Conor McGregor/Floyd Mayweather Jr

[Impractical Poster]

I get it, you're not keen, fair enough.

You don't get it. You nearly had it when you said 'the demographic' the ufc are going for. That's pricely why it will never reach the level of boxing. Because it will never transcend those demographics like boxing has.

MMA seems to attract the younger demographic. And I don't see those fans abandoning the sport once they reach a certain age. Relatively speaking, MMA is in it's infancy yet. When you think about how far it's come within the time it's been around, that's pretty impressive. Their demographic will continue to grow as our cultures will continue to change.

It's not just a fad, it's an evolution of combat sports. Over the past 10 years, in my area, the amount of MMA gyms have surpassed the boxing gyms... And most of the boxing gyms in my town are now offering MMA classes as well.

Just accept it and move on.

[Ricky_]

I get it, you're not keen, fair enough.

You don't get it. You nearly had it when you said 'the demographic' the ufc are going for. That's pricely why it will never reach the level of boxing. Because it will never transcend those demographics like boxing has.

Errr, you to realise that the demographic will grow up and continue to support MMA right, you think people hit 35 and go 'right, that's it, I'm too old for this now, I have to move on - Christ grown men and women watch wrestling in the U.S, which has a phenomenal fan base, and that's not even a real bloody sport!

What's boxing's demographic ? It doesn't even know. As far as I can tell, boxing's demographic is a niche sport with a dwindling fan base, with most of the major events being pay per play, in North America and the UK.

You talk as if boxing is in a great place, it isn't.

You seem absolutely convinced UFC is going nowhere, but it is interesting that many boxing fans, such as myself, who were initially sniffy, and in their 40's, now enjoy UFC more than boxing in general.

I don't think ufc is going nowhere. But i know it's type of audience won't grow much beyond meatheads and the type of assholes you find hanging around a dumbell rack with a protein shake in your local gym. I also know that the shelf life of superstardom in the UFC is very short lived. Rousey found fame way beyond wat Mcgregor currently has and when she gets her arse handed to her again by Holm she'll be retired. Done. Kapoot.

[Impractical Poster]

I don't think ufc is going nowhere. But i know it's type of audience won't grow much beyond meatheads and the type of assholes you find hanging around a dumbell rack with a protein shake in your local gym.

That's an extremely naive, and really, a pretty offensive statement. A lot of the people I know, fans, including a US CSM who is a combatives instructor for the US Special Forces who implements MMA techniques, are completely different than your description of MMA fans.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I get it, you're not keen, fair enough.

You don't get it. You nearly had it when you said 'the demographic' the ufc are going for. That's pricely why it will never reach the level of boxing. Because it will never transcend those demographics like boxing has.

MMA seems to attract the younger demographic. And I don't see those fans abandoning the sport once they reach a certain age. Relatively speaking, MMA is in it's infancy yet. When you think about how far it's come within the time it's been around, that's pretty impressive. Their demographic will continue to grow as our cultures will continue to change.

It's not just a fad, it's an evolution of combat sports. Over the past 10 years, in my area, the amount of MMA gyms have surpassed the boxing gyms... And most of the boxing gyms in my town are now offering MMA classes as well.

Just accept it and move on.

The younger generation of sitting on their cell phones has a short attention span and the shorter bouts appeases that. While I still prefer a great Boxing match(haven't seen one in a while), boring Boxing is much worse than MMA on the time of the fight alone. And the cards are just stacked, the one on Fox this weekend is better than any Boxing PPV(on paper) in many, many years.

[jamesmcdonnell]

You don't get it. You nearly had it when you said 'the demographic' the ufc are going for. That's pricely why it will never reach the level of boxing. Because it will never transcend those demographics like boxing has.

Errr, you to realise that the demographic will grow up and continue to support MMA right, you think people hit 35 and go 'right, that's it, I'm too old for this now, I have to move on - Christ grown men and women watch wrestling in the U.S, which has a phenomenal fan base, and that's not even a real bloody sport!

What's boxing's demographic ? It doesn't even know. As far as I can tell, boxing's demographic is a niche sport with a dwindling fan base, with most of the major events being pay per play, in North America and the UK.

You talk as if boxing is in a great place, it isn't.

You seem absolutely convinced UFC is going nowhere, but it is interesting that many boxing fans, such as myself, who were initially sniffy, and in their 40's, now enjoy UFC more than boxing in general.

I don't think ufc is going nowhere. But i know it's type of audience won't grow much beyond meatheads and the type of assholes you find hanging around a dumbell rack with a protein shake in your local gym. I also know that the shelf life of superstardom in the UFC is very short lived. Rousey found fame way beyond wat Mcgregor currently has and when she gets her arse handed to her again by Holm she'll be retired. Done. Kapoot.

Right, so I'm a meathead, asshole who hangs around a dumbbell rack am I?

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Errr, you to realise that the demographic will grow up and continue to support MMA right, you think people hit 35 and go 'right, that's it, I'm too old for this now, I have to move on - Christ grown men and women watch wrestling in the U.S, which has a phenomenal fan base, and that's not even a real bloody sport!

What's boxing's demographic ? It doesn't even know. As far as I can tell, boxing's demographic is a niche sport with a dwindling fan base, with most of the major events being pay per play, in North America and the UK.

You talk as if boxing is in a great place, it isn't.

You seem absolutely convinced UFC is going nowhere, but it is interesting that many boxing fans, such as myself, who were initially sniffy, and in their 40's, now enjoy UFC more than boxing in general.

I don't think ufc is going nowhere. But i know it's type of audience won't grow much beyond meatheads and the type of assholes you find hanging around a dumbell rack with a protein shake in your local gym. I also know that the shelf life of superstardom in the UFC is very short lived. Rousey found fame way beyond wat Mcgregor currently has and when she gets her arse handed to her again by Holm she'll be retired. Done. Kapoot.

Right, so I'm a meathead, asshole who hangs around a dumbbell rack am I?

Clearly, along with guys like Tyson and Oscar that attend the events.

[Ricky_]

Right, so I'm a meathead, asshole who hangs around a dumbbell rack am I?

I have no idea. I'm painting in broad strokes here

[Ricky_]

I don't think ufc is going nowhere. But i know it's type of audience won't grow much beyond meatheads and the type of assholes you find hanging around a dumbell rack with a protein shake in your local gym.

That's an extremely naive, and really, a pretty offensive statement. A lot of the people I know, fans, including a US CSM who is a combatives instructor for the US Special Forces who implements MMA techniques, are completely different than your description of MMA fans.

Broad strokes.

Sure i wasn't pulling any punches there in my description of your average UFC fan but i'm in branding. Everything about it, it's production, it's sponsors, it's marketing.... it's all branded to that particular demographic regardless of how you want to describe them.

[Impractical Poster]

I don't think ufc is going nowhere. But i know it's type of audience won't grow much beyond meatheads and the type of assholes you find hanging around a dumbell rack with a protein shake in your local gym.

That's an extremely naive, and really, a pretty offensive statement. A lot of the people I know, fans, including a US CSM who is a combatives instructor for the US Special Forces who implements MMA techniques, are completely different than your description of MMA fans.

Broad strokes.

Sure i wasn't pulling any punches there in my description of your average UFC fan but i'm in branding. Everything about it, it's production, it's sponsors, it's marketing.... it's all branded to that particular demographic regardless of how you want to describe them.

To me, their marketing techniques seem to target a young, hardcore type of demographic. If you see that as being meat heads and @sshole weightlifters, that's your own perception I spose. But don't try and pawn off your twisted perception as truth. Does the demographic include the people you speak of? Sure, but much more as well.

So yeah, you are painting with a very broad brush in only one small area of an entire piece. Let's not fall too deep into ignorance now...

I've went out to bars for big boxing cards and UFC cards... And trust me, there are idiot fans on both sides. And get this, I did not see one suit and tie during the boxing cards.

[Ricky_]

To me, their marketing techniques seem to target a young, hardcore type of demographic. If you see that as being meat heads and @sshole weightlifters, that's your own perception I spose. But don't try and pawn off your twisted perception as truth. Does the demographic include the people you speak of? Sure, but much more as well.

So yeah, you are painting with a very broad brush in only one small area of an entire piece. Let's not fall too deep into ignorance now...

I've went out to bars for big boxing cards and UFC cards... And trust me, there are idiot fans on both sides. And get this, I did not see one suit and tie during the boxing cards.

Cmon now lets not get all offended by my meatheads comment.

A guy i know recently bought a Mazda mx 5. He was none too happy when i laughed at him and called it a hairdressers car it's just typical customer demographics and stereotypes.

If you had to market the ufc by designing posterss/radio ads the first thing youre going to do is paint a stereotype of the typical ufc fan. I'm sure you can come up with something more flattering than a meathead but whatever. Point still stands. UFC is going to find it very hard to expand its brand appeal beyond that demographic.

[Impractical Poster]

Point still stands. UFC is going to find it very hard to expand its brand appeal beyond that demographic.

They already have.

[Impractical Poster]

Interesting watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94w2lwU-To0

[jamesmcdonnell]

Thanks....just watched it all. Very sharp guy. Understands business and spot on about the problem with boxing.

[BAD INTENTIONS]

Floyd never said he was the most exciting fighter in the world.

He said he is the best fighter alive ... check (by a good margin)
He said he is the biggest money maker ... check (by a good margin)

[sucracristo]

Zuffa/UFC are the ones making the lions share and paying their fighters relatively low amounts of money. I'm sure in time that will change, especially if a rival promotion comes along and gets its act together. Also the fighters themselves are going to start getting organised, they aren't going to be exploited forever. The contracts will change, I wouldn't be surprised to see McGregor become one of the first to change the MO.

you, sir, are what is referred to as a dreamer. there was pride (bought by zuffa), strikeforce (bought by zuffa),
wec (bought by zuffa), ifl (bought by zuffa), wfa (bought by zuffa) . what's left, bodog? you don't think zuffa
would just buy that one if it threatened to step up from minor league, too? i'm sure the fighters will all organize
as soon as jimmy hoffa's body is found.

Even if MMA fighters become a 'millionaire for a year or two' so what - ? That's not exactly bad going is it

for the one or two that reach that level at a time. again, at the pinnacle of the sport. nobody is comparing any
mma guys to mayweather in earnings. nobody is comparing any mma guys to the next 30 boxers down from
mayweather in earnings. it's just a couple of guys finally getting paid a fraction of what they could make if
they knew how to box, and the rest are all fighting for table scraps.

Mayweather is sad

he's laughing all the way to the bank because he isn't in some goofy mma fight league
grinding his junk against some dude's face and living out of his car while fighting for titles.

it's not just the mma fighters who can't just do what they do and feel good about it, but it's the tapout
t-shirt hari krishnas that can't let people discuss boxing in peace without manically reciting their pledge
of allegiance to dana white's jockstrap, saying how much more like "real fighting" it is, bla bla. why
not take that crap to the tennis or chess forums? and btw, 99% of the famous people who show up at mma
events are not there because they like it. it's just business for them. if you are offended by the mma
cult being referred to as meatheads, maybe the term hits too close to home?

[sucracristo]

I will admit though that Rogan needs to STFU, or at least dial it down, it drives me mad, he's gotten worse as time goes on.

think about it for a second. you have the typical sportscaster type guy calling the fight, and
then for the expert commentary you have a guy who has never competed in the sport, even
as an amateur, and never even really spars with pros in mma. granted he competed at national
international level in TKD, and at least has the credentials of a grappler at that level, but
what real sport has expert commentary from someone who has never competed or even
trained in the sport at any level? i can think of a few guys around boxing (angleo dundee)
who never fought, but they were mainly managers and trainers who did very little media work.
this is essentially the voice of the sport, and if you listen to what he says about what the
fighters should be doing, should have done, what will happen if, etc, he has no idea what he
is talking about. the ufc model is straight from the wwe textbook, which is the target demo.
mma is not a real sport in any way, is not comparable to boxing, is full what used to be the
karate a-holes in every room, and is gay. it's just a show, like wwe, or shooto, pro pankration,
only unscripted.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Zuffa/UFC are the ones making the lions share and paying their fighters relatively low amounts of money. I'm sure in time that will change, especially if a rival promotion comes along and gets its act together. Also the fighters themselves are going to start getting organised, they aren't going to be exploited forever. The contracts will change, I wouldn't be surprised to see McGregor become one of the first to change the MO.

you, sir, are what is referred to as a dreamer. there was pride (bought by zuffa), strikeforce (bought by zuffa),
wec (bought by zuffa), ifl (bought by zuffa), wfa (bought by zuffa) . what's left, bodog? you don't think zuffa
would just buy that one if it threatened to step up from minor league, too? i'm sure the fighters will all organize
as soon as jimmy hoffa's body is found.

Even if MMA fighters become a 'millionaire for a year or two' so what - ? That's not exactly bad going is it

for the one or two that reach that level at a time. again, at the pinnacle of the sport. nobody is comparing any
mma guys to mayweather in earnings. nobody is comparing any mma guys to the next 30 boxers down from
mayweather in earnings. it's just a couple of guys finally getting paid a fraction of what they could make if
they knew how to box, and the rest are all fighting for table scraps.

Mayweather is sad

he's laughing all the way to the bank because he isn't in some goofy mma fight league
grinding his junk against some dude's face and living out of his car while fighting for titles.

it's not just the mma fighters who can't just do what they do and feel good about it, but it's the tapout
t-shirt hari krishnas that can't let people discuss boxing in peace without manically reciting their pledge
of allegiance to dana white's jockstrap, saying how much more like "real fighting" it is, bla bla. why
not take that crap to the tennis or chess forums? and btw, 99% of the famous people who show up at mma
events are not there because they like it. it's just business for them. if you are offended by the mma
cult being referred to as meatheads, maybe the term hits too close to home?

I''ll address your points individually

1 - Zuffa bought those organisations because they were in financial trouble, and not doing well, I'm sure they will continue to do so if the option arises again, but common sense, and the weight of history indicates, than in business monopolies never last forever, and at some point the business model will change. It may take some time, but inevitably, it will happen. Nobody dominates any field of business indefinitely, and that goes for MMA, as it has been for boxing over it's history.

2 - I don't care how rich Mayweather is- yes, we all know how rich he is, he is always talking about it, however - do you know how many pro boxers there are who also have to hold down a day job, or sleep in their car. Just because there's a few elite guys making a killing, doesn't meant that overall fighters are doing well. I've heard too many stories direct from fighters of how little they actually earn once you delete the fees for training camp, sanctioning body fees, management fees, and promotional subtractions, that's before the taxman gets his share.

3 - I don't know if I'm meant to be one of these 'tapout t-shirt brigage, which I'm not incidentally. Sure, every sport has it's moronic element who follow it, believe me, I've been to plenty of boxing shows, and I've seen plenty of drunk, coked up meathead morons over the years, screaming obscenities, baying for blood, and shouting 'kill him' etc etc. What is your point exactly? I've got no pledge of allegiance to UFC, I enjoy watching it, it's competitive, exciting, and compelling, lots of other people find it so, some of them are morons.

4 - Ok, so I'll give you some background on me, you decide

I'm a university graduate with a B.A in English and European Lit.
I'm an avid listener of the BBC world service
I'm a published author and former journalist
In my spare time I play percussion, sing in band, and write poetry and children's fiction.
I am a huge boxing fan, and I like watching UFC, and am fast becoming a fan.

If that's your definition of a meathead - then I'm a meathead.

You seem to have a serious issue with MMA, trying to deride it and suggesting it will never grow further, despite the evidence to the contrary, and making sweeping statements about those who enjoy it as meathead fanboys.

Sadly for you, I think the next 20 years are going to cause you a great deal of personal anguish, as it goes from strength to strength.

[thunderfromdownunder]

Why would he shut up? Those that haye him still hang on his every word. As for desperation, the ufc is a far better product than boxing right now.

I agree, I find myself watching far more MMA than boxing nowadays. It's pretty hard to find venues that show boxing now in my town, unless it's Floyd, manny or one of the high profile Aussie guys (who are all old and semi retired now) whereas most of the pubs show the UFC

[Tomasino]

You don't get it. You nearly had it when you said 'the demographic' the ufc are going for. That's pricely why it will never reach the level of boxing. Because it will never transcend those demographics like boxing has.

Errr, you to realise that the demographic will grow up and continue to support MMA right, you think people hit 35 and go 'right, that's it, I'm too old for this now, I have to move on - Christ grown men and women watch wrestling in the U.S, which has a phenomenal fan base, and that's not even a real bloody sport!

What's boxing's demographic ? It doesn't even know. As far as I can tell, boxing's demographic is a niche sport with a dwindling fan base, with most of the major events being pay per play, in North America and the UK.

You talk as if boxing is in a great place, it isn't.

You seem absolutely convinced UFC is going nowhere, but it is interesting that many boxing fans, such as myself, who were initially sniffy, and in their 40's, now enjoy UFC more than boxing in general.

I don't think ufc is going nowhere. But i know it's type of audience won't grow much beyond meatheads and the type of assholes you find hanging around a dumbell rack with a protein shake in your local gym. I also know that the shelf life of superstardom in the UFC is very short lived. Rousey found fame way beyond wat Mcgregor currently has and when she gets her arse handed to her again by Holm she'll be retired. Done. Kapoot.

Why does using Dumbbells at a gym make you an asshole?

[jamesmcdonnell]

Errr, you to realise that the demographic will grow up and continue to support MMA right, you think people hit 35 and go 'right, that's it, I'm too old for this now, I have to move on - Christ grown men and women watch wrestling in the U.S, which has a phenomenal fan base, and that's not even a real bloody sport!

What's boxing's demographic ? It doesn't even know. As far as I can tell, boxing's demographic is a niche sport with a dwindling fan base, with most of the major events being pay per play, in North America and the UK.

You talk as if boxing is in a great place, it isn't.

You seem absolutely convinced UFC is going nowhere, but it is interesting that many boxing fans, such as myself, who were initially sniffy, and in their 40's, now enjoy UFC more than boxing in general.

I don't think ufc is going nowhere. But i know it's type of audience won't grow much beyond meatheads and the type of assholes you find hanging around a dumbell rack with a protein shake in your local gym. I also know that the shelf life of superstardom in the UFC is very short lived. Rousey found fame way beyond wat Mcgregor currently has and when she gets her arse handed to her again by Holm she'll be retired. Done. Kapoot.

Why does using Dumbbells at a gym make you an asshole?

God knows, or maybe it's the protein shake, or the fact the gym is local, I'm mystified. Maybe it's Ricky's deep-rooted feelings of inadequacy because he has a smaller bulge in his leggings than the other guys at the gym - maybe it's a combination of all of these things, it's really quite hard to be certain.

I am meant to be going to the gym later, but I'm now wracked with worry that I will turn into a giant asshole by doing so.

[reggaereggae]

I much,much prefer boxing to MMA, but McGregor has more character and fighting heart in his foreskin than Mayweather has ever had....

[Ricky_]

Errr, you to realise that the demographic will grow up and continue to support MMA right, you think people hit 35 and go 'right, that's it, I'm too old for this now, I have to move on - Christ grown men and women watch wrestling in the U.S, which has a phenomenal fan base, and that's not even a real bloody sport!

What's boxing's demographic ? It doesn't even know. As far as I can tell, boxing's demographic is a niche sport with a dwindling fan base, with most of the major events being pay per play, in North America and the UK.

You talk as if boxing is in a great place, it isn't.

You seem absolutely convinced UFC is going nowhere, but it is interesting that many boxing fans, such as myself, who were initially sniffy, and in their 40's, now enjoy UFC more than boxing in general.

I don't think ufc is going nowhere. But i know it's type of audience won't grow much beyond meatheads and the type of assholes you find hanging around a dumbell rack with a protein shake in your local gym. I also know that the shelf life of superstardom in the UFC is very short lived. Rousey found fame way beyond wat Mcgregor currently has and when she gets her arse handed to her again by Holm she'll be retired. Done. Kapoot.

Why does using Dumbbells at a gym make you an asshole?

https://youtu.be/119eo84_AQk

[jamesmcdonnell]

I much,much prefer boxing to MMA, but McGregor has more character and fighting heart in his foreskin than Mayweather has ever had....

I do prefer a great boxing match, the problem is, there seem to be scant few of them these days. I'm struggling to recall the last high profile, top level fight that I got to see, that produced real fireworks.

GGG v Lemiuex wasn't bad, but it was a tad one sided to be compelling, still, at least GGG went out there to smash him up.
Canelo v Cotto was ok, but never quite caught fire, and was again relatively one sided.
Most of Froch's fights were great value, wish there were more like him in Boxing, prepared to go balls to the wall in world title fights.

There may be many other world title fights which are compelling, but the trouble is, it's very hard to get to see most of them, unless you want to watch after the event on youtube, which to be frank, I can't be arsed doing, as once I know the result, it's just not very interesting any more.

That's another huge problem boxing has, multiple networks and promoters, so you just can't get all the best content in one place, - how I wish you could.

Even if I had Sky, BT Sports, allegedly (I cancelled sky ages ago because it's a rip off) and shelled out for Every single PPV - which would cost me a small fortune a year, I still couldn't get to see all of the best fights, due to the labyrinthine business relationships boxing has.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I don't think ufc is going nowhere. But i know it's type of audience won't grow much beyond meatheads and the type of assholes you find hanging around a dumbell rack with a protein shake in your local gym. I also know that the shelf life of superstardom in the UFC is very short lived. Rousey found fame way beyond wat Mcgregor currently has and when she gets her arse handed to her again by Holm she'll be retired. Done. Kapoot.

Why does using Dumbbells at a gym make you an asshole?

https://youtu.be/119eo84_AQk

Yes, that guy is an utter bellend. However, that's not why I go to the gym. I go because I'm 45 with a crocked shoulder, and need physio and rehab.

[danamba7]

I much,much prefer boxing to MMA, but McGregor has more character and fighting heart in his foreskin than Mayweather has ever had....