UnderGround Forum >> White fed up with fighters turning down bouts

time traveling 12er - Guys talking about fighters getting cut after stepping up are looking at it the wrong way. You're looking at is as if their options are to take a fight on short notice, or wait for a better fight. But those fighters generally don't have that luxury and they're usually not in the position to pick and choose. The chance to step up may be the only alternative to getting cut in the near future without another fight.

Think about it like this, the guys on the fringe are like deep bench players in basketball or the NFL or whatever. The coach comes in and says "crap we got an injury! this is your chance... get in there!" Instead of running in there, the deep bench guy says "damn, I haven't stretched yet coach, also this team is a bad match up for me." and sits back down. Guess what? When that better opportunity comes up, you think the coach is going to think of you first? No, because you already probably got cut while waiting for a better opportunity. That's how dumb it is to turn down a fight if you're on the fringe or have a losing streak going.

Fighters have gotten spoiled by the recent success of the sport. Back when orgs could fold overnight everyone had to take whatever they could take because next week the whole thing could be gone. Now that the UFC has created some security they feel safe enough to pick an choose. I'm guessing anyone who wasn't already on the border of being cut is going to lose their job over losing a fight where they stepped up on short notice.

The Cooler - "It's Dana White's company, he can set the expectations how ever he sees fit."

Not if he wants to call it a legitimate sport instead of entertainment.

Dana is going to call it what ever he wants, even if it's a bold face lie.  Last I heard he said it isn't a main stream sport and that they are only scratching the surface, that this thing is going to be bigger than soccer.  It's his company, he can call it what ever he wants.   We both know that.  

time traveling 12er - Guys talking about fighters getting cut after stepping up are looking at it the wrong way. You're looking at is as if their options are to take a fight on short notice, or wait for a better fight. But those fighters generally don't have that luxury and they're usually not in the position to pick and choose. The chance to step up may be the only alternative to getting cut in the near future without another fight.

Think about it like this, the guys on the fringe are like deep bench players in basketball or the NFL or whatever. The coach comes in and says "crap we got an injury! this is your chance... get in there!" Instead of running in there, the deep bench guy says "damn, I haven't stretched yet coach, also this team is a bad match up for me." and sits back down. Guess what? When that better opportunity comes up, you think the coach is going to think of you first? No, because you already probably got cut while waiting for a better opportunity. That's how dumb it is to turn down a fight if you're on the fringe or have a losing streak going.

Fighters have gotten spoiled by the recent success of the sport. Back when orgs could fold overnight everyone had to take whatever they could take because next week the whole thing could be gone. Now that the UFC has created some security they feel safe enough to pick an choose. I'm guessing anyone who wasn't already on the border of being cut is going to lose their job over losing a fight where they stepped up on short notice.

Excellent post.  Spot on.  

Examples of guys refusing fights and not getting cut are GSP, Machida, Shogun, Bones, Mitrione, and Kongo, yet none of them got cut.  In Shogun's case he turned 2 fighters down relatively close to each other.  He's still around because he isn't on the fringe of being gone.  But let a guy with several losses pull that and they will be gone.  Just some of the perks that guys who are making the company money get.  

SinCityHustler - 

The Cooler - "It's Dana White's company, he can set the expectations how ever he sees fit."

Not if he wants to call it a legitimate sport instead of entertainment.

Dana is going to call it what ever he wants, even if it's a bold face lie.  Last I heard he said it isn't a main stream sport and that they are only scratching the surface, that this thing is going to be bigger than soccer.  It's his company, he can call it what ever he wants.   We both know that.  

The Cooler - 

time traveling 12er - Guys talking about fighters getting cut after stepping up are looking at it the wrong way. You're looking at is as if their options are to take a fight on short notice, or wait for a better fight. But those fighters generally don't have that luxury and they're usually not in the position to pick and choose. The chance to step up may be the only alternative to getting cut in the near future without another fight.

Think about it like this, the guys on the fringe are like deep bench players in basketball or the NFL or whatever. The coach comes in and says "crap we got an injury! this is your chance... get in there!" Instead of running in there, the deep bench guy says "damn, I haven't stretched yet coach, also this team is a bad match up for me." and sits back down. Guess what? When that better opportunity comes up, you think the coach is going to think of you first? No, because you already probably got cut while waiting for a better opportunity. That's how dumb it is to turn down a fight if you're on the fringe or have a losing streak going.

Fighters have gotten spoiled by the recent success of the sport. Back when orgs could fold overnight everyone had to take whatever they could take because next week the whole thing could be gone. Now that the UFC has created some security they feel safe enough to pick an choose. I'm guessing anyone who wasn't already on the border of being cut is going to lose their job over losing a fight where they stepped up on short notice.

Your post is well reasoned but for one thing.

It isn't a team sport. The UFC isn't on your team. Your team consists of exactly one guy (plus trainers/corner/etc of course).

People have already listed plenty of fighters who stepped up on short notice and then were cut soon after.

So much for the team spirit.

The Cooler - 

SinCityHustler - 

The Cooler - "It's Dana White's company, he can set the expectations how ever he sees fit."

Not if he wants to call it a legitimate sport instead of entertainment.

Dana is going to call it what ever he wants, even if it's a bold face lie.  Last I heard he said it isn't a main stream sport and that they are only scratching the surface, that this thing is going to be bigger than soccer.  It's his company, he can call it what ever he wants.   We both know that.  

I can call my dick Rodzilla.

But you know when that fails? When third party perspective comes into play.

Of course he can call it what he wants...that doesn't mean people have to go along with it.

If you doubt me I could send you a picture of me and Rodzilla hanging out together. If afterwards you can call me penis Rodzilla with a straight face then I concede your point.

The UFC isn't a sport, and won't be one until there is a clear path to belt contention based on cold, hard math.

Yes you can do that, I don't see a problem with it no matter what it looks like.  I call mine Moby, so what?   

I think the point you're missing is that Dana doens't care if you believe him or not, he just wants to sell fights and someone on mma.tv calling the sport main stream or not doesn't sell fights one way or the other.  You are not his target audience.  He will tell you himself that the sport is NOT main stream.  He will tell you is has NOT even scratched the surface yet.  And then he'll tell you it's going to be BIGGER than soccer.  He doens't care what you believe, he just wants the main stream fan to hear him say it enough times soTHEY start believing it.  

Ronin_jutsuka -  Think that people would be more likely to take that short-notice fight if it didn't mean getting cut after 2 consecutive losses?

Easy to say as a non-fighter whose career doesn't hinge on a win/loss. I've had pro fights on some pretty good international shows on a days or few weeks notice, but fighting isn't my living - it's a hobby so I get the most I can out of it in terms of experiences and travel etc.

However, as is happening with many fighters even domestically, they'll cherrypick to stack the risk/reward in their favour which is sensible if you're trying to make it a career. Not exactly the spirit of a 'fighter', but that's the way it is.

If I got to the UFC I'd fight anyone in my division there, no doubt. Unless I got to the stage where it was a champion/number-one contender situation which is really life-changing and then you've got to think business sense, branding and ultimately $$$.

Ronin_jutsuka - Think that people would be more likely to take that short-notice fight if it didn't mean getting cut after 2 consecutive losses?

inf0 - 

Turning down a fight should result in a Loss on your record.

 

SinCityHustler - I call mine Moby, so what?

ABE FROMAN -

Dear Dana,

A simple policy change will solve this ENTIRE problem.

If a fighter 'steps up' on short notice or is at ANY disadvantage then a loss will NOT result in being cut.

That is all.

 

 

 

 

MarcusRenatoBrownBelt - Dana White was a good boxer. He did not have the physical talent to compete and be the best, so he got out of the sport that he loved. It was an admirable decision on Mr. White's part. Now, Dana White uses his fight knowledge and his boxing past and applies it to MMA. It's great that the fighters have another fighter who has been in the ring and knows what it feels like to hit and get hit.

if anyone can criticize a fighter for not taking a shor notice fight, it is Dana White. What is wrong with these fighters nowadays? They need to just hand over their career path to Dana White. Just put it all in his hands. He is the President and Leader of the UFC. He won't do anything to harm you . Stepping up worked great for Ben Saunders and DeMarques Johnson. Yeah, they were cut, but Mr. White will bring them back when the time is right.

r u sure?   all dana needs to do is put up 4 X the fighters pay and not many will turn him dn.

Ludelow - Not a single fighter wants the Bonnar treatment!

Meaning the 'he'll always have a job here' treatment, or the 'short notice didn't give me enough time to cycle off PEDs" treatment?

Ronin_jutsuka - Think that people would be more likely to take that short-notice fight if it didn't mean getting cut after 2 consecutive losses?

Take it from a fighter that in some cases turning down fights is not a cowardly thing. Unless you are already in shape - you can't expect a guy to risk his career on a short notice bout when he's not prepared. THE RISK OUTWEIGH THE REWARD and we have all seen cases of guys being "cut" or ruined by short notice fights. The only benefit for winning a short notice fight is having extra money in your bank account & advancing in the division. The risk....well losing is terrible, because regardless if your 3-0 or 0-3 no one is safe. You get half your money, possibly injured, suspended, embarrased, and could lose your job in your next bout with a loss (some guys have a clause where they can't be cut after a short notice bout) So to tell a guy your a fighter - you should always be ready to fight comes from people who have never competed at that level. Try telling a Doctor to alway be prepared to perform surgery and he will probably tell you to kiss his ass. Anything competitive at such a high level needs the proper preparation & confidence to go in there. Damn the loss, you could be seriously injured by going in there not %100. The next time you decide to tell a fighter to "take a fight" try being locked in a cage with another man for 15 minutes where his tank is full and yours is half empty & see what happens.

Oh yea - on the other hand - if your in shape and you don't take a fight - then that is a true example of BITCHASSNESS! I would never turn down a fight that I felt I was physically/mentally ready for.

TSMontana - 

inf0 - 

Turning down a fight should result in a Loss on your record.

 

No offense, but of the 10 years I've been here, this is one of the silliest things I've ever read.

I agree - the only fight he's ever been in was trying to button his pants

GeraldHares - 

Take it from a fighter that in some cases turning down fights is not a cowardly thing. Unless you are already in shape - you can't expect a guy to risk his career on a short notice bout when he's not prepared. THE RISK OUTWEIGH THE REWARD and we have all seen cases of guys being "cut" or ruined by short notice fights. The only benefit for winning a short notice fight is having extra money in your bank account & advancing in the division. The risk....well losing is terrible, because regardless if your 3-0 or 0-3 no one is safe. You get half your money, possibly injured, suspended, embarrased, and could lose your job in your next bout with a loss (some guys have a clause where they can't be cut after a short notice bout) So to tell a guy your a fighter - you should always be ready to fight comes from people who have never competed at that level. Try telling a Doctor to alway be prepared to perform surgery and he will probably tell you to kiss his ass. Anything competitive at such a high level needs the proper preparation & confidence to go in there. Damn the loss, you could be seriously injured by going in there not %100. The next time you decide to tell a fighter to "take a fight" try being locked in a cage with another man for 15 minutes where his tank is full and yours is half empty & see what happens.

Oh yea - on the other hand - if your in shape and you don't take a fight - then that is a true example of BITCHASSNESS! I would never turn down a fight that I felt I was physically/mentally ready for.

Exhibit #1, a fighter who was cut after his first loss.

You are the subject of this thread.

GeraldHares - 

TSMontana - 

inf0 - 

Turning down a fight should result in a Loss on your record.

 

No offense, but of the 10 years I've been here, this is one of the silliest things I've ever read.

I agree - the only fight he's ever been in was trying to button his pants