UFC really in a decline. Rockhold might want out.

[TheOutsiders]

Luke Rockhold encourages peers to stand ground, tell UFC 'f*ck you'

wme-img are really running this company to the ground. bellator and viacom are licking their chops.

“If they’re not putting an interim title on the line, or if they’re not making Bisping fight a contender, I’m not fighting anybody,” he said. “And so should the rest of the division, too. What’s the point? Without me, Mousasi, Yoel, and Whittaker? I think everyone should just stand their ground, and say f*ck you. Put a title on the line or else, f*ck, you don’t even have a division.”

Asked if he meant like a middleweight strike, Rockhold smiled.

“I think everyone is already on strike, aren’t they?” he said. “We’re all waiting on a title. Whittaker’s down. I’ve voiced my opinion, and I think Mousasi should stand his ground too. I mean, without us you have no f*cking division. Make something happen.”

 

[Sheepdog]

I saw the interview, it wasn't a serious threat. And the UFC's slaves have always been restless.

But the latest slave revolt appears to be gathering greater momentum and comes at a time when the new empire is under serious debt pressure, something the previous rulers hadn't experienced since the TUF explosion. They were able to maintain rule with an iron fist because the absence of external pressure meant the slaves had little leverage. Conor doesn't show to a press conference? Pull him from the card and take the short-term hit to maintain control. That doesn't work so much now.

The problem for WME is that their only way out this mess is for Fox Sports or someone else to also seriously overestimate the UFC's value just like they did, and this is hard if all the fighters are pissed off and not fighting/looking elsewhere, driving down ratings and public interest. This desperate period calls for keeping their entire roster of fighters relatively happy, making sure cards are consistently drawing well and trying to re-assert authority later.

WME is letting their favorites call the shots (the difference is Zuffa only pretended to let them call the shots) which undermines their control directly and pisses everyone else off, further reducing it. This in turn reduces their ability to deliver the types of ratings that are their only chance to avoid disaster.

 

[TheOutsiders]

I saw the interview, it wasn't a serious threat. And the UFC's slaves have always been restless.

But the latest slave revolt appears to be gathering greater momentum and comes at a time when the new empire is under serious debt pressure, something the previous rulers hadn't experienced since the TUF explosion. They were able to maintain rule with an iron fist because the absence of external pressure meant the slaves had little leverage. Conor doesn't show to a press conference? Pull him from the card and take the short-term hit to maintain control. That doesn't work so much now.

The problem for WME is that their only way out this mess is for Fox Sports or someone else to also seriously overestimate the UFC's value just like they did, and this is hard if all the fighters are pissed off and not fighting/looking elsewhere, driving down ratings and public interest. This desperate period calls for keeping their entire roster of fighters relatively happy, making sure cards are consistently drawing well and trying to re-assert authority later.

WME is letting their favorites call the shots (the difference is Zuffa only pretended to let them call the shots) which undermines their control directly and pisses everyone else off, further reducing it. This in turn reduces their ability to deliver the types of ratings that are their only chance to avoid disaster.

quality post, agreed. however wme doesnt seem willing to do what is needed to fix this mess. they seem dead set on just putting together "money fights" and not putting together fights that make sense. they are willing to completely halt multiple divisions for that one huge fight down the road. ive only been watching this sport since around 2008 or 9, but ive never seen this kind of discontent or unrest within the company.

 

[dacofty]

It is a reality that the UFC is on decline, you have top contenders pretty much saying the same thing, now only if they could join up and strike. The reaction of dana would be better than any title fight.

 

[TheOutsiders]

It is a reality that the UFC is on decline, you have top contenders pretty much saying the same thing, now only if they could join up and strike. The reaction of dana would be better than any title fight.

truth, these fighters have the power in their hands to collectively put an end to the bullshit.

 

[Mix6APlix]

truth, these fighters have the power in their hands to collectively put an end to the bullshit.

Correct. It's also called fight out your contract, tell Dana to fuck a zebra, and sign with the world's premier organization, Bellator.

 

[Zeph]

They'll bitch and moan and then they'll do nuffin.

 

[Clappin'Daddys]

It is my opinion that the new owners aren't in the mma game for the long haul. They are in it to make a buck and get out. They buy the UFC, Make as many "money fights" as possible, renegotiate new tv deals, and sell in a couple of years(at least that's what they hoped to do)

They don't care how many divisions they ruin so long as they make out with their bonuses.

Again, i feel that it was the reebok deal that made all these fights start questioning UFC tactics. The sell of the UFC and the 4b dollar figure was the boulder that broke the camels back.

Bellator and friends really are licking their chops. A steady stream of top talent will continue to test the waters in so far as the UFC continues down the path they are on(something tells me they will, just a hunch)

With Bellator though, it's a question of just how much rope Viacom is willing to give them. Surely they will need to eat a ton of initial costs, in purchasing these top ranked fighters, before they start seeing return. They probably won't return for a couple of years. The initial push is always the toughest. Bellator is off to a great start under Coker, but they need to keep it up. Free agency will die a hell of a lot faster than it took to build up if free agents test the waters only to find out that Bellator has reached a spending cap.


If I were Coker, I would be damn near blowing Viacom execs for a big budget.

 

[Robbie Hart]

They'll bitch and moan and then they'll do nuffin.

This is correct.......the operative word here is "might" want out.

 

[Ryann Von Doom]

truth, these fighters have the power in their hands to collectively put an end to the bullshit.

It's just like the prowrestling union.. soon as the hogan of mma backs out, the whole thing loses steam.

 

[Andrewsimar Palhardass]

I think the UFC will be fine. We aren't simply dealing with power-hungry tyrants here; we are dealing with capitalists. They are doing what they are doing because either it is their opinion that it will maximize their profits, or they already have those profits rolling in to prove that what they are doing is what is going to make them the most money. If they are working on a hunch that this is the most profitable direction and it ends up not being the most profitable direction, they will simply change the direction. It's not like they are married to a concept to the point where they will let it drive their business into the ground. I'm personally not happy with the state of things, namely the "money fight" craze, but our contentment with the current direction and ultimate success of the company are not tied to each other.

 

[Sheepdog]

I think the UFC will be fine. We aren't simply dealing with power-hungry tyrants here; we are dealing with capitalists. They are doing what they are doing because either it is their opinion that it will maximize their profits, or they already have those profits rolling in to prove that what they are doing is what is going to make them the most money. If they are working on a hunch that this is the most profitable direction and it ends up not being the most profitable direction, they will simply change the direction. It's not like they are married to a concept to the point where they will let it drive their business into the ground. I'm personally not happy with the state of things, namely the "money fight" craze, but our contentment with the current direction and ultimate success of the company are not tied to each other.