As an adviser for top MMA talent, I generally require compensation for my knowledge or perpetuity on anything that brings you income. But, given the current state of the flyweight division, I’ve decided to go pro bono against my better judgement (you’re welcome, future flyweights).
Below are my five tips for becoming a star out of the flyweight division.
Don’t become the second-ranked pound-for-pound fighter on the planet
Winning all your fights handily will slightly get you increased expected value on your net worth. This is bad practice. You need to be better than winning all your fights.
Having Dana White and colour commentator Joe Rogan regard you as one of the best fighters on Planet Earth is simply not enough. You have to be better.
Never headline a pay-per-view event
Want people to watch you fight? Then don’t ever (and with the most patronising voice you’ve ever heard in your life) ever headline a card that requires any form of credit card, cash money, or cable bill that has your name on it in order to watch your event.
This can’t be stressed enough. It’s the most important of these essential steps. You’ll never be seen.
Don’t try and be cool
We all like to be a cool kid, or at least admire that trait in a colleague or friend. With that said, attempting to ‘help’ Nick Diaz by attaching your name to not fighting won’t make you cool. It comes off as weird, and will not earn you fans. Probably less because now you’re trying too hard, and no one likes that.
Nice try, Sneaky Cejudo (Henry is no longer his first name – It’s Sneaky).
Also, appearing on Rogan’s podcast won’t give you that Q rating you long to achieve. You will most likely stay neutral – or in Ian Mcall’s case, come off really bad.
Don’t try create a super-fight
Trying to create interest is a bad idea, you’ll be ignored to the point where search engine optimisation won’t be able to help you advertise your attempt to create a UFC super-fight.
Super-fights don’t exist in your weight class, so if your plan is to one day create history, get it out of your head. The fans, media and UFC don’t want to hear your goals in life.
Don’t fight regularly
This step is for those who reached the pinnacle of the division. Fighting three times a year to stay active is far too often; people will get sick of you and you’ll end up fighting guys with a much lower Q rating than you.
Everyone loves a bit of a mystery man. Look how Dominick Cruz was able to stay relevant, Tim Kennedy is still staying in the mainstream and soaring his way to number five in the world without fighting, Cain Velasquez is averaging 1.2 fights a year over the last five years and is still an important keyword for many MMA websites.
Rashad Evans and Michael McDonald were out for two years and what happened to them? Nothing. Their ranking moved like Nova Uniao after USADA. They’re going nowhere, son.
Being a mystery man pays, as it creates interest in you. While it may be hard for you not to fight, the risk versus reward is not worth it for you to compete often.
So there you have it. I decided to do this for free because nothing has worked so far for the flyweight division, and I would like to make a difference in a young man’s life.
So please, if you’re a young flyweight coming up through the ranks, don’t follow the footsteps of your adversaries. It might seem like a good idea, but it will not give you more fans or interest.
The rest is up to you. Good luck.
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