UFC brass dismisses card quality concerns: 'We don't buy it'

"During a TKO-run financial call on Wednesday, TKO Group Holdings President Mark Shapiro shrugged off any concerns that fans and media have raised lately about the quality of its events. All across social media, fans have lambasted the UFC's matchmaking and card creation decisions this year since the Paramount deal came into play. The claims of fewer ranked combatants on the billing, a smaller number of championship pairings and more fights with athletes on long losing streaks have plagued the promotion as of late."

"Prior to UFC 328 on Saturday, the promotion has only run three championship bouts this year: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett, Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2 and Carlos Ulberg vs. Jiri Prochazka. Four more are on the books through June, with two of those at UFC 328 and the other two at the UFC White House event. As a recent example of growing concerns from the fanbase, just 10 of the 24 athletes at UFC Winnipeg in April posted winning records with the promotion."

"Per Shapiro, the UFC is ignoring all such criticism, while declaring that things have never been better for the company. Making money hand over foot Based on the financial statements, the UFC argues that they not only remain at the top of the mixed martial arts mountain by a wide margin, but that the revenue keeps growing year-over-year. Shapiro and the other decisionmakers at the company believe everything is hunky-dory, although viewership numbers of recent events have not been revealed."

""Bottom line is, we don't buy it," stated Shapiro. "Let's just start with this premise: the product is great at the UFC, the brand has never been stronger, our reach has never been greater. So, the foundational elements of UFC are in concrete. A""

UFC revenue performance is presented as evidence that the promotion is stronger than ever. TKO Group Holdings President Mark Shapiro dismisses concerns raised by fans and media about matchmaking and card creation since the Paramount deal. Criticisms include fewer ranked fighters on cards, fewer championship matchups, and more bouts featuring athletes on long losing streaks. The promotion has held only three championship fights so far this year, with additional championship bouts scheduled through June. At UFC Winnipeg, only 10 of 24 fighters had winning records, and the headliner involved a rising Canadian star versus a 39-year-old on a four-fight losing streak. Shapiro maintains that the UFC’s core product, brand strength, and reach remain solid.

Read at Sherdog