It's easy to hate the new guy.

But if they do it again, you know you'll watch. Even if it's to hate-watch.

BUT...

... they do need to make some changes.

So the event's over with and done now, they've got a problem on their hands of what's next.

You've got your winners.

You've got your losers.

Now you have to do something with them. Can't give these guys an opportunity and then take it away.

So what fights do we make?

I've got some ideas, but first, let's get rid of some stuff.

You’re the new kid on the block. While it may be cool to disrupt what’s out there ( a phrase thrown around a lot), you still have to focus on your brand.

You came out big, maybe a little too big. So let's trim some fat before we make some fights.

The Fat

​
​Ariel Helwani

For a sport as tough as mixed martial arts, Helwani represents the opposite.

I give him credit for being there first to cover the sport when no one else was. That’s how he got to where he is now. But that was then, and now there are many more people out there who cover the sport better than him.

His post-fight questions in the cage were horrible. He seemed to be looking for things on the fly after being there for the fights. If you compare this role to when Joe Rogan, Daniel Cormier, Jimmy Smith, or anyone else in-house covers an event. They ask questions relevant to what the fighters can speak on.

Helwani acted like a living social media algorithm, looking to create moments that would “go viral.”

I know he’s — something— in the space.

But it’s time to distance him from MMA as he makes everything more about him and less about what he’s supposed to be covering.

Small cage

​
The cage was noticeably small.

Too small for where they booked it. If you’re going to host a huge venue, you need the stage to match what you’re doing.

If you want to be known as a disrupter, you can’t do it with a small cage.

Still, I like what they were going for. Based on reactions and what I’ve seen on social media, all eyes were on them. Not it’s time to move forward with caution.

So, how do they do that?

Mid-tier venue

​
You don’t need to use a major arena for every show.

You can book smaller venues and put the focus on production for future events. That way, if tickets don’t sell it won’t be as noticeable as it was for this event.

BKFC, Bellator, and many boxing events take place in spaces just big enough to feel big.

You’re new to MMA.

It’s okay to start small in MMA.

The UFC did it in its early days, and these are yours; just focus on the product.

Which are the fights...

​
Fights to make

​
​Ngannou vs. Despaigne

They used the term “Lineal heavyweight champion,” selling Ngannou on this card. Despaigen scored a knockout over a once-great Junior Dos Santos. Might as well keep the momentum going and book this fight.

Despaigne wants it; Ngannou probably needs a fight to maintain relevance.

This fight booked itself.

Moraes vs Nkuta 2

Phumi Nkuta should have won this fight. The choke came in; he was defending, but he didn’t tap.

Probably because he knew the round was over. I also thought it was the best fight on the card next to the Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry fight.

Speaking of which. If you must, and they’re willing…

Diaz vs Perry 2

This was the main event for any hardcore MMA fan.

Diaz almost had his moment with that hip toss, but Perry’s sharpness and aggression capitalized on Diaz’s propensity to get cut.

Diaz was not out of the fight, though. If you need something trendy and “viral” to sell to the modern MMA fan, you can make it work with this as a main event.

If you’re taking notes, chances are it’ll go the same way.

But, in MMA, you never really know.

Taking notes on this and other events?

Grab your physical notebook on Amazon for cheap! [📓Here]

➡Follow me on 𝕏: @Carbazel​

📘 My books: Bow and Arrow Mysteries (my fiction writing)

📩 Mixed Martial Answers on Substack​

📓 Fight Night Card Companion Notebook: on Amazon​

📃 Make your own Fight Night Card Companion: PDF​

🎥 My YouTube channel: The Blogboard Jungle​

📸 IG: @Carbeerzel​