With the beginning of MMA's 2016 fall season belonging to the heavyweights, fans turned their interest toward "big" fights. Not big in the sense of physical size, but "big" in the case of popularity and star-power.
The next hotly anticipated card takes place in the legendary Madison Square Garden, located in the combat sports hotbed of New York.
A debut for the promotion and sport, the ban of Mixed Martial Arts in New York was lifted earlier this year due to the passing of a bill legalizing the sport's regulation in the state. UFC 205 is to take place on November 12, 2016.
No disrespect to UFC 204, which features a grudge match between British UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping and MMA legend Dan Henderson in Bisping's hometown of Manchester, England. Their first match took place 7 years ago at UFC 100, where Henderson brutally knocked Bisping out. The highlight is still highly regarded today when discussions arise of Henderson's legendary, knockout-filled career. Bisping, now the middleweight champion of the world, looks for redemption against the man who gave him his worst loss. Henderson likely will fight for the last time, win or lose. If lightning can strike twice, and Henderson gets the victory, he would be the first Pride, Strikeforce, and UFC champion. The UFC title has eluded Dan Henderson throughout his storied career, even after fighting for a belt numerous times, in multiple weight classes. However, UFC 204 is for the hardcore fans and mainly the British. UFC 205 is for New York. And it's for the sport.
However, it's peculiar that with roughly 6 weeks away from when the event is scheduled, very few fights are set and signed officially for the card. Depending on one's knowledge of fighter preparation, one would think that if a card were set for mid-November, by the end of September, the entire card would be formally announced. By this point, most fighters would be starting or in the middle of fight camp. If anything, a fighter who wasn't training yet would at least get a fight deal and know who their opponent is.
The fights announced (but not confirmed) for UFC 205 are as follows:
-Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson for the UFC Welterweight title.
-Chris Weidman vs. Yoel Romero (potential fight to be the #1 Middleweight contender.)
-Donald Cerrone vs. Kelvin Gastelum
-Tim Kennedy vs. Rashad Evans
A fight between Frankie Edgar and Jeremy Stephens has been reported to be in the works.
It’s a solid-fight card so far. However, it's only appropriate for Madison Square Garden to have the UFC promote multiple championship fights. This close to the event, what's the hold up?
It could be a combination of things.
Is the reason for the lack of formal announcements related to the state of the promotion? In the summer of 2016, it was reported that former parent company Zuffa LLC sold the UFC to WME-IMG, a media talent agency for $4 billion, meaning that the promotion is currently undergoing a transition period. It could very well be that UFC 205 is the new parent company's first huge event. With the retirement of various longtime UFC executives, the event gives the promotion's new owners a difficult start to their tenure.
Related to that, perhaps negotiations aren't going well with the roster's popular, big-name, fighters. This year, fighter pay was spotlighted more than ever. A variety of ranked fighters have voiced their desire for higher purses, 'big money' fights, and more star-power within the promotion. Rumblings of a potential Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor superfight possibly for the Lightweight belt have lingered for weeks, but nothing more than rumors so far. Is the money a reason for either fighter being hesitant to sign the contract?
In a sport where the training they go through can be just as dangerous as the actual fight, perhaps there are fighters who don't feel healthy enough to compete in November. Initially scheduled for UFC 205, Robbie Lawler recently pulled out of a fight with Cowboy Cerrone, citing that he needed more time to heal from his knockout loss against Tyron Woodley. Related to what fighters go through, is the aspect of desire. Who wants to fight? UFC 205 would be the perfect card for returning superstar fighters currently on hiatus. Ronda Rousey and Georges St. Pierre among others, plan to fight another day. But are they mentally or physically prepared to commit compete under the lights on one of the grandest stages of all, Madison Square Garden?
With rumors of who will fill out the rest of the fight card, it's obvious that the fighters at least should know who they are fighting before the general public does, so it's possible that the UFC is planning for a big unveiling. Perhaps the reveal will come in the form of a press conference. It is New York, after all. Once everything is signed and set in paper, and the training is done; once the weight is made and gloves touch, MMA fans as well as the major sports media will be ready with their eyes and ears open.
