Dana White Squashes One-Night Tournament Concept

[Dod Draper]

Part of what made the UFC successful when it first launched in 1993 was the one-night tournament format.

But that doesn't mean UFC president Dana White has ever seriously thought about bringing that concept back, even for one event.

"My philosophy on that was, this many people want to see a crazy freak show, that many people want to see a real sport," White said at a question-and-answer session prior to the Fight for the Troops 2 weigh-ins last week. "We believe that's why the thing has grown as fast as it has and become as big as it has, because people want to see a real sport. So, no.

"Plus, we couldn't do that anymore; you could never do a one-night tournament. And to be honest with you, the one-night tournament thing never worked; it didn't make sense."

The UFC's last one-night tournament was UFC 23: Ultimate Japan 2 in 1999, won by Kenichi Yamamoto. The organization has never held another in the Zuffa era.

Recently, Shine Fights and Strikeforce have dabbled with the concept, but neither have committed to it for more than one event.

White simply doesn't believe the tournament format proves who the top fighter really is.

"Imagine going three rounds, two tough guys, and then you gotta get back in the tournament and fight again another thirty minutes. It's not fair. It doesn't really determine who the best guy is."

I agree with Dana here. The best guy isn't always necessarily going to win in this one night tournament format. Plus, I can't imagine that the athletic commisions would be best pleased with such a tournament taking place.

What Strikeforce is doing is pretty good, but as we know, that's over the course of months.

Thoughts?

 

[Prodigy]

Well I am not really a watcher of UFC but I have watched one night tournaments in boxing before with prize fighter. Prizefighter bouts are 3 rounds each but I still think it can damage guys. Same would probably happen with UFC so it's good Dana is stepping away from it.

 

[Troy]

I could never see them getting medical clearance anymore to allow fighters to fight two or three times in the one night. The athletic commissions are so strict these days and it would not be safe allowing them to fight more than once in a night. Plus I prefer the long build between fights so that both fighters can be at peak condition for the fight rather than bringing a niggling injury from the first fight into the second fight. It would make for sub-standard fights.

 

[Deezy]

Royce couldn't finish the second tournament because he was too exhaustedfrom the first fight, then some no-name guy won it. One night tournaments are Blue and should only be in half price DVD movies in the bargain bin. The potential for injuries jump greatly and it doesn't prove who the best is. Like my first sentence proved.

 

[The New F'n Show]

Expected deezy to be the one to bring up Royce. His loss do to being absolutely gassed proved way back then that one night tourneys don't prove who the best fighter is.