Joe Silva’s departure will shake up the matchmaking situation for the UFC.
For the first time in over 20 years, UFC matchmaking won’t be primarily on the shoulders of Joe Silva in just a few months. The promotion’s longtime matchmaker will be retiring from his duties soon after the UFC’s purchase by WME-IMG, and that will lead to expanded roles for the man he used to share the job with. It also means the UFC is bringing in someone new.
According to Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting, Sean Shelby will assume the position of Senior Vice President of Talent Relations. He was already in charge pretty much everything at 145 pounds and below before. That will continue – he will book both women’s divisions along with men’s bantamweight and featherweight, but will assume the booking of lightweight and welterweight as well.
In Silva’s place, the promotion has hired former Legacy FC owner/president Mick Maynard as the Vice President of Talent Relations. He will book 185 pounds and above, along with flyweight.
This just one of the latest changes since the purchase. WME-IMG has laid off quite a few employees, including the heads of most of their international offices, in the last couple of weeks as well.