The likelihood of the WEC continuing to be independent is fading. Recent talk has the UFC absorbing the promotion this year and running more shows to compensate for the added weight classes. Though Dana White has maintained that the UFC isn't interested in adding weight classes, a UFC/WEC merger is now something he's hinting at. He directly said that the UFC would add lighter weight classes soon. There has been talk of the UFC putting on three shows per month in 2010 and beyond. Dana White told reporters today at the UFC 102 press conference that this is the plan. In 2008 the UFC put on 20 shows not including episodes of TUF (but including Finales). The UFC is likely to put on 21 or more this year. Adding the WEC would give the UFC two more weight classes: featherweight (145lbs.) and bantamweight (135lbs.), and add another group of lightweights to the UFC's current roster. There has been talk that the WEC would add a flyweight (125lbs.) class but if a UFC merger happens it is unlikely. Two more weight classes represent approx. 40% more fights and fighters, not including the added lightweights. The lightweight division would likely undergo a massive culling to get it to the regular divisional roster size, meaning half of the lightweights from the WEC and UFC would be cut (though more from the WEC due to the depth of talent in the UFC). The 16 or so added shows proposed by the UFC would easily accommodate the new weight classes (a minimum of eight are required). The UFC currently splits their fights between PPV and SpikeTV. The UFC will have 7 shows on SpikeTV this year and at least 13 on PPV. There is talk that the UFC have agreed to a new television deal, possibly with HBO or ABC/ESPN. The UFC would like to put on a live show in November featuring BJ Penn and Diego Sanchez to counter Strikeforce's debut of Fedor Emelianenko. This show could air on the new station. Bi-monthly shows on the new channel could make up the difference in the number of shows needed for the lighter weight classes. It is likely the UFC would continue to mix up the weight classes on the shows so that bantamweight and heavyweight fights could occur on the same card. The UFC would not force lighter weight fighters to compete on cards strictly composed of those smaller weight classes.
adding more shows is a great idea, as long as the balance between PPVs and free shows are maintained. It would be ridiculous if the UFC expects people to pay for 3 PPVs a month.
Some of the WEC fighters would like this cause I read some article about the uncomparable paychecks that they receive versus fighters in the ufc. doubtful though that the all the wec fighters would get the fights there getting now if there just add ons for the ufc shows
