UFC’s Double Standard: How Legends Get Left Behind While Others Ride the Gravy Train

The fight business can be brutal – and I’m not just talking about what happens inside the octagon. The UFC’s approach to handling aging fighters has always fascinated me, particularly how inconsistently the promotion treats its veterans.

A picture is worth a thousand words, and that recent image of a battered legend tells the story better than I ever could. Some fighters get pushed out unceremoniously while others continue getting opportunities despite diminishing returns.

The Two-Faced Treatment of UFC Veterans

Have you noticed how differently the UFC treats its aging stars? It’s like watching two separate policies in action. Some fighters get the “thanks for your service, here’s the door” treatment while others continue getting main event slots despite clearly being past their prime.

Just look at legends like Anderson Silva and BJ Penn. Silva lost seven of his last nine UFC fights before the promotion finally parted ways with him. Penn lost seven straight before the UFC stopped booking him.

Meanwhile, other veterans continue getting headline opportunities despite similar decline trajectories. The inconsistency is striking.

The “Company Men” Get Different Rules

It seems like fighters who never rocked the boat, never challenged Dana White publicly, and always said “yes” to fights get preferential treatment in their twilight years. The UFC rewards loyalty – sometimes to a fault.

I’ve watched countless fighters at the UFC Performance Institute, and the physical decline is impossible to hide from trained eyes. Yet some aging fighters continue getting marquee matchups while others get shown the door.

The Financial Reality Behind the Decisions

Let’s be honest – the UFC is a business first. Veterans with name recognition who can still draw eyeballs will continue getting opportunities regardless of their recent record. It’s simple economics.

Consider this: a declining legend with a 1-4 record in their last five fights who can still sell tickets will get the nod over a 15-1 prospect who hasn’t built their brand yet. The UFC’s matchmaking often prioritizes short-term profit over sporting merit.

The Physical Toll We Don’t Talk About

What troubles me most is watching fighters absorb unnecessary damage in the twilight of their careers. The human body can only take so much punishment, and CTE concerns continue to loom large over combat sports.

Some athletic commissions have stepped in to protect fighters from themselves, but the UFC could do more to transition aging stars into retirement or less dangerous matchups.

Is There a Better Way Forward?

The UFC could implement a more structured approach to handling aging fighters – perhaps a “legends circuit” with modified rules focusing on technique over brutality. ONE Championship has experimented with this concept through special rules matches.

Some promotions like Bellator (now PFL) gave aging stars showcase fights against appropriate competition rather than feeding them to hungry young killers looking to build their highlight reels.

The fighters themselves bear responsibility too. Knowing when to hang up the gloves is perhaps the hardest decision a fighter makes. The competitor’s mentality that made them champions often prevents them from recognizing when it’s time to walk away.

The Fan’s Dilemma

As fans, we’re complicit too. We cheer for our aging heroes to compete “one more time,” even when we wince at the inevitable outcome. The nostalgia factor is powerful – we want to recapture those feelings we had watching these legends in their prime.

But perhaps the greatest act of respect we can show our favorite fighters is supporting their transition to retirement when the time comes. Their long-term health matters more than our entertainment.

What’s Your Take?

Do you think the UFC handles aging fighters appropriately? Should there be more structural protections for veterans, or is this just the harsh reality of a combat sport? As a longtime MMA journalist, I’ve seen too many fighters stay too long at the party – but I understand why it’s so hard to walk away.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and share which aging fighter you believe is most deserving of a proper send-off rather than being fed to the wolves.

Source: Vox Media