Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva’s rematch at UFC 147 was mildly entertaining, but in the grand scheme of things, it was pointless. The best thing about the UFC is that the titles actually mean something.
It’s not like boxing where being the biggest names is all that matters, and there’s more titles being thrown around than there are punches. That said, each main event of a pay-per-view should have some effect on the title picture.
Win or lose, spectacular or boring, the winner of Franklin-Silva II is not in any title picture. Both of these warriors are past their prime, and they wouldn’t be considered top five fighters in any practical weight class they fought in.
This was a main event that should have been on FX or Fuel TV.
It’s not to put those networks down, but the UFC has routinely had its second-tier, but intriguing bouts on those networks.
In my opinion a pay-per-view main event should land in one of two categories:
It should be for a title, for the right to fight for a title, or at least to gain significant placement in the title picture. When none of those things are in play, and it’s the final bout of the day, I’m left wondering why.
I understand the UFC keeps a steady diet of content flowing to its customers, but I don’t enjoy the one good-one bad pay-per-view schedule.
Most MMA fans are looking forward to UFC 148. It features the rematch of Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen, and it’s for Silva’s title. Now that’s a main event, Franklin-Silva II is not, but it follows the predictable pattern.
I wondered what would happen if fans started buying every other event?
It’s certainly a thought.
Perhaps there should be fewer pay-per-views, or at least a significantly decreased amount for obviously inferior cards. The two legends fought their hearts out, but Franklin-Silva II would have been better if I hadn’t paid $45 bucks for it.
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