UFC Central Insider: Love the UFC live

Showdown Joe answers several fan questions in his weekly UFC Central Ask the Insider column including what the real live UFC experience is like and possible plans for the 20th anniversary show.

BY SHOWDOWN JOE

After a one week hiatus, we are back with this week’s column. Due to time constraints with my daily obligations, filing this piece while on the road is very difficult to do, but I may have another solution. Perhaps what we may be able to do is film a video feature instead, while I’m there, with you the fans. I personally believe it will be fun for all involved, so I’ll run it by the Sportsnet brass ASAP.

In the meantime, let’s tackle some of the questions that have populated by various social media outlets.

In a perfect world, five title fights on the main card, but that will surely mess things up for the UFC matchmaking team after the November show. It would be akin to locking down five champions on five separate Ultimate Fighter shows. Personally, what could make sense is having one, maybe two title fights on the card, with the rest of the three bouts, all number one contender elimination scraps to determine whose officially next within their respective divisions.

Depending on your taste, there aren’t many other sporting events that can compare. Pending your likes and dislikes about atmosphere and experience, a live UFC event is fantastic. I could just imagine how great it would feel to be a fan (and not a media member) at a live event. It’s electric, loud, full of energy and incredible to be a part of. I’ve been to my fair share of big events, and my favourite was catching a soccer game overseas in Italy. That’s insane to say the least, but those are true, ultra fans, who live and die by their team(s). Not the same in the UFC, then again, go to Brazil and see how they react when one of their own is competing. Sheer, awesome, madness.

It’s a two way street, no different than what we see in other sports. Should Mixed Martial Artists get paid more than what they do today? Yes, I believe so, but it takes two to tango. Like the GM’s who oversee teams in the NHL, MLB, NBA, etc., they offer a player a contract, and it’s up to said player to sign it. There may be more options in other sports, but there is more to this world than sports. If you don’t like what you are being offered, then take your services, and perhaps your career elsewhere. But if you sign the contract, I don’t believe you should then start complaining about your pay after one or two fights. You agreed to the terms, so you should now deal with it if you aren’t happy.

Have your say: Have an opinion on the news of the day? Better yet, want to become a Fan Fuel blogger? Email us here. | Read more Fan Fuel blogs here

There are other options in MMA (albeit, lower paying) so your final decision is your own. If you no longer want to fight, then there are many careers out there that can pay you a lot more, so again, the decision is yours. The main reason I chose to never compete professionally in MMA, was because of constant injuries, but the pay scale in the late 1990s was another reason I was not motivated enough.

I’m not one to step in between Dana White and Steve Mazzagatti as they are both grown men who can handle their differences on their own. But in watching the Josh Burkmann vs. Jon Fitch bout, I do believe a few things went into play with Mazzagatti that evening. Namely, Fitch’s history to prove he can get out of any choke, any time, throughout a bout. Now, he was rocked by Burkmann, which instantly tells you he is in trouble, but again, history has shown us that Fitch can get out of anything. I also believe Mazzagatti should have been on the opposite side of where he was standing, to pay closer attention to Jon’s arm. That’s something that could have signaled Fitch was in trouble – standing where he was standing makes it far more difficult to ascertain if Jon was conscious or not.

I personally do not understand why Jung was selected over Lamas, but I’m sure there is a method to the UFC matchmaking teams madness. When Pettis was announced as injured, I waited for the announcement that Lamas would get the shot. I was puzzled when I was incorrect, but the fact he’s been also removed from the UFC 162 card, tells me, he’s on standby should “The Korean Zombie” get injured.

That’s impossible to tell. Both guys signed for a three round fight. That means they trained for a three round fight. If they signed for a five round fight, then the whole tilt, from the opening bell, would have been a far different affair. Most fighters pace themselves in a 25 minute scrap, while a 15 minute affair usually sees them pick up the pace the moment the referee steps out of the way in Round 1.

It’s tough to say, but I’d like to see him at 185 lbs. again. Problem is, at his age, cutting weight can be very difficult. I would not put it past him, as Hendo is always a man on a mission, but after asking him this specific question at the post fight press conference, I believe he will stay at 205 lbs., and take on another guy in the top 10 next.

Have your say: Have an opinion on the news of the day? Better yet, want to become a Fan Fuel blogger? Email us here. | Read more Fan Fuel blogs here

Another great question, and tough to say, but if I had a pick, I’d like to see him take on Tony Ferguson or Ramsey Nijem next.

Great idea, but I’d likely have a better chance of picking the winners of the next 200 fights, before this would get passed by the Association of Boxing Commissions, then all the State, Provincial and Municipal Athletic Commissions.

The analyst in me says “Yes”, they will return to The Peg every other year. The greedy traveling fan in me, hopes it’s an annual tradition.

Nope – Pettis is a legit champion and stud at two weight classes. That tilt with Aldo was being pegged as an all-time classic. I don’t feel that with Jose and KZ right now. I believe the style match up favours Aldo big time. In fact, I do not like Jung’s chances at all in this fight.

It will be behind closed doors with the UFC matchmaking team. And it will likely be way tougher of a fight than anything, or anyone he has ever faced off against, in his professional MMA career.

It was likely easier to sell Jose Aldo Jr. to defend his title at the UFC’s biggest show in history. But I highly doubt the same could have been done to Benson Henderson. I had the early feeling, the moment TJ Grant defeated Gray Maynard that his title shot would never take place in Canada. I do not speak for Benson or his management, but I’m sure they would have done anything possible to make sure he defends his title on American soil. Perhaps anywhere else as well, just not on Canadian turf. I also believe their positioning would be “it doesn’t matter where,” but I believe it does.

I like it.

Not saying it was you, but who comes up with this stuff?

I’ve never seen a GSP fight where he hasn’t tried to score a knockout, work for a submission or at the very least, ground and pound his way to a TKO victory. Against Maia, I agree, I do not see him going to the ground for more than 10 seconds. It would be a stand-up affair. And even if GSP was to emerge victorious, by knockout, TKO, submission, etc. – he would still have critics complaining about his performance. That’s just the way it is. He knows it, I know it, and anyone who has covered this sport knows it as well.

Sportsnet.ca no longer supports comments.