Francis "The Predator" Ngannou - There and Back Again

Francis Ngannou – The turnaround

It was a vindicating trip to Beijing, China this past weekend for the Pride of Cameroon and former UFC heavyweight title contender Francis Ngannou. The proud African entered the year ready to take over, to be the next big thing, and he exits it with a late game save of his job. The story of Ngannou is unique in some ways, but all too familiar in many. Can he tell a new story, one no one thought he could be the star of?

2018 was supposed to be the year of Ngannou. He hit like a “ford escort going as fast as it can” as Dana White so enthusiastically told us every chance he got. I don’t know about that, but he certainly has devastating power and a highlight reel to back it up. With hellacious stoppages over the likes of Andrei Arlovski and Alistair Overeem, the UFC put the machine behind him and positioned him as their next world beater.

As I covered in my very first article for this site, Francis Ngannou was the perfect ambassador for the UFC and sport of MMA as a whole. From the sand mines in Cameroon to the Octagon, he had a Cinderella story to match his crowd-pleasing style, on top of being a physical specimen to behold. Then Stipe Miocic got a hold of him.

an eye opener

I hate to use the term “exposed”, so I won’t, but the 25-minute beatdown in January executed by the champion served as a wake-up call for Ngannou, as well as fans. Francis essentially emptied his gas tank hitting thin air in the first round. Miocic was then able to utilise his wrestling to control the heaving behemoth on the way to a comfortable decision victory. It was sobering, so sobering in fact that Ngannou’s bounce back fight was as much a fight as it was a staring contest.

Francis took on Derrick Lewis five months later at UFC 226 in what  was supposed to be a banger. Instead, both men stood in front of each other waiting for the other to do something. Neither of them did. Lewis would get the arbitrary decision victory in what Joe Rogan dubbed the “worst heavyweight fight of all time”.

Dana White, ever the turncoat, took this opportunity to bury Ngannou. According to the UFC president, Francis’ ego was out of control. His overconfidence led to a lacklustre training camp pre UFC 220. And the results of the fight speak for itself. It would be easy for me to in turn bury White for his flip flopping, but in this case it’s hard to argue. Francis admitted to carrying the Stipe loss into the Lewis fight, causing him to freeze up. It appears the Cameroonian bought into the hype, and the ensuing defeat shattered his confidence. A terrible sign at this level of sports.

A cautionary tale

Had Miocic taken his soul? Many thought so. As such, everyone looked to exit the bandwagon, except no one really ever gets off a bandwagon. They just change at the station. Francis appeared to be completing a transition in his story. Once a rags to riches figure – the international Rocky Balboa – and now a cautionary tale, a plummet from grace. Everyone thinks they know the story, but a twist occurs and we shift our expectations. The genre conventions were telling us Ngannou was done, just another list item on some YouTube infotainment channel.

After the Lewis fight “the Predator”, to his credit, acknowledged the mental block he was facing. He tweeted “I will overcome all of this”. A hollow gesture to most I’m sure, but I couldn’t help but see the opportunity for a narrative genesis. This could certainly be a dead end, but what if it wasn’t? What if Ngannou could come back from this. What if he wasn’t a cautionary tale of ego and hype. I don’t know about you, but a redemption story appeals to the humanity in me more than the story of a conqueror achieving his destiny.

think again

Now, as November reaches its climax Ngannou is back in the win column. A 45 second TKO over surging contender Curtis Blaydes looks to turn the vehicle around. As referee Marc Goddard pulled the hulking heavyweight off of Blaydes, Francis stomped across the octagon, beating his chest and bellowing “I’m back”.

If I’m objectively assessing the evening, a quick stoppage over someone whom Ngannou had already beaten 2 years prior doesn’t necessarily guarantee a redemption arc, but it’s a damn fine start, and certainly a much needed close to what has been a tough year for Ngannou. The short time we got to see Ngannou in the cage produced some good signs. He looked sharp, but most importantly he looked confident.

The soft spoke African seems like a larger than life figure, but it’s crucial to remember that he is human. For him to show up in China and pull it off after being buried by everyone, including your once biggest supporters says something. I have no idea what the future holds for Francis Ngannou, but right now I’m happy for him. He is refusing to let the narrative shape him and is instead trying to reshape the narrative. What if he can do it? What if he can finally ascend those steps and claim the throne? Wouldn’t that be so much sweeter now?

Images courtesy of mirror.co.uk, usatoday.com and skysports.com.

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Once Upon a Time in Gypsyland

Tyson Fury: Once Upon a Time in GypsyLand

Once upon a time, not too long ago actually. There lived a giant of a man who went by the name Tyson Fury. And to his loyal followers, The Gypsy King. Now the story goes that this giant beat all who came before him. Striking them down with unequaled skill and unanswered blows. Born into a rich lineage and fighting tradition. It was as though his destiny had been shaped long before ever taking his first breath.

Now it would be fair to say that as he grew as a man, he had the kind whose personality that left many onlookers with either a feeling of love or hate. With very little room for anything in between. But it was his boxing ability, not his character that could be questioned. Evidenced by his results and his capturing of the undisputed world heavyweight boxing championship.

Let us hark back to the time when the lesser known Fury sought to unseat the undisputed heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. With many of his peers believing Fury would not have enough tools at his disposal to unseat the champion, he entered their competition the underdog. But not to be outdone in his quest for greatness, Fury looked to both outbox and outpoint the reigning king Klitschko … and so he did.

After laying bare the boxing landscape, what next? What great challenge now faced the man mountain and who would seek their opportunity to bring him down to his knees? As it happens, it would be no man born from his mother that would finally cripple and dethrone the newly crowned king.

As Fury contemplated his life and his future in the sport. A strange undercurrent took hold of his psyche, taking him to the darkest corners of his mind. As mental illness tightened it’s grip, Fury looked to silence the voices by self medicating. Pretending to friends and family that everything as ever, was just fine. Through copious amounts of alcohol and drugs, the now former undisputed champion ballooned to some 400lbs or 28 stone in weight. In a very real visual representation of the chaos now taking place inside his minds eye.

Ending it All

What followed was a seemingly endless session of partying followed by the inevitable hangovers. As the once great fighter looked on as his career and his life fell apart one drink at a time. Fury would go on to detail his lowest point on the Joe Rogan experience podcast where he discussed his failed attempt at suicide when things simply became too much to bear.

If not for an unlikely intervention and a new found love for his old friend boxing. There is little doubting now, that at the time Tyson Fury’s own willingness and game plan to self implode would have succeeded.

Now, after over two years away from the sport. And making a monumental comeback, simply in terms of his weight, losing over 150lbs. It’s the sign of someone who has both great mental fortitude and an unwillingness to never give up. Which has seen Fury claw his way back into fitness and two recent successful fights inside the ropes. But let us be clear, I won’t be the one to gloss over the fact that either of his opponents were anywhere near the top level he once competed against and defeated. And with only those two wins, the Gypsy King Tyson Fury in his undeniable and now unshakable self belief. Decided to answer the call of the WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

Heavyweight Boxing Greatness Awaits

Wilder who at least publicly has been calling for his shot at the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO world champion Anthony Joshua, had his demands go unanswered. With Joshua seeking to carry on and face his mandatory challengers before potentially turning to face Wilder. It was the lineal champion Tyson Fury who would answer the call. And now, quite unexpectedly, these two Goliath’s of the boxing world will face off come December 1st.

For Fury to come back from the greatest challenge of his life in his fight with mental health. Having tasted the highest of the highs lowest of the lows physically, mentally, emotionally … To take on one of the deadliest KO artists in the sport is nothing short of stunning. Will he go on to fulfill his vision and regain his mantle as the greatest heavyweight boxer of his generation?

With Anthony Joshua waiting in the wings, looking on with great interest. It’s a captivating scenario and a touchpaper that could once again set the world of heavyweight boxing alight! All eyes will be on Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury a week from today.

Images courtesy of Guardian.com, boxing scene.com, dailyexpress.co.uk & worldboxingnews.net

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Once Upon a Time in Gypsyland

Tyson Fury: Once Upon a Time in GypsyLand

Once upon a time, not too long ago actually. There lived a giant of a man who went by the name Tyson Fury. And to his loyal followers, The Gypsy King. Now the story goes that this giant beat all who came before him. Striking them down with unequaled skill and unanswered blows. Born into a rich lineage and fighting tradition. It was as though his destiny had been shaped long before ever taking his first breath.

Now it would be fair to say that as he grew as a man, he had the kind whose personality that left many onlookers with either a feeling of love or hate. With very little room for anything in between. But it was his boxing ability, not his character that could be questioned. Evidenced by his results and his capturing of the undisputed world heavyweight boxing championship.

Let us hark back to the time when the lesser known Fury sought to unseat the undisputed heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. With many of his peers believing Fury would not have enough tools at his disposal to unseat the champion, he entered their competition the underdog. But not to be outdone in his quest for greatness, Fury looked to both outbox and outpoint the reigning king Klitschko … and so he did.

After laying bare the boxing landscape, what next? What great challenge now faced the man mountain and who would seek their opportunity to bring him down to his knees? As it happens, it would be no man born from his mother that would finally cripple and dethrone the newly crowned king.

As Fury contemplated his life and his future in the sport. A strange undercurrent took hold of his psyche, taking him to the darkest corners of his mind. As mental illness tightened it’s grip, Fury looked to silence the voices by self medicating. Pretending to friends and family that everything as ever, was just fine. Through copious amounts of alcohol and drugs, the now former undisputed champion ballooned to some 400lbs or 28 stone in weight. In a very real visual representation of the chaos now taking place inside his minds eye.

Ending it All

What followed was a seemingly endless session of partying followed by the inevitable hangovers. As the once great fighter looked on as his career and his life fell apart one drink at a time. Fury would go on to detail his lowest point on the Joe Rogan experience podcast where he discussed his failed attempt at suicide when things simply became too much to bear.

If not for an unlikely intervention and a new found love for his old friend boxing. There is little doubting now, that at the time Tyson Fury’s own willingness and game plan to self implode would have succeeded.

Now, after over two years away from the sport. And making a monumental comeback, simply in terms of his weight, losing over 150lbs. It’s the sign of someone who has both great mental fortitude and an unwillingness to never give up. Which has seen Fury claw his way back into fitness and two recent successful fights inside the ropes. But let us be clear, I won’t be the one to gloss over the fact that either of his opponents were anywhere near the top level he once competed against and defeated. And with only those two wins, the Gypsy King Tyson Fury in his undeniable and now unshakable self belief. Decided to answer the call of the WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

Heavyweight Boxing Greatness Awaits

Wilder who at least publicly has been calling for his shot at the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO world champion Anthony Joshua, had his demands go unanswered. With Joshua seeking to carry on and face his mandatory challengers before potentially turning to face Wilder. It was the lineal champion Tyson Fury who would answer the call. And now, quite unexpectedly, these two Goliath’s of the boxing world will face off come December 1st.

For Fury to come back from the greatest challenge of his life in his fight with mental health. Having tasted the highest of the highs lowest of the lows physically, mentally, emotionally … To take on one of the deadliest KO artists in the sport is nothing short of stunning. Will he go on to fulfill his vision and regain his mantle as the greatest heavyweight boxer of his generation?

With Anthony Joshua waiting in the wings, looking on with great interest. It’s a captivating scenario and a touchpaper that could once again set the world of heavyweight boxing alight! All eyes will be on Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury a week from today.

Images courtesy of Guardian.com, boxing scene.com, dailyexpress.co.uk & worldboxingnews.net

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The Return of Nick Diaz - What is the Endgame?

Nick Diaz Returns… Probably

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or you have no interest in the sport of MMA, in which case why are you reading this?) you may have heard about the rumoured return of one Nickolas Robert Diaz. If you don’t know who Nick Diaz is, you may at least know of his little brother, Nate Diaz. After a four-year absence for Stockton’s favourite son, what awaits the returning hitter amidst the ever-evolving UFC landscape?

Four years is a long time in sports. It may be an even longer time in combat sports. Fighting progresses quickly and new fighters come along every day. Many of those fighters possess qualities seen in older fighters, just tightened up and combined with other attributes. When we look at the roster, the people breaking through back in January of 2015 – when Nick last fought – are now at the top or have been surpassed.

Back when Diaz last fought all but two championships were held by the same person as now. Jose Aldo was the featherweight champion, Rafael Dos Anjos was the lightweight champion, Robbie Lawler was the welterweight champion, Chris Weidman was the middleweight champion, Jon Jones was the light heavyweight champion and Cain Velasquez was the heavyweight champion. That is a vastly different landscape. It’s worth asking if Nick Diaz fits in anymore.

How does nick fit in?

Earlier this year I wrote a piece on a potential Nick Diaz return. In it I posited that perhaps Nick could provide a remedy to a few of the problems MMA has encountered as of late, a bullet of truth piercing through the political membrane. My stance has changed somewhat since then. I still think Nick is a welcome addition to the soap opera, but can he move the needle? And can he move it in the right direction?

A revenant from a bygone era, Nick was a travelling brawler winning titles across multiple promotions with a middle finger permanently erected for the benefit of America. A swearing and weed smoking street kid with a black belt and a bad attitude, the welterweight became famous as much for his antics outside the cage as inside it. With a list of quotas longer than Chris Jericho’s submission repertoire, he spoke his mind and heart, utterly refusing to become something that the sport might have needed to become mainstream. Think of GSP, now imagine the perfect villain for the Canadian, that’s Nick Diaz.

A new breed

In this writer’s opinion, Georges St-Pierre vs Nick Diaz is top five rivalry material, despite the fact that they only fought once, and that fight wasn’t very good. The conference call between the two is still one of the most entertaining trash talking sessions in the sport’s history. It was also supremely enlightening. The two men were total opposites. Georges the consummate, tailored suit wearing professional. A reserved competitor with a scientific approach to the fight game. Nick was a hoodie wearing and abrasive no-shower known for his chaotic and relentless style of combat, taking one to give one.

It was as Goku and Vegeta as it gets, but unfortunately the fight itself wasn’t competitive, with St-Pierre’s wrestle heavy offense dominating proceedings. Again, enlightening. Georges was a prototype of sorts for the sport, being the first man to really become a true complete mixed martial artist. His strategic approach to training and improving provided a blueprint for future generations. Nick, by comparison, was old school. Determined to have his fight, and if you wrestled your way to a decision victory then you were cheap.

After four years away, it’s difficult to imagine the gap between the O.G. Diaz brother and the newer generation has done anything other than widen to chasmic proportions. If Nick Diaz returns then what is the goal? If we assume that this isn’t solely financially motivated (very much within the sphere of strong possibilities) then what does Nick want? The competitive itch just too much, or does he want to bring something different to the sport? Whatever the case, the speculative return fight ticks boxes and then some.

Gamebred

Jorge Masvidal is very much cut from the same mould as Nick, from both a stylistic and personal standpoint. Both move in one direction with a boxing heavy offense and have little love for stallers and time wasters. They also have a similar appeal. Old School cowboys with similar backstories, very street and very unpolitical. Both Diaz brothers have issued their respect for “Gamebred” before, and that is not something you can say of many fighters. The fight is great, and if it does indeed come together then we are in for a throwback slugfest. It’s beyond the fight where questions arise.

Despite it being a perfect return bout, this isn’t marquee stuff, other than it being Nick Diaz’s comeback. If Nick was to return most presumed it would be big money fights outside this ranking’s ecosystem. If Diaz were to win this fight it puts him right back in the mix at welterweight, but is that where he needs to be? Is that Nick’s role? Can he just become another guy climbing the ladder? His last fight was against Anderson Silva at middleweight, not something that would have moved him along the traditional path of a UFC fighter at that point in time.

“A Gentleman never tells”

Also, Nick sorta kinda hates fighting. He’s never been shy about that and now, at 35 years of age, has he found the motivation to once again ascend through the ranks? I don’t buy that narrative. To be honest, I don’t know what narrative I buy. For Nate the ill-fated Poirier fight was clearly a path back to Conor, but I don’t know where Nick has his sights set. That’s one of the appeals of the man, we literally cannot parse his intentions.

When it comes to guys like Nick its important to be in the moment. We don’t know where his return is going, or even where it can go. We just need to enjoy the man while he’s around. And this fight… It’s reward enough in itself.

Images courtesy of espn.com and fightland.vice.com.

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Floyd Mayweather and Rizin - It's Been a Strange Year

Floyd Mayweather vs Tenshin Nasukawa – yep

The morning of Tuesday, November 5^th, 2018, I awaken and immediately grasp for my phone like the conditioned millennial that I am. No different than every other morning, except this time when I open twitter, I’m greeted by a promotional video announcing Floyd Mayweather vs Tenshin Nasukawa for Rizin’s New Year’s Eve show next month. Hmm.

HMMMMMM…

After blinking and wiping the sleep from my eyes I realised that I’d just seen a promotional video announcing Floyd Mayweather vs Tenshin Nasukawa for Rizin’s New Year’s Eve show next month. WHAT!? What is happening? I had assumed that the Demetrious Johnson/Ben Askren trade was the most unexpected thing that could happen this year, but I was wrong. We’ve reached an Event Horizon in remarkable developments.

“where we’re going, we won’t need eyes to see”

‘I thought it said, “liberate me” – “save me”. But it’s not “me”. It’s “liberate tutemet” – “save yourself.” And it gets worse.’

(Plays the distress signal again)

‘There – I think that says “ex inferis.” “Save yourself… From Hell.”

Okay, I’m exaggerating and I did recently re-watch Event Horizon (1997) ­and that’s a really good scene. (The film itself though – not as good as I remember it.) Anyway, we’ve ventured into unexplored territory this year in a blizzard with ear plugs and a blindfold and frankly it feels like anything could happen. There’re trades, and the Guardian are writing articles about the promotion that Bob Sapp and Gabi Garcia fight for.

In all seriousness, Floyd’s eastern excursion is difficult to assess until we’ve seen the thing play out. Despite Mayweather’s insistence that he wants to “do something different”, its hard to believe this is an exercise in challenging oneself. And if it is an exercise in challenging oneself, then it would be a kickboxing match, but it won’t be, so it isn’t… Because Floyd would lose.

Of course, that’s assuming that even if it was a kickboxing match – or even some kind of hybrid rules fight – that it wouldn’t be a mere exhibition with a, shall we say, “gentlemen’s agreement” between the two sides. Who are we kidding, if it is a boxing match – which it will be – it’s likely the same story.

On the rize

Sorry to be a Debbie downer but I do it out of love. If we’re being generous this is just a quick cash grab for Floyd “Money” Mayweather. If we’re our most cynical selves this is a business move for a potential branching out into Asia for Mayweather promotions. I, like you, want to see Floyd get tooled up in a kickboxing match by a tiny Japanese child. But if we expect anything remotely resembling a serious combat sports event then our New Year’s Eve will likely be ruined.

But the Guardian did write an article about Tenshin Nasukawa and Rizin, so this is by no means a wash. Floyd Mayweather is a household name in most of the western world. Rizin is about as niche as it gets, and if Floyd can get more eyes on the wider world of MMA than I say you do you Floyd. Condemn Floyd as a hustler, or exalt him, but we can benefit regardless.

Also, what if Tenshin Nasukawa calls an audible knocks Floyd Mayweather out!?

Images courtesy of f4wonline.com and rizinff.com

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Derrick Lewis - Losing the Fight But Winning the War

Derrick Lewis – The long game

From 2006 to 2009 Derrick Lewis was incarcerated for aggravated assault. On November 3^rd, 2018 Derrick Lewis fought all-time great Daniel Cormier in the main event at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Derrick Lewis lost by submission to DC, but he still won.

I often write about sports’ function as a facilitator for organic and human stories. Derrick Lewis’ story is as natural and remarkable as one can get. From being a young boy powerless to stop an abusive stepfather from assaulting his mother, to a beloved figure in the sport of MMA, “The Black Beast” has come a long way.

Just a job

Derrick Lewis’ principle narrative heading into his UFC heavyweight championship fight with Cormier was that he didn’t care for the belt. The only thing that mattered to him was “taking care of his family”. As earnest as they come, it was easy to believe him. For the second oldest of seven siblings in a violent household, making sure his children have a different platform from which to begin their ascent into adulthood is paramount. To Derrick Lewis mixed martial arts is a job, but at the post-fight press conference it was impossible for the soft-spoken knockout artist to camouflage his disappointment.

“I don’t understand why y’all asking me questions after I lost” were the first words out of his mouth. I don’t have a window into the man’s mind, but it seems clear that despite the rhetoric, becoming champion meant something to him. Beyond the assertions that he isn’t a mixed martial artist and that this is just a job to him, a storybook ending was in reach. Maybe this could be like the movies.

It wasn’t to be. DC did DC and wrestled his way to a comfortable second round rear-naked choke. Lewis had no answer for the former Olympian’s onslaught of single legs, and despite a history of being able to stand up pretty much at will, he succumbed to the technical excellence of the incumbent champion. Derrick’s Lewis story of troubled youth to UFC fighter hasn’t found its credits rolling crescendo, at least for now. That’s okay though.

This is real life

This is real life. The Derrick Lewis types don’t always win the big one, but in the end how much does that matter? After veering from the straight narrow, Lewis used fighting to find his way back. Now he has a family who he is able to support by competing in MMA. In the process he has found his way into the hearts of the fanbase with an endearing personality.

According to Lewis’ head coach Lewis is a true introvert. The hard-hitting behemoth is certainly reserved, speaking softly during interviews. Simmering under his subdued manner though, is a wicked sense of humour. This that became clear to the mainstream in his now famous post-fight interview at UFC 229.

The Khabib/McGregor card was a mixed bag of a night, but Derrick Lewis showcased a vertical slice of who he is as a person. Lose soundly for fourteen and a half minutes, get the knockout out right before the buzzer, then takes his shorts off because his “balls were hot”. The quintessential Derrick Lewis experience in a 20-minute window. It’s hard to not like the man, and it’s damn near impossible to not respect him.

winning at life

The loss to DC is immaterial. Despite a shy disposition, Lewis has people invested in him as a person. He’s got people rooting for him to do well. He dragged himself from the gutter and made something of himself, a belt wouldn’t change that. We already have our happy ending. And of course, to top it all off, Derrick has secured a lucrative sponsorship deal with his beloved Popeye’s chicken.

Naturally, the story doesn’t end here. Lewis could very well find himself back in title contention with a few more right hands, and we’ll write our stories all over again. Even if that doesn’t happen Derrick Lewis has won. Anything else is just a bonus.

Images courtesy of sportingnews.com and fightnewsasia.com

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UFC 230 - 500 Fighters and Not Enough Fights - The Main Event Problem

UFC 230 – The Middle child

Where does one begin with UFC 230? The much put-upon middle-child of the fourth quarter calendar, it could have been so much, and now just feels like a stop gap on the way to a surging December. I don’t know what’s worse, that an initially great card has been gutted, or that an initially great card being gutted has become routine

After the undercard was finalised back in August, with a middleweight tournament of sorts and the long-awaited return of Nate Diaz against lightweight campaigner Dustin Poirer, the only thing left was a main event. As the UFC were being coy, many assumed big plans for the final fight of the night on November 3^rd. When Jon Jones retroactive suspension was announced to be ending mere days before the event, most speculated a late save by the former Light Heavyweight championship.

Then, at the start of October, the UFC announced the main event: Valentina Shevchenko vs Sijara Eubanks for the vacant flyweight championship. And the crowd goes mild! The MMA faithful reacted about as well as you might expect. At this point it may help to remind you that UFC 230 takes place at Madison Square Garden. You know, that little venue tucked away somewhere in New York.

New york, New york

MMA was banned in New York until early 2016. To celebrate the world MMA leader held UFC 205 at MSG in November of that year. The show was huge, as Conor McGregor captured the lightweight title from Eddie Alvarez to become a double champion. It was also huge because it was the first ever MMA event held in the state of New York. Going forward the UFC have look to hold a tent pole card there every November to commemorate.

It seemed insane that the company would allow UFC 230 to get this close without a main event. Most presumed a huge surprise, even if it didn’t factor in “Bones”. So, when Shevchenko vs. Eubanks was announced – and taking nothing away from those women’s skills – it became clear that the UFC didn’t have an ace up their sleeve and simply had nothing. Thankfully, a public lambasting, which included Joe Rogan openly stating he had never heard of Eubanks, seemed to nudge the fight into the ether.

his balls were hot

Enter Derrick Lewis. After the brawler knocked out Alexander Volkov in a display of pure heart and determination at the UFC’s biggest ever event, UFC 229, he took the sports world by storm with a hilarious post-fight interview. UFC fans have always known how funny the “Black Beast” is, but now the world knew, and he picked up 700,000 Instagram followers for his efforts.

The UFC looked to capitalise on the Houston native’s new-found fame and immediately booked him in a title shot against Daniel Cormier at UFC 230. Of course, that title shot would come a mere four weeks after a hard fight against Volkov. The fighting isn’t uninteresting, and Lewis has definitely earned a title shot, being 9-1 in his last 10. But, when they have to grab a banged-up fighter days after a three round tear up, questions arise?

How, with a stable of fighters numbering over 500, does this happen? The UFC has literally had a year to prepare for this event. November at MSG; it hasn’t exactly crept up on them. If this was an isolated incident it could be forgiven. The injury bug seems particularly vitriolic in its assault on MMA, and weight cutting presents perennial problems. But when it comes to booking, that is controllable. How does such a huge, public company back themselves into a corner so often?

a worrying trend

UFC 228 just two months ago saw a similar situation. With no main event the promotion hastily booked Tyron Woodley vs Darren Till with a few weeks’ notice. Again, a good fight, but it was a desperation move by the company and that can’t be ignored. And you don’t need me to remind about interim titles.

The main issue seems to be the company mandating a title fights main events every pay-per-view. (Pay-per-views themselves are a conversation for another time.) This has proven to be unnecessary with Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz selling well over a million buys on two occasions with nothing but pride on the line.

we just want good fights

The most baffling thing about this card is that a main event was already on it. Nate Diaz and Dustin Poirier could have capped the evening off sublimely with a five-round slug-fest. Now, to be fair, Poirier claims that the slot was eventually offered to both men but Nate turned it down. The veracity of this is irrelevant, because either way the UFC were attempting to book a main event with Diaz vs Poirier on the card. That’s a huge fight, with one of the sport’s biggest names in the returning younger Diaz brother. No belts required.

Diaz vs Poirier eventually fell through so it’s for the best, but the principal is the same. The company insists on a belt being done up to end a broadcast. This has proven to be unnecessary, yet it goes on. If they wants to book one or two title fights every pay-per-view, then they need to be smarter. Hell, they could even open up a few new weight classes, but I guess no one’s really talking about that so what do I know?

Images courtesy of thestreet.com, businessinsider.com and mmanews.com

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