As some of you know, the Fedor/Sylvia fight at this past weekend's Affliction card was for the WAMMA (World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts) Heavyweight belt. Now this is supposed to be the unified belt of all MMA organizations. There's only one problem with that.
The UFC weight class belts are the only belts that matter in the world of mainstream MMA. Fedor once was a man who held the #1 P4P spot in the world without question, but Sylvia was Fedor's best competition on over 2 years (he's been thrown tomato cans). But if you're going to start a belt anywhere, then it might as well be with Fedor as a challenger.
Then we have Sylvia who came in losing two out of his last three fights and looking less then impressive as of late. One of those losses came to the current (or interim, however you want to slice it) UFC HW Champ, Nogueira. He is just another Miletich fighter who is past his prime.
So with all of this in mind, why would you give an alleged "universal" title shot to these two? If anything, the shot should go to the best in the world right now. Nogueira has earned the best HW in the world spot at the moment. If you're going to start a belt, start it right.
The way it looks now (since Fedor won), the inevitable Randy Couture vs. Fedor fight that everyone and their mother is waiting for, will probably be for this WAMMA title belt. Or maybe even the winner of that ridiculous "Fighting Fedor" reality show. Now if this belt is going to be legit, then you need to make one for every weight class as well.
The UFC is where the real MMA competition is right now, their HW division excluded. Their title will be the real "big" title in the world for quite some time. All others will just be looked at like they are one rank under. Much like how the UFC title once was to the PRIDE title.
So, I will be on board with this idea once the following is done:
- BJ Penn gets his belt
- Georges St. Pierre gets his belt
- Anderson Silva gets his belt
- (Even though it pains me to say) Forrest Griffin gets his belt
- Nogueira faces WAMMA HW titleholder
I won't hold my breath though.
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2 months ago
thats right...forrest is the champ. biotch
And as for Fedor reality show, its like back in the day when WWF superstars first tried to body slam Yokozuna, only the top fighter in the world would be able to do it. And I dont think they have cloned human beings yet.
2 months ago
Except the reality show on on Russian network and no top fighters in the world are on it.
from 2 months ago
is on**
2 months ago
LoL UFC's HW champ? Do we really need to see Big Nog annihilated a 3rd time?
Morne
2 months ago
Agreed that Fedor had Nog's number when they fought years ago, but Nog should still get his shot at this "universal" title. Same with all of the other UFC champs.
Dana wants no part of it though, wise choice.
2 months ago
this whole WAMMA idea sounds good on paper and in reality will work out very badly. I guess nobody learned from boxing.
from 2 months ago
In reality, this is an ignorant statement. The problem with boxing is that it doesn't have a WAMMA. It has the Ring Magazine, which is all opinion and no power to regulate, and thus Alphabet Orgs (WBC, IBF, WBO, etc.) and promoters are allowed to run wild with no oversight. Having a National Organization that keeps all the promotions honest would be a good thing. Think of it like the NFL keeping all of their teams playing by the same rules. The other hurdle is co-promotion. In this area, boxing is actually way better than MMA. There would be no problem at all putting together a Fedor/Couture fight if this were boxing. The UFC is the major road block here. Other MMA orgs seem willing to co-promote, but the UFC refuses. Apparently they want to be the store on the block. Right now they're like Wal-Mart and Affliction is like a Whole Foods Market that happens to pay its employees twice as much.
from 2 months ago
which is why what I said is certainly not an ignorant statement. Without the UFC participating, WAMMA means absolutely nothing.
also my point about boxing means that what WAMMA is currently doing is creating another series of belts, which will further confuse people. Similar to boxing.
2 months ago
Big Nogueira passed his prime: one more humiliation from Fedor?
Nogueira do not need it, UFC (Dana) will not allow that.
2 months ago
Nogueira being past his prime and being the UFC champ indicates how badly the UFC needs it's HW division back. It's just laughable.
2 months ago
What wrong with you?
Unrighteous critic (jealousy and envy about Fedor, affliction and WAMMA) is masked compliment. Let me rephrase metaphorically” I can grantee you that nobody kicks a dead dog, unless they are stupid.”
from 2 months ago
Fedor, is that you?
Chill out pal. It's an opinion piece. You understand what that is?
I will always leave room open in my work day to deal with a keyboard warrior such as yourself, but really...lighten up and jump off of Fedor's balls.
2 months ago
What wrong with you?
Unrighteous critic (jealousy and envy about Fedor, affliction and WAMMA) is masked compliment. Let me rephrase metaphorically” I can grantee you that nobody kicks a dead dog, unless they are stupid.”
2 months ago
I don't see whats wrong with the WAMMA title. I agree it is kind of weird to just pick 2 people out of the blue to fight for a title, but the only other option would be a tournament or something. Anyways if Arvlosky, Couture, and other good heavyweights get in the picture then after a few fights whoever remains to champion will have earned it legitamitally
2 months ago
The WAMMA belt would mean nothing if Fedor didn't hold it. Affliction wouldn't mean anything if they didn't have some big name fighters in their organization. But neither would the UFC. Yes, the UFC has some great champions right now. I am very pleased with every one of them. I am a firm believer that it is; the person needs to make the position, the position does not make a person. Taking the WAMMA belt from Fedor means defeating Fedor. Defeating Fedor would be on the minds of any HW in the world, I would think. I would like to see a belt for each weight division in WAMMA. If the UFC belt is so full of prestige and recognition, why won't all these fighters move into the UFC or stay in the UFC? It's because of the UFC's poor management, leadership and politics. I personally don't like the way the UFC (Dana White) treats his fighters or other fighters in different organizations.
2 months ago
I haven't read any of this, but here's my thought on a belt. A belt is only as legitimate as the figher who holds it. Right now Fedor holds the WAMMA belt so its worth something. Someone else holding the belt means that that someone else has beat Fedor, and so the belt's worth something.
Maybe I'll read the article later. I'm busy.
2 months ago
"Nogueira has earned the best HW in the world spot at the moment. If you're going to start a belt, start it right.
"Nogueira faces WAMMA HW titleholder"
What are you on glue??? Who did Noguiera beat to get that UFC title??? That's right, Sylvia. Not to mention Big Nog took an absolute beating from Tim before he slapped on that guillotine and Fedor destroyed Tim in 36 seconds. Fedor already beat the living shit out Nog...twice! "Years ago" Nog wasn't as worn down as he is now, back in Pride he beat Herring twice once by a dominating decision and then again by submission, in the UFC he almost got KO'd by Herring.
Fedor vs. Couture is the only fight that matters and I don't think it looks good for Randy.
Fedor is the legitimate #1 heavyweight!
from 2 months ago
All of this doesn't even matter though b/c Dana will never give in to the "WAMMA"...the UFC belts will remain the most important.
2 months ago
Great article
Wamma is a farce. It is comprised of a "panel of MMA experts", some of them bloggers, that all vote who the best fighters are. Exactly like the BCS ranking in college footbal.
2 months ago
Why knock Fedor for the television show? GSP had to give a title show to a relative nobody in the sport through TUF.
2 months ago
How can you say big nog deserves the wamma belt when fedor destroyed him twice?
from 2 months ago
You kidding me pal? The last time Nog and Fedor fought was 12/31/2004. Thats almost 4 years ago if you know how to add/subtract.
Nog is 5-1 since May of 2006 and has fought LEGIT competition (Barnett twice, Werdum, Herring, Sylvia). Fedor has beaten a washed up Coleman, a 7 foot tomato can in Hong Man Choi, someone who usually fights at MIDDLEWEIGHT in Matt Lindland, and Mark Hunt (who is alright, but can't cut it in MMA as of late). Sylvia was the only legit contender he has beaten.
P.S. - Saying the word "retarded" makes you sound like an ignorant 16 year old. Might wanna fix that.
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