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WEC and UFC to merge

7K views 115 replies 61 participants last post by  MMA-Matt 
#1 ·
#68 ·
WEC/UFC merge is a cheap fix and bad for other UFC division's

There are some good points to this merge, but I don't think they out weight the bad, for one I like the merger of the LW divisions, the LW division at WEC seems so pointless somehow anyway so I dont feel like we are loosing much when loosing this division and there is the chance that we could gain a huge amount of depth in the UFC LW division and somehow raise the bar of quality in that division which is a good thing, when you look for example at the WEC LW raster, there are some interesting prospects in there, much more so than in this seasons TUF imo, for example in Tiequan Zhang they have a undefeated 25 year old with 17 wins under his belt, amongst others.

As for the introduction of the 2 extra weight divisions, I dont like this at all, I would much sooner they phase this merge in stages, starting with the merge of the LW division before bringing in the BW and FW.

Only reason I dont like the idea of the UFC hosting 2 extra divisions right now is lack of shows to display the other extra fights, I know they are planning on increasing the number of shows per year but still I would sooner then use these extra fights to add depth to the weight classes they already host instead of taking away from the rest of the divisions which is what this merger will do as focus is spread out more.

I think the UFC should aim to bring these weight classes in at some point, but right now I think its too soon, and doing so will cause a knock on effect that will have a negative impact every other division except LW, I would sooner they hold out until they can run 52 shows per year, 1 every week without fail before they bring in the extra weight classes, during this time they should use the extra shows they are hosting anyway to add depth to the other divisions in the UFC especially LHW and HW even MW where the depth is really needed the most.

Also this would give time for the WEC to to increase depth in the FW and BW divisions before the merge, they could use fighters at risk of been cut from the added depth of the LW division coming out of the merge of the LW divisions who can cut the weight to do this once the WEC looses its own LW division it will also be able to give more air time to just the FW and BW division as raise some new stars with it before it becomes part of the UFC.

when you look at the facts I believe that a lot of the focus will now turn to the LW division over the next year due to the added depth and to weave out the lesser fights in that division to create a higher array of talented fights there, also I believe the FW and BM divisions will grow with fighters cutting weight from LW as the level raises in the LW division, but this extra focus will turn focus away from the other divisions, maybe WW will not suffer because those who cant cut may well move up, but MW LHW and HW will suffer as the focus swings, and if you ask me its the heaver weights that have taken the biggest hits recently specially LHW and a re more in need of extra depth right now than the LW division.

This just seems like an easy way out of having to sign and scout for heavier fights when they can just fill there cards with new divisions we can watch anyway at WEC, just look at this season TUF for example, why they are again in the LW division is beyond me even without knowing that WEC was merging in, and now my disbelieve is double since they are going to have a wealth of new fighters in that division to choose from, but it does show how focus is more been turned to the LW division while the other divisions are been ignored and even cut down in size to accommodate.
 
#79 ·
There are some good points to this merge, but I don't think they out weight the bad, for one I like the merger of the LW divisions, the LW division at WEC seems so pointless somehow anyway so I dont feel like we are loosing much when loosing this division and there is the chance that we could gain a huge amount of depth in the UFC LW division and somehow raise the bar of quality in that division which is a good thing, when you look for example at the WEC LW raster, there are some interesting prospects in there, much more so than in this seasons TUF imo, for example in Tiequan Zhang they have a undefeated 25 year old with 17 wins under his belt, amongst others.

As for the introduction of the 2 extra weight divisions, I dont like this at all, I would much sooner they phase this merge in stages, starting with the merge of the LW division before bringing in the BW and FW.

Only reason I dont like the idea of the UFC hosting 2 extra divisions right now is lack of shows to display the other extra fights, I know they are planning on increasing the number of shows per year but still I would sooner then use these extra fights to add depth to the weight classes they already host instead of taking away from the rest of the divisions which is what this merger will do as focus is spread out more.

I think the UFC should aim to bring these weight classes in at some point, but right now I think its too soon, and doing so will cause a knock on effect that will have a negative impact every other division except LW, I would sooner they hold out until they can run 52 shows per year, 1 every week without fail before they bring in the extra weight classes, during this time they should use the extra shows they are hosting anyway to add depth to the other divisions in the UFC especially LHW and HW even MW where the depth is really needed the most.

Also this would give time for the WEC to to increase depth in the FW and BW divisions before the merge, they could use fighters at risk of been cut from the added depth of the LW division coming out of the merge of the LW divisions who can cut the weight to do this once the WEC looses its own LW division it will also be able to give more air time to just the FW and BW division as raise some new stars with it before it becomes part of the UFC.

when you look at the facts I believe that a lot of the focus will now turn to the LW division over the next year due to the added depth and to weave out the lesser fights in that division to create a higher array of talented fights there, also I believe the FW and BM divisions will grow with fighters cutting weight from LW as the level raises in the LW division, but this extra focus will turn focus away from the other divisions, maybe WW will not suffer because those who cant cut may well move up, but MW LHW and HW will suffer as the focus swings, and if you ask me its the heaver weights that have taken the biggest hits recently specially LHW and a re more in need of extra depth right now than the LW division.

This just seems like an easy way out of having to sign and scout for heavier fights when they can just fill there cards with new divisions we can watch anyway at WEC, just look at this season TUF for example, why they are again in the LW division is beyond me even without knowing that WEC was merging in, and now my disbelieve is double since they are going to have a wealth of new fighters in that division to choose from, but it does show how focus is more been turned to the LW division while the other divisions are been ignored and even cut down in size to accommodate.
I agree with you that a merger in stages would have been better for the UFC and that in the long term the UFC would have made more money doing this, as they would have been able to focus more on the new guys coming in at each stage. However this would not be beneficial for Zuffa or the WEC. A gradual merger would mean the WEC first losing its lightweight division. That would leave the WEC with only 2 division to put on fight cards. This simply wouldnt work, let alone when they merge 145 and then they would only have 1 division and 1 title holder to put on cards with.

The UFC management know far more than any of us and I think we sitting here behind our keyboards are not fit to evaluate the situation.

Im pretty sure that the UFC and more importantly Zuffa has made the right decision here.
 
#69 ·
I'm just curious... when would it be time, if now is too soon...

I would make the case that right now is a good time to broaden the exposure of these lighter weight classes because the sport is wildly popular now. Lots of people watch MMA now, moreso than ever before, and its still growing! The lighter weight classes can have some wickedly exciting fights, so why not present that to fans (new MMA fans) who are hungry for more, and may never have seen some of these guys, let alone lighter weight divisions.
 
#73 ·
When they have enough shows, 52 shows a year would be my target before the merge, and these lighter divisions are exposed and there for the fans to watch, just watch the WEC as well its free in fact in the US am I right in thinking, so possibility gets even more exposer.

The only division I think that gets screwed is the guys at LW. If your a LW in the UFC come January every fight your fighting for your job. Eventually they will have to cut down that huge LW roster they will have which is disappointing but obvious.
But at least during this process you raise the bar of quality in the division and are left with a more elite division after the cuts are made.
 
#70 ·
i disagree, the reason you see this problem is because it seems like you consider the lighter divisions minor divisions and less important

so you dont enjoy having to share your large fighters and make room for the lighter fighters, since the beginning of the UFC the focus has always been on the HW, LHW and MW with WW and LW getting love only because of GSP/Hughes and BJ

i think its fair and time now that the lighter divisions get more focus, they need it...theres a reason LHW was the most stacked division, all the attention was on it....lighter divisions need focus now, they are entertaining and have amazing fighters...and amazing fighters to still be signed, 1 year focusing on lighter divisions i would say is due

though even though there will be a bigger focus i dont think it will take aways as much as you think of the bigger divisions, DW knows HW and LHW are the biggest draws...sure there will be more spread out fights but im guessing the number of actual fighters per division will stay as they are now or even rise...
 
#72 ·
The only division I think that gets screwed is the guys at LW. If your a LW in the UFC come January every fight your fighting for your job. Eventually they will have to cut down that huge LW roster they will have which is disappointing but obvious.
 
#77 ·
I think we are going to get 35 shows next year (as opposed to the 24 this year) and for me that is plenty of room to fit in the 2 extra weight classes.

The fact is Aldo, Cruz, Brown, Faber, Henderson and all those guys are in their prime atm its the perfect time to bring them over to a more mainstream audience and give them exposure.

As Dana said the WEC guys coming over to the UFC isn't a move to make the Zuffa product smaller. It's just the start of making everything much much bigger.
 
#81 ·
Less Non-Title Fight Cards With Merger?

For me, the fights are always more exciting when a title is on the line, it just is.

And this year seems to have the most non-title fight headliners I've ever seen.

Dana always says the fighters should fight 3 times a year. With the 5 existing champions, that should be 15 cards a year with title fights. But that's never the case is it?

2 more champs at different divisions SHOULD make each card finally have a belt on the line...

That's good news, right? Or will it be more of the same...
 
#83 ·
For me, the fights are always more exciting when a title is on the line, it just is.

And this year seems to have the most non-title fight headliners I've ever seen.

Dana always says the fighters should fight 3 times a year. With the 5 existing champions, that should be 15 cards a year with title fights. But that's never the case is it?

2 more champs at different divisions SHOULD make each card finally have a belt on the line...

That's good news, right? Or will it be more of the same...

More fighters = more fights! Title fights or non-title fights!....
Just more!!!
 
#82 · (Edited)
#84 ·
My big fear is that we'll start having guys fighting for the title after one or two PPV fights. I think part of the joy of the UFC is seeing a fully functional division with races/contention for the titles. We likely lose that with two more weight classes.
 
#89 ·
I think this was a big part of why they did the merger. By adding 2 more divisions now and the 125lb shortly after they should have enough divisions to always have a title fight at the UFC### events (unless the champ gets hurt right before the fight or something).
I think the other big reason for the merger is to get more buyrates from the smaller divisions. WEC 48 Aldo vs Faber was a great card and got over a million views from its free prelims, but only did about 200,000 pay per view buys. I bet if that card had said UFC### instead of UFC presents Aldo vs Faber and possibly thrown in a few heavier division fights on it, it would of done a lot better even though Aldo and Faber hadn't fought in the UFC before.
 
#103 ·
So where is the good news about now having to pay for BW and FW title fights on PPV UFC cards as main events, when you used to get them for free on WEC cards, imo FW and BW title fights are not worthy of hosting a PPV card main event, they should be nothign more than co-main events, it just means less fights from the other weights and now you will have to pay to see the title fights that you would of been able to see for free

Its unfortunate that so many are so blind to see the knock on effects this will have on the progression of the sport and upper weight classes by not having the air time to support the up and coming fighters in the UFC in upper weights because instead we will be drowned with watching the lower weights all the time, at least where the lower card fights and prelims are concerned, instead all they can see is "Yipee we get to see Aldo in the UFC", short sighted idiots.
 
#92 ·
I think what this really amounts to is no longer having those 1 or 2 stinkers on the PPV card. Say goodbye to fights like Tibau/Neer, Rothwell/Yvel and so on and so forth.

There are more intriguing matchups and better talent at the ready to stack the main card with. And I don't see how anyone could be opposed to that.
 
#101 ·
i prefer 5 weight classes, 7 is too much, and yes dana said he will get 125 in eventually sdo thats 8, plus if they spplit the hw div thats a whopping 9, how will any1 make their name on a big card.
 
#108 ·
why are people complaining saying that there's to many divisions in the UFC etc. things will be exactly the same except the WEC will now be called UFC, Plus the FW and BW put on the best fights out of any divisions. With out a doubt i bet we see majority of the the fight bonuses go to the these divisions, WEC was the greatest promotion on earth in terms of pure entertainment they just lacked recognition so its only going to make the UFC that much more fun imo.
 
#111 ·
They are adding more cards it isn't going to make any of the divisions weaker. How has LHW taken huge hits in its depth? Temporary injuries aren't indicative of a division getting weaker. Bones, Bader, and Davis are three of the best prospects in the sport and they are all at LHW in the UFC.
 
#112 ·
It's all good news as far as I'm concerned; well, other than the unfortunate LW's that are going to lose their jobs anyway. In the UK we don't get to see the lighter weightclasses on TV, we have to seek the fights online, which I personally didn't enjoy. So the fact we will now get exposed to more of these lighter weight guys is only a good thing. It's also great news for the large majority of the fights, especially those in the FW and BW divisions. The likes of Jose Aldo, Urijah Faber, Benson Henderson, Miguel Torres, Dominick Cruz, Joseph Benavidez, Brian Bowles, Mike Brown etc etc will now become far more popular and be making UFC money.

Then you've got the fact that these lighter weight fights are always damn entertaining. Leonard Garcia vs Chan Sung Jung is one of the greatest fights I've ever seen, and every big WEC fight I've managed to watch has lived up to the hype. I already love watching the lightweight division in the UFC, so to have the 145 and 135 pounders on the UFC cards is fantastic news. I don't personally see how anyone could complain. We're getting to see more fights under the UFC banner, more weight classes, it's more exposure and in-turn more money for the lighter weight guys and the chances of seeing the Aldo-Penn/Edgar/Florian superfights is increased.

I don't agree with the suggestion that this is a quick fix from the UFC which has come about due to them being unable to sign fresh talent either. The UFC have signed LOADS of new talent in the last year, just because they've been unable to sign guys like Mousasi, Lawal, Overeem and Fedor, who are still under SF contract, and have been for the last year doesn't mean they're not strengthening divisions. Hell, in the last 2 cards we've seen the UFC debuts of Fabio Maldonado, Jake Shields, Paul Sass, Rob Broughton, Dong Yi Yang and the full UFC debuts of Court McGee and Chris Camozzi. The UFC are expanding their divisions, and do have the large majority of the talent worldwide. This is NOT a quick fix. It's something that's been in the pipeline for a long time, and a move that makes a lot of sense. I love it, and can't wait till January when we see the first of the lighterweight fights in the UFC.
 
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#113 ·
I see the LW and the FW divisions getting a lot more stacked because of this. The UFC fighters that can't hack it at LW can move down to FW, and top FW fighters can move up to LW. I just want to see a WEC vs. UFC unifier fight. Henderson vs. Edgar/Maynard would be awesome.
 
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