The Biggest What-If in All of MMA

While the majority of the MMA community amuses itself with what-if "dream" match ups, I began to wonder about the single biggest what-if in our relatively young sport. What if the Fertitta brothers never purchased the UFC?

In all likelihood, the UFC would not be around anymore. It is well known that the UFC was dying when the Fertitta's purchased it, at the time being valued at only 2 million dollars. In the 8 years since the purchase, the UFC has grown to be worth over 1 billion dollars.

Without the UFC, where would global MMA stand? Undoubtedly, Pride would be the dominant force, likely employing the fighters currently seen in the UFC. Many brands synonymous with the UFC would not exist, such as TapouT.

Possibly the greatest shame, however, would be that many fighters who are super stars might never have made their names. Anderson Silva wasn't anywhere close to the fighter he is now, in the UFC, when competing in Pride. The same could be said for Chuck Liddell, Rampage Jackson, and many others.

Another huge effect of the non existence of the UFC would be the amount of promotions. Elite XC would not have had such pressure to succeed right out of the gate. The same could be said of Affliction. These smaller promotions would have had time to develop their stable of fighters, instead of needing to be successful from day one.

Finally, the one thing many fans wish wasn't around. Dana White. Love him or hate him, it is hard to deny what he has done for the sport of MMA. He has helped bring the sport to the brink of being mainstream, and there is no telling what he has planned for the future. Who knows.

If Dana loves this sport as much as he says he does, maybe he would have found a job with another promotion. Or he would have told all his buddies at the bar how he could have been the man who saved MMA.

Sound off in the comment section on what you think the MMA world would look like without the UFC.