This was my only reason for not watching UFC. This is around UFC 61.
I decided to watch some old clips on youtube (That Zuffa hadn't mashed) and do a little research on Wikipedia. Found some fighters I genuinely liked. Learned about Mixed Martial Arts and the need to win. The fight. I also found out how much they earned to fight. To be honest, it didn't seem fair to the fighter. But, alas, it is all they knew.
I watched religiously all the way to about UFC 100 (The Hendo knockout). Awaiting to see new kicks, punches, or a new fight style. I hated many of fighters, saw many fighters pass their prime. Got to see Lesnar back out because the Heavyweight division's top 5 fighters were better than he ever was.
Around that time, something changed. Dana White had become the public image of the UFC. To the point that you might as well have UFC tattoo'd on your shiny head. Which is fair. Hey, make money, man. Better your life.
The internet had been set ablaze by UFC by about 110. All the people who watched WWF (now WWE) were able to watch because Brock Lesnar (and Ken Shamrock if they were that hardcore)
With the strength of the internet, sponsors were arising everywhere. It went from Xyience to Harley Davidson's to pretty much anyone willing to put their logo on the bottom left corner of someones shorts. At a 1 mm by 1 mm square.
I watched TUF much further as it seemed more genuine.
Now, every UFC has a judging controversy. An early stoppage. Dana White sits idly by and complains about Las Vegas sports and gaming commission and their lack of ineptitude.
But, with the amount of money they make, they should be able to make their own judging team. No? Maybe, ex fighters like Tito Ortiz could earn some money without needing to eat 7000 shots to the face at the age of 39.
Everything seems so gimmicky now. The advertising is so much more apparent. A fighter who has just won has to immediately fashion 64 items of clothing with their own brands on it. Juggling and stumbling around like a giraffe on weed.
The crux of it all is the shady handling of GSP and Silva. Both fighters are legends, both fighters have had close fights. Terrible fights.
Both fighters have won fights they should not have. GSP taking a more technical approach and Anderson... Being a Brazilian. GSP lost a step, Dana publicly denounced a man who built a fan base in Canada. A rather large one. Dana says GSP should have lost.
This is a time Dana White has shown how little respect he has for his fighters, but rather for his brand. It was different this time. It was real, it was cold. He had no witty tweet or joke to disclaim all of it.
I have not watched UFC since.
Everyone became a stitch in the mass scale of marketing done.
Regards,
Devon
