Are We Expecting Too Much Too Soon from MMA?

Should we blame MMA fans for expecting so much out of the sport?

It's hard to say whether we should or should not. In such a short time, the sport has expanded globally and fans now get the luxury of watching  fights through more mediums than just a standard pay-per-view or an Internet stream.

Obviously, the UFC knows a thing or two about giving their fans the luxury of multiple mediums in which to watch their product. The Fox deal ensured that the UFC product would expand to a wider audience with programming on FX and Fuel TV. In addition, they also feature cards and programming via their Youtube channel and through the UFC.tv web site.

However, we might need to dial down on what we're expecting of the sport, especially with what we're expecting of the UFC as it closes out the first year of its deal with Fox.

The UFC will reap the benefits that most expected to see from the deal, but much like the evolution of a prospect with the potential to rise to "greatest of all time" status, those changes will not come overnight.

In time, the sport will gain its mainstream acceptance, and it will gain respect from even a much wider audience than just those who watch Fox, Fuel TV or FX. However, we can't assume otherwise simply because the injury bug cost the MMA world a handful of awesome cards.

Just as new organizations and prospects must take time to progress, such is true about the UFC's deal with Fox and the progression of MMA as a mainstream staple of the sports world. If we keep expecting too much too soon for the sport, the sport will only take longer in reaching those goals that fans expected the UFC to reach once the Fox deal officially started.