In the last few years, one thing has been true in the sport of mixed martial arts: there is quite a bit of action available for fans to consume. It’s gotten to the point where the UFC alone is offering nearly a card a week. Yet even as fans complain that too much is going on, “minor” cards usually offer them the opportunity to take in some compelling action without enduring the cost of PPV bucks. Last weekend’s UFC Fight Night 68 card was another edition of the promotion’s stacked summer lineup, and it delivered. Perhaps instead of tuning out these shows completely, fans should make an effort to catch what they can.
Yes, it is inevitable that cards which lack title bouts or even true title challengers will put on a “bad” show. However, the UFC faces an obscene amount of anger from its fan base when an event is not a spectacular outing. This shouldn’t be the case. These cards give fight fans the opportunity to recognize potential stars in the making. The UFC continues to try to utilize The Ultimate Fighter as its star-generating platform, but that show is currently floundering. Recent seasons haven’t drawn the same attention as the earlier episodes that featured future champions and Hall of Famers. Instead, it’s these minor events that provide the best opportunity to see prospects develop into fighters that the fans will want to watch.
For example, Dustin Poirier has always been an individual who goes out and puts on the types of fights “mainstream” fans want to see. His last five fights have ended in some form of KO stoppage, the most recent being his first-round thumping of Yancy Medeiros on Saturday night. At the same time, Poirier is a fighter that hardcore fans have thrown their support behind. Free television is a perfect platform for him and the UFC to employ as they build his brand, hopefully so that he will become a fighter fans will want to pay to see down the line.
UFC Fight Night 68 also featured Chris Wade, who has quietly won three straight since debuting in the Octagon, and Anthony Birchak, whose stunning knockout of Joe Soto should provide observers and commentators with an additional talking point in the lead-in to his next bout. By stacking these events with fighters who are slowly growing their names on the roster, and steadily pushing them on the Fox platforms, the UFC will help these young fighters begin to stand out in an environment that features more fighters than fans can remember.
However, for all of the ways that UFC Fight Night 68 was a well-constructed card, it was the main event tilt between Dan Henderson and Tim Boetsch that wasn’t the ideal type of headlining bout for these types of events. Even though the fight created another highlight for Henderson, having this fight atop the marquee undoubtedly pushed some fans away. Instead of bouts like Henderson-Boetsch, the UFC should use UFC Fight Night main events to showcase matchups between ranked competitors close to becoming contenders. It doesn’t have to be those within the top 3, but it’s imperative that the top 15 fighters in their respective weight classes be used in bouts that better serve their own and the company’s purposes.
Yes, there are a lot of mixed martial arts bouts occurring on a regular basis. Some fans will only watch the “major” shows, while others do all they can to catch everything. Events like UFC Fight Night 68 are a welcome reward for hardcore fans tuning in for an entertaining night of fights. Furthermore, smaller shows like these are a starting point for fighters as they attempt to become the stars that Zuffa needs. So in considering whether to watch an upcoming UFC Fight Night show, remember that that even cards that don’t have the biggest names can deliver the biggest action.
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UFC Fight Night 68: Boetsch vs. Henderson (formerly UFC Fight Night 68: Cormier vs. Bader) took place on June 6, 2015 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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