Imago | Zuma Wire by Tomaz Jr
Apparently Paulo Costa’s bursitis wasn’t the one factor threatening the UFC’s upcoming journey to Abu Dhabi.
Dana White introduced Tuesday that not solely is he on the lookout for a alternative for the Brazilian fighter’s UFC 294 co-main occasion in opposition to Khamzat Chimaev, however the primary occasion has additionally been rescheduled. Charles Oliveira, who was getting ready to take revenge on Islam Makhachev and regain the UFC light-weight title, was compelled to withdraw from the battle as a result of a coaching damage.
Though it’s disappointing, there may be no use to fret as a successor has been determined. Only a few days in the past, fast-rising title contender Mateusz Gamlot, who competed at The Apex final month and claimed a win (I do know it was a TKO as a result of damage, however a win is a win) over Rafael Fiziev. He was named as a backup fighter for the match between Makhachev and Oliveira. He plans to step on the size on October twenty fourth and be prepared in case something goes flawed at UFC 294. something…
And that is why Dana White confirmed that the brand new UFC 294 major occasion shall be Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski.
Huh? Am I lacking one thing right here?
Nonetheless some nice fights at UFC 294…
Do not get me flawed, Makhachev vs. Volkanovskiy 2 at UFC 294 is a superb match. It is actually making the most effective of a nasty state of affairs.It could be a disgrace to lose a fighter as widespread because the King of the Fighters proper now. hippodrome However nobody would argue that the UFC featherweight champion is just not the appropriate match to exchange him. Their battle with Islam at UFC 284 was a really shut battle, so it could be nice to see them go at it once more to make clear who is actually higher.
There is no such thing as a downside with that match being booked. I’ve an issue with Gamlot’s state of affairs. As a result of in the event that they had been going to push him out when the promotion was wanted, why was he named as a backup fighter within the authentic major occasion? Is not that what it is best to do?
If Gamlot was by no means chosen if the battle broke down, what was he going to do? Was this a comfort prize for the ending of the Fiziyev battle? Was Dana going to pay Gamrot to fly to Abu Dhabi for UFC 294, step on the size, after which go to the concession stand?
Information does not lie.It is actually pointless
That is actually attention-grabbing. As a result of if you happen to take a look at all the primary occasions over the past three years the place backup fighters have been formally introduced and weighed in, not a single fighter has been given the chance to compete in a title battle or been given that chance. That occasion.
So what is the level in doing it if each backup is simply pulling weight for a little bit one thing or a pat on the again?
Is it to construct up karma with the CEO in hopes that he would possibly offer you one other title battle? Positive, that is potential. The probabilities of a reserve participant getting one other shot are higher than their probabilities of making it to the unique major occasion, however the numbers are nonetheless not shocking.
Within the 13 tournaments by which substitutes for title fights have been introduced (UFC 254, 256, 259, 267, 268, 277, 280, 283, 285, 289, 290, 293), six of the substitutes in the end made it to the following spherical. received the title match. , they’re:
- Michael Chandler (backup for Khabib Nurmagomev vs. Justin Gaethje for the title at UFC 262)
- Glover Teixeira (backup for Jan Blachowicz vs. Israel Adesanya, who fought for the title at UFC 267)
- Jiri Prochaska (backup for Jan Blachowicz vs. Glover Teixeira for the title at UFC 275)
- Alexander Volkanovski (backup for Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev for the title at UFC 284)
- Colby Covington (backup for Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman, scheduled to battle for title at UFC 296)
- Brandon Roybal (backup for Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja, scheduled to battle for title at UFC 296)
That is a 46% success price for reserve fighters making an attempt to get their subsequent title shot, which is not a horrible statistic, but it surely’s exhausting to think about a fighter organizing a battle camp figuring out that their probability to battle might result in their subsequent title shot. I am undecided if it is definitely worth the effort. Toss a coin.
Additionally, Daniel Darish went by means of a very powerful time final 12 months. He was ignored when he claimed to be a backup at UFC 280, however he misplaced his battle to the No. 1 contender, and that chance has now been given to the identical man who defeated Benny. to the dimensions of a 12 months in the past.
Properly, I feel the identical goes for Arman Tsarukyan. make a profit As a title match…
The place is the consistency within the UFC?
Everyone knows there are two major elements in figuring out candidate: timing and the way a lot Dana likes you. That is why it got here as no shock when Dana mentioned Colby would battle Edwards whereas a beast like Sergei Pavlovich must sit and wait whereas Jon Jones fights. Firefighterquestioning if the one solution to win the battle he desires is to step up on quick discover whereas the UFC performs musical chairs with completely different occasions.
One other factor that makes backup names so unusual is that there isn’t any consistency in how typically backups are run. The UFC appears to be using them greater than common in 2023, however not each introduced title battle has an introduced backup.
Why did they announce a backup for UFC 293 however not a backup for UFC 292? What would have occurred if Sean O’Malley had withdrawn from his battle with Aljamain Sterling? What would have occurred if Adesanya did not get a rematch with Alex Peiryra at UFC 287? Would it not have triggered ripples within the space-time continuum? May Jean nonetheless go there? rodeo?
This isn’t the sort of drama a fighter has to take care of. It is dangerous sufficient having to comply with wager half your prize cash over whether or not or not the judges know what a 10-on-8 spherical is. He should not must make an enormous provide to battle on back-to-back pay-per-views to have an opportunity to again up a fighter the UFC likes. As a result of the fighters are illustration of the kind of followers and advertisers they’ve. I am making an attempt to draw you.
I am not saying backups needs to be utterly scrapped, however I a lot want the concept of placing the favourite on the identical card because the champion, even when the chance by no means opens up. At the very least the challenger can have a match on the finish of the ordeal (on the threat of dropping, but when that occurs, they should not have fought for the title within the first place, proper?).
Are you able to be constant? Both announce a backup for each title battle or do not use one in any respect. Additionally, if you happen to title a backup however by no means find yourself utilizing it, have the braveness to declare it your best choice. If it is not a backup, a backup will not do you any good.
The truth that Gamrot thinks he’ll nonetheless be backing up after what simply occurred is loopy, however that is to be anticipated from a world chief in martial arts. Except you are a cog in some machine, it will not enable you a lot. At the very least he’ll be capable of watch and benefit from the motion. Maybe he’ll be capable of discover out if Ilia Topria has any plans for that evening or for the following 12 weeks.
share this story
Concerning the writer
Evan Zibin is a author who joined Bloody Elbow in 2023. He has been offering distinctive perception into the game of combined martial arts since 2013 and beforehand labored as a function columnist for 411 Mania. Evan has adopted combined martial arts {and professional} wrestling most of his life. His pleasure lies to find the tales and characters inside all martial arts and presenting them in a critical but light-hearted approach.
Particulars from the writer
