Is the UFC Suffering From Fatigue? Why Scott Coker Says Free Fights and Endless Cards Hurts the Sport
When one of the most influential promoters in mixed martial arts history admits he can’t name four reigning champions in the UFC, the sport has an identity problem.
Winston Churchill is often credited with coining the phrase, "history is written by the victors." However, Strikeforce founder Scott Coker's recent comments offer a different perspective. While his remarks differ, they also make sense in various ways, illustrating that multiple viewpoints can coexist.
Building on these thoughts, the executive continues to make the rounds in advance of his unnamed promotion's debut in January 2027. One of the topics he discussed became quote-worthy: the current UFC product. As always, when it comes to shading the UFC, Coker did not mince words:
Scott Coker on UFC's "Oversaturation" on The Ariel Helwani Show
"It looks consistent," Scott Coker said of the UFC on The Ariel Helwani Show. "To me, it's kind of weird because if you say 'name four champions from the UFC in their weight classes,' I don't think I could do it right now. And I think a lot my friends can't do it right now. I don't know what it is. It's on every week in front of your face too much. Maybe it is (oversaturation)."
This context sets the stage for Scott Coker’s perspective. Due to substantial television deals, the UFC now schedules 41 to 43 cards annually. Coker's comments imply that this increased event frequency may have reduced the sense of occasion previously associated with fight cards.
Scott Coker Taking Less is More Approach with New Promotion
Furthermore, one issue could be a lack of organic promotion and meaningful rankings. Instead of ranking systems that actually matter and hold weight, Dana White chooses to seemingly use an arbitrary system that grants marquee fights and title shots at his personal whim. Concomitantly, the presence of interim titles muddies the metaphorical waters and diminishes the value of championships.
In response to these industry trends, Scott Coker decided to take an old-school tactic to his new promotion and guarantee less, in the hopes of generating more interest.
"We're going to do 12 fights first year," Coker said. "I think eventually, a good fight company could do 24 fights a year. The thing is, when you have pay-per-view, it's different because you opt to buy in or you opt to buy out."
Drawing from experience, Scott Coker has witnessed the outcomes for organizations that have attempted to compete directly with the UFC, with several former promotions now defunct. If Coker's endeavor prioritizes offering a high-quality alternative instead of direct rivalry, it could foster constructive growth in the sport.
