Should The UFC Be Criticized About Who's On The Main Card?

by Kelvin Hunt on Feb 11, 2009 5:06 PM EST in News

Recently the UFC has released the full card and bout orders for a couple of upcoming events. These bout orders are subject to change, but the bout orders released thus far are interesting. UFC veterans Tyson Griffin, Brandon Vera, and TUF 3 winner Kendall Grove are listed under the preliminary bouts. Whereas, TUF 8 winner Ryan Bader, TUF 8 alum Junie Browning, Mark Munoz(WEC LHW), TUF 4 alum Pete Sell, and TUF 7 alum Matt Brown are all listed on the main cards right now.

Why do you think some of these guys are relegated to the prelims? Brandon Vera is obvious, but Tyson "I Go To Decisions" Griffin just had another fight of the night fight in a losing effort to Sean Sherk. Kendall Grove had a dominate win over the late former middleweight champion Evan Tanner in his last bout. Does Mark Munoz deserve to be on the main card? What about Matt Brown and Pete Sell?

Drop your thoughts.

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Comments

Maybe it’s just time to give some other cats some time in the limelight.

by Jamar Nubar on Feb 11, 2009 4:34 PM EST reply actions

I kinda see as those guys have fallen far enough down the ladder, that their upcoming fights really don’t have any importance (other than keeping their contracts) while these other fighters, with a win, could be possible contenders at their respective weight division. And as far as Spike TV Fight Night cards, I heard on Sherdog that Spike TV is the reason why a lot of TUF alumni get televised fights on those cards. In fact, they said Spike is the reason why a lot of TUFfers still have contracts.

by Charles Walker on Feb 11, 2009 4:39 PM EST reply actions

i can understand that…some TUF alum more than others. However, Mark Munoz on the main card? I know he’s fighting Matt Hamill(probably why he’s on the main card), but dang…lol.

http://www.mmaforreal.com

by Kelvin Hunt on Feb 11, 2009 4:42 PM EST reply actions

yeah, I don’t know…I guess Hamill has a decent following or something…even with his recent performances I’m still surprised Vera’s on the undercard of a UFC

by Charles Walker on Feb 11, 2009 4:47 PM EST reply actions

Hamill has a very good following….plus he’s from Ohio….so it makes sense. I guess the bigger question is how can he go from fighting Rich Franklin to Reese Andy to Mark Munoz. This fight does nothing for him.

http://www.mmaforreal.com

by Kelvin Hunt on Feb 11, 2009 4:50 PM EST reply actions

It’s all about who the casual fan recognizes, not who the best fighters are, otherwise Tyson Griffin would be on the main card. Remember, John Fitch was going to be on the undercard for his first fight after losing the title fight because Dana wanted to smack his hand.

by NastyNate78 on Feb 11, 2009 10:04 PM EST reply actions

Oh for sure, I’m aware of that. I suppose they expect Pete Sell/Matt Brown to be standup war, hence it gets to make the main card.

http://www.mmaforreal.com

by Kelvin Hunt on Feb 11, 2009 10:10 PM EST reply actions

couple reasons, imo

These have already been eluded to, but I wanted to put them out there anyway:

1 – Star Power. Like Charles said, Hamill has a decent following so why not cater to the crowd and give them who they love?

2 – Chances of an exciting fight. I know Vera is a veteran and all, but his drop to LHW has been at best, a disappointing venture. NONE of his fights at LHW have been good. Matt Brown on the other hand, consistently gives exciting fights despite his lack of experience in the UFC compared to others.

In the end its all about what’s going to get them the ratings and give the UFC the biggest boost.

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by funnytiger on Feb 12, 2009 10:31 AM EST reply actions

i dont think there should be any critisizm of any event/ main card until AFTER the event is over. it might look like the best main card in the world on paper, but then end up being a letdown. it might look like a boring main card and end up being a barnburner. i saw where 1 blogger commented on how he thought the last ufn17 looked better than ufc 96? how does one know that until the fights actually happen? and as we have seen in the most recent past, the ufc is more than willing to show the undercards if time permitting and the fights are good. alot of fans complained about bonnar/jones being on the main at 94 and now everyone is talking about jon jones.

by bdw on Feb 12, 2009 2:14 PM EST reply actions