MMA Gospel

Trick or treat!

So, the biggest MMA news of the week is the merger between the UFC and the WEC. People seemed a lot more shocked by this than I was. After all, both companies are owned by Zuffa, LLC. This merger was inevitable. Dana White has said in the past that the main reason for keeping the two separate was the fact that Spike TV had a deal with the UFC and Versus had a deal with the WEC. I’m not sure what was worked out to make this no longer an issue. But the signs were there when UFC began having Fight Nights on Versus. It makes sense for Versus since the UFC is a much bigger name but Spike’s motivation isn’t so clear. My theory is that since the WEC and some of its star fighters like Urijah Faber, Jose Aldo, Miguel Torres, Ben  Henderson and, more recently, Anthony Pettis have become bankable names, Spike feels it’s worth it to have those fighters on their network. Basically, Spike gets to showcase those fighters and Versus gets the UFC brand recognition. The question is whether it is good for the fighters and MMA fans. The overwhelming consensus is yes. The fighters get more money and more exposure -which also equals more money in endorsements. The merger of the overlapping 155lb. divisions makes for more potential match-ups and fighters at 155 in the UFC who may be more suited for 145 can now move down to that weight class without losing the bigger pay day and exposure that fighting in the UFC offers. Former WEC fighters will now be entitled to UFC Pay-Per-View pay scale. So for the fighters it seems almost entirely good – aside from some of the weaker of the merged 155lb. division being cut, but I think most of those fighters are probably the aforementioned ones who would be better suited for 145 and will likely make the cut and fight there. Most fans seem to see it as a positive thing. Overall I do as well. I will miss the WEC. They almost always had amazing cards – for free, no less! However, it stands to reason that drawing from a bigger talent pool will make the UFC cards higher quality overall. Sorry, I have no jokes about this… But hey, keep reading, I’m giving away a DVD you entitled bastards! Continue reading »