Dana promoted Mac because he knew Mac could become a huge draw. He could have promoted Woodley or Aldo or any number of other fighters similarly, but he doesn't. He's been at this long enough to know who has the potential to become a big draw.
To say Mac is all Dana's doing is saying Dana could have made Woodley as big a star as Mac. Do you really think the style Woodley used against Maia is ever going to have mass fan appeal just because Dana is promoting it?
First part, a lot of truth to that. Conor deserves much more credit than I gave him in first post, and that is a solid point. He sells himself.
But he has to have a pulpit. Dana gave him one to use however he wants. Other fighters of course did not get this.
The bold part: this is where you go off the rails.
YES.
In pro football, pro tennis, pro any other sport: A win is a win. A W is what matters. Nobody gives a shit what you do to beat the Patriots, onlt that you beat the Patriots.
Woodley fought a perfect fight. Doing it any other way and he gets choked out. Period. He isn't stupid. Why would he give up the belt and become a nobody? It's a ridiculous notion. He WON THE FIGHT.
What does Dana do? He shits on him for a perfect fight plan. Because Dana has a personal problem with him.
Woodleys "style" is counterpunching somebodys head off their shoulders. But Maia ONLY THROWS PUNCHES AS COVER FOR HIS TAKEDOWN. So, he wants you to counter so he can get under your counter and take you down and smother you.
Have you watched any of Maia's fights? You think those are exciting?
Take a look at this:
Maia chokes you out or lays and prays to a decision. Thats it. He has never knocked any anybody out. The idea that the champ needs to go in there and start winging punches is dumb.
Tyron wants to remain champ, because if he looses, Dana will kick him to the curb with the quickness. This seems so apparent.
Of course it's a money grab. I'm the one who suggested that everyone boycott this fight. And you yourself said you'd probably watch it. And then you complain about the UFC crapping on its fans! If even longtime fans like you are willing to reward Dana for this spectacle, how can you blame him for arranging this farce?
I am a lifelong boxing fan and have been an MMA fan since the 80's, so yeah of course I am going to watch it!
That doesn't mean it is good for the fighters waiting and working toward the title!
I'd watch it if it were Payton Manning fighting Floyd. But that doesn't mean I think it would be okay to suspend the superbowl and make the entire NFL wait around why Payton decides WWF wrestling is really where he needs to focus some energy!