Comments on: Rebuilding the Heavyweight Division http://www.mmaopinion.com/blog/2008/02/18/rebuilding-the-heavyweight-division-zuffas-attempt-or-lack-there-of-to-recover-from-disaster/ MMA Opinion and Cheap MMA Gear Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:45:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Josh Stein http://www.mmaopinion.com/blog/2008/02/18/rebuilding-the-heavyweight-division-zuffas-attempt-or-lack-there-of-to-recover-from-disaster/comment-page-1/#comment-317 Josh Stein Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:07:55 +0000 http://www.mmaopinion.com/2008/02/18/rebuilding-the-heavyweight-division-zuffas-attempt-or-lack-there-of-to-recover-from-disaster/#comment-317 Ian, thanks for the comment. I'd only like to say that I will continue to be critical of Lesnar for alot of reasons. Partially because of the amount of hype that he got for this fight. Partially for the amount of hype he has gotten ever since he even began talking about jumping into the sport. Partially because everyone defends him on the basis of being a great athlete when, in fact, there's been no proof of that conditioning transitioning to the sport. Partially because of the amount of trash he has talked, both in leading up to this fight and just in general. But mostly because his training regimen (as we saw on UFC All Access) was not well put together and anyone with a brain would have told him so. I will not respect the guy until I see some sign that his training is working. I mean, at least Cheick Kongo is working to develop the areas where he sucks. Ian, thanks for the comment. I’d only like to say that I will continue to be critical of Lesnar for alot of reasons. Partially because of the amount of hype that he got for this fight. Partially for the amount of hype he has gotten ever since he even began talking about jumping into the sport. Partially because everyone defends him on the basis of being a great athlete when, in fact, there’s been no proof of that conditioning transitioning to the sport. Partially because of the amount of trash he has talked, both in leading up to this fight and just in general.

But mostly because his training regimen (as we saw on UFC All Access) was not well put together and anyone with a brain would have told him so. I will not respect the guy until I see some sign that his training is working. I mean, at least Cheick Kongo is working to develop the areas where he sucks.

]]> By: Brandt DeLorenzo http://www.mmaopinion.com/blog/2008/02/18/rebuilding-the-heavyweight-division-zuffas-attempt-or-lack-there-of-to-recover-from-disaster/comment-page-1/#comment-314 Brandt DeLorenzo Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:32:41 +0000 http://www.mmaopinion.com/2008/02/18/rebuilding-the-heavyweight-division-zuffas-attempt-or-lack-there-of-to-recover-from-disaster/#comment-314 Ian, don't forget that they have been losing their big guys left and right. Arlovski is gone after his next fight, Cro Cop left (and says he is coming back - we'll see what really happens), and Couture left. Sylvia is a bore, Werdum is a bore, Vera was a bore during his last fight, and Herring has become one dimensional. Big Nog is holding down the fort in regards to heart, skill, and excitement and Frank Mir has done a good job of bringing a good ground game. Those two should fight next, but in regards to Fedor - the UFC needs him to solidify their position as the top in all weight classes. Ian, don’t forget that they have been losing their big guys left and right. Arlovski is gone after his next fight, Cro Cop left (and says he is coming back – we’ll see what really happens), and Couture left. Sylvia is a bore, Werdum is a bore, Vera was a bore during his last fight, and Herring has become one dimensional. Big Nog is holding down the fort in regards to heart, skill, and excitement and Frank Mir has done a good job of bringing a good ground game. Those two should fight next, but in regards to Fedor – the UFC needs him to solidify their position as the top in all weight classes.

]]> By: Ian Bain http://www.mmaopinion.com/blog/2008/02/18/rebuilding-the-heavyweight-division-zuffas-attempt-or-lack-there-of-to-recover-from-disaster/comment-page-1/#comment-313 Ian Bain Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:53:01 +0000 http://www.mmaopinion.com/2008/02/18/rebuilding-the-heavyweight-division-zuffas-attempt-or-lack-there-of-to-recover-from-disaster/#comment-313 I also disagree with the Brock Lesnar statement, the guy for me did a good job but the lack of experience showed on the ground, that just makes it something to work on. Also The UFC have Mark Hunt contracted, hes having a break from MMA but aims to make his UFC mark later this year. I personally think the HW division has good depth, Nogueria, Sylvia, Mir, Arlovski, Herring and Werdum on there day can all give anyone a run for their money. I think your another person who jumps on the bandwagon that they couldn't get Fedor, a guy who hasn't really fought any one that you can consider a top twn fighter in the last 2 years I also disagree with the Brock Lesnar statement, the guy for me did a good job but the lack of experience showed on the ground, that just makes it something to work on.

Also The UFC have Mark Hunt contracted, hes having a break from MMA but aims to make his UFC mark later this year. I personally think the HW division has good depth, Nogueria, Sylvia, Mir, Arlovski, Herring and Werdum on there day can all give anyone a run for their money. I think your another person who jumps on the bandwagon that they couldn’t get Fedor, a guy who hasn’t really fought any one that you can consider a top twn fighter in the last 2 years

]]> By: Josh Stein http://www.mmaopinion.com/blog/2008/02/18/rebuilding-the-heavyweight-division-zuffas-attempt-or-lack-there-of-to-recover-from-disaster/comment-page-1/#comment-291 Josh Stein Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:32:40 +0000 http://www.mmaopinion.com/2008/02/18/rebuilding-the-heavyweight-division-zuffas-attempt-or-lack-there-of-to-recover-from-disaster/#comment-291 To answer your questions first, the UFC didn't lose money on the card, I'm referring to the long term. They lost money because they invested alot of money in signing and hyping Lesnar, and he will not even be considered a top fighter in the division. That is going to turn into a big loss in the long term, because they can't really capitalize on the hype they spent time cultivating, and all of their efforts to legitimize Lesnar are seriously set back. It's not that the UFC doesn't scout well in other divisions. They've certainly brought up tons of great fighters, but they haven't put any of that scouting effort into the heavyweight division. I should mention that neither of the guys you cited are heavyweights. I understand the UFC not dealing with one fighter, but their failure to pick up more than 2 heavyweights in a field of 10 great guys that came out of Pride?!? I consider that a massive failure, and I don't think there's a legit excuse for it. As for Lesnar, I don't see how anyone can think his performance was impressive. He was outclassed and showed that, like we all expected, he has no submission game. I consider that a failure. To answer your questions first, the UFC didn’t lose money on the card, I’m referring to the long term. They lost money because they invested alot of money in signing and hyping Lesnar, and he will not even be considered a top fighter in the division. That is going to turn into a big loss in the long term, because they can’t really capitalize on the hype they spent time cultivating, and all of their efforts to legitimize Lesnar are seriously set back.

It’s not that the UFC doesn’t scout well in other divisions. They’ve certainly brought up tons of great fighters, but they haven’t put any of that scouting effort into the heavyweight division. I should mention that neither of the guys you cited are heavyweights.

I understand the UFC not dealing with one fighter, but their failure to pick up more than 2 heavyweights in a field of 10 great guys that came out of Pride?!? I consider that a massive failure, and I don’t think there’s a legit excuse for it.

As for Lesnar, I don’t see how anyone can think his performance was impressive. He was outclassed and showed that, like we all expected, he has no submission game. I consider that a failure.

]]> By: Vee http://www.mmaopinion.com/blog/2008/02/18/rebuilding-the-heavyweight-division-zuffas-attempt-or-lack-there-of-to-recover-from-disaster/comment-page-1/#comment-289 Vee Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:10:23 +0000 http://www.mmaopinion.com/2008/02/18/rebuilding-the-heavyweight-division-zuffas-attempt-or-lack-there-of-to-recover-from-disaster/#comment-289 Here's some quick notes. Brock Lesnar failed to impress?!? I think many fans will differ with that opinion. Many people loved that fight. Yeah, maybe you're overreacting, and I wouldn't necessarily call it a disaster ... yet. There are many factors involved as to why some fighters are not pursued or signed to the UFC that fans are not privy to. I'll admit I think that they're dropping the ball with Arvloski. This article would have been better if you cited reasons why the UFC are unable to sign some of the aforementioned fighters. In addition to that, you should provide some information about what the organization is currently doing to beef up the heavyweight division. The Fedor situation was a sticky one. Both sides had valid points and arguments. Fedor wanted his deal to encompass his team, the Red Devils. The UFC wanted to exclusively work with Fedor and understandably limit his outside activity, like Sambo competitions. I may be wrong about the points on the Fedor contract - forgive me. Many people fail to recognize that the UFC produces, markets and distributes their product. And as a business they need to protect their brand in some fashion. I don't agree with all their tactics, but they are trying to build a brand. The UFC does not scout well?? I'll provide you with two no-names that provided great performances, Tim Boetsch and Houston Alexander. UFC 81 is reportedly the organization's 3rd highest ranking PPV. How did they lose money? The judging system sucks, but it is a necessary evil need to legitimize the sport with the state sanctioning regulation committees. Here’s some quick notes.

Brock Lesnar failed to impress?!? I think many fans will differ with that opinion. Many people loved that fight. Yeah, maybe you’re overreacting, and I wouldn’t necessarily call it a disaster … yet. There are many factors involved as to why some fighters are not pursued or signed to the UFC that fans are not privy to. I’ll admit I think that they’re dropping the ball with Arvloski.

This article would have been better if you cited reasons why the UFC are unable to sign some of the aforementioned fighters. In addition to that, you should provide some information about what the organization is currently doing to beef up the heavyweight division.

The Fedor situation was a sticky one. Both sides had valid points and arguments. Fedor wanted his deal to encompass his team, the Red Devils. The UFC wanted to exclusively work with Fedor and understandably limit his outside activity, like Sambo competitions. I may be wrong about the points on the Fedor contract – forgive me. Many people fail to recognize that the UFC produces, markets and distributes their product. And as a business they need to protect their brand in some fashion. I don’t agree with all their tactics, but they are trying to build a brand.

The UFC does not scout well?? I’ll provide you with two no-names that provided great performances, Tim Boetsch and Houston Alexander.

UFC 81 is reportedly the organization’s 3rd highest ranking PPV. How did they lose money?

The judging system sucks, but it is a necessary evil need to legitimize the sport with the state sanctioning regulation committees.

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