Issue 122

December 2014

This is your page to tell us what you think of all things Fighters Only and MMA. Get your feelings off your chest where it really matters – in print! Send us your best pictures with your favorite fighters, or copies of FO, and we’ll print them too. 

TALENT SHOW

I recently came up with a theory about the UFC’s talent scouting strategy when watching one of the Fight Night cards. I’m not sure it’s right but I’m still going to throw it out there.

As I’m sure we’ve all seen, it’s not like everyone debuting in the UFC is all that good. Some fighters, especially based on the fights you can see of theirs before they sign, are clearly lacking in striking, wrestling or jiu-jitsu. That’s not fault-finding that’s just being honest – I’m sure they’ll plug those gaps with time.

What’s interesting is that while all of them will have been doing well outside the UFC even with those limited skills, it’s not like the UFC’s matchmakers are blind to these people’s shortcomings. So why do they sign someone who can’t throw a proper punch, or compete on the ground?

Here’s my theory: if they don’t sign a hyped but raw fighter now, in a few fights time a competitor promotion like Bellator will. In those shallower, less skilled divisions, these fighters have a chance of cleaning house and becoming a name. 

In a few years a couple might even be a draw and then everyone’s saying how they could beat the UFC’s champion. Problem is, they’ve now got ‘organisation xyz’s title so they’re tied into that promotion and the UFC can’t sign them. They’d likely lose if they ever did come over, but now a prospect has become a headache.

If the UFC just takes a chance on that up-and-comer, like it’s doing now, it’s a win-win. Either they beat people and become a force, or they lose and get dropped. From there, even if they get to be massive in another promotion the argument for saying they’ll beat the UFC champion is weaker because they never made it in the UFC in the first place. Now they’re less of a headache and less of a draw.

That’s my theory. Like I say, I’m not even sure I believe it’s right myself.

Shawn Heath, via email

READER TWEETS

@jojojoray: I’ve been working so hard at my #BJJ and #MuayThai .....one day .......@FightersOnly

@vitalPTlorna: This season of @UltimateFighter #TUF20 is gona be fierce. Them women are bad asses!

@__James1: Watching Silva vs Arlovski, crowd reaction to ‘It’s time’ is the best I’ve ever heard, amazing! @brucebuffer knows how to get a crowd going!

@ruminski666: @danawhite a awesome co main for ufc 183 Andrei arlovski vs junior dos santos and co co main thiago Alves vs Carlos Condit

@TheOnlyJBarton: People talk about glass jaws in the UFC, nothing to be ashamed of. Try having a 18 stone man pounding your jaw. You’d go down haha.

FIGHT TWEETS

@Roxyfighter

This is 2nd day in a row I woke up w/ “American Pie” stuck in my head. Usually only MY entrance theme gets burned into my mind. @TaraLaRosa

@realDonaldTrump

Does anybody notice that Atlantic City lost its magic after I left years ago. I had the big boxing, introduced UFC (ask Dana), the best shows

@joerogan

RIP Joan Rivers. A real comic to the very end.

@PendredMMA 

Arlovski back as a legit contender in the UFC heavyweight division.... I feel like I’ve gone back 10 years in time!!

@CarlaEsparza1

Wow!! The @UltimateFighter 20 had the best ratings of a fall season premiere on ANY network since 2009!!!