Guys brought in to lose but don't

gc_06 · 01-01-2008, 11:20 AM

I'll start this post by admitting that I've only been a big fan of MMA for the last two years. I don't know much about "the early days".

There's no doubt that Joe Silva and Dana White will frequently bring in "cans" to lose to a fighter whose reputation they're tring to build. This is really common with TUFers, or with big free agent signings. However, some of these guys that are brought in to lose really ruin the UFC's plans by embarassing their golden boys. Here's my list:

Jason MacDonald - brought in to lose to Ed Herman and then Chris Leben, but choked them both out and ended up being a main eventer against Rich Franklin

Jake O'Brien - Ended up beating the over-hyped Heath Herring (even if it was a boring fight)

Eddie Shanchez - Brough in at the last minute to lose to Mario Neto, and the UFC's Australian poster child Soa Palelei

I'd also add Matt Hammil to the list even though the crooked judges gave him a loss. He manhandled Bisping.

Who else is there? I'm sure that I'm missing a ton

yonski · 01-01-2008, 11:24 AM

Joe Lauzon he was brought in for Pulver to pummel and it back fired on the UFC, now Joe is a huge star in the UFC

F5 · 01-01-2008, 11:25 AM

sanchez makes 46,000 a fight . i hardly doubt they would pay a "can" that.

edit: McDonald is a seasoned veteran, believe it or not sometimes the UFC tries a little on their matchmaking.

JamesEarlCash · 01-01-2008, 11:26 AM

Matt Serra against GSP
Gabriel Gonzaga against CC
Cheick Kongo against CC

WBC Rezen · 01-01-2008, 11:27 AM

Would Frankie Edgar be considered one for the fight with Tyson? They were really high on Tyson at the time? Now Frankie is becoming a star.

dickcheney · 01-01-2008, 11:27 AM

i didnt really get the impression that eddie was brought in to lose to sao...

Vengeful · 01-01-2008, 11:28 AM

Houston Alexander to Jardine

Hellscream · 01-01-2008, 11:29 AM

Diaz brought in to lose to Gomi (according to Diaz)

Afficial2 · 01-01-2008, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesEarlCash

Matt Serra against GSP
Gabriel Gonzaga against CC
Cheick Kongo against CC

Matt Serra wasn't brought in to lose. He was fighting GSP because he won the TUF show.

schafer · 01-01-2008, 11:30 AM

The first fight that comes to mind is PDP Cruz vs. Mir. The UFC obviously thought that Cruz, who only had one MMA fight at the time, wouldn't be able to handle the former HW champion. They wanted to return Mir to his former UFC posterboy status. And Mir ended up getting smashed in the first round.