UFC doesn't Need Boxing, It Needs Dana White

UFC doesn't Need Boxing, It Needs Dana White By Johnny Benz (Dec 9, 2006) Dana White just could be UFC's greatest asset. White, The President of the UFC has proven in just the last few years that he is anything but stupid. No one can deny just how fast and powerful the UFC's climb to ratings success has been under the helm of White. These days the UFC is undoubtedly the most popular spectator sport amongst 18 to 35 year olds. Now that the UFC is gaining the popularity it so rightfully deserves, the snakes are creeping from under rocks to try and stick their poisonous fangs into the the life line of UFC. However, in keeping with the tradition of not being stupid, White is not flinching or letting the fangs touch the delicate skin he has created for the UFC. After all, the creeps wanted nothing to do with the UFC until White released it's true potential, and White is not forgetting that fact. Recently quoted in The Calgary Sun an agitated White said: "There are so many knuckleheads out there right now, trying to jump in the game. All these Johnny-come-latelys who didn't believe in it a few years ago, now they're all about it." White and UFC co-owners the Fertitta brothers have sunk $44 million into the UFC to make it take off, so it's no wonder his biggest fear is the likes of boxing promoters Don King and Bob Arum will be next to jump into the game, stealing from the hard work and investments White has accomplished for the UFC. "All these boxing promoters who went out there and destroyed the sport of boxing are now slithering, creeping their way into MMA," says White. White is smart enough to see the dangers ahead. UFC could turn into a over priced hype show with little to no good action if Boxing insiders get their grubby hands in the mix. UFC could easily become high Pay-Per-Views where athletes get ridiculous amounts of money to fight against no hopers with relatively no skills. Fans will be forced to pay high amounts of cash to watch mis-match after mis-match. And say good bye to free TV. The UFC didn't need SHOWTIME or HBO, White in a brilliant move went with Spike TV instead. In going with Spike TV, White not only maximized UFC's exposure amongst young adults, he also closed the doors on any Boxing Promoters and Boxing types that surley would have come along had he opted to use SHOWTIME or HBO to showcase UFC. SHOWTIME and HBO rarely ever show free Boxing, and if and when they do, you still need a subscription to the Cable Giants and the Free event will not only be boring.... it will do nothing to enhance the sport of Boxing. Not so with what UFC fans get for free on Spike TV. They get competitive fights with fighters who aren't afraid to mix it up, and they don't have to pay for it. Somehow, White knows how to give the fans what they want without ripping them off. There is nothing greedy in giving fans Free fights on TV that are worthy of the fans valuable time. White knows how to pull on the strings of the Fan's heart by giving them Free fights that the Boxing world wouldn't hesitate for a second to make a high priced Pay-Per-View. So many of the Top fighters in Boxing make millions and do basically nothing for it. They say they are the greatest fighter in the world and deserve the millions they get, but their resume is littered with no hopers and easy fights.... not so with UFC Stars. UFC fighters get no easy route to the top...and when they get to the top...that's when all Hell breaks loose. That's when the challenges roll in like a runaway 18 Wheeler Truck with No brakes! When a fighter makes it to the top in UFC, Fans get rewarded with even more great action. In Boxing when a Fighter makes it to the Top, that's when The Gravy Train chugs on in. Fans get rewarded with a cold stiff one in the rear and a high Cable Bill. It's not that Boxing isn't a great Sport... of course it is. It was greater when it was free every weekend on TV (back in the day of course). Times change and Boxing has become a Rock that Promoters, Cable Giants and even Fighters squeeze blood out of. They don't care about the Future. Most Boxing Promoters are old, and don't care about tomorrow nearly as much as the care about today. They see the Titanic sinking and rather than jump for a life boat, they remain on deck making as much money as they can from boxing until the last one of them drowns squealing for air. The last thing UFC needs is the cross over of The Boxing World mixing it up in their business. That is how UFC's ship will sink, and when your floating and crusing along as well as the UFC is these days....the last thing you need to do is make a deal with the cold Tip of an Ice Berg. The Boxing World may need a new Cash Cow, but to let them milk the UFC would be the death of the Ultimate Sport in Fighting. What the UFC needs is Dana White. Boxing could have taken over when the UFC was Broke, put money into the sport and called it their own... but they didn't. Instead a man with a vision took over. White took over and now the UFC is far from broken. UFC certainly doesn't need boxing.... It needs Dana White. Like the old saying goes... If it isn't Broken... Don't fix it.