Doggy Bag: The Future of MMA

The UFC seems to only snag fighters after they have apparently “proven” themselves. What are the chances it could ever adapt a sort of minor league system, developing fighters a wealth of fighters on a smaller stage but on a more frequent basis. The UFC needs to stay more creative in developing talent before Bellator Fighting Championships has every big name in 10 years snagged in long-term contracts.
-- Dylan Queseda

Brian Knapp, associate editor: Dylan, your premise has some merit, but at this point, the UFC would be best served following the status quo. Most people see the UFC as the lone major league in mixed martial arts. Exceptions exist, of course, but if you were to poll a majority of the fighters inside Strikeforce, Dream, Sengoku or Bellator, they ultimately see themselves inside the Octagon.

Establishing a worthwhile minor league system would take quite a bit of money. EliteXC tried as much when it purchased Cage Rage, King of the Cage and other smaller promotions before it bit the dust.

Though I personally like the approach it has taken, can anyone guarantee Bellator will be around this time next year? A high attrition rate exists among those who have tried their hands in the MMA business. Why should the UFC undertake such a significant monetary investment when most of the smaller promotions -- and even some of its larger competitors -- already function as a kind of farm system for martial artists? Sure, some elite talent might slip through the cracks, but the positives in maintaining the current situation far outweigh the negatives for the UFC.

The answer to this question may change with time, depending on how the sport grows and develops. The sport we see before us now will look nothing like what we see 10, 20 and 50 years from now. Until given reason to do otherwise, expect the UFC to follow the if-it-ain’t-broke-don’t-fix-it approach.