MMA Becoming Boxing

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WEWEREONABREAK

First 100
First 100
Jan 16, 2015
821
1,111
I don't just mean entire cards full of literally who's with 1 fight you care about. I mean fighters starting their careers by fighting people who have no business being in the cage with them. I don't want to single people out but, to make the point, I have to.

Ottman Azaitar is a recent example. Some very weak fighters on his record. But I what made me feel the need to point this problem out was a fighter from tonight's card. Nadia Kassem.

Her opponents' records, going backwards, are as follows:

Pro:

10-5 (9-4 when they fought)
5-5 (5-3 when they fought)

Those are okay. And even so, if you're in the UFC, you take what you're given. But then you have...

0-1
0-3 (opponent making debut when they fought)
0-6 (opponent 0-4 when they fought)
0-1

Amateur:

1-1 (opponent making debut when they fought)

There's something wrong with this. Boxing has been doing it forever and it's really gross. I really hope this doesn't become more common but I fear it will.
 

Filthy

Iowa Wrestling Champion
Jun 28, 2016
27,507
29,834
the first 5 fights in a pro career are basically "should you be a pro" fights. If you come out of those fight undefeated, you'll start getting matched up with .500 fighters. Basically, everyone who was 5-0 and lost some fights. :)

In boxing, the record padding comes in during the next 10 fights, because a 10-0 boxer is legit but not as marketable as a 20-0 boxer.
I think UFC is just dealing with shallow talent pools in some divisions, so you see 'pro' records like Nadia's.
 

WEWEREONABREAK

First 100
First 100
Jan 16, 2015
821
1,111
It seems a recent phenomenon that mixed martial artists are fighting true cans at the start of their careers.

In any case, should someone be able to get into the UFC on a strength of schedule that amounts to 1-11? That person may very well be elite but they've yet to prove it.