Issue 130

July 2015

Gareth A Davies, MMA and Boxing Correspondent for The Daily Telegraph, London, UK, on the UFC’s need for more main-event attractions.

The UFC could really do with Conor McGregor defeating José Aldo in July. I write this without bias towards the Irishman. I’m undecided on how that contest plays out in actual fact, although in my gut, given how well the featherweight champion Aldo counters, I feel the belt will most likely stay with Brazil.

But if McGregor can pull it off him – athletically, rather than symbolically as he did in that hilariously disrespectful moment in Dublin – the UFC is on to a winner, especially over in Europe. It needs it, too, right now. After all, McGregor is the only crossover star within touching distance of UFC gold. 

If he does succeed, McGregor should be ordered by the UFC to tour the UK, belt in hand. He’d become a huge star across the Atlantic where, right now, he’s being milked solely in Ireland. As a belt owner, he should be adopted and presented as the UFC’s European spokesman athlete. After all, just look what he has created on home soil – and indeed across some states in the US already.

Elsewhere in Europe, UFC championship momentum has slowed. I’m harking back to the heady days of Michael Bisping and Dan Hardy, even Paul Daley, being talked about, and in some cases, challenging for belts.

Consider the moves for the best in Europe right now. Alex Gustafsson has been nullified, rendering Sweden’s play in the belt stakes obsolete for at least another 12 months; Poland’s Joanna Jedrzejczyk is a champion, yes, but nowhere near crossing over into national television chat shows.

Veteran middleweight Bisping will never get his shot at the belt all of Europe was, at one stage, desperate for him to achieve. While elsewhere, contenders like Jimi Manuwa, who’s recovering from knee surgery, and Joanne Calderwood, riding a losing streak, are still some way off.

But this goes for the broader spread of the UFC, too, further afield than just Europe. Along with Anderson Silva’s departure through his failed tests, and Jon Jones’ recent misdemeanors, the UFC really has lost a serious star base – at least for now. 

I’m not saying there aren’t brilliant fighters out there, but those fighters with a belt, or near to challenging for it, and the X Factor to go along with it outside the Octagon, are few and far between.

However much some fans and fighters bemoan the ‘stars’ talking their way into fights, the love/hate factor with the fans – and other athletes – does genuinely count. That’s why McGregor is where he is – at the same superstar status as Ronda Rousey.

But, face facts, ‘Rowdy’, right now, is the only UFC champion readily recognizable as a crossover star. That’s why the organization needs McGregor to shine and replace the non-English speaking veteran champion. The Octagon needs new superstar champions to attract new fans.

PEPSI CHALLENGE

With the UFC mining its roster for the next generation of stars, Bellator is one step ahead – in terms of European talent at least. Light heavyweight champion Liam McGeary may be based in New York, but was born in England and heads up a solid wrecking crew of Brits making waves with the promotion.

And with moves onto free terrestrial TV planned for the UK market already, Bellator events are about to take a huge step forward in terms of reaching global fans, with their breakthrough Brits well positioned to help move the needle.

CEO Scott Coker knows what fans want and has run a successful MMA promotion before when he took Strikeforce to the number two spot globally before selling to the UFC. And he believes the stronger Bellator becomes, the stronger the industry does too. And I have to agree with him.

“Bellator is back in a big way and Viacom and Channel 5 (UK broadcast television network) have committed to showing the fights over there (the UK),” he told FO.

“Coca Cola needs a Pepsi,” he adds, in reference to the competition between the UFC and the fight organization he now runs. “The people need a choice. I really believe that’s what keeps the industry healthy.

“Viacom and Spike TV’s commitment to MMA proves that once again our sport is going to continue to grow and thrive.” The principle is right.

HALL OF FAME

The idea of a physical UFC Hall of Fame gets me excited. I’ve visited the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, in the past and it’s wonderful to be there on induction day with a motorcade and thousands of fans.

It’s all well and good knowing we have Hall of Famers in the UFC. But to be able to, perhaps, walk into a giant Octagon and watch a re-run of Chuck Liddell’s greatest moments, or to see the great fighters’ artifacts in a museum will mean so much more.

Perhaps the UFC could even introduce a Hall of Fame Day eventually, during International Fight Week perhaps. A day when we simply celebrate the best there have been, and never forget them. 

A UFC Hall of Fame museum in Las Vegas is a brilliant idea. And I’ll be in that queue on opening day.