The UFC comes back to Sydney (Allphones Arena) this weekend, with the main event featuring a welterweight battle between Martin Kampmann and Thiago Alves.
The card also gives us some local talent with the likes of Kyle Noke, Anthony Perosh and James Te-Huna who will take to the octagon in front of a home crowd.
The UFC will also introduce the flyweight division with Demetrious Johnson versus Ian McCall and Joseph Benavidez versus Yasuhiro Urshitani in a tournament, ultimately leaving the two winners to take the gold in a later event.
But that’s where the excitement stops, for most.
The Australian MMA fans have been rather vocal about how displeased they are with the card that has been dealt.
Ticket sales for the last two shows that the UFC brought to Sydney had sold out in a matter of minutes. The fact that there are still tickets available for this weekend’s event, months after their release, is a clear indication that the card was not strong enough to pull in the numbers.
No one respects and admires Dana White as much as I do, but even I couldn’t help but feel a little short changed.
When the question was put to White about the fan’s lack of enthusiasm for the card at the pre-fight press conference, his retort was simple: “If you don’t like it, then don’t watch”.
The UFC reaches 175 countries worldwide, in 22 different languages, in half a billion homes on television, so you can appreciate that the handful of people who were miffed with the card, are the least of White’s worries.
Upon further reflection on the issue earlier today, I began to realise that even though the big names on a UFC card will undoubtedly pull in the large crowds, as lovers of MMA, we need to stop and look at the bigger picture and see the positives.
History will be made on Australian soil this weekend with the flyweight division making its debut – that in itself has to count for something.
We should feel privileged that the New South Wales Government allows these events to take place in Sydney and that the UFC brings the sport to Australia.
Although we may not have the big names fighting this weekend, I have every expectation that we are in for some exciting and dominant performances.
You know how the saying goes: “don’t judge a book by its cover”.
So, until the fights are over, don’t write the card off. You may be in for a pleasant surprise.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Ah, the sleeper! Here's hoping it delivers. Wish there were more Australians as well @Hospital.
ErinT
Roar Guru
The last fx and fuel fights were incredibly entertaining and didn't have the biggest names on the card, this one will be the same. While we may not have names that are deemed as "big", the matchmakers lately have been making some incredible bouts and I'm certain this card will not disappoint.
Karen
Guest
Thanks for your comments. I appreciate where you are coming from. You're abosluetley right, you don't have to like it, but what you're not liking, are the names on paper - You haven't seen the fights yet to judge the card. My point is, and as Sam nicely puts it below, is that big names don't always mean exciting fights.
Sam Cupitt
Roar Guru
Big names doesn't always equal exciting fights. This event has sleeper written all over it and it should prove to be exciting as hell.
Hospital
Guest
Sorry Karen - just cos the UFC gives us an event, it doesn't mean we have to like it! Dana and the UFC are blessed that they are big enough to be able to say if you don't like it, don't watch it. But there's not even enough Australian fighters on the card - we could deal with a poor card if it was stacked with Aussies!