[The Buzz Killr]

I'm referring to their title holders and contenders. I really don't understand how they expect to have long term (or even short term) contenders with the way they've been running shows. I'm not sure they plan on having three belts defended on every show from here on out, but the last one was this way, tomorrow's is this way, and the next appears to be as well.

Look at the Champs and they're challengers.

Faber's last four fights have been against guys who had a total previous WEC record of 1-0. One of his opponents had fought in the WEC previously, and that was Curran.
McCullough's first fight in the new WEC was a title fight against Kit Cope. Kit Cope? The guy was 1 and 4, no fights in the WEC. Crunkilton had 5, but only one in the new WEC. Now, Jamie Varner who's had 1.
Condit has beaten Larson and Alessio, which means he's had probably the most WEC-experienced challengers. Now he fights Carlo Prater, no WEC fights.
Filho? Fights Doerkson in both of their WEC debits for the Middleweight title, then Chael Sonnen in his debut, now they rematch.
Marshall I feel has done the least to be champ, and now he fights one of the few WEC veteran challengers in Brian Stann.

I'm not disagreeing with these guys as champs, nor am I trying to discredit there challengers, but how the hell do they build any challengers if A) they're champions fight every 3-6 months, and 60+% of their challengers are brought in new? We get to see a limited number of fights in a two hour event, and Wrekcage has been the same replays for like 6 months now, are we supposed to actually get behind the challengers at all? A lof of them are known guys to hardcore fans, but Joe Schmuck in his living room has no clue. Perhaps now would be the time to start negotiating for some sort of All Access show?

[SPSUDISPATCH]

So, what, are they just supposed to hold up the division until they can build some challengers? Yeah, they need to build challengers, but the champions have to establish themselves and have to fight or else the challegers will mean nothing. Can you imagine a year of WEC fights with no champions crowned or defending? It would be looked down on as an inferior product.

[asuop]

The WEC doesn't have shows that often, so they can't hold a large stable of fighters like the UFC does. They often bring guys in who have a name or some hype and give them a shot. They are more about finding out who is the best instead of building people up. They know they will never be as popular as the UFC, so they are trying a different model. I like it.

[seawolfing]

i think they are doing great, i know who everyone is i think thats who the wec is for hardkore fans that want to see light weight fighters and more mma

[The Buzz Killr]

I didn't say they should hold up the division, but at least give us a reason to get behind the challengers. I guess in the long run since it's not on PPV, they aren't concerned with buy rates, but it's still nice to see a guy challenge for a title who you've seen more footage of than an interview reel 15 seconds before the fight.

I guess my real complaint here would be lack of exposure. That damn WrekCage show really needs new episodes. I've seen my boy Mayhem take Miura to decision about 23 times now.

I've known all of the title contender's at 145 and up for the most part. It's hard finding good exposure for the lighter guys. Faber, Curran, Jens, Cub, Chase, Torres, those guys are awesome, but there's a whole crop in those weight classes, and most people have no clue who they are.

[Ragnarøk]

Keep in mind that the Carlo Prater dude has defeated Condit once already with a triangle choke. He may be able to do it again.

[Bigj383]

UFC use to run just like that prior to the MMA explosian. They just don't have enough shows to build talent. They rely on what they have done elswhere most of the time.

Alot of UFC fighters received title shots with little or no experience in the organization.

Tim Sylvia 1-0-0

Maurice Smith 0-0-0

Couture 3-0-0 (First Shot) 4-0-0 (Second Shot)

Rutten 1-0-0

Randleman 1-0-0 (First shot) 2-1-0 (Second Shot)

Barnett 3-1-0

Gan McGee 2-1-0

Eilers 1-1-0

Buentello 2-0-0

Nogueira 1-0-0

As for LHWs

Frank Shamrock 0-0-0

Igor Zinoviev 0-0-0

Jeremy Horn 0-0-0 (First Shot)

John Lober 0-0-0

Wanderlei Silva 1-1-0

Yuki Kondo 1-0-0

Elvis Sinosic 1-0-0

Vladamir Matyushenko 1-0-0

Rampage Jackson 1-0-0

MWs

Dave Menne 1-0-0

Bustamante 1-1-0

Anderson Silva 1-0-0

WWs

Pat Miletich 2-0-0

Mikey Burnett 1-0-0

Jorge Patino 0-0-0

Andre Pederneiras 0-0-0

John Alessio 0-0-0

Kenichi Yamamoto 2-0-0

Carlos Newton 1-1-0 (First Shot) 2-2-0 (Second Shot)

Matt Hughes 2-1-0 (First Shot)

Hayato Sakurai 0-0-0

Gil Castillo 1-1-0

Frank Trigg 0-0-0

Looking at that long ass list of people who have challenged for the UFC title with little to no actual UFC experience is WEC any different. If they could build fighters they would. They don't have time. So they have to base it on outside WEC experience much like UFC use to do prior to having 18 shows a year.

[Raker616]

WEC is doing a great job running their org and later today should be another great event, and prove why they are the second best MMA org in the world.

[Disco Albino]

Originally Posted by asuop

The WEC doesn't have shows that often, so they can't hold a large stable of fighters like the UFC does. They often bring guys in who have a name or some hype and give them a shot. They are more about finding out who is the best instead of building people up. They know they will never be as popular as the UFC, so they are trying a different model. I like it.

Agreed. They've been putting on quality shows, and bringing in some awesome fighters (Filho in particular). I'd rather see a fight with a few champ matches with semi-big names than a bunch of contender fights

[southsideSTi]

BigJ383... fucking awesome post man