Dear Dana,
First off, happy birthday. Now I know it usually works the other way around, but on this special day of yours there’s something I’d like you to give to me. Namely, I’d like you answer one question for me:
What does it take to get a title shot?
I myself am not asking for a title shot, as I know I am heavily under-qualified, and I am not asking for a friend who thinks he could take on a UFC champion.
I am asking for clarification on what it takes for someone who is at the top of their division to earn a title shot.
It used to be simple; you beat the best, you got a title shot. Nowadays, it’s not that simple. If you’ve read my other pieces, then you’ll know what’s coming next. It’s my favourite thing to use. Examples!
Fighters Earning Title Shots From Hype
One name comes to mind when I mention undeserved title shots due to hype: Chael P. Sonnen. There’s no arguing that he earned the first shot against Silva, and the second was more based on how he performed in the first fight (beating Michael Bisping should never be enough to grant a title shot), but his third UFC title shot, the one against Jon Jones, was all due to hype.
There are others that have snuck their way into title talks due to their name and ability to hype a fight as well.
Nick Diaz fought welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre while coming off a loss to Carlos Condit, who GSP had just beaten. Not only that, but Diaz was also coming off a year-long suspension. To no one’s surprise, GSP dominated Diaz just as Jones dominated Sonnen.
Here are others who talked their way to quick title shots: Brock Lesnar, Rampage Jackson (against Jones), Miesha Tate, Josh Koscheck.
Also, it hasn’t happened yet, but if the rumors are true and Gina Carano is getting the next shot at Rousey, you and I are going to have to have a long talk. When I say long talk, I mean I’ll write the longest Dear Dana and you’ll continue to not know who I am.
Top Fighters Who Can’t Get The Shot
Then there are those who are ranked #1, #2 or #3 in the division, yet somehow just can’t get the title shot they deserve. While other divisions have #4 or #5 ranked guys fighting for titles (i.e. flyweight, light heavyweight, bantamweight), in some divisions being the number two fighter for a long time doesn’t even earn you a crack at the title.
Cub Swanson has been dominant in the featherweight division, a division where the champion has been pretty active. For some reason though, Cub just hasn’t done enough for a title shot. I would assume a win over Frankie Edgar in December would get him that title shot, but again, who knows.
Then there’s the curious case of Benson Henderson. Former champion who has been beaten by the champion twice, but has not lost since losing his UFC championship. Henderson has staked his claim as the number one contender, yet appears to be very far away from getting another title shot.
Rematch, Rematch, Rematch
Frankie Edgar got an automatic rematch against Henderson, Velasquez didn’t get one when he lost to Junior dos Santos. Renan Barao gets one after being mauled by TJ Dillashaw, but Alexander Gustafsson needed another fight before facing Jones again. There is little to no consistency on what qualifies as a title fight deserving of a rematch.
Many people are complaining about Barao getting another crack at Dillashaw just months after being dominated. Dillashaw was winning the fight from the opening bell to the TKO finish in the 4th round. To say a lucky punch in the first round “changed” the outcome of the rest of the fight is plain disrespectful to the champion.
Anderson Silva was the perfect example of a champion deserving of a rematch. The longest reigning champion in company history was unexpectedly knocked out while baiting his opponent. There were a ton of questions to be answered, and the rematch answered most of those questions. We saw that Weidman was the best middleweight in the world, and that the first fight was no fluke.
Another fight that deserved a rematch was the epic war between Jones and Gustafsson. The first time light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was made to look human, and for the first time in his career, a decision went to the scorecards with many feeling as though he had lost the belt. He retained, as he should have, but after such a close win and with no other challengers in the division, Gus should have been given another crack immediately. Instead, Jones fought Glover Teixeira, who never truly earned his shot.
To Summarize…
I’m not asking for a detailed path to the title, and I understand every division is different Dana. I’m just asking for some consistency. If you beat the #1 or #2 guy, you deserve a shot. If you are the #1 or #2 guy, you deserve a shot. Titles shots shouldn’t be given off of hype, but proven dominance of a division. Also, title rematches should only be given to fights with outcome that could have gone either way, or a surprise knockout/submission over a longstanding champion.
Just consistency Dana. That’s all I ever ask for.
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