Janice R. Andrews
The lightweight in the UFC, Renato Moicano, is gaining attention for his opinions on UFC Fight Nights as much as his prowess in the Octagon. When Moicano asserted emphatically, “It’s a Fight Night, nobody cares,” in a recent interview with MMA Fighting, it started a discussion on the attractiveness and importance of these events. With Dolidze vs. Imavov scheduled as the co-main event of UFC Fight Night, Moicano’s comments beg the question, “Is he onto something, or is this just another fighter venting frustration?”
The Crucial Aspect
Moicano credits the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas as the location for part of the apparent lack of interest in Fight Nights. “Nobody likes the Apex,” he asserts, noting the dissatisfaction of both combatants and fans. Because of the Apex’s smaller size than regular arenas, there could be less excitement and commotion from the crowd, giving the impression that this is more of a sparring session than a competitive battle.
The Appeal Wanes:
There used to be something alluring about the closeness of the Apex occurrences, which were akin to conflicts during pandemics. But once the novelty wears off, it’s harder to ignore the lack of a boisterous throng. The knockouts don’t have the same rush since there aren’t hundreds of fans jumping with anticipation. According to Moicano, the Apex bouts no longer feel like a high-stakes match and more like a practice session.
From the standpoint of the fighter
Moicano’s open comments illuminated the viewpoint of boxers who take part in these competitions. Professional fighters love the adrenaline and enthusiasm that a live audience provides. For these athletes, moving from crowded venues to the more sedate Apex probably feels like a degradation, which lowers their drive and detracts from the whole experience.
In UFC Programming, Hierarchy:
Pay-per-view events are at the top of the unofficial UFC programming hierarchy, followed by Fight Nights in venues with live audiences. According to Moicano, some competitors and fans consider events like UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Imavov to be a “sh*tty way to put UFC on ESPN.” Produced only for the sake of content, these events might unintentionally convey a fighter’s status inside the organization.
The Fighter’s Conundrum:
Moicano alludes to the internal strife combatants experience when taking part in these activities. The feeling of competing for a smaller audience in less esteemed locations may lessen the general excitement, even when the preparation and battles are still very hard. It’s possible that the monetary benefit, which is frequently mentioned as justification for accepting such pairings, falls short of making up for the apparent prestige decline.
The intricacies and difficulties that combatants at UFC Fight Nights confront are highlighted by Renato Moicano’s vocal opinions on the subject. While the UFC and ESPN profit from inexpensive material, competitors such as Moicano have to deal with the fact that they are fighting in what they consider to be a lower-class environment. It remains to be seen if Moicano’s candor will lead to a more extensive discussion on UFC Fight Nights’ worth and relevance in the eyes of competitors and spectators as the argument progresses.
