The UFC has received a lot of criticism from fans this year in regards to the overall quality of the cards.
Though this has been slightly helped by the Octagon leaving the Apex for events like UFC Baku this past weekend, recent events haven’t produced too many highlights.
On Saturday night, Dana White awarded all of the bonuses to the lightweight clash between Nazim Sadykhov and Nikolas Motta which stole the show but even still, that bout contained one of the two finishes across a 12-fight card.
During the post-fight press conference, where White announced Jon Jones’ retirement, the UFC CEO also suggested a change that might be coming to the promotion’s schedule.
While more fights may sound like a good thing, fans raised concerns about whether this is actually a positive for the promotion overall.
Dana White suggests that the UFC may double the number of Contender Series fights going forward
The UFC is in a pivotal period right now as the promotion continues to negotiate its current broadcast rights deal.
Dana White provided an update when telling Sports Business Journal that it is likely that the UFC will have multiple broadcasting partners, although the details of what a split would look like are currently unknown.
Speaking at the UFC Baku post-fight press conference, White was asked a question about a promising fighter from Belarus and what the best approach to take is for getting to the UFC.
He went on to suggest that as part of the new broadcast deal, the quantity of Dana White’s Contender Series fights could be doubled.
“Not to mention the fact that as we go into our new TV rights deal, we’re probably going to end up doing double the amount of Contender Series fights that we do now. So listen, stay active, keep winning, and fight notable people so you can get noticed and you will definitely make it to the Contender Series.”
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Fans criticize Dana White and the UFC for adding more fights and signing more Contender Series talent
With some fans believing that the overall quality of UFC events has declined due to there being too many events with Contender Series graduates taking up a huge portion of the roster, the reaction to White’s comments wasn’t overly positive on social media.
Though it would provide more opportunities for fighters to earn a shot in the UFC, this would also suggest that the level of talent featured on Contender Series won’t be as high because the promotion wouldn’t be able to be as selective.
‘Brutal. Rip MMA.’
‘Yes this is what we’ve been waiting on! A more bloated roster with lesser talent perfect to fill the Apex cards. Just [wait] until the world opens back up though.’
‘Yeah I’m probably finished with UFC. The watering down these last years is destroying to joy.’
‘I’m not against this as long as they are more selective about who they give contracts to.’
‘gg UFC roster gonna be a whole bunch of cans.’
‘The UFC product quality has really gone down the drain and this is going to make it worse. I find myself watching BKFC, PFL (who now allow elbows), ONE, Oktagon, KSW, Glory, much more now.’