So this gentleman above is looking into ways to evolve the sport and I posted the list of what he would like to do. My question is what do you think of his ideas for evolving the sport? Like them, or no? Any you would add or throw away? I like most of his ideas besides the revealing of scores between rounds. I like the idea of revealing the scores between rounds in theory. It may help the guy who is down 2 close rounds to come out with a little more gasoline than we sometimes get, but I also see some problems that could come from it. The problem I see is when you had two good rounds. Say like a Wanderlei vs Chuck first two rounds. Two great rounds, but then knowing they was likely tied after the first two rounds Chuck decides to lay and pray for the final round. I can see fights grinding to a halt in final rounds in an effort to get the win as much as I can see it picking up a fight. One of the things I think may help evolve the sports is doing away with the show fee/win fee model and instead going to a flat fee. I do not feel that actully helps get decent athletes in the door.
I'd be a bit concerned with a fighter up 2-0 coasting. Also be curious if it would influence the judges themselves. Pro Wrestling has Dave Meltzer. MMA needs someone scoring fights for fun. Not sure about making it official. Definitely yes to the OneFC weigh-in system. Five judges would be fine but I don't know if judging is that big a problem? Definitely yes to paying the full amount to fighters. Don't love MMA becoming bean-counting and I'm not sure how they would measure the effectiveness of strikes vs. just the volume.
I could see a guy like Jay Glazer being good at this. He knows enough about the sport to speak with some knowledge on what was good technique, but is also a total fanboy and would bring that factor into it. I could see him mixing the two and being a solid fight scorer. Some people hate the grappling aspect and view it as boring, but the McDonald vs Maia fight from UFC 87 was as entertaining a fight as most others I have watched. Someone like him would score that accuratley I think. Maybe have a panel of guys, Jay Blazer, Ben Fowlkes, someone else. Agreed here. 5 judges may be more needed in boxing where you get some wild scores, like the judge who gave Wilder 7 rounds against Fury. MMA judges usually don't have too many egregious scores like that.