http://www.heavy.com/mma/2011/01/nick-diaz-is-open-to-a-welterweight-grand-prix/ Tournaments have been a staple for mixed martial arts promoters dating back to the sports inception in 1993. Over the years there have been unforgettable moments and legacies have been made through Grand Prix performances. Who can forget Royce Gracie winning UFC 1s eight-man tournament that kicked off this thing called mixed martial arts, or Wanderlei Silva, Fedor Emelianenko, Mauricio Shogun Rua and Mirko Cro Cop Filipovics Pride Grand Prix highlights? Bellator Fighting Championships promotion is centered around annual tournaments. Strikeforce has an anticipated Heavyweight Grand Prix starting Feb. 12. Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz says hes open to the idea of a welterweight Grand Prix as long as theyre non-title bouts. Sounds good if its non-title fights, a Grand Prix, Diaz said. The upcoming Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix is non-title fights. The old Pride tournaments were non-title fights. Bellator tournaments crown a top contender to face their titleholders. Under that format, Diaz is down to participate in one. That sounds kind of cool, he said. Diaz defends his welterweight title this weekend at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg against Evangelista Cyborg Santos.
The problem is that theres simpley not a great deal of proven talent at 170 that SF have access to. I spose you could argue that a GP would be a good way to build up some talent but it could also result in some bigger names taking out each other before Nick faces them. His and SF's best option is IMHO to stay active and defend the belt at least 3 times this year agenst Woodley and Daley aswell as Cyborg.
If they are non title fights then I would prefer a different system. Something that shows something different like the K1 and prizefighter formats. This way, if the champ doesn't win it then it isn't a slight on his credentials as the champ but more he isn't the best at that format. If Khan beat Mayweather at Prizefighter, it doesn't mean Floyd would lose a 12 round championship fight. IF they are normal bouts though, that would be stupid. If Overeem or Diaz lose in normal bouts but are still champ then that doesn't quite make sense. I suppose you could make the championship distance argument.
Diaz, Daley, Zaromskis, Woodley, Santos, Voelker... Simply not enough top names. Maybe they could do a super 6 or fab 4. They would need spare guys ready to step in. SF really need 10 top names in each weight class.
That the UFC could do...let's say after GSP go up in weight. Could be an interesting idea to know who's is gonna be the next WW champ !
in fairness to the ufc the best are always fighting the best so he doesn't really have to do it. shields is fighting gsp, alves is on the comeback, fitch is fighting penn etc even if gsp left the 2 best would fight for the title.
Yeah, but TBH are those kind of tournament put together to discover who is the best ? IMO it's more about building hype. But in the SF case I agree they really need this because there title right now doesn't really mean anything since Alistair only defend it once since 2007.
Tournaments were the best part of MMA history & 1 of the main reasons that Pride will always rank higher than the UFC IMO. I will always agree with tournaments, they are very exciting.... the UFC should do 1 or 2 annually but they wont because Dana White is a *****, plain & simple.
I very much doubt the UFC will take that route or else I think you'd have seen them hold back on matches like BJ/Fitch. There ideal title match if GSP moves to WW perminantly would I'd guess be BJ/Alves.