So many matches look identical these days. Where is the innovation we used to see? Did it stop with oblique kicks?
What happened to casting punches like Fedor, Igor and Sergei KO'd fools with? More fighters should learn that if only to mix it up.
Judo throws? Still so many missed opportunities in the clinch and endless failed double legs.
Rubber guard? Wasn't it supposed to revolutionize MMA guard?
Fighters have become very generic, and the flood of no name vs who the fuck is that guy matchups makes it even more evident
Used to be vs and every event was a big event due the unpredicatability and lack of them overall.
The fighters themselves use to be, generally, tough and crazy mofos who would fight anyone and would beat their ass or get their asses beat.
Now, they're talking about legacies and declining fights and thinking of themselves as 'products' so they tend to be more reserved.
Skillwise, the fighers are far better than before, although I have my doubts of them being tougher than the old guard.
The way I see it these days, MMA has about the same apeal of boxing cards on cable television.
There is a point where they are no more skillful than older fighters of a certain generation, just more adept and trained to fight against other fighters cut from the same mold. Most would actually probably have issues with fighters from 5-15 years ago if you dropped them off with a time machine, because they are so used to fighting a certain way now.
Non N00B -There is a point where they are no more skillful than older fighters of a certain generation, just more adept and trained to fight against other fighters cut from the same mold. Most would actually probably have issues with fighters from 5-15 years ago if you dropped them off with a time machine, because they are so used to fighting a certain way now.
Over saturation
A lot of them start at MMA gyms or spend the majority of time there now & they have a certain formula/curriculum for a successful MMA fighter. So many all fight them same with the same skill sets.basically it's all been done. The karate or Tae Kwon do guy who rounds out his skill set. The wrestler who rounds his out & falls in love with striking. The former football that's a natural athlete who spends 3 years at an MMA team.
You have a few gems like Conor, Kron, Ryan Hall that make things new & interesting but can't or won't get fights. Izzy is amazing but kinda feels like a lesser Anderson reboot.
william795 -A lot of them start at MMA gyms or spend the majority of time there now & they have a certain formula/curriculum for a successful MMA fighter. So many all fight them same with the same skill sets.basically it's all been done. The karate or Tae Kwon do guy who rounds out his skill set. The wrestler who rounds his out & falls in love with striking. The former football that's a natural athlete who spends 3 years at an MMA team.
You have a few gems like Conor, Kron, Ryan Hall that make things new & interesting but can't or won't get fights. Izzy is amazing but kinda feels like a lesser Anderson reboot.
I should add Khabib as well even though I can't stand him. But he uses wrestling and dominates which is unique & special nowadays.
Non N00B -Fighters have become very generic, and the flood of no name vs who the fuck is that guy matchups makes it even more evident
There’s no reason to stand out anymore. Risk taking isn’t rewarded. Guys aren’t looking for sponsors anymore, so preserving their fight pay is paramount. This means boring and predictable fights from guys not willing to take risks.
The show/win money system is a HUGE problem and probably the most glaring cause. One mistake can halve your pay for the night. Makes no fucking sense.
Hey Valentina Shevchenko had some amazing headlock takedowns last night that would rival any high school girl fight
The problem is everyone is good enough to neutralize the other fighter. But the other guy is the same. When fighters are so close skill wise, fights are duller.
I don't think it is at all. I don't buy the over saturation BS either. How can someone be for fighter pay but want less events?
you can pick and choose the massive ppvs and all the other events are a bonus for ppl that really like watching them all and for the lower level fighters to build their careers.
the only thing holding it back atm is WMMA imo
HillboFrateTrane -There’s no reason to stand out anymore. Risk taking isn’t rewarded. Guys aren’t looking for sponsors anymore, so preserving their fight pay is paramount. This means boring and predictable fights from guys not willing to take risks.
The show/win money system is a HUGE problem and probably the most glaring cause. One mistake can halve your pay for the night. Makes no fucking sense.
I agree on the win/show money. I 100% do not agree on the first part. Fighters understand getting noticed
look at Chimaev or Joaquin Buckley. That is polar opposite to your first point
Most fighters are cookie cutters. They train the same and they fight the same so many fights look like two clones going at it and the fighter with just a bit more gets the victory.
Remember back when Battle Bots had really cool looking robots fighting? Someone figures out a slender wedge design was best for Battle Bots then suddenly all the bots looked the same and it got stale.
Remember when someone figured out the most common letters used in English were R, S, T, L, N, & E and the final round of Wheel of Fortune played out the same game after game?
that happened long ago
at least a decade ago
kungfugrip -The problem is everyone is good enough to neutralize the other fighter. But the other guy is the same. When fighters are so close skill wise, fights are duller.
I like it. Weeds out casuals.
it's all trash except for 5% of the fights and fighters
ThatsHowIRoll -HillboFrateTrane -There’s no reason to stand out anymore. Risk taking isn’t rewarded. Guys aren’t looking for sponsors anymore, so preserving their fight pay is paramount. This means boring and predictable fights from guys not willing to take risks.
The show/win money system is a HUGE problem and probably the most glaring cause. One mistake can halve your pay for the night. Makes no fucking sense.
I agree on the win/show money. I 100% do not agree on the first part. Fighters understand getting noticed
look at Chimaev or Joaquin Buckley. That is polar opposite to your first point
Not personality-wise. I never gave a shit about that and I never watched TUF either. I don’t care what guys are like outside of the octagon for the most part.
Im talking how they fight and compete. You know, the shit that actually matters. Not the social media posturing and appealing to the neckbeards. Mainstream appeal means nothing to me.
A lot of the guys competing today are complete faggots compared to guys at the top even 10 years ago. Sean omalley would have no appeal in 2006.
