Rogan urges Bellator to change

[Wild]

You didn't need to watch Joe Rogan's "Fight Companion" podcast Sunday night to figure out his take on the action at Bellator 149.

The UFC commentator wasn't impressed with the event's co-main event between street fighters Kimbo Slice and Dada 5000/ Dhafir Harris, offering that it may have been "the worst fight he'd ever seen."

Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub suggested Sunday night that the bout set the sport back "seven years," but Rogan thinks it really only hurt Bellator.

"I think, eventually, they've got to let all that go," Rogan said of Bellator's strategy of booking "fun fights." "They can't keep doing those. They should stop. This is the last one. If they keep doing it they're going to lose credibility. There's a lot of things they need to do."

LINK: Morning Report: Joe Rogan says Bellator 'can't keep doing' fights like Kimbo Slice vs. Dada 5000

 

[GSPTrainingInAPool]

It sucks for Bellator because those fights are the ones who get the most views, by far! Correct me if I'm wrong, the Kimbo Dada fight didn't do too hot. But their previous fights of that type had the biggest draws Bellator has ever seen. It's a shitty place for the org to be in

 

[jason73]

If Kimbo vs dada wasn't a bumfight it would have been huge.no one really thought it would be a 3 round snoozer.it was supposed to be a 30 second ass whooping

 

[dacofty]

Said thing is Schaub isnt any more exciting to watch. Together with kimbo/Dada/schaub the sport is back in the stone ages. I am not sure why everyone is hating on the Kimbo/Dada fight. These guys were/are street fighters, I never seen a cage set up nor rounds in the street.

 

[Punch]

If Kimbo vs dada wasn't a bumfight it would have been huge.no one really thought it would be a 3 round snoozer.it was supposed to be a 30 second ass whooping

See, that's where people fucked up. They forgot anything can happen in there once that door closes. The most exciting thing ever, or an excuse for grabbing another beer. Hoping for a bad ass brawl is fine, but hope is different from expectation.

 

[holly9000]

I honestly don't know what these people are talking about. I've been a MMA fan since 1993 and I think this latest Bellator event was frikin' awesome! OK so the main events were weird and bizarre and ultimately a little sad and maybe even a bit funny, but that's what made it so great! The UFC has devolved MMA into what amounts to some kind of homogeneous pointfighting. So Bellator and Rizin are trying to bring back some of the spectacle. So what? I for one love it. I'm more excited for the next Bellator show than I've ever been. They have some good fighters now, there have been and will be more good fights. Why not have a few just for the entertainment value? The UFC has done it in the past and those were always my favorite matches (and some of the most memorable). Besides it was free-what's to complain about?

 

[Punch]

I honestly don't know what these people are talking about. I've been a MMA fan since 1993 and I think this latest Bellator event was frikin' awesome! OK so the main events were weird and bizarre and ultimately a little sad and maybe even a bit funny, but that's what made it so great! The UFC has devolved MMA into what amounts to some kind of homogeneous pointfighting. So Bellator and Rizin are trying to bring back some of the spectacle. So what? I for one love it. I'm more excited for the next Bellator show than I've ever been. They have some good fighters now, there have been and will be more good fights. Why not have a few just for the entertainment value? The UFC has done it in the past and those were always my favorite matches (and some of the most memorable). Besides it was free-what's to complain about?

 

[Super Dave]

Nothing wrong with a little variety. Not every fight in every organization needs to be competitive or have some sort of relevance.

 

[Super Dave]

I honestly don't know what these people are talking about. I've been a MMA fan since 1993 and I think this latest Bellator event was frikin' awesome! OK so the main events were weird and bizarre and ultimately a little sad and maybe even a bit funny, but that's what made it so great! The UFC has devolved MMA into what amounts to some kind of homogeneous pointfighting. So Bellator and Rizin are trying to bring back some of the spectacle. So what? I for one love it. I'm more excited for the next Bellator show than I've ever been. They have some good fighters now, there have been and will be more good fights. Why not have a few just for the entertainment value? The UFC has done it in the past and those were always my favorite matches (and some of the most memorable). Besides it was free-what's to complain about?

Nailed it!

 

[Wild]

I honestly don't know what these people are talking about. I've been a MMA fan since 1993 and I think this latest Bellator event was frikin' awesome! OK so the main events were weird and bizarre and ultimately a little sad and maybe even a bit funny, but that's what made it so great! The UFC has devolved MMA into what amounts to some kind of homogeneous pointfighting. So Bellator and Rizin are trying to bring back some of the spectacle. So what? I for one love it. I'm more excited for the next Bellator show than I've ever been. They have some good fighters now, there have been and will be more good fights. Why not have a few just for the entertainment value? The UFC has done it in the past and those were always my favorite matches (and some of the most memorable). Besides it was free-what's to complain about?

Good post.

 

[Carbazel]

Coker seems to be trying to make a new version of Pride FC out of Bellator. Can't hate him for that. But, I see where Rogan is coming from.

 

[Ghost Bro]

It's a catch 22 for Bellator. Don't really know their demographic, but I'd assume its more popular with hardcore fans rather than casuals. Them putting on fights like this might in the end put off the hardcore fanbase that's been keeping them relevant.

Rogan's right about it only hurting bellator, if someone with no relative combat sports knowledge saw the main and comain (lets be real, most people won't tune in from the prelims), they might form the opinion that bellator is indeed a joke...then looking at mainstream MMA(UFC) media, he'd be reinforced to think it was a circus. I get what Bellator's trying to do.. and the Spike deal is probably what helps them reach the casual audience too.. there's a difference between grabbing someone's attention and keeping it for the long run though.
This fight was a risk, I am hoping now that they saw the outcome there will be a tad bit more care on what fight they decide to arrange. I trust in Coker and I don't believe this was fully his idea...the Viacom peeps need to understand and let that guy do his thing.

The kickboxing events are a good start.

 

[canofsticks]

Personally, I like that Bellator is willing to put on fights purely for entertainment reasons.
Sure, as a general rule, we want the sport to become such that each fight means something - rising in the rankings, title eliminators, etc. It follows the traditional 2-tiered competition model:

1) competition for the two opponents. That is, the actual fight between to fighters.
2) Divisional competition. That is, record vs record, and climbing the rankings.

Following this model is good.

But what is wrong about fighting for fighting's sake? It's still fun to watch guys just have a fight without having to worry about fucking up their title shot, or wrestle fucking their way to a decision because they fear getting cut if they lose again.

Joe can say what he want about the Kimbo/Dada500 fight, but it did a lot more to help MMA grow than a lot of the lay'n'pray wrestling that happens at the UFC that Joe always says he loves. I had two guys, who don't even watch UFC, let alone Bellator talk to me this morning about the Shamrock/Royce and Kimbo/Dada fights. They were disappointed in the fights, but they watched. And getting eye balls is always good.

 

[ECC170]

he's right..Its not very professional to have Dada fighting...he can't throw a proper punch..The dude IS NOT a fighter period...same with. cm punk..MMA needs to evolve..I'm tired of this moving the needle Bullshit...Put on Quality fights..I like Coker but that was a terrible card and idea..That fight made Svern vs Shamrocks circle dance look like Ali vs Frazier

 

[TheEmperorRises]

This isn't the norm for them. Here's the main events for their next few cards in order-

Bellator 150: Eduardo Dantes vs Marcos Galvao
Bellator 151: Joe Warren vs Darrion Caldwell
Bellator 152: Patricky Pitbull vs Brent Primus
Bellator 153: Andrey Koreahkov vs Benson Henderson
Bellator 154: Phil Davis vs King Mo

But ESPN doesn't pay attention until Kimbo fights Dada. And you wonder why they had that fight...

 

[Punch]

This isn't the norm for them. Here's the main events for there next few cards in order-

Bellator 150: Eduardo Dantes vs Marcos Galvao
Bellator 151: Joe Warren vs Darrion Caldwell
Bellator 152: Patricky Pitbull vs Brent Primus
Bellator 153: Andrey Koreahkov vs Benson Henderson
Bellator 154: Phil Davis vs King Mo

But ESPN doesn't pay attention until Kimbo fights Dada. And you wonder why they had that fight...

Coker just following his namesake and giving everyone the first one for free.

 

[stielar]

I urge Rogan to change ... but that isn't happening either.

Having said that Bellator 153 and 154 sound amazing. Now how about Sakakibara and Jerry Millen tell us what they actually have in store for Fedor...

 

[Pitbull9]

Coker seems to be trying to make a new version of Pride FC out of Bellator. Can't hate him for that. But, I see where Rogan is coming from.

This is my thoughts as well. Fun fights are ok but to gain respect and be looked at as a credible org you need to get serious and start booking real fights and competitive match ups.

 

[PrideRules]

Did it move the needle? Cuz i thought that's what U Fight Cheap bases pay on.

Is it wins or needles or twitter followers or what is it? I am confuse.

 

[kneeblock]

I loved Dada vs. Kimbo and I've hated every Kimbo fight I've ever seen. I think it may have been the rumors of a fix in favor of Dada that made it so exciting. I kept wondering how they were gonna pull it off credibly after the Petruzelli fiasco and then shockingly Kimbo won by tired old man KO. I loved it.

 

[Punch]

Did it move the needle? Cuz i thought that's what U Fight Cheap bases pay on.

Is it wins or needles or twitter followers or what is it? I am confuse.

 

[teamquestnorth]

he's right..Its not very professional to have Dada fighting...he can't throw a proper punch..The dude IS NOT a fighter period...same with. cm punk..MMA needs to evolve..I'm tired of this moving the needle Bullshit...Put on Quality fights..I like Coker but that was a terrible card and idea..That fight made Svern vs Shamrocks circle dance look like Ali vs Frazier

Agreed but no fight will ever come close to being as boring as Shamrock/Severn 2.

Both fighters would literally have to lay down and take naps for 15 minutes for it to come close.

 

[PrideRules]

why do we have to always be professional? why cant we just see a funny ass slober knocker once in awhile? dada going down like a vanquished foe of godzilla was epic.

i wish we were less professional and allowed knees to the head and open weight fights as well as same night tournaments.

that's the shit i signed up for.

not this "professional" grab ass, lay on me, lay on you, win a point, win a takedown, win a round, head in your crotch no one can defend bullshit.

i say we bring back coleman. cuz fuuuuuuuuck it!!

 

[Tiiimmmaaayyy]

I would like to hear what Dana says about that event. Probably completely trash it, call it a circus, and say that brining in street fighters will set the sport back and undo all the hard work he has done to give the sport credibility. He would leave that interview and go talk about the progress of a CM Punk fight.

I'm actually ok with the "fun fight" freak shows. Sometimes they are exciting and sometimes you get Kimbo/Dada. As long as they are free I'll keep watching. My only suggestion would be they don't make those fights the headliners over legit fighters. I understand why they do it, they wanna get the casual fan to watch the legit guys, but it seems like an insult to the real fighters to have guys like Dada headline.

 

[Ted Williams' head]

It was a big mistake by Coker and crew, and that's all there is to it.

You can have fun/freakshow/nostalgia/ect fights like this every now and then, but to put two of them as the main and co-main was just stupid, and it bit them in the ass.

Put a Kimbo/Dada fight on the co-main of Benson/Korseshkov. You use Kimbo's name to bring more eyes to your real talent, and when Kimbo and Dada stink the arena out like a bad fart, Benson and Koreshkov come out and act like a can of Febreeze by tearing the house down with great action and skill.

What did he think was going to happen? Both Kimbo/Dada and Shamrock/Gracie could go one of two ways: either a quick ending (Shamrock/Gracie 1) or a long boring fight (Shamrock/Gracie 2). So you're either going to have two quick endings, two shitty fights or a quick ending and a shitty fight. Why would you promote a card with that?

Can't believe people are actually defending that nonsense. I know most of you hate Zuffa with a passion and back the competition heavily, but face facts: Bellator took a big step back. They served fans a shit sandwich.