[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by Simplex3

IMO the UFC is trying to make it over the hump. Get past third teir sport and into second teir. That's going to take a load of cash and being highly organized. Right now Dana White has them on the right track and The Ultimate Fighter was a stroke of sheer brilliance. If the best fighters will just stick it out for a few more years in the UFC so they can solidify that second-teir sport status I think they'll all get paid just fine. I can see the UFC replacing boxing in the next 5 years. Boxing is in such a state of disarray it's ripe for being picked off.

Also, I think the rules in the UFC are there to protect the fighters. The UFC can't afford a skull fracture or God forbid a ring death right now. The few striking rules they have seem pretty sane to me.

IMO you'll eventually see MMA as the new boxing, with three or so championship belts. The UFC belt, the Pride belt, etc. You'll see fighters trying to combine the belts. I don't think that is what's best for the sport but I think that's where it's headed.

I agree the Ultimate Fighter idea was brilliant, just look at how many more people are talking about MMA on this board since it started. I like Pride rules though so I hope that is what we end up with. The only reason they went overboard with it was because of meathead McCain was trying to shut down all MMA in this country. I love it when they thank him for helping them set up the UFC it goes up his ass a mile.

I don't think that pissing on everyone is the answer to getting over the top though. JMO From kicking out the media that helped build you to cutting off any sponsors of these fighters to cutting the microphone off when fighters start talking about their contracts I just don't see that as a wise move.

As far as different belts are concerned I think it's all good I just wish we could have a standard set of rules and obviously I think Pride has it right. Kicking and kneeing to the head is a big part of a real fight. You have to admit watching the fights I posted would be awesome and I don't know how seeing them could be a bad thing.