AGREEE!!! Before this buyout most were saying how this was going to be great for the fighters, fans, blah blah, blah. So far things haven't been going well. At least the Fertitta Bro's cared about the sport and stepped in occasionally to resolve issues when it came to Dana and fighters clashing. So far we haven't seen much of anyone new, occasionally Ari's name is said but that's about it. If Dana were to retire now it could really screw up the company and it could fall hard... Then GONE! Selling to another business who thinks they can do a better job from a boardroom but have NO experience in MMA.
Dana has been more of a dirt bag IMO than he used to be. Sometimes think he is just following orders from above to do the dirty work. When it comes to the UFC he will never say a bad thing about the New Guys because he still has that big ego and wants folks to think he's in charge. I've noticed is Bigger Named fighters who are signed with WME-IMG's biggest rival are getting a crap deal, almost like they are being punished for NOT signing with WME-IMG to start with and a F U to CAA. GSP, Rory Mac, Cain are all signed with CAA, all have had major issues with the UFC since the buyout.
Both companies have been at each others throats for years, they are the Coke vs Pepsi of the talent agency world. We're seeing the UFC pushing "Crossover Fighters" like PVZ, Sage, the Karate Hottie (just recently) and obviously Ronda (not too long ago) getting big boost while not being at the very top of their divisions. Starting to wonder if this New UFC is becoming more of a fishing pond for Upcoming Hollywood Stars. More and more the fighters looks and popularity are dictating fights over rankings and placement on a card. While other great fighters like MM are getting pushed aside.
Right now Dana is the only link between the UFC and fans. He does tend to listen to what we say ( not always). If he was to leave I fear the worst. The Brothers and Dana had their faults but did care about the company and sometimes would do right by the fighters. Now it's worse, From the amount of corner men the company will pay for and expenses paid when fighting, so many lay offs of long time employees, Joe Silva GONE, Goldie GONE, Chuck GONE.
The first real time I felt a difference in the UFC at a live event was the last TUF Finale in Dec. Had picked up GREAT seats through FP, but this time instead of a number of fighters being around the cage and a few rows back It had changed. Once a year I'll splurge on cageside seat (within the first few rows) so I can get up close and personal to some top level fighters, gets pics and autographs, even been for a drink and or dinner a couple of times with some. Not this time!! Granted it was a smaller show, only one side of the venue had fighters spread through the first couple of rows. The other sides were all well dress mucky mucks with very expensive jewelry and such wearing VIP UFC Full Access Passes. Was not fun sitting with these folk. Most of the high end plastic women (and men) were just chatting between themselves during the fights and didn't have a freaking clue what was going on. One kept asking my friend dumb questions and even started asking "how much longer is this" around second fight of the main card... These seats are were FANS and Fighters should be, Not investors in WME who don't give a shit! One man said to me "this is quite violent" I replied abruptly "They are fighting and fighting is violent, what did you expect"? He stopped bothering me after that. It just made for an uncomfortable eve, spending the extra cash to get access to some fighters and then turning around and seeing Big Country and others fifteen or more rows behind me. Some who'd been fighting earlier in the eve, now sitting way up in the stands and NOT being happy about it. Just like Jo Jo Calderwood posted in November, she was training in Montreal and wanted to catch the Toronto card in Dec. Usually the UFC would Comp a fighter tickets if they called, as fighter presence at a card has always been good for the UFC and the fans, nice perk for the fighters too. She was told NO, call Dana and talk with him or buy your own. WTF!
Things are changing, so far not for the good. I think DW has many faults and pisses me off way more than he should, but... if he goes, I think the UFC the way we know it will be gone within a couple of years.... Not for the better.
