Is the UFC getting more boring by the year or is it just me?

[zanemoseley]

I just watched the UFC fight night I recorded from last night, I was bored the entire time. I haven't been watching much UFC lately but 5-6 years ago I was a pretty big fan. Is it getting more boring to everyone else by the year or is it just me.

 

[shabby]

Too many fighters, too many cards, point fighting for a decision... yes its getting boring.
I've looked at the next 6 cards and it seems i only recognize fighters only from the last 3 fights on the card, all the other fighters i've never heard of and i've been watching mma for a loooong time.

Geez...

jan 4 - fight night
jan 15 - fight night
jan 25 - fight night
feb 1 - ufc 169
feb 15 - fight night
feb 22 - ufc 170
mar 1 - fight night macao
mar 8 - fight night london
mar 15 - ufc 171
mar 25 - fight night
apr 11 - fight night
apr 16 - fight night
apr 19 - fight night
apr 26 - ufc 172

 

[manimal]

I personally think they need to change a few rules.


First they should start using Mui Thai cups and allow strikes to the groin. Doesnt hurt when your wearing that steel cup and they wont stop 1 out of 4 fights for nut shots.

Second they should make ALL main and co main events five round fights. Too many good fights end way to early. More five rounders means guys are gonna be in better shape and the winner would be ready for a title shot.

Third I would set Dana white on fire and make guys fight bare handed. More broken hands until guys realize you cant just throw wild punches and hit people on the top of the head and brake their hands. The gloveless fights will need more finesse and technique. Guys will take less pounding so their braines wont be dramaged and we would start seeing different types of strikes and techniques and variations in styles.

 

[Apex]

Bare-handed would mean no face punching or no fighting in the US (which tends to follow Nevada State Athletic Association rules).

IMHO, as the skill level of fighter increases, there's a natural progression towards a more defensive fighting style. When people are strong enough to knock you out with both hands and both shins, and speed & accuracy are at higher levels than ever before, people will naturally focus on defense. Doesn't make for as exciting matches, but it's not surprising.

 

[HTFOff]

I'm pleased to say i've never watched more than a few minutes of ufc, ever, or mma in general.

Go me.

 

[SP33Demon]

It was always boring anyway, except the first few (with no rules). Really the only reason to watch is for a KO, once they go to lay and pray I just flip the channel.

 

[MetalMat]

It has lost it's "edge" and unless they have some off the wall rule changes I think it is pretty capped out with it's popularity. And I agree with SP33Demon, the first few were crazy but that obviously was not going to last. I remember watching PRIDE fights years ago, those fights were insane.

 

[SSSnail]

They need to bring back the royal rumble of the days of old. You keep fighting until there's a champion.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I'm still waiting for Thunderdome.

 

[Childs]

Last year was probably the best year of fights since Pride. The only thing I saw this year was the last fight night, and it was OK.

IMHO, as the skill level of fighter increases, there's a natural progression towards a more defensive fighting style. When people are strong enough to knock you out with both hands and both shins, and speed & accuracy are at higher levels than ever before, people will naturally focus on defense. Doesn't make for as exciting matches, but it's not surprising.

Yeah, the fighters top to bottom are probably better trained then they have ever been, so its more technical. You cant really get away with mistakes against good fighters.

 

[manimal]

Bare-handed would mean no face punching or no fighting in the US (which tends to follow Nevada State Athletic Association rules).

IMHO, as the skill level of fighter increases, there's a natural progression towards a more defensive fighting style. When people are strong enough to knock you out with both hands and both shins, and speed & accuracy are at higher levels than ever before, people will naturally focus on defense. Doesn't make for as exciting matches, but it's not surprising.

We would still see hits to the face they would be more technical. Those rules in Nevada exist because of boxing. They need to decouple the older boxing rules. The gloves actually get guys hurt more.

Last year was probably the best year of fights since Pride. The only thing I saw this year was the last fight night, and it was OK.



Yeah, the fighters top to bottom are probably better trained then have ever been, so its more technical. You cant really get away with mistakes against good fighters.

I very much agree that last year had a great crop of fights. Some of them were tainted a bit by bad officiating-sal damato needs to get whacked by big pussy-and also agree that talent and training is worlds better than it was just a few years ago. The biggest change among the best of the best these last two years was diet and conditioning. Guys fighting 5-10 in the rankings would have destroyed most champs five years ago.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Its become too much of a science, when the UFC first started it was kind of interesting because there would be karate experts, Olympic wrestlers (qualifiers) and a few hillbillies that like to get drunk and start fights.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I prefer a cerebral fight to a Garcia v Korean Zombie style slugfest myself. Not that I do not enjoy a good stand in the pocket and exchange over and over, and may the best chin and/or cardio win throwdown. But fights like Machida v. Moose and Shields v. Maia are the ones where the skill level on display is so high it makes you shake your head in wonder sometimes.

I know people play the "If you trained" or "You are a just bleed/casual fan" cards when this observation is made. But it is your prerogative to decide how your time and money are spent. If enough fans feel like you, they will address it as best they can. Hell, they are already trying to. Orgs have shit canned some fighters for being boring to fans. Fitch and Askren are perfect examples of high level fighters that ended up in smaller promotions because the only thing they draw is boos and yawns from most fans.

I also agree there have to be some rule changes. But whatever the rules, smart fighters will exploit them to their advantage. And no we can't go back to the old days. The sport was about to go belly up when it was unregulated. Bringing it to the mainstream means rules and regulations, lots of them.

A good example of exploiting the rules - This last card showed back mount can be the new lay and pray. Maintain dominate position and ride it out for a win on the score cards. If you can get the rnc great. If not, no way you are getting stood up while in such a dominant position.

 

[JM Aggie08]

It's always been a total 'Bro Sport' to me, and I couldn't care less about it.

 

[brandonb]

I liked WEC, and have less interest now that it was gobbled up by UFC. I used to like to watch Uriah Faber and stuff fight on normal TV and not need PPV.

 

[CPA]

Too much boxing involved now.

 

[Kneedragger]

Add all the shit talking before the fight to build up hype. It seems the fighters are doing this so they get more noticed by the masses.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I never had any interest in it and never will.

It's been boring all along.

 

[Thebobo]

I'm pleased to say i've never watched more than a few minutes of ufc, ever, or mma in general.

Go me.

Me to but then again I don't see the pleasure in grown men beating each other up I got over that in Jr High. Even the Romans some 2000 years ago had the wisdom to stop it.

 

[waggy]

personally i like it. a good technical bout is exciting to me. though a good slugfest is just as exciting.

I thought michada fight was great. I couldn't believe moose was standing after those headkicks.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

personally i like it. a good technical bout is exciting to me. though a good slugfest is just as exciting.

I thought michada fight was great. I couldn't believe moose was standing after those headkicks.

I love the technical stuff too. Pretty much why I love watching Mayweather fight but something's happened to the UFC and I've pretty much lost all interest. Maybe no exciting big names to start controversy or to make it interesting with personality.

 

[manly]

Bare-handed would mean no face punching or no fighting in the US (which tends to follow Nevada State Athletic Association rules).

IMHO, as the skill level of fighter increases, there's a natural progression towards a more defensive fighting style. When people are strong enough to knock you out with both hands and both shins, and speed & accuracy are at higher levels than ever before, people will naturally focus on defense. Doesn't make for as exciting matches, but it's not surprising.

although most UFC fighters are perhaps criminally underpaid, the big money for the name fighters probably has influenced their strategy. You see highly successful guys like GSP and Benson Henderson, who have fairly different styles, routinely go the distance fight after fight. You have to take some chances to get a finish and some of the successful guys in recent years just aren't as willing to do that.

As others have mentioned, the nearly weekly events has probably diluted the quality of the "product" as well.

 

[waggy]

although most UFC fighters are perhaps criminally underpaid, the big money for the name fighters probably has influenced their strategy. You see highly successful guys like GSP and Benson Henderson, who have fairly different styles, routinely go the distance fight after fight. You have to take some chances to get a finish and some of the successful guys in recent years just aren't as willing to do that.

As others have mentioned, the nearly weekly events has probably diluted the quality of the "product" as well.

i think you nailed it. fighters make more once champion. not just in the UFC but commercials, movies etc. why blow that to fight a exciting fight when you can out point and out strike them? when you are talking millions extra that influences how you fight.

 

[Pantlegz]

I agree, the last 2 free cards have been awful. Their whatever subscription they're trying to push doesn't really seem like a great idea considering how uneventful a majority of the fights are anyway.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

I just think the lower tier fighters are just that good now, all are well rounded and have studied defense extensively.