Askren may finally sign with UFC

[aholbert32]

Re: Askren may finally sign with UFC

According to Ariel, the UFC is trading DJ's contract for Askren's

[MacGowan]

Re: Askren may finally sign with UFC

According to Ariel, the UFC is trading DJ's contract for Askren's

with ONE?.....

[p_rushing]

Re: Askren may finally sign with UFC

with ONE?.....

Yep. I guess the 125 division may be going away soon

[aholbert32]

Re: Askren may finally sign with UFC

with ONE?.....

Yep. DJ would be with one.

[MacGowan]

Re: Askren may finally sign with UFC

Damn.... that just blows my mind. Feels like it's another reckless UFC move (Gegard, Rory). Wonder if DJ has anything to say here? haha, just **** off to Indonesia? but good for ONE, they're making big moves.

[WarMMA]

Re: Askren may finally sign with UFC

According to Ariel, the UFC is trading DJ's contract for Askren's

This is shocking. This is why Askren was so close to 100% sure he'd sign with UFC. Really would like to hear DJ's take on this though. I mean this isn't like NFL and NBA where trading guys is normal.

[Dave_S]

Re: Askren may finally sign with UFC

Goodbye UFC flyweight division. I really enjoyed you.

[aholbert32]

Re: Askren may finally sign with UFC

Damn.... that just blows my mind. Feels like it's another reckless UFC move (Gegard, Rory). Wonder if DJ has anything to say here? haha, just **** off to Indonesia? but good for ONE, they're making big moves.

I dont know if I would call any of those moves reckless.

Rory was coming off of a loss to Wonderboy and was rumored to be offered a deal by Bellator that wouldve paid him more than Wonderboy and Woodley. There was no way they couldve matched that deal without giving Wonderboy and Woodley a raise.

Gegard is a great MW but he honestly doesnt really move the meter when it comes to the stuff the UFC values (ratings and PPV buys).

DJ kinda falls in the same bucket. The UFC really doesnt have much left for him. A rematch against Cejudo and maybe a superfight against TJ (with both of them demanding big money). He's pretty much done all he can do in the UFC.

[MacGowan]

Re: Askren may finally sign with UFC

There was a time UFC wanted the best and not just who "moves the needle". just for the fact that they could say it housed the best

Well how about eubanks headlining MSG?
- Colby having the interim belt, no wait not having? no having it?
- interim belts for everyone!
- letting alvarez go.
- cm *** **** punk.
- letting conor go boxing.

you know what... they wanted Eubanks to headline MSG over Diaz. they are clearly off their rockers.

There's more love for flyweights in Asia, so ONE has struck a great deal there. Only thing I'm wondering is if DJ actually wants to go there to fight. If he does, then good for him. Honestly think it'll be a good move for him.

[aholbert32]

Re: Askren may finally sign with UFC

There was a time UFC wanted the best and not just who "moves the needle". just for the fact that they could say it housed the best

Well how about eubanks headlining MSG?
- Colby having the interim belt, no wait not having? no having it?
- interim belts for everyone!
- letting alvarez go.
- cm *** **** punk.
- letting conor go boxing.

you know what... they wanted Eubanks to headline MSG over Diaz. they are clearly off their rockers.

There's more love for flyweights in Asia, so ONE has struck a great deal there. Only thing I'm wondering is if DJ actually wants to go there to fight. If he does, then good for him. Honestly think it'll be a good move for him.

When was that? LOL. Seriously, I've been following the sport since the beginning and I dont know when that was the case. This is the same company that gave Brock Lesnar a title fight when he was 2-1. ****, they pretty much refused to sign Askren years ago simply because Dana doesnt like him and he isnt an exciting fighter.

Anytime they have "housed the best" its been pretty much only because the competition was failing and they purchased them (see Pride and Strikeforce).

Sometimes fans have to see the big picture. I love Eddie but One overpaid for him and the UFC wouldve been insane to match or beat that offer.

Same goes with DJ. He doesnt sell fights. His fights rate poorly. He's accomplished everything that he could do in the UFC. The UFC has done everything they could do to promote him. Headline PPVs. They based a whole season of TUF on him being the greatest champion ever. They done multiple hour long documentaries on him. The reality is people just arent crazy about watching him fight.

So imo, the decision is great for both. The UFC gets Askren and DJ gets to fight in a region that loves lower weight fighters.

[p_rushing]

Re: Askren may finally sign with UFC

The move will have to be approved by both, so DJ wants out. He could sign with anyone once released.

The UFC saw the end of the division once DJ lost. They couldn't get rid of the most dominant champ while he still had the belt. Now there is nothing keeping them from just closing the division.

Asia will love DJ and it gives him some new opponents. Plus he will be getting a raise, why else sign without one.

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[Dave_S]

Re: Askren may finally sign with UFC

Before his last fight DJ talked about fighting in Asia.

[MacGowan]

Re: Askren may finally sign with UFC

Before his last fight DJ talked about fighting in Asia.

Yeah, did some digging around and seems like he's been pretty positive towards a ONE deal.

here's a question: Is ONE bigger the Bellator?

[p_rushing]

Re: Askren may finally sign with UFC

Yeah, did some digging around and seems like he's been pretty positive towards a ONE deal.

here's a question: Is ONE bigger the Bellator?

His coach is apart of ONE and Bellator really has nothing for him. Other than the UFC, no one else has the lighter weight classes.

Bellator and ONE should work together to build their brand. ONE is the biggest in Asia, but no one really cares outside of Asia. Bellator is building in the USA and Europe, but has nothing in Asia.

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[aholbert32]

Re: Askren may finally sign with UFC

Yeah, did some digging around and seems like he's been pretty positive towards a ONE deal.

here's a question: Is ONE bigger the Bellator?

Depends on how you look at it.

One is backed by a billionaire. Bellator is backed by a billion dollar corporation. Both have significant financial resources.

The big difference is that One is arguably the #1 MMA org in Asia. Dana White testified as much during his deposition last year. Bellator cant claim to be the #1 org in any region. In the UK, I'd say they are #3 behind Cage Warriors. KSW and ACB also are growing in Europe.