It’s about time. After years of operating the WEC as a little brother organization to the UFC, Zuffa has finally decided to do the sensible thing and bring all its fighters under one roof. It was a long wait, but at least it’s over.
The way UFC president Dana White tells it, this was all about timing. It was the perfect plan and now is the perfect time to implement it. Then again, White’s never been afraid to indulge in a little revisionist history when it suits him, so take that explanation with a grain of salt.
The truth is, the WEC has long suffered from the same branding problem that every other competing MMA organization has faced. To many casual fans, the UFC is MMA. That’s great for the industry leader, but not so great for little brother. That’s why, as exciting as the WEC fights have been, ratings have lagged.