5. Backlash to “Money-Fights”
While it may not yet be evidenced through PPV buy-rates, fans are sick of “money-fights”. The term has been used with increased frequency ever since the UFCÂ was bought out by WME-IMG. Since that time the emphasis the company has placed on big-money fights has drawn the ire of even the most flexible MMA purists.
Numerous fighters and MMA personalities, such as Joe Rogan and Anderson Silva, have openly complained about title fights being given to lowly or unranked opponents since the new owners took over.
In boxing, the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act actually takes steps to prevent this from happening. The Act gives power to 3rd parties to decide #1 contenders and title shots, not the promotions themselves. WME-IMG would hate if the Ali Act is ever extended to MMA.
