That you did, as what you described is pretty much exactly how the UFC runs things. I have to wonder if that policy is going to come back to haunt them once enough competition springs up and the UFC isn't the only fight game in town, though. Burning bridges is one thing when you're essentially a monopoly and there's no shortage of top fighters willing to sign with you; once a few well-financed rival orgs start tipping the apple cart, it's tougher to continue to get that kind of selection once you've left a sour taste in enough fighters' mouths.
I personally will give Reggie one, maybe two more years of development before I label him a complete hype creation. Comparing what Vick did in the NFL to where Kimbo is currently in the MMA world is a major reach, even though your general point is well taken. The UFC is in an interesting position with the need for a "crossover" market. I'm more familiar with boxing, so I'll use our current PPV issues as a reference point. The fights we have marketed to "mainstream" or casual fans in the past five years have, for the most part, paled in comparison to the best fights the sport actually has to offer. Instead of having one million people tune in to Marquez - Vazquez III, we dish up Mayweather - DLH I and II. This is a huge blow to the sport, when fights WE all know won't be compelling are sold as "must see events", yet corporate interests make sure that this remains the status quo. With it's already steadily growing fan base, an extension of general interest in MMA, the UFC doesn't need to pander to media creations. Isn't it possible that instead of committing some kind of promotional oversight, White used the Lesnar situation to make the point that he wasn't going to sacrifice the quality of his product? When you already have the ability to pack arenas, and numerous deals with TV networks, why pretend that the future of the organization relies on the success of a former WWF wrestler? I'm not pretending White is some kind of patron saint of MMA, but I like his call on this one. People watching WWE already know that the UFC exists, Lesnar or no Lesnar. Why water down a pretty solid product when it is growing by putting together meaningful matchups? This is one of MMAs huge advantages over boxing in the current market.
Kimbo better hope they dont put him against Rogers... cause he'll get his ass beat. You could tell by looking at Shaw's face during the presser that he didnt want that fight going down.
That very well could've been White's thought process; but the thought process of that was completely contradicted by putting a fighter making his debut as the headliner. That action alone meant having to hype up Lesnar more than if he just had 2-3 smaller fights, and meant putting him into a bad matchup since the UFC can't really sell Lesnar, in his first fight, vs a nobody as a headlining ppv event. I looked at Lesnar as basically being a slam dunk for the company- he had legit top level wrestling experience, excellent upside physically, and a built in audience. I don't think there was anything to be lost by featuring him on the undercard of a few shows to get a feel for what he could do at that level. If Mir were Lesnar's 4th or 5th fight instead of his first, I wouldn't be as adament as I am that things were mishandled there. Of course, I wasn't there with negotiations so maybe that's what Brock wanted and he didn't want a few tune up fights; but I have to think any responsible promoter would've done what he could have to talked him out of that and put Brock in with a Paul Buentello-type opponent on the undercard first. Or, maybe he rubbed Dana the wrong way and this was White's way of giving him the finger . Completely agree with you on boxing hyping the wrong fights, as well. That's a mistake I hope gets fixed at least some time in my lifetime.
Thats why the UFC`s divisions were weaker in comparison to PRIDE. Namely the heavyweights. Now that there the top dogs Dana thinks he can do as he pleases. The mans not a fan of MMA his a businessman first and foremost.
Can somebody please explain to me how a 6 foot 4 260 pound behemoth can punch a man repeatedly for no less than one minute straight and fail to break skin? I knew Colossus was a ****in' British pansy but Jesus H Christ?!?!?! All these people takin' issue with Kimbo ought to be takin' issue with Colossus. He was in a super-dominant position and failed to make Kimbo tap due to strikes. Instead he decided to lovetap him to death. What a ****in' waste of size!!!
Size is immaterial. If you know how to fight you know how to fight. James doesnt. His a nice guy who looks the part. But his striking is horrible and his ground game is equally as limited. I dont see him ever getting any better.
His wrestling credential for me are questionable. powerwise theres no question. The guy was as strong as an Ox and had lights out power. Kimbo can bang but his not up there Tanks power in his prime. Either way both men were limited crude brawlers.
I don't think that the unmerited hype for Kimbo is even approached by those three people. The gulf between the best and those three (even Tyson at the very end, he did KTFO out of Andrew Golota near the end) and the best MMA heavies and Kimbo slice are not even comparable. A better comparison before Kimbo's career is over might be Anna Kournikova.
Yeah, the level of overhypedness between those guys and Kimbo is definitely a league apart- they just happened to be the first 3 people that I thought of that could fit the description, even if not to that extent. Along with Kournikova and Michelle Wie, the Slice hype is in rare company. Hell, even Danica Patrick actually won a race this year. She's still up there too, though.
