The Transformation of the WEC
by Ulf Murphy on Aug 14, 2010 1:06 AM EDT
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The WEC has become known for exciting, free cards that bring non-stop action and great attention to the featherweight and bantamweight divisions in mixed martial arts. Fighters like Jose Aldo, Dominick Cruz, Uriah Faber and Miguel Torres have proven that the "smaller" guys bring the fight every time and are capable of putting on barnburning fights filled with world class striking, elite Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and effective wrestling. What these divisions do not have is world class depth. And having successfully transitioned its Lightheavyweight, Middleweight and Welterweight divisions into the UFC, it is time for the WEC to continue this progress and merge its Lightweight, Featherweight and Bantamweight divisions into the UFC. More after the jump...
The WEC's first foray into the pay-per-view (PPV) model, which has made the UFC so successful, was met with a tepid response at best. Zuffa was optimistic about a card showcasing Jose Aldo versus Urijah Faber, the promotion's biggest draw, for the featherweight championship, the rematch between Ben Henderson and Donald Cerrone for the lightweight championship, and Manny Gamburyan versus Mike Brown to establish a number one contender for the featherweight strap. The initial estimate for PPV buys was around the 250,000, but the promotion did not reach this lofty goal and came in around 150,000 buys, with initial estimates being as low as 50,000 buys. The interesting item to note is that Zuffa used its UFC PPV team of Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan to announce the event and the WEC logo was nowhere to be found. Why would Zuffa create the strongest PPV card that they could possibly create, at the time, but remove the WEC logo from both the center of the octagon and the fighter's gloves?
The answer to this question is that Zuffa management is not confident in either the growth potential of the WEC or the ability of the lighter weight classes to carry an independent organization. No other national promotion continues to promote fights without a heavyweight or lightheavyweight division, and the WEC will not be successful with the PPV model without having the heavier weight classes, or a large infusion of talent with their current weight classes. The solution to this problem, like referenced earlier, is to merge the best of their weight classes into the UFC. By adding the 135, 145 and the best of the 155 pound weight classes to the UFC, the UFC increases the depth of its organization and ensures that the fans will not be subject to cards such as UFC 108 or UFC 109. Although these cards ended up having really great fights, the initial reaction from both hardcore and casual fans was a distinct, "meh". Imagine adding Aldo/Faber as a Co-main event and Brown/Gamburyan as main card fights for UFC 108?
So what happens to the WEC? It becomes the triple A of the UFC. By partnering with Spike, the WEC becomes both a feeder league for the UFC and the replacement for "The Ultimate Fighter" (TUF) series. TUF has become stale. Only the introduction of Kimbo Slice has brought any attention to the franchise in the last 5 seasons, and the greatest concern from fans is that there is too much "reality" show and not enough fights. By replacing the TUF franchise, the WEC will give the hardcore fans what they want (more fights) and exposes the fighters to the same level of marketing that TUF currently provides. The biggest difference will be that the fighters will not be a product of the Zuffa marketing machine (hint, hint Yager), but a product of their ability. By holding monthly cards, on free television, the WEC can compete with lower level promotions, such as Bellator, for both ratings and new prospects. The Cole Konrad's and Ben Askren's of the world have no need to not be under the Zuffa umbrella. Instead of cutting fighters, such as Ben Saunders, Dana White can "demote" fighters to the WEC and continue to reap the benfits of the prior marketing that had been leveled on those fighter's behalf.
The transformation of the WEC into a minor league will provide Zuffa with instant competition to rival promotions, a solid replacement to TUF and provide quality talent for the UFC. It will provide fans with free fights and new prospects to watch. The WEC will allow proud veterans to go out on their own terms without sacrificing the quality of the UFC PPV cards. What more could we ask for? What did I miss, Maniacs?
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I like it.
I think the WEC really needs to be on Spike, as many people either don’t have VS or don’t know where to find it. It was really more of a minor-league for the UFC back when they had a LHW, MW and WW division, and I think it makes sense to bring those back and just let it be the UFC’s feeder league. Besides, knowing they have a chance to go to the UFC would be a good motivator to get talented young up-and-coming fighters to go there. The one point I have to question is:
The WEC will allow proud veterans to go out on their own terms without sacrificing the quality of the UFC PPV cards
Do you really think a guy like Chuck Liddell would want to go end his career in the minor leagues? I don’t see that one happening, but I think it’s still a great idea overall.
"Before I do anything I ask myself, "Would an idiot do that?" And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing." - Dwight Schrute
I certainly fucked up that quote, oh well.
"Before I do anything I ask myself, "Would an idiot do that?" And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing." - Dwight Schrute
no, he is a legend, but...
Guys like bonnar would and not blink an eye.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning." - Albert Einstein
by Ulf Murphy on Aug 14, 2010 8:51 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Great example.
"Before I do anything I ask myself, "Would an idiot do that?" And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing." - Dwight Schrute
all i know is cerrone is going to kick the zhit out of varner when they fight.
I'm all about covering the spread and moneylines. Glory favors the bold. Chance favors the prepared mind. Luck, well i have that too. University of Utah goes to the Pac-12 conference in 2011. I expect them to compete immediately for the conference CG. Brock Lesnar will defeat Cain Velasquez. Womens MMA, the next big thing in sports. 3 weeks till the first game of college football. UTAH vs Pitt. September 2nd 2010.
by wolfmanshowlforever on Aug 14, 2010 3:39 AM EDT reply actions
interesting write up
i like the idea of a farm system, do you take belts entirely away from the wec then? Seems logical just wondering what u think though and do you think thered be a set ratio of fighter likes say 2 in wec to everyone 1 in the ufc or vice versa?
"its either going to be genius or its going to f***ing suck. Until I see the first cut I have no idea. But you know what? Neither does anybody else"
Rory 'The Waterboy' Macdonald
Thiago 'Pitbull' Alves
Yushin 'Thunder' Okami
Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua
no belts.
i don’t know if you could set a ratio, but I think the UFC would always have more fighters, as the WEC would be more of a revolving door with new faces coming and going more frequently. You would also see guys fighting like they do on the regional shows. More like 4-6 times a year versus the 2-3 you see at the UFC level.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning." - Albert Einstein
I don't know, I think there should still be belts.
Or there should be some incentive to aiming towards to top. Like, if you win the belt (or medal or trophy or whatever) you get a contract with the UFC like you would with TUF. In amateur leagues in boxing they do it all the time so I would not see a problem with having belts. Also, if an unbeatable champion arises he would vacate the belt therefor creating more competition and so on. Just a thought.
Sounds good.
I was bored last night, and it came up in a convo yesterday, so I decided to write a piece. I didn’t want it to be too long, so I didn’t elaborate on thoughts I had had abotu the possibility of Bellator style tournaments that guarantee a UFC contract. That way, you have the same style format of TUF, but you only see the fights, not the bullshit behind the scenes garbage.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning." - Albert Einstein
Then that makes the article even better lol
But I think a lot of people think this way except for the WEC ceo it seems. The only problem with the Bellator tournament style is that from a business prospective there wouldn’t be much difference from the two organizations.
And I think drama sells. I just hope what Kendall Grove says isn’t true about the Spike only chooses interesting people instead of special fighters.
drama does sell, but does it sell PPV's, which is the ultimate goal of the UFC having TUF?
I think Spike picks a combination, that way they are ensured of both. Look at Jamie Yager. Dude looked like an “animal”, came out blazing in his prelim fight and then quit on his stool. He was not, and never will be, an elite fighter. he came in with an agenda to promote himself and it gained him a spot on the main card of the finale, even AFTER quitting on his stool. Look at Junie and Kimbo. Personalities only. At some point I wonder where the line is drawn on talented fighters and talent, which is why I dislike TUF.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning." - Albert Einstein
I don’t know where you got your facts but you might want to do your homework next time before writting a piece.
The fact is that the first WEC ppv was a huge success, it sold more ppv’s than anyother mma org that isn’t named the UFC. The buyrate was around 200k, which more than twice what the people at Zuffa had marked to be succesfull. Not to mention that the card was action packed and delivered more action than any card up to that point.
The WEC is already more legit than any of these other mma orgs that get hyped up by fans and writers because they managed to do something they haven’t make money. Combine that with the fact that they found their niche, they don’t need HW, LHW or MW divisions those are in the UFC what they are providing is the home for the best lighterweight fighters in the world.
Just look at their next 2 cards which are packed with great fights and fighters, the WEC is here to stay and it’s not going anywhere. Don’t be fooled by talking heads and other bs, the WEC right now is the only other company aside from Zuffa that actually has a future because they are being run by people who know how to run an mma business and I for one am happy about that.
"they mad at me, I keep going hard reppin/
cause what's your Rampage to Rashad Evans/"
-Joe Budden (Something To Ride To)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/76866807deabe3c1/
Do my homework?
As a private company, Zuffa is not required to disclose thier financial information to anyone. The “rumors” in the marketplace, notably Dave Metzler of the Wrestling Observer, guesstimated the buy-rate between 150,000 and 200,000. Sure, I took literary license to prove my point, but do you think the Zuffa brass did anything less by saying that a PPV that may have only gotten 150,000 buys, when the UFC routinely sells 700,000+, was a resounding success? The 100,000 buy mark was set as the break-even line. While this number marks success with the “average organization”, I hold Zuffa to a higher standard. They needed to stack the card and remove all trace of the WEC logo to get the buys they did. How is that successful? How is that creating a business model that has the chance to grow and succeed? The WEC is already a “free” brand and trying to foray into a new line of business, IMO, did not work.
Don’t be fooled by talking heads and other bs, the WEC right now is the only other company aside from Zuffa
The WEC is owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company to both the UFC and the WEC, of course they know how to run an MMA org. This opinion piece is all mine, not some talking head’s.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning." - Albert Einstein
edit...fail. sorry for the crazy italics...
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning." - Albert Einstein
nice write up there Ulf
and i think most would agree. Ive long considered the WEC the feeder league but that was before they folded over the weight classes. There are turning WEC into the Little guys organization 135,45,55 and soon to be 125 and maybe 115 (yes there are fighters that small).
WEC is awesome, but overall the PPV outting was NOT a raging success by any stretch of the fabricated imagination. they didnt lose money but it was no 450K champagne popper. They need to keep it free. Moving to SPIKE would be a good idea, but im not sure about how it would replace TUF (its lower Weights now).
I'm Not Afraid of Dying, I'm a Little Bit Scared of What Comes After...
by SouthCaliStunNa on Aug 14, 2010 1:11 PM EDT reply actions
rec'd
I'm Not Afraid of Dying, I'm a Little Bit Scared of What Comes After...
by SouthCaliStunNa on Aug 14, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
The whole idea came about from a combination of boredom, a convo with BZ yesterday and a convo with ANS about a month ago...
We discussed how TUF is having 155’ers this season and I mentioned that i would not be suprised to see a handful end up in the WEC ala George Roop. This way TUF helps both the UFC and the WEC market new faces to the masses. With my idea, the WEC becomes the marketing machine and we do not have the bullshit house. hell, do it tournament style at the 32 man level like TUF, but have a hour long show once a week, showing three fights only. You could still do it in a gym atmosphere to cut down on costs if needed, and you could show the highlight tapes for the fighters on next weeks show that were submitted to get them a spot in the first place.
You know, now that I think about it, this piece has probably been brewing in my head for some time due to my utter loathing of TUF. lol.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning." - Albert Einstein
This is a great write up, and a great idea
I personally really like watching the smaller guys go at it. The only thing that worries me is adding to many weight classes might make some top fighters get lost in the shuffle. This is the thing I don’t like about boxing. They have so many diffrent weight classes, it’s hard to keep up, and when you have so many diffrent champions, the whole “champion” concept doesn’t mean as much anymore. I’m split on this idea, cause I would really like to see guys like Aldo, Cruz, Torres, Faber get more spotlight and bigger fights. Maybe just add a UFC 145 division and have some of these guys move up to 145? Just an idea, not all of them could do that though I suppose.
Increase the UFC from 5 weight classes to 8
Use the WEC as a farm league and bring the 125, 135 and 145 lbs weight classes into the UFC. 3 new championships to be defended at the UFC PPV’s and more opportunities for guys trying to make it to the big show.
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