see. Mayweather - Pac not happening is embarrassing for our sport.

As for popularity, the UFC will continue to grow.There will always be people who like it and their will always people that dont. A lot of people cannot stand the ground game and think wretling is terrible to watch.

Boxing is going nowhere.