Well another TUF season is in the bag. I enjoyed the last episode... great fights! I wanted to comment on one topic.
I have to say... I have to agree overall with Matt Arroyo's decision not to fight. Here's why.
Dana Hypes up the whole TUF experience of winning that 6 figure contract. But look at the history of what happens to "non winners". There are just as many people from TUF that are in UFC contracts making just as much coin as TUF winners! Stephen Bonnar, Nathan Quarry, Chris Leben, Josh Koscheck, Kenny Florian, Mike Swick... and that's just season 1! What about Luke Cummo, or the guy to heated up the Ice Man, Keith Jardine! Others like Kendall Grove, Ed Herman, Matt Hamill, Joe Lauzon all doing quite well for themselves in the UFC without winning their seasons!
I think it comes down to the fact that this "6 figure contract" isn't all that attractive at all! As a matter of fact, in my opinion for some fighters, it's almost a ball and chain!
Look at Keith Jardine. The guy knocked out Chuck Liddell! He should be in title contention talking to Zuffa about a $500k/fight contract. Instead, he's locked in to some $100k/year contract for multiple fights.
If it was me, I would be making decisions based on my whole career rather than some whimpy 6 figure contract. Matt made the right call. You never know, his next fight Dana might throw him in against a star that needs a tune up and Arroyo might upset. BAM, just like that, he is now a star and a possible contender! Either way, his chances of making a living in the UFC are just as good as Mac or Tommy's.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Ultimate Fighter... no so Ultimate Contract?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comments:
Good point. A fighter definitely has more earning potential as a free agent in these days of uncertainty. But I'm glad Dana White recognizes the importance of a fighter's willingness, desire and heart, to the overall success of an MMA career. It wasn't easy to see whether Arroyo was looking at the big picture of his career, or whether he was pretty sure that he was going to lose to Mac Danzig. Dana has enough experience with these fighters to recognize when a fighter is beaten before the bell. Whether the injury was severe or not, it was his state of mind that was going to give Mac the win, not a fractured rib.
Post a Comment