‘We don’t buy it’: UFC owners respond to complaints over weaker events
MMA Fighting • • sports
Key Points:
- TKO Group Holdings President and COO Mark Shapiro defended the UFC's matchmaking quality, stating the product is strong and the brand has never been better despite recent criticism.
- Shapiro highlighted the UFC's continuous efforts to build cards by discovering new talent globally, citing rising stars like Joshua Van, Carlos Prates, Michael Morales, and Ilia Topuria.
- He expressed confidence in UFC CEO Dana White and his matchmaking team, emphasizing their 25 years of experience and ability to create compelling fights.
- Shapiro acknowledged the UFC's current lack of superstars compared to past eras but compared this to natural cyclical trends seen in other sports like the NBA.
- He stressed that fluctuations in star power and audience engagement are common in professional sports and that the UFC is navigating these cycles similarly to other major leagues.
