Issue 112

March 2014

FRANK SHAMROCK

Former UFC and Strikeforce champion 

23-10-2

YES

Bellator should definitely ditch the tournament format in my opinion. It worked for them initially, but it’s old and dated now. It’s no longer what the fans want to see and I believe it’s holding them back. It’s all about the show and keeping people entertained, and they’re learning that rematches create greater interest with both fans and media than simply promoting tournament winners who could well be pretty much unknown to even the biggest fans. The tournament format is just old hat in 2014. It’s time for them to evolve and grow.

PETE SPRATT

Welterweight veteran and TUF 4 contestant

25-23

NO

They should stick with what they’re doing. It’s what has been working for them since they began promoting shows. It’s a little different from the UFC’s format and any of the other organizations’ formats and by doing this tournament thing it has helped get them on the map. If they took a title shot away from me and went with a rematch that wasn’t deserved then I’d be pretty p**sed about it. No one likes being passed over, especially if they fully deserve their reward. Let Bellator be Bellator.

What you had to say on the matter...

NO

“Bellator should keep the tourney format. It is one of the few things that keep them unique.”

@BHOOPER28 

YES

“They should. There are so many amendments to their old format. Short tournament. Rematch. The tournament has lost its appeal.”

@GUMBYVREELAND 

NO

“The tournament format is part of their branding. Scrap it and they will have no identity.”

@MISTER_SMALLS 

NO

“Not all together but have one or two tournaments a year, it’s too hard to follow them all. They should do 1 for the 170 title.”

@GEAROIDDELANEY