Flash Bang Fighters

lethalweapon · 10-19-2006, 03:07 PM

Alright I have a question about why some fighters don't compete in the UFC anymore. Paul Buentello wins his last fight against Gilbert Aldana leaves the UFC, beats tank in like 48 seconds and as far as I know is not scheduled for any fight cards lately. Duane "Bang" Ludwig comes back as a Welter Weight in an Ultimate Fight Night event and KO's Jonathan Goulet in 11 seconds and has not been scheduled for a fight in the UFC. There are others; I call these fighters flash bang fighters because they leave the UFC on a win, have alot of talent, and go in fight in smaller shows. Whats up?

GSPALLTHEWAY · 10-19-2006, 03:09 PM

i see what you mean.... i think thats because they had recent losses too and were headed in the wrong direction, so they go back, build up their rep and hopefully come back strong

Crashsti · 10-19-2006, 03:11 PM

its all about money, Paul left because he got a better deal to fight Tank. there is alot of competition out there right now and fighters have the chance to shop around. they no longer have to take an offer the UFC gives them, they can get paid more elsewhere on occasion. the UFC comes off as part of your purse is the priviledge to fight in the UFC. Dana feels that his show is the biggest and eventually your going to end up there if you want to be known as the best.

lethalweapon · 10-19-2006, 03:12 PM

Do you think Duane will come back as a light weight?

Jras0001 · 10-19-2006, 04:49 PM

Buentello is supposed to fight again in Dec on the Strikeforce card. Not sure how hes slated to go against but I read in an interview that Paul gave, he said he was looking forward to getting back in the ring in Dec.

Grave · 10-19-2006, 04:58 PM

From what i read Buentello *WANTED* to stay with UFC, but zuffa was being too damned cheap and would only offer him mediocre contracts. Gotta pay the bills ya know, so paul could'nt stick around, especially with several BETTER offers out there....

Its UFC/Zuffas own fault for him not being around. I guess they're too busy ponying up $250k++ a fight for chuck liddel, to afford to pay other quality fighters decent enough so they'll stick around.

GeorgeXVX · 10-19-2006, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grave

From what i read Buentello *WANTED* to stay with UFC, but zuffa was being too damned cheap and would only offer him mediocre contracts. Gotta pay the bills ya know, so paul could'nt stick around, especially with several BETTER offers out there....

Its UFC/Zuffas own fault for him not being around. I guess they're too busy ponying up $250k++ a fight for chuck liddel, to afford to pay other quality fighters decent enough so they'll stick around.

true!

lethalweapon · 10-20-2006, 10:50 AM

That sucks, if UFC keeps doing that they are going to lose alot of fighters and a new organization will appear that will pay way better and treat the fighters better.

jmag · 10-20-2006, 11:08 AM

Dana was saying somewhere defending the pay that beginning boxers only earn some few hundred per fight. Is this pro? So middle ranked fighters maybe earning a few grand is ok to climb up - I don't know. But I would consider Paul above that level.

Crashsti · 10-20-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grave

From what i read Buentello *WANTED* to stay with UFC, but zuffa was being too damned cheap and would only offer him mediocre contracts. Gotta pay the bills ya know, so paul could'nt stick around, especially with several BETTER offers out there....

Its UFC/Zuffas own fault for him not being around. I guess they're too busy ponying up $250k++ a fight for chuck liddel, to afford to pay other quality fighters decent enough so they'll stick around.

it was mentioned before that its the main event guys like Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz that drive the PPV. without those big names you're not going to be able to sell the show. so in that sense they do deserve getting the $200K while guys like Jeff Monson will probably make at most $25K when he fights Sylvia. in a individual sport like MMA its not just skill that determines how much you get paid its also a popularity contest. you have to be able to sell a fight as well as win it.

L0cusT · 10-20-2006, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crashsti

it was mentioned before that its the main event guys like Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz that drive the PPV. without those big names you're not going to be able to sell the show. so in that sense they do deserve getting the $200K while guys like Jeff Monson will probably make at most $25K when he fights Sylvia. in a individual sport like MMA its not just skill that determines how much you get paid its also a popularity contest. you have to be able to sell a fight as well as win it.

then im curious to see how munch is gonna get Hughes and GSP at ufc 65

Grave · 10-20-2006, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crashsti

it was mentioned before that its the main event guys like Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz that drive the PPV. without those big names you're not going to be able to sell the show. so in that sense they do deserve getting the $200K while guys like Jeff Monson will probably make at most $25K when he fights Sylvia. in a individual sport like MMA its not just skill that determines how much you get paid its also a popularity contest. you have to be able to sell a fight as well as win it.

Yes i agree somewhat, but just because Buentello is'nt Uber-popular, does'ent mean he has no worth in UFC and thus should only be offer MEDIOCRE contracts that only pay "peanuts".

I think thats disrespectful, and NOT good business on behalf of ZUFFA.

IMO if they WANT to boost the HW divison and give guys with potential like Buentello a reason to stick around, as well as increase the chances of making newer stars/main eventers/etc. They should offer them better contracts. I'm not expecting crazy 100k a fight deals or anything, but at least pay these guys like paul fairly decently.

Otherwise Tim sylvia will be in a sort of monopoly, because zuffa is too damned cheap to offer decent contracts to the good fighters out there, who could pose a challenge to tim.

Edit: Some think have Tim Vs AA III, back-to-back with their second fight was bad. But honestly---other than AA and MAYBE Frank mir, who else in HW divison could beat down sylvia? And since Mir is still rusty in the ring, AA was the only realistic option at the time.

Bomber · 10-20-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grave

Some think have Tim Vs AA III, back-to-back with their second fight was bad. But honestly---other than AA and MAYBE Frank mir, who else in HW divison could beat down sylvia? And since Mir is still rusty in the ring, AA was the only realistic option at the time.

Monson was as ready for a title shot then as he is now. The only guy he fought in the meantime was a UFC newb who was brought in as a can because they knew Monson had to get the next title shot.

spiritofbattle · 10-21-2006, 01:23 PM

flash bang fighters are keep UFC's head above water right now.

Grave · 10-21-2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiritofbattle

flash bang fighters are keep UFC's head above water right now.

If UFC had BETTER managing skills and stopped being CHEAP, it would'nt have this issue of the "flash bang" fighter to begin with.

Guys like Paul Buentello would be alot more likely to stick around in UFC longterm, that is, if zuffa would stop being cheap and offer them MORE than mediocre contracts that are the near equivilent to year or two of friggin' mcdonalds pay!

Is there there even such a thing as "Middle-class" in UFC? The ONLY guys that are paid well or decently, are the known main-event types. And everyone else who is'nt near the "uber-main event" level, just get the sad scrapps.

UFC either payes it fighters really well(main-eventers), or REALLY lousey(EVERYONE else). There does'ent seem to be a middle-ground.

MTKrav911 · 10-21-2006, 03:37 PM

It doesent help Paul too that Andre Arolvski knocked him out standing up whre Paul just basically dove head first into Arlovski's fist and was out cold on Arlovski's back.

I don't care how good you are, youre likely gonna be put on the back burner on the big stage looking that bad!

Flash before cash you know?

PghPens71 · 10-21-2006, 04:55 PM

I prefer Flash Dance fighters