Last night (Fedor) is when MMA is fun

[FrankieNYC]

Fedor beating a well past his Prime frank Mir shouldn't mean much, but because people love the Fedor aura, it is a huge deal.
Things that bring out the passion in MMA fans (in a positive way) are great for the sport & fun to witness.
Not as much on here, but I see people wondering if Fedor could beat Stipe now.
Obviously that is pretty silly, but as long as uber-fans are positive it makes for a fun time.

It would be great if Fedor can have a mini-run like George Foreman did in his later years.

Too many MMA fans like to be negative, Fedor winning brings out the positive & the fun.

My only concern is Chael going over-board with 30+ year old WWF heal promos.
If he keeps it to "I will be the man to retire Fedor ..." & does it humorous, the build will be great.

As an MMA fan, its nice to see people having fun again.
Hopefully the ratings are killer

 

[Ted Williams' head]

The question I have is whether or not this is a sustainable plan for Bellator going forward, relying on these aging former stars to headline their cards. I agree, it's fun as hell, especially for us die hard MMA fans who were watching when Fedor was the unstoppable cyborg.

I definitely think these matches have a place, but I feel like it should be to draw attention to your young, home grown stars that you will be moving forward with. Put Fedor/Mir as the co-main event to Michael Chandler/Girtz. I dunno, it just feels like they're leaning on these old guys, which is fun, but you're essentially using valuable promotion time/energy to pump up guys who may only have 1 or 2 fights left.

 

[Enock-O-Lypse Now!]

 

[Enock-O-Lypse Now!]

War Fedor!

 

[KWingJitsu]

Pride neva die.

 

[Wild]

Great thread Frankie. Agree with everything you said. Last night had that prime Strikeforce feel to it, and that's a good thing for Bellator (and MMA).

 

[CLINTK9]

The question I have is whether or not this is a sustainable plan for Bellator going forward, relying on these aging former stars to headline their cards. I agree, it's fun as hell, especially for us die hard MMA fans who were watching when Fedor was the unstoppable cyborg.

I definitely think these matches have a place, but I feel like it should be to draw attention to your young, home grown stars that you will be moving forward with. Put Fedor/Mir as the co-main event to Michael Chandler/Girtz. I dunno, it just feels like they're leaning on these old guys, which is fun, but you're essentially using valuable promotion time/energy to pump up guys who may only have 1 or 2 fights left.

you gotta have bigger fight as the main event. you want everyone still pumped to see what gonna happen to the end. alot of fans are casuals. many dont evn know who Chandler is. those needs to fight under the Fedor's/Tito's until they make such a name for them selves people are talking about them big time. otherwise it would be like Dessert before Dinner. obviously Bellator understands this. they have lots of cards with there up n coming talent. know one seems to care. they only seem to care when a Chandler type is not main event over the Legends. its like card after card with up n comers and its qiuet, then a card with the legends comes up and fans complain they are taking the spotlight over the up n comers. no they are helping them get eyes on their fights because no one watches unless they are names involved.

 

[Rambo John J]

best walkout vibes in a while

UFC doest' even show walkouts on TV fights usually



Was a blast and that Fedor win was a ton of fun to watch


Get some Bellator

 

[Dick Niaz]

Partially this, but also partially the bizzaro-world feeling that Chael Sonnen is fighting Fedor.

 

[Ted Williams' head]

you gotta have bigger fight as the main event. you want everyone still pumped to see what gonna happen to the end. alot of fans are casuals. many dont evn know who Chandler is. those needs to fight under the Fedor's/Tito's until they make such a name for them selves people are talking about them big time. otherwise it would be like Dessert before Dinner. obviously Bellator understands this. they have lots of cards with there up n coming talent. know one seems to care. they only seem to care when a Chandler type is not main event over the Legends. its like card after card with up n comers and its qiuet, then a card with the legends comes up and fans complain they are taking the spotlight over the up n comers. no they are helping them get eyes on their fights because no one watches unless they are names involved.

They can put the fight anywhere on the card they want. That's my point: you put Chandler as the main event over a legend and suddenly there is intrigue. Who is this Michael Chandler guy? I know Fedor is a legend, so why is he main eventing over Fedor? There must be SOMETHING special about this guy. And then you can show clips of him throughout the night flatlining guys, scoring brutal KO's, and suddenly all these people who were only tuning in to see Fedor are suddenly like hmmm, now I want to see this guy fight. Sure, there will be people who just turn it off after the Fedor fight, but a lot of people will also tune in and get excited for him. That's what the legends and freak shows should be doing - getting people inside the tent so you can sell them the real product, your home grown younger talent.

I feel like they're only thinking event to event. Of course it's best for the event if Fedor is main event, but you have to think long term. Fedor could retire tomorrow and drop out of the tournament. Mir can retire. Chael can piss hot and get banned for life, or decide to retire. They're putting a lot of old, rotting eggs in their basket.

 

[ShatsBassoon]

Partially this, but also partially the bizzaro-world feeling that Chael Sonnen is fighting Fedor.

Chael gets injured or pulls out...

Fedor-Mirko ll

 

[Silverball]

Fedor beating a well past his Prime frank Mir shouldn't mean much, but because people love the Fedor aura, it is a huge deal.
Things that bring out the passion in MMA fans (in a positive way) are great for the sport & fun to witness.
Not as much on here, but I see people wondering if Fedor could beat Stipe now.
Obviously that is pretty silly, but as long as uber-fans are positive it makes for a fun time.

It would be great if Fedor can have a mini-run like George Foreman did in his later years.

Too many MMA fans like to be negative, Fedor winning brings out the positive & the fun.

My only concern is Chael going over-board with 30+ year old WWF heal promos.
If he keeps it to "I will be the man to retire Fedor ..." & does it humorous, the build will be great.

As an MMA fan, its nice to see people having fun again.
Hopefully the ratings are killer

I haven't read a single post or tweet from anyone pondering whether Fedor could beat Stipe in 2018. Most fans seem fairly realistic about where both fighters are at this stage in their careers. There are threads where Fedor and Stipe's career accomplishments are being compared, which is very different than pining to see them in a cage together.

 

[Rambo John J]

Chael gets injured or pulls out...

Fedor-Mirko ll

rather have mirko step in after Fedor fights Chael

cycle would be complete

 

[Robbie Hart]

Fedor is a good man and anytime he fights and wins, I’m happy.....

 

[CLINTK9]

They can put the fight anywhere on the card they want. That's my point: you put Chandler as the main event over a legend and suddenly there is intrigue. Who is this Michael Chandler guy? I know Fedor is a legend, so why is he main eventing over Fedor? There must be SOMETHING special about this guy. And then you can show clips of him throughout the night flatlining guys, scoring brutal KO's, and suddenly all these people who were only tuning in to see Fedor are suddenly like hmmm, now I want to see this guy fight. Sure, there will be people who just turn it off after the Fedor fight, but a lot of people will also tune in and get excited for him. That's what the legends and freak shows should be doing - getting people inside the tent so you can sell them the real product, your home grown younger talent.

I feel like they're only thinking event to event. Of course it's best for the event if Fedor is main event, but you have to think long term. Fedor could retire tomorrow and drop out of the tournament. Mir can retire. Chael can piss hot and get banned for life, or decide to retire. They're putting a lot of old, rotting eggs in their basket.

but having people turn off the tv after Fedor is not getting more eyes on Chandler. having him fight JUST before Fedor will get more. and also keeps people pumped and excited as they are waiting for the main event. its better short and long term, just not to hardcore fans who feel younger fighters should get preference. the formula would be 5 fights. a huge legend fight 1st, then your champs, up n comers next 3 fights,the the main event, which is usually legends. you want people to want to tune in from the start and all the way to the end. those fightsr in the middle will get more eyes and more fans then.

 

[CLINTK9]

They can put the fight anywhere on the card they want. That's my point: you put Chandler as the main event over a legend and suddenly there is intrigue. Who is this Michael Chandler guy? I know Fedor is a legend, so why is he main eventing over Fedor? There must be SOMETHING special about this guy. And then you can show clips of him throughout the night flatlining guys, scoring brutal KO's, and suddenly all these people who were only tuning in to see Fedor are suddenly like hmmm, now I want to see this guy fight. Sure, there will be people who just turn it off after the Fedor fight, but a lot of people will also tune in and get excited for him. That's what the legends and freak shows should be doing - getting people inside the tent so you can sell them the real product, your home grown younger talent.

I feel like they're only thinking event to event. Of course it's best for the event if Fedor is main event, but you have to think long term. Fedor could retire tomorrow and drop out of the tournament. Mir can retire. Chael can piss hot and get banned for life, or decide to retire. They're putting a lot of old, rotting eggs in their basket.

also they are using the names while they can. they see the numbers on the cards with no legends and need those names to showcase the future talent. having people turn off the channel after the fight they want to see does nothing for newer guys. the way they are doing it is best.

 

[jason73]

frank mir is no more past his prime than fedor. he actually may be less. frank is 38 and fedor is 41.this is exactly who fedor should be fighting right now. guys like crocop,wandy, hell anyone of his era. he should not be fighting way past their primes like ken shamrock and royce.that would be disgraceful .he should not be fighting current in their primes like stipe

 

[Ted Williams' head]

but having people turn off the tv after Fedor is not getting more eyes on Chandler. having him fight JUST before Fedor will get more. and also keeps people pumped and excited as they are waiting for the main event. its better short and long term, just not to hardcore fans who feel younger fighters should get preference. the formula would be 5 fights. a huge legend fight 1st, then your champs, up n comers next 3 fights,the the main event, which is usually legends. you want people to want to tune in from the start and all the way to the end. those fightsr in the middle will get more eyes and more fans then.

But like I said before, it's a perception thing. You elevate a guy like Chandler to the main event above Fedor and it makes fans look at Chandler in a different way, with much more esteem. You want to push guys like Chandler because they're probably going to be there long term. Fedor is a hired gun who could be done with the sport or your organization at any time. Just makes sense to me.

Remember Bellator 149 where they doubled up on the freak show fights and had Kimbo/Dada with a Shamrock/Gracie main event, and it was a complete and utter clusterfuck. Kimbo and Dada made a laughing stock of the sport and Shamrock/Gracie was a huge bust. And for what? What young talent did they push? Kimbo is dead, RIP, and Dada, Shamrock and Gracie will probably never fight again. All that promotion and resource wasted on guys who will never earn you a nickel after that night.

This is just my opinion obviously but that's the way I think it should be done. Have your freakshow/nostalgia attraction co-main, and have the main event be a showcase of a guy you want to push.

 

[Greek777]

If he wins the tournament I would be happy. He can ride off into the sunset after that. He will probably blow by Chael, then he only needs to win one more fight. Possible against Mitrione, Bader might be tough.

 

[Greek777]

But like I said before, it's a perception thing. You elevate a guy like Chandler to the main event above Fedor and it makes fans look at Chandler in a different way, with much more esteem. You want to push guys like Chandler because they're probably going to be there long term. Fedor is a hired gun who could be done with the sport or your organization at any time. Just makes sense to me.

Remember Bellator 149 where they doubled up on the freak show fights and had Kimbo/Dada with a Shamrock/Gracie main event, and it was a complete and utter clusterfuck. Kimbo and Dada made a laughing stock of the sport and Shamrock/Gracie was a huge bust. And for what? What young talent did they push? Kimbo is dead, RIP, and Dada, Shamrock and Gracie will probably never fight again. All that promotion and resource wasted on guys who will never earn you a nickel after that night.

This is just my opinion obviously but that's the way I think it should be done. Have your freakshow/nostalgia attraction co-main, and have the main event be a showcase of a guy you want to push.

Not to be rude but you're wrong, this is the exact opposite of how you build guys. You put them in the CO main to the star. Never above them. People tune out.

 

[Dick Niaz]

Not to be rude but you're wrong, this is the exact opposite of how you build guys. You put them in the CO main to the star. Never above them. People tune out.

I don't know if there is a blanket statement that you can make here. For Bellator, I totally agree that you use the big name legends to bring in the viewers to see the up and comers (in many cases, probably for the first time). This is especially true, when the HW tourney is "the" event. Each fight in the tournament is an investment in the finale, so it makes sense to elevate those fights. For the UFC though, as the designated "big league," I don't think it would have the same impact. It is just a different business model, and there is room for both approaches.

 

[Wild]

Chael gets injured or pulls out...

Fedor-Mirko ll

Wouldn’t surprise me at all. Chael wants none of that.

 

[Dirty Harry Potter]

Great thread Frankie. Agree with everything you said. Last night had that prime Strikeforce feel to it, and that's a good thing for Bellator (and MMA).

It is good. I hadn't gotten myself arsed (never mind how that sounds in Americano, pervs!) to
watch non-UFC events for a while , and I don't have a good reason for that, and it's pretty
fuckinglame, I know .

 

[silentsinger]

frank mir is no more past his prime than fedor. he actually may be less. frank is 38 and fedor is 41.this is exactly who fedor should be fighting right now. guys like crocop,wandy, hell anyone of his era. he should not be fighting way past their primes like ken shamrock and royce.that would be disgraceful .he should not be fighting current in their primes like stipe

Crikey almighty I'm old. I thought they were way older than me.

 

[Haulport]

The question I have is whether or not this is a sustainable plan for Bellator going forward, relying on these aging former stars to headline their cards. I agree, it's fun as hell, especially for us die hard MMA fans who were watching when Fedor was the unstoppable cyborg.

I definitely think these matches have a place, but I feel like it should be to draw attention to your young, home grown stars that you will be moving forward with. Put Fedor/Mir as the co-main event to Michael Chandler/Girtz. I dunno, it just feels like they're leaning on these old guys, which is fun, but you're essentially using valuable promotion time/energy to pump up guys who may only have 1 or 2 fights left.

I agree whole heartedly. Last night was the first time in God knows how long I actually gave a shit about MMA again but I don't like the "Legends/Seniors" deal Bellator is going with. The Strikeforce HW Grand Prix was a who's who of HW's at the time and an amazing up-and-comer in DC:

• Alistair Overeem at his peak
• Josh Barnett in his prime
• Fedor - still at the top
• DC - the best HW prospect then who would be 205 champ beatable by only Jones in years to come
• Arlovski in his prime
• Bigfoot in his prime
• Werdum at his peak (future UFC HW champ)
• Brett Rogers - good hw at the time
• Kharitonov - still pretty good, but not as good as in PRIDE

The Bellator HW tourny is:

• Fedor - shot to hell
• Chael - 185lbs old man
• Rampage - Fat, slow & old
• Meathead - decent hw
• Frank Mir - waaaayyyyy past his prime
• King Mo - decent but small LHW nowhere near as good as he was before the terrible staph infections.
• Ryan Bader - top 5 LHW
• Big Country - old and past his prime

You can't hope to compare those two tournys. Both are expensive fighters with names but the Bellator tourny is mostly a LHW tourny with a bunch of guys who are not contenders anymore. 5 out of the 8 are 40 years old or older......