Every once in a while we all have things we need to get off our chests. It’s good for the soul. Each Monday morning our MMA World Senior Editor Stephen Rivers takes the opportunity to cleanse his with a takeaway from the weekend’s MMA news and events.
CARLOS CONDIT, OH HOW I HAVE MISSED YOU
To the surprise of few, Carlos Condit’s return to the cage in Goiania Brazil on Saturday was violent and exciting. After a close first round, he ruined Thiago Alves’ face in a destructive second stanza that would see the Doctors call the fight off.
It had been 14 long months since we last saw him in the cage. In fact, the injury that forced Condit out of that fight against Tyron Woodley in the second round meant it was even further back that we saw a genuine Natural Born Killing inside the octagon. August 28, 2013 against Martin Kampmann.
Condit’s return serves as a welcome breath of fresh air, not only for the welterweight division, but for mixed martial arts. He is a unique talent that we need to see more of. I love Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler as much as the next man. They produced two excellent fights in 2014, but Condit offers something entirely different and I could not be happier that he is back.
ECONOMIC CRISIS ALONE CAN’T EXPLAIN LOW ATTENDANCE
UFC Fight Night: Condit vs Alves on Saturday had an approximate attendance of 3,500. The last time the UFC visited the Goiania Arena — a Vitor Belfort headlined show in November 2013 — they had three times that number.
The message from the UFC was loud and clear. It was the economic crisis in Brazil, not the fight card, that was the problem. UFC’s general manager in Brazil, Giovani Decker pointed to the pay-per-view numbers they are doing on Combate as evidence. “We’re doing fine, thanks.” was the definitive response.
While the economic crisis is real, it’s hard to believe that it tells the whole story. However you dress it up, this was an underwhelming fight card. It was headlined by an Americanized Brazilian with no real impact in the area. The attendance is as much of a reminder that a failure to commit to a card gains little commitment from fans, as it is an indicator of the economic crisis in Brazil.
THANK YOU MAY, YOU HAVE BEEN TRULY WONDERFUL
The UFC have promoted 47 events in the past 12 months. Between them, Bellator, ONE Championship, World Series of Fighting and Invicta have added a further 49. As mixed martial arts fans we have become spoilt, and it is easy to take for granted the wonderful moments that we now see each and every weekend in cages and rings across the world.
May 2015 should never be forgotten. The UFC has taken us to Australia, the Philippines and Brazil. We have seen one of the most stacked fight cards of the year in UFC 187. Bellator gave us Brandon Halsey. ONE Championship showcased Shinya Aoki. The Resurrection Fighting Alliance and Legacy Fighting Championships combined to co-promote a company vs company event. Mark Munoz retired in front of an adoring Filipino crowd.
May was the month that saw Stipe Miocic and Andrei Arlovski stake their claims for heavyweight title shots in incredible fashion. It was the month we saw Vitor Belfort rock one of the sport’s truly outstanding talents and make us believe, just for a moment, that he might do it. It was the month that saw the crowning of a new Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World. Mixed Martial Arts at its best is emotional and awe-inspiring. May 2015 was both.
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