Many observers think Nurmagomedov's brawl that spilled into the crowd will be a positive for UFCGETTY IMAGES
Fallout continues from the post-match brawl at UFC 229 over the weekend, and while it turned out to be one of the "worst" nights ever for UFC, it "probably didn't do much long-term damage," according to Kevin Iole of YAHOO SPORTS. Fans will be talking about the Khabib Nurmagomedov-Conor McGregor fight "for a long time." The fight "undoubtedly set a UFC pay-per-view record, and many first-time fans viewed the bout." Despite the melee spilling outside the octagon, not many people "were complaining after it ended." The UFC "will recover," as it "always does" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/7). ESPN.com's Brett Okamoto wrote the brawl "isn't going to hurt mixed martial arts or even tarnish it in the eyes of most." There "probably were some new UFC viewers on Saturday who don't normally pay $64.99 for a pay-per-view." However, it is likely that a "majority of those viewers were within the UFC's targeted demographic and didn't mind whatsoever that they got a little extra fisticuffs for their investment." In all likelihood, this is "probably a net positive for MMA" (ESPN.com, 10/7).
LOOKS REAL BAD: THE GUARDIAN's Josh Gross writes the "people in charge of marketing the UFC concluded ... they can get away with things more established sports entities can not." UFC President Dana White's company is "molded by the belief that negative headlines tend to produce positive returns at the box office" (GUARDIAN, 10/8). CBSSPORTS.com's Brian Campbell wrote this was "nothing short of a black eye for UFC and the sport of MMA," but White and the promotion were "able to escape ... the kind of putrid stain to their brand that dissuades sponsors and forcibly pushes a sport from the front page to the status of damaged niche that UFC once knew all too well" (CBSSPORTS.com, 10/7).
JUST THE BEGINNING: SI.com's Alex Prewitt wrote this was the "culmination of a longstanding personal feud and the potential start of a lucrative partnership" between Nurmagomedov and McGregor. At some point, "assuming McGregor's wish comes true, he and Nurmagomedov will share a ring again." When that time comes, "everyone will be glued once more" (SI.com, 10/7). In DC, Joe DePaolo wrote the "post-fight circus managed to take attention off the fact that McGregor was soundly beaten," and UFC’s "signature star emerges from the night with many fans having sympathy for him." McGregor's next contest -- whether it is against Nurmagomedov or "whomever -- will be just as highly anticipated" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 10/7). YAHOO SPORTS' Dan Wetzel wrote this is what the UFC has "always sold and this is what the public has always bought." Get Nurmagomedov and McGregor "back in the Octagon, and the UFC will sell even more pay-per-views." It might "make MMA look bad to people who want the sport to look bad, but deep down White and the others know this just made the UFC bigger than ever" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/7). ESPN's Mike Greenberg said the brawl was an "embarrassment, it was a disgrace, and it was the best thing that could have happened to the UFC." Meanwhile, ESPN's Jalen Rose said a possible fine for Nurmagomedov would just be "an investment, just look at that as taxes for the next fight because he's going to get it back ten-fold in the rematch" ("Get Up," ESPN, 10/8).
GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT: The AP's Tim Dahlberg wrote there will be some "stern warnings issued, some promises extracted that it won’t happen again." Then there will "be the rematch that will make even more millions of dollars for everyone involved." Dahlberg: "UFC fans will eat it all up" (AP, 10/7). In Las Vegas, Alan Snel wrote UFC’s marketing has "always focused on its edginess, f-bombs and rebel personalities and appealed to many sports fans who were bored by the stodgy ways of Major League Baseball and the NFL" (LVSPORTSBIZ.com, 10/7). ESPN Radio's Dan Le Batard said there will be "fines and suspensions and whatever they have to do, but please do not tell me that’s bad for the (sport).” Le Batard said White condemned the brawl but “in all other ways he’s a carnival barker. Why can’t he also be a carnival barker there?” Le Batard: “Are you going to be a rebel, edgy sport or not? You want to be that mainstream?” ("The Dan Le Batard Show," ESPN Radio, 10/8). Radio host Dan Patrick said of White, "Don’t try to tell me you’ve got this moral compass that you’re really concerned about this sport. You’re a businessman.” Patrick: “It was a good weekend for MMA” ("The Dan Patrick Show," NBCSN, 10/8).
NAVIGATING CHOPPY WATERS: THE RINGER's Chuck Mindenhall wrote the UFC, as it enters into a five-year deal with ESPN beginning in '19, will "have to do damage control." The UFC will also "have to reflect on the wisdom of marketing hooliganism to sell a fight, even if it is 'part of the story,' as White said time and again in the lead-up." The UFC "thrives when it can lure the greater public out to the fringes to take a look," but Saturday night "should be a lesson, too, that it’s all fun and games until the moment it’s not" (THERINGER.com, 10/7). USA TODAY's Josh Peter wrote White and UFC "got what they deserved -- a black eye that should bring embarrassment and shame upon them both" (USATODAY.com, 10/7). The AP's Dahlberg wrote under the header, "Conor McGregor-Khabib Nurmagomedov Fight More WWE Than UFC." About the "only thing missing Saturday night on the Las Vegas Strip was a script and some folding chairs" (AP, 10/7).
COULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD NIGHT: In Las Vegas, Case Keefer wrote it was the "rare night where everything appeared to be living up to the hype for the UFC, topped by resolution finally coming in one of the sport’s biggest all-time grudge matches." Then Nurmagomedov "lost his composure, and everything changed" (LASVEGASSUN.com, 10/7). Keefer wrote the UFC’s "biggest fight as an organization has always been one of relevance and respect." The promotion "wants to stand next to America’s biggest sports leagues in terms of prestige, and UFC 229 was one of the rare events where it reached that level." But instead of being "remembered like a Super Bowl or Stanley Cup Final ... it will go down as a night that Nurmagomedov spun out of control" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 10/7). ESPN's Trey Wingo said the UFC "lost their biggest star" with McGregor's losing effort, as he has "been the guy that literally has been carrying the flag for UFC for a long, long time" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPNews, 10/8).
