So what is it then? The actual quality of MMA is continually growing, so letting anything else interfere with your pleasure from the sport is just silly, be it brand loyalty, "good old days" syndrome, or not wanting to like the new "popular" thing. If you like MMA for MMA's sake and not to be part of some super secret group or whatever, I don't see how anybody can possibly be losing interest.
As a lifelong boxing fan....and I never thought I'd say this...I like MMA as much as I do boxing. Never thought I'd say that. Two different sports I might add.
Ha! I hear ya. I'll even admit MMA is closer to a real fight than boxing. But I still love boxing for what it is.