Table of Content
In this week’s mailbag, Ben Fowlkes addresses questions regarding the evolving landscape of mixed martial arts, including the challenges faced by grappling-based fighters, the UFC’s political associations, and the compensation of officials.
The State of Grappling in MMA
Addressing a question about the effectiveness of jiu-jitsu in modern MMA, Fowlkes pointed to the recent bout between Renato Moicano and Tom Nolan as a case study. Moicano utilized jiu-jitsu to control the fight early, but his momentum was stalled when referee Dan Miragliotta stood the fighters up. While Fowlkes noted that Nolan defended well and was the superior striker, he argued that referee intervention can nullify a grappler’s strategy before they have the chance to secure a submission.
Fowlkes suggested that the sport has shifted away from its origins as a proving ground for various martial arts styles. He noted that while the UFC began as a showcase for Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, the current rules and officiating trends often favor other disciplines. Because basic submission defense is easier to learn than high-level grappling, fighters who wish to avoid the ground game can often stall the action, knowing that referees will eventually force a restart.
UFC and Political Ties
Regarding the UFC’s relationship with Donald Trump, Fowlkes stated that the promotion’s public support for the former president appears rooted in the personal friendship between Dana White and Trump, rather than political calculations. He noted that Trump has historically been in a position to assist the UFC, and vice versa. Despite recent election results, Fowlkes expects the relationship to remain unchanged due to these personal ties and Trump’s ongoing influence.
Title Contention and Fighter Opportunities
Fowlkes addressed concerns regarding Arman Tsarukyan’s path to a title shot, noting that the UFC appears focused on other matchups. Dana White recently indicated to Jim Rome that the promotion is waiting to see if Justin Gaethje wants to fight, potentially against Alexander Volkanovski. Fowlkes expressed concern that Tsarukyan is being overlooked despite his performance, though he noted that if the Gaethje-Volkanovski fight serves as a “last dance,” Tsarukyan may eventually become the only viable top contender remaining.
Separately, Fowlkes commented on Oleksandr Usyk’s potential return to the cruiserweight division. While questioning the motivation behind such a move, he suggested that Usyk’s recent performance against Rico Verhoeven may have been an outlier, but warned against the risks of dropping weight to face younger champions.
The Need for Professional Refereeing
Finally, Fowlkes argued that the UFC has the financial capacity to improve referee compensation. As TKO’s quarterly earnings reports consistently show high profitability, he suggested that the promotion should transition refereeing from a part-time gig to a full-time profession. Fowlkes stated that paying officials as full-time professionals would be in the best interest of the sport, given the difficulty and importance of the job.
