Author: Chris Alfaro

UFC on Fox: Why Dana White and Co. Are Making a Huge Mistake

After a strong debut on network television in November, Dana White and the UFC a gearing up for their deal with Fox to more fully play out. Dozens of events are in the works for next year across several networks in the Fox family.It looks lik…

After a strong debut on network television in November, Dana White and the UFC a gearing up for their deal with Fox to more fully play out. Dozens of events are in the works for next year across several networks in the Fox family.

It looks like it’s going to be a great partnership.

There is one stumbling block, though—Fuel TV.

Fuel TV is set to be the home of all things UFC. From UFC unleashed, to prelims and even full events, Fuel is set to make more than a quarter of their programming UFC-related.

The problem is most people don’t get the channel.

A quick search of any article relating to Fuel on Bleacher Report will show the same thing. People don’t get Fuel TV. It’s understandable because few television providers even offer it.

As of today, Fuel is only available in about 26 million homes across America. That number is paltry compared to Fox and FX. It’s small even compared to the UFC’s old home, Spike TV.

The decision to hold so much of their content on Fuel means that many fans are going to be left out of the loop. Prelims that were once easily and readily accessible to anyone on Facebook are moving to a niche channel. Full fight cards will be lost to many fans.

If the UFC really wants to grow its business, the only way to do it is to make as many fights available to as many people as possible. Moving so much content to Fuel is hindering that goal.

Give as an alternative online or push to get Fuel TV in more homes.

It’s your move, Mr. White.

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UFC Predictions: Who Will Hold the Titles at Each Weight Class in 2012?

As 2011 winds down, UFC fans can look back on an excellent year full of great matchups and exciting fights.Naturally, as the year winds down, with only one big event left, eyes turn toward the horizon. After an exciting year, 2012 looks like …

As 2011 winds down, UFC fans can look back on an excellent year full of great matchups and exciting fights.

Naturally, as the year winds down, with only one big event left, eyes turn toward the horizon. After an exciting year, 2012 looks like it could be even better with more cards, more fights and even a new weight class to look forward to.

So with all the excitement next year is sure to bring, lets take a look at the most sought-after prize in MMA.

Who will be wearing UFC gold in the coming year?

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UFC 140: Why Jones Versus Silva and Other Super-Fights Are Pointless

Move over GSP, Anderson Silva has a new super-fight that everyone is clamoring for.Jon Jones has been nothing short of phenomenal in his UFC career thus far. He has destroyed opponents left and right and torn through the light heavyweight division and …

Move over GSP, Anderson Silva has a new super-fight that everyone is clamoring for.

Jon Jones has been nothing short of phenomenal in his UFC career thus far. He has destroyed opponents left and right and torn through the light heavyweight division and made it look easy.

While it’s too early to say for certain, Jon Jones’ success inside the octagon has mirrored that of long reigning middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Both men have stepped in to fight the best of the best and defeated them all.

Isn’t it time they fight and decide who is the greatest?

Absolutely not.

Anderson Silva and Jon Jones have both been dominant champions, but pitting them against one another would prove nothing. Anderson Silva has spent almost all of his career fighting at middleweight while Jon Jones has spent his entire career as a light heavyweight.

People argue that Silva has moved up to light heavyweight before and that moving up permanently wouldn’t be a big change. While Silva has experimented with 205 lb, it was only to prevent himself from taking long layoffs.

Silva has all but cleaned out the 185 pound division and jumped up twice to keep himself active while allowing time for a clear-cut number one contender to emerge.

Jones, on the other hand, still has a few true light heavyweight challenges left in Rashad Evans, Dan Henderson and potentially Phil Davis and Alexander Gustafsson down the line.

Simply put, if Silva even wanted to move up, he’d still have to wait for Jones to finish beating the best in the division.

Weight classes were introduced into MMA to make things fair, putting two men of similar size against one another. While there are those who choose to fight above their natural weight class, Randy Couture and Frankie Edgar specifically, there is no reason to force successful fighters to face unfair competition.

Even if Silva did move up, what would that prove? That a larger, stronger 205 pound fighter can defeat a smaller 185 pounder? Or that Jon Jones, the future of MMA, can be defeated by someone half his size and twice his age?

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UFC Flyweight Division and the Ultimate Fighter Season That Should Be

Last Summer Dana White was quoted as saying that he wanted to bring a flyweight division to the UFC. Last Saturday he made good on that promise, announcing the first fights in the new weight class would be scheduled for March 4th in Sydney, Australia.T…

Last Summer Dana White was quoted as saying that he wanted to bring a flyweight division to the UFC. Last Saturday he made good on that promise, announcing the first fights in the new weight class would be scheduled for March 4th in Sydney, Australia.

The news is great for fans and fighters alike, as it means another new division with brand new faces, new challengers and new opportunities for great match-ups. The smallest division in MMA will finally be given the recognition it deserves. Not to mention a new title that could headline future cards.

The problem is, adding weight classes is difficult. The featherweight and bantamweight classes have struggled to gain traction despite many great fights. With the casual fan, awareness of the two new weight classes is still low.

Until The Ultimate Fighter 14 premiered, that is. Featuring featherweights and bantamweights, TUF 14 produced great fights and was one of the most interesting seasons yet. John Dodson and Diego Brandao proved to be great fighters in winning the show and will certainly be marketable attractions to future cards. 

If the UFC really wants to bring the flyweight class to the UFC sooner rather than later, why not give them immediate exposure through TUF? Introducing a new weight class through the reality series would allow fans to get to know these new fighters and help them care about the weight class as it’s being built.

Holding the season early on into the weight class’s life will allow a huge injection of talent adding depth to the roster right out of the gate. Fighters who have struggled to gain recognition outside the UFC could become household names in just 12 weeks and bring more eyes to the division as it grows.

While season 15 has already been set as welterweights and lightweights the opportunity is still there. Let season 16 be all about the flyweights. Give them and the new division the attention that they rightfully deserve.

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