If you’re an MMA fan, then you want what’s best for the long-term growth of the sport.
At the same time, you don’t want overly calculated business moves comprising its integrity. With that being said, there is a new trend starting to emerge within the walls of the UFC octagon: the trend of the superfight.
Anatomy of a Superfight
One may ask: What exactly constitutes a superfight? The original “Super Fight” was a fictional 1970 boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Rocky Marciano.
At the time, Ali and Marciano were the only undefeated heavyweight champions in history of the sport, and fans often debated who would win had they met in their primes.
Ali and Marciano were filmed acting out every possible scenario in a fight and the result was then determined using probability formulas entered into a computer. If you are interested in watching the fictional fight click here (after finishing the article of course).
A superfight can be hard to define, but when you see it on the horizon you are certain of its vaunted status.
Think two great champions with remarkable records, still in their prime, skirmishing with each other to secure their respective legacies as the dominant fighter of their era.
What really transforms a big fight into a superfight is crossover appeal. It’s the kind of fight where even people not caught up in the sport make sure to watch, because it’s the cool thing to do.
It’s the can't-miss event that everyone, including non-sports fans, will be talking about long afterward. It’s more than a fight, it transforms into a cultural event, altering the sport beyond current comprehension.
UFC enters the superfight market
The UFC clearly has a superfight building on the horizon, the fight between Georges St. Pierre and BJ Penn at UFC 94. By the time the UFC is done marketing it, it will have reached the fever pitch status that all superfights take on.
Recent news has lead one to believe that Dana White and Joe Silva (how often do match makers get top billing with the president) are not through with their superfight affair.
At a recent press conference, where Dana White was promoting “GSP vs. Penn fight” he was asked, “If St. Pierre is victorious in battle, will he fight Anderson Silva?” The answer was an unequivocal “Yes.”
Clearly having fighters, who are both ranked at the top of the pound-for-pound ranking, fight each other is compelling for the fans and fighters alike. It is also great for generating press and increasing those very important pay-per-view buy numbers.
It is what will grow the sport and what could very well keep the UFC afloat during these troubled economic times.
Even more recently, rumors are circulating that Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell will be fighting, at UFC 99, in Cologne, Germany.
Couture recently lost his heavyweight belt to Brock Lesnar (one could argue that was a superfight of sorts) while Liddell has lost three out of four in the light heavyweight division.
The rumors speculate that Liddell, who is not getting any younger, will join Couture at Heavyweight, with both men seeming tired of cutting weight.
With the growing size of Heavyweights, like Shane Carwin and Brock Lesnar, Couture vs. Liddell could be the perfect fight to usher in the Cruiserweight division (ironically, considered a no man’s land in boxing).
It is becoming increasingly clear what separates a superfight from a great divisional title fight. Fighters who possess a combination of great record and stardom are still a requirement.
But it seems apparent that the fighters in question must be from different weight classes, with one moving up or down in weight or both of them meeting in the middle.
13 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Sean Schimling 7 months ago
Great Read*** POTD.
I agree, superfights are good when there is no clear #1 Contender...(Ex. Anderson Silva/Middleweight Division). But with Thiago Alves and Kenny Florian proving to be legit #1 contenders its not fair. There are a lot of factors, too many for a freakin comment, but i do agree with you.
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Brian Oswald 7 months ago
Thanks Sean!!! Yeah it is definitely a dance between giving fans both. I think that you have to create strong divisions first and foremost with good contenders for long term sustained growth. If they only rely on superfights and comprise that divisional integrity it will hurt them in the long run. Of course the most important thing is to invest in the marketing their fighters. Thats the only way to grow the sport and maintain success. By the way, I am loving the creativity in your articles man...keep it up the great work!!!
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Jeremy Botter 7 months ago
Let's keep in mind that these superfights happen very rarely, and it's even more rare for a fight with two title holders from differing weight classes. St. Pierre vs. Penn will probably be the last time that we'll see something like this for quite some time, as I don't believe we'll see St. Pierre move up to take on Silva regardless of what Dana White says.
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Brian Oswald 7 months ago
Point well taken Jeremy. I am surprised to hear you say that a GSP-Silva fight won't happen - although not overly surprised. So assuming GSP wins, you expect him to fight Alves next?
What about if BJ wins - will he be allowed to hold on to both belts or would the UFC strongly encourage him to vacate on of them?
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Jeremy Botter 7 months ago
I do expect that St. Pierre will fight Alves if he wins. If Penn beats him, then my guess is that he'll vacate the lightweight belt and Florian will fight Sherk for the vacant belt. Penn will feel like there are more marquee matchups for him at 170 (which is true). I know Dana has said BJ would defend both belts, but it makes no sense from a PPV or money standpoint to have a weight class title defended every 8 months at minimum.
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Brian Oswald 7 months ago
I agree 100% and hope thats how it plays out. I just Florian will be pissed to not get his shot at BJ though. I am sure he will be okay though. Just over 8 weeks till UFC 94!
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Todd Jackson 7 months ago
Great stuff Brian, thanks for the plug. I really like your delivery here, an enjoyable read about a very important topic. Take care.
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Brian Oswald 7 months ago
Thanks Todd. I look forward to seeing you in the top 5 soon! Whats up with you getting tickets for a UFC event?
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david ritchie 7 months ago
great article. bj vs gsp is going to be a good one
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Brian Oswald 7 months ago
Thanks David. Just over 8 weeks to go. And just in case you forgot - Rampage vs. Wanderlei in a few weeks =)
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david ritchie 7 months ago
I KNOW I AM SO NERVOUS!!!
I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST OUT OF ALL THERE FIGHTS.
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Brandon Katz 7 months ago
Wow, truly a spectacular piece of sports writing here. I really like the categories you broke your points into, very well done. Although I agree that the integrity and "ethics" should play a major factor in match making, as I fan i love all of this talk about super fights.
I see GSP beating Penn. I love both fighters but I think GSP is gonna win it on the feet. While both are very good, technical strikers, GSP posses more power than BJ. I think BJ has a chance if he sets up takedowns with his sharp accurate jab and then submits GSP on the ground with his freakish flexibility and submission skills.
Couture vs. up and coming Carwin, agree or disagree?
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Brian Oswald 7 months ago
Wow thanks for the compliment Brandon. I agree with you about the superfights. Its hard to get caught up yet you dont want it to be all about just throwing fighters together for PPV buys (like Liddell vs Silva for some or Liddell vs. Couture for others or even Couture vs. Lesnar). GSP vs Penn and even GSP vs. Silva are more aligned with what you want out of a superfight.
As far as Couture vs Carwin I dont think that will happen. Carwin would offer the same problems to Couture that Lesnar did. I think the UFC is very high on Carwin and they will build up his marketability to position for a Lesnar vs. Carwin fight. Now that I say that Carwin fighting Couture and beating him would certainly increase his marketability. But I still dont see it happening. I would like to see Carwin vs. Kongo in a stand up war or Carwin vs. Gonzaga in another stand up war. I think the UFC would lean toward Kongo because he is one dimensional and Carwin could take him to the ground if need be.
That being said I am curious who Couture will fight next...It looks like the fight with Liddell isn't a lock as both fighters arent completely sold on it. Perhaps that leaves Couture vs Gonzaga or the loser of Nog-Mir. What do you think?
Thanks for the comment and the pick Brandon!
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