Do more UFC vets make the same decision as Lyoto?

[TheLDPodcast]

With Lyoto Machida heading to Bellator, I started thinking about some of the other, older fighters still currently on the UFC roster and if would it be a smarter career move for them to follow Machida's footsteps?
Granted, I ask myself this every time a big name signs with Bellator, but is Machida a big enough name to draw other vets over there too?
I mean clearly the level of talent (for the most part) isn't the same standard at Bellator than it is at UFC.
Not to mention the pay day in sponsors.

 

[FrankieNYC]

With Lyoto Machida heading to Bellator, I started thinking about some of the other, older fighters still currently on the UFC roster and if would it be a smarter career move for them to follow Machida's footsteps?
Granted, I ask myself this every time a big name signs with Bellator, but is Machida a big enough name to draw other vets over there too?
I mean clearly the level of talent (for the most part) isn't the same standard at Bellator than it is at UFC.
Not to mention the pay day in sponsors.

Most fighters SHOULD look into it.
It helps drive their worth up.
But remember that UFC has a contractual right to match, so if UFC does, the fighter either takes it or waits out a year.
At this point Machida might be worth more to Bellator than UFC. We also have no idea for how much he signed for.

There are so many variables, but unless UFC is behind you fully, it is dumb not to look into options (even if they rather stay)

 

[TheLDPodcast]

Most fighters SHOULD look into it.
It helps drive their worth up.
But remember that UFC has a contractual right to match, so if UFC does, the fighter either takes it or waits out a year.
At this point Machida might be worth more to Bellator than UFC. We also have no idea for how much he signed for.

There are so many variables, but unless UFC is behind you fully, it is dumb not to look into options (even if they rather stay)

Well I think Bellator offers older fighters who maybe aren't at the standard of some of the newer guys a haven.
They can still do what they clearly love to do which is fight.
They make some decent money before there soon to be retirement (presuming they're vets)
And they aren't fighting the killers they would be at UFC.
Also with what Conor McGregor did to the sport, you couldn't be more right that it's dumb not to look at your options elsewhere if the UFC isn't fully behind you.

I do know that Bellator has some top class fighters, but for the most part they're not the same caliber.
Just want to clarify that cause it really grinds my gears when people just assume Bellator fighters are shit.

 

[FrankieNYC]

Just want to clarify that cause it really grinds my gears when people just assume Bellator fighters are shit.

As I said in another thread
A lot of the post like that are in direct relation to those that go overboard with UFC hate.
They make comments to get the Bellator only fans riled up.

 

[Aj Garcia]

It really depends on the fighter. David and bader were never gonna get near a ufc belt and I’m sure are killing it now in bellator. For guys like bendo, I feel like he would’ve made more money fighting in the ufc still. He’s slmost a forgotten name now and he’s a former champ with multiple title defenses.

I think most vets can still make better money in the ufc, but if they have a chance to grab a bellator belt, then that gives them more incentive.

 

[lsa]

Most fighters SHOULD look into it.
It helps drive their worth up.
But remember that UFC has a contractual right to match, so if UFC does, the fighter either takes it or waits out a year.
At this point Machida might be worth more to Bellator than UFC. We also have no idea for how much he signed for.

There are so many variables, but unless UFC is behind you fully, it is dumb not to look into options (even if they rather stay)

If the UFC wants to keep you, they will keep you.
I dont see Bellator snagging up anybody that the UFC really wants to keep.
But its always a good idea to shop around to see what you are worth in the market.
Good on Machida in Bellator he will be a threat to the champ, in UFC not so much.

 

[FrankieNYC]

If the UFC wants to keep you, they will keep you.
I dont see Bellator snagging up anybody that the UFC really wants to keep.
But its always a good idea to shop around to see what you are worth in the market.
Good on Machida in Bellator he will be a threat to the champ, in UFC not so much.

@Wild & crew ...
Say hello to @lsa a SD buddy

 

[member 3289]

They make comments to get the Bellator only fans riled up.

Who would ever do such a thing?

 

[FrankieNYC]

Who would ever do such a thing?

Funny but I was not even thinking of you when I typed that lol

 

[Onetrickpony]

@Wild & crew ...
Say hello to @lsa a SD buddy

@lsa

 

[Wild]

If the UFC wants to keep you, they will keep you.
I dont see Bellator snagging up anybody that the UFC really wants to keep.
But its always a good idea to shop around to see what you are worth in the market.
Good on Machida in Bellator he will be a threat to the champ, in UFC not so much.

I like you already.

 

[Tiiimmmaaayyy]

It seems almost like a forgone conclusion now that all aging fighters will go to Bellator when they can no longer win in the UFC. I guess it makes sense for Bellator. They are able to cash in on the name recognition and bring casual fans eye balls to their promotion so people can see the younger fighters.

 

[TheEmperorRises]

If the UFC wants to keep you, they will keep you.
I dont see Bellator snagging up anybody that the UFC really wants to keep.
But its always a good idea to shop around to see what you are worth in the market.
Good on Machida in Bellator he will be a threat to the champ, in UFC not so much.

If the UFC didn't want to keep Regard Mousasi or Rory MacDonald so that they could give us CM Punk vs Mike Jackson on ppv, that's just stupidity on their part

 

[TheEmperorRises]

It seems almost like a forgone conclusion now that all aging fighters will go to Bellator when they can no longer win in the UFC. I guess it makes sense for Bellator.

 

[Papi Chingon]

I wonder how the matching clause is enforced since the ufc can't match the freedom to get individual sponsors, wear their gear in the cage, etc...

 

[FrankieNYC]

I wonder how the matching clause is enforced since the ufc can't match the freedom to get individual sponsors, wear their gear in the cage, etc...

That is not part of the clause because they are external deals.

 

[Papi Chingon]

That is not part of the clause because they are external deals.

That is very interesting considering endorsements for some are higher than their purse.

 

[FrankieNYC]

That is very interesting considering endorsements for some are higher than their purse.

UFC fighters can & still do make money from endorsement.
Lot of times they blow away what a fight (only) sponsor gives.
More & more social media promotion is where the money is.

Bellator has a matching clause as well & UFC can't bring up what fighters make from the UFC exposure either.

Plus the fight sponsors lines have blurred.
A lot are combined fight night logo & other promotional duties that are away from the fight promotion.

 

[Papi Chingon]

UFC fighters can & still do make money from endorsement.
Lot of times they blow away what a fight (only) sponsor gives.
More & more social media promotion is where the money is.

Bellator has a matching clause as well & UFC can't bring up what fighters make from the UFC exposure either.

Plus the fight sponsors lines have blurred.
A lot are combined fight night logo & other promotional duties that are away from the fight promotion.

I would think a fighter would be paid more by a sponsor to wear their apparel into the ring, pre and post fight interviews etc... I understand they can have their own sponsors away from fight week and fight night. I would assume the air Jordan's would not have sold as well as they did if Michael just wore them on his free time as opposed to in games.

 

[FrankieNYC]

I would think a fighter would be paid more by a sponsor to wear their apparel into the ring, pre and post fight interviews etc... I understand they can have their own sponsors away from fight week and fight night. I would assume the air Jordan's would not have sold as well as they did if Michael just wore them on his free time as opposed to in games.

Jordan had millions watching him play about 100x a year (including playoffs) plus it is tied into his athleticism.
Plus he is shown for 2.5 hrs each time
Very different that a patch on his ass for a product that is not MMA related for 15 minutes the most lol

Also there was no social media in Jordan's day. If there was he would have been a billionaire

Bellator rarely gets 1m viewers & nobody watches pre/post
UFC does better but its the same principle in effect

An IG post to followers stays on the web forever & brings interaction between the fighter & the fan

One of my friends (Conrad Thompson) is a top podcaster & he always talks about advertisers wanting "social media interaction".
Mainly because it feels like less of an ad.

 

[Papi Chingon]

Jordan had millions watching him play about 100x a year (including playoffs) plus it is tied into his athleticism.
Plus he is shown for 2.5 hrs each time
Very different that a patch on his ass for 15 minutes the most lol

Also there was no social media in Jordan's day. If there was he would have been a billionaire

Bellator rarely gets 1m viewers & nobody watches pre/post
UFC does better but its the same principle in effect

An IG post to followers stays on the web forever & brings interaction between the fighter & the fan

One of my friends (Conrad Thompson) is a top podcaster & he always talks about advertisers wanting "social media interaction".
Mainly because it feels like less of an ad.

I was thinking more of the apparel, not a rick's tire barn patch. Still though, certain fighters got on the mic after the fight and knew how to push the product. One that sticks out in my head was phil baroni. He was thanking his team for the training and then said something like "and trimspa for keeping my weight in check." Randy couture dropped some product (green something?) after beating sylvia, and I would think that would have sold the shit out of it considering he was the underdog, an old man, and lookin jacked. Of course not everyone knew how to push products. Some would just read sponsors off of a list, which would do little to nothing.

 

[FrankieNYC]

I was thinking more of the apparel, not a rick's tire barn patch. Still though, certain fighters got on the mic after the fight and knew how to push the product. One that sticks out in my head was phil baroni. He was thanking his team for the training and then said something like "and trimspa for keeping my weight in check." Randy couture dropped some product (green something?) after beating sylvia, and I would think that would have sold the shit out of it considering he was the underdog, an old man, and lookin jacked. Of course not everyone knew how to push products. Some would just read sponsors off of a list, which would do little to nothing.

All true
But again the volume of people hearing/watching something at a presser is not as big as social media these days & every day it is even further in that direction.

There is an advertising website that projects how much you can make per IG follower
So imagine someone with a lot of followers.

Miesha Tate = $11.2K (1.9m followers)

That is one IG post alone
That does not include FB & Twitter

When Reebok was instilled, Tate was vocally pissed, but she was a pioneer in working with her sponsors to make up the fight week loss & she wound up keeping all & making even more money.

 

[lsa]

If the UFC didn't want to keep Regard Mousasi or Rory MacDonald so that they could give us CM Punk vs Mike Jackson on ppv, that's just stupidity on their part

From a fan perspective yes..
I agree.
But sadly when it comes down to it, its a business and all businesses are about MONEY.
Do I agree with the way UFC /WME do business? No.
Do I understand it? Yes.

 

[lsa]

I like you already.

Oh well... You dont know me yet ;-)
But I will try to continue to be likeable.

 

[lsa]

@lsa

Damn I dont know if I should be scared or... :-/
@FrankieNYC please advice.