UFC 91 Proves Its Business First, Sport Second

Dana White...this guy is amazing. Every single person, except possibly Rorion Gracie, who is a fan of mixed martial arts and our beloved UFC owes Dana White props for making our sport what it is today. Obviously, the sport would be nowhere without its fighters. However, the differences between fighters and Dana White are the fighters will enjoy the legacy while Dana will enjoy the financial benefits. Rightfully so. The fighters provided the catalyst for executing the shows, but it was Dana who struck the deals and positioned the sport. Liken this illustration to NASCAR and the France family...it was Bill France Sr. and Jr. who built the sport through promotion, marketing, development, television, sponsorship, and government (yes, politics and government are entrenched in auto racing namely NASCAR), yet it is its drivers who the fans seek and remember. Want me to prove it? How many '3's have you seen plastered on the bumpers and back windows of trucks and cars? You see very few NASCAR logos and no stickers of the France familys' company ISC.

Actually, it is very odd how close the business models are...comparing UFC and NASCAR. Race teams have sponsor decals on its cars, fighters and their teams have sponsor decals on their shorts, shirts, hats, and jackets. NASCAR places limits and must approve all sponsors placed on the cars...sound familiar in the UFC? Just ask Affliction or Cage Fighter. NASCAR holds races all over the country while their 'home' track and hall of fame is located in Charlotte...UFC holds fights all over the country while their 'home' venue is in Las Vegas. NASCAR has partnered closely with the U.S. Military...UFC is getting ready to have a Fight for the Soldiers event in North Carolina on a Marine base.

The reason why I shared all of this with my fellow fans is this...MMA is where it is at today because of Dana White's push to make the public accept MMA as a sport and not a spectacle. However, at the end of the day we're preparing to witness 'The Biggest Fight in History' between the rightful champ and widely-recognized face of the sport Randy Couture and Brock Lesnar, the UFC's answer to Kimbo Slice. Yes I know what you are thinking, Brock Lesnar is the 2000 NCAA HW wrestling champion...BFD. There's been seven amateur wrestling champs since Brock with one of them playing professional football in the NFL. Brock is a big monster and damn good athlete, let's not be mistaken...but this guy does not deserve a title shot in only his 3rd mixed martial arts fight.

This proves that business and profit pay the bills, the sport is for debates and politicians. What it comes down to is we all like to be entertained and we all enjoy 'Coliseum' matches pitting different characters, styles and weapons against one other. I've all ready purchased the event and am recording it too...so if loving our 'sport' is wrong, I don't want to be right.

Here's your fight card. Courtesy UFC.com.