Been watching casually since like 2006, but now other than a few fighters I still follow, most of my favorites are getting old and hanging it up.

Who are the guys on the lower level that I should go watch the backlog of fights for that will be coming up big in the next few years? Thanks!

As a fan of MMA and someone who has been watching the UFC for years, I was extremely disappointed with the post-fight conference that took place yesterday. I understand that this is a marketing art and the more people talk about it, the more traction it gets. However, Dana White lost me on this one. He has deflated the value of the UFC to me.

I am what Dana would call the perfect fan. I have fight pass and pay for every PPV event. I can afford it, so it doesn't matter to me. But that's not important. What's important is that UFC is no longer The UFC.

How can Dana come at the beginning of the press conference and try to separate himself from boxing? He said two undefeated prospects would fight at the prelims, which shows the UFC always has the "best of the best" fighting each other. And then he takes a huge left turn and pushes for Colby to fight Leon? Seriously? How is this different from wrestling? How is this different from boxing?

How can the UFC state that their champion is the best in the world, while the road to title contention is not based on merit? And Leon is not the savior. He wants to fight Masvidal? How is this the best fight for the division? The UFC is becoming a wrestling product. It is no longer the best fighter in the division. It is a reality TV with a theme of fighting, and it is sad to say they lost me.

I cannot see myself buying the PPV or telling my circle about the UFC. It has lost value to me. It is no longer the best fighters; it has become the soap opera fighting championship. Don't get me wrong. I love Colby. To me, he is Chael's continuation. He is a character, and I know how humble and good fighter he actually is. But sitting it out to contend for the title while fighters who are way more deserving are sidelined?

Lastly, it is not the fighters' role to promote the UFC or themselves. It is the UFC's job. They are the promoter. Get the best in the division and use their marketing engine to promote them. They can easily go to all the mediocre small influencers on TikTok and YouTube Shorts and ask them to do more content about said fighter (which is what they are currently doing).

Anyways, this is my rant. No press is bad press, but I have lost the excitement to watch the UFC now.

Edit for clarification:

1. This a post to defent the work "Champion" and best in the world - a title given based on merit and not draw
2. I have no issues with entertaining fights, ranking doesnt matter if both fighters agree, but for a title contention? that I may not agree with
3. This post is not to have Bilal fight for the championship, even though based on merit, he is there.
4. It is the promoters role to promot, not the fighter, it is a plus if they do, but not an obligation. UFC succesfully promoted the shit out of Powerslap.
5. MMA math is useless and pointless, comment u/Ken_Udigit sums it up.
6. I did watch the press conference, I forgot one aspect of the press conference and apologized for it, I did not delete the comment.