Floyd Mayweather is the top combat sports draw hands down. The undefeated boxer is a showman and masterful performer. The fighters of the UFC could certainly learn a thing or two from him.
Love him or hate him, the level of which he has risen cannot be denied, and that is what all combat sports athletes strive to be.
Where UFC fighters can learn the most from Mayweather is in the promotion department.
The UFC’s brand is the most valuable thing attached to a card. That is great for the organization, but it can take away from the fighters themselves. If they make themselves more of a drawing power, they will see more zeros attached to their checks.
Thus far, Chael Sonnen seems to be the first that has truly grasped that fights need to be sold. Some fans have grown tired of his shtick, but the fact remains his talking leads to more interest and more buys.
Mayweather is a master promoter.
“Money” is a polarizing figure that fans either love or love to hate. That polarization makes him a big draw. The fans that dislike him still buy his fights in the hopes that he will lose, but they won’t miss his fight.
His fighting style is not the typical style of a top draw. The defensive master does not knock his opponents out left and right, but rather takes them to Boxing 101 classes for 12 rounds. Fans grow weary round after round, but they continue to come back for more. Why? Because Mayweather knows how to sell himself.
Thanks to HBO’s 24/7 and Showtime’s All Access, Mayweather has been able to let people behind the scenes in the lead-up to the fights.
The UFC has tried this with Primetime, but it has not captured the attention of fans in the same way. Part of that is production, but the other part is fighters not being comfortable with that aspect of the sport.
The UFC fighters that can learn the most from Mayweather are the lighter weight classes. From flyweight to lightweight, those fighters have yet to force themselves to the top of the card with credible drawing power.
Mayweather is similar in stature to those fighters, but he makes himself seem larger than life.
Money is a character that transcends. No one looks at him on television and thinks of him as being a 146-pound boxer. He is a giant. He is a promotional giant. He is not defined by his size. His ability to sell a fight makes him equal to a heavyweight.
The lighter weight classes are still struggling to find an audience in the UFC, and until someone steps up to the plate, they likely will continue to have trouble drawing in the UFC. The organization needs a Mayweather to come along for those divisions. They need a star to sell those fights.
The lighter weights are fun to watch. However, you often have to tune in to the Facebook prelims to watch them.
On the whole, the UFC could do with having a Mayweather figure. They need the promotional assistance. The brand can only carry them so far. Having a huge draw is mutually beneficial.
Who knows, maybe the UFC can bring in Money for a seminar at the next UFC Fighter Summit.
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