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http://www.sportsnet.ca/mma/2011/05/09/ ... r-insur-0/

Calling it unprecedented in combat sports, the UFC has announced plans to insure its fighters for accidental injury between bouts.

The mixed martial arts promoter currently carries insurance to cover injuries suffered during fights. The new plan, which kicks in June 1, will look after fighters who are hurt between bouts.

Previously fighters had been on their own if they were injured training for a bout. Not only did they miss out on the fight purse, they had to look after their own medical expenses.

This is quite the impressive move IMO. Guys will certainly want to earn and maintain their spot on the roster.

Read this two days ago, glad the UFC stepped up and offered this.

While this is a good thing for MMA for sure, there is also some concern here. Fighters may be less likely to fight through injury now and more willing to pull out of fights. Also, certain guys may start to pull the old GSP move and opt for boring fights to reduce risk of losing and thus getting cut.

Terrible post ^

Cammo101 wrote:While this is a good thing for MMA for sure, there is also some concern here. Fighters may be less likely to fight through injury now and more willing to pull out of fights. Also, certain guys may start to pull the old GSP move and opt for boring fights to reduce risk of losing and thus getting cut.

yer keyboard is greasy.

It's cute how you two always post together. Do you have matching BFF heart shaped charms too?

Cammo101 wrote:While this is a good thing for MMA for sure, there is also some concern here. Fighters may be less likely to fight through injury now and more willing to pull out of fights. Also, certain guys may start to pull the old GSP move and opt for boring fights to reduce risk of losing and thus getting cut.

True, fighters may be more willing to pull out of fights due to injury now that they don't have to pay out of pocket, but from what I understand, they won't be getting their purse or anything like that. So there will still be plenty of incentive to fight. It will be typical insurance type stuff. They won't be making money off injuries, just not losing money. The (big) upside is that fighters will be getting better treatment and we will more often see fighters at 100% or close to it when they do fight. Also, it's not like these guys don't want to fight.

As for the second point, I disagree. For starters, this is supposed to be a sport, so I don't see why GSP gets dragged through the mud for winning. Sure, we as fans can say it is boring, but I rarely hear the same logic applied to other sports. Then, of course, there's the fact that the average guy on the brink of getting cut by the UFC can't just decide to fight like GSP. But the main point (without the needless shot at GSP) that fighters may decide to be boring in order to win fights and avoid getting cut still doesn't really pass the sniff test. The UFC has made it known that they will keep guys around who have exciting fights, even if they lose a few in a row, and on the flipside, have shown they are willing to cut less exciting guys after just one loss.

cowboyronnie wrote:Terrible post ^

Agreed

CPT wrote:As for the second point, I disagree. For starters, this is supposed to be a sport, so I don't see why GSP gets dragged through the mud for winning. Sure, we as fans can say it is boring, but I rarely hear the same logic applied to other sports. Then, of course, there's the fact that the average guy on the brink of getting cut by the UFC can't just decide to fight like GSP. But the main point (without the needless shot at GSP) that fighters may decide to be boring in order to win fights and avoid getting cut still doesn't really pass the sniff test. The UFC has made it known that they will keep guys around who have exciting fights, even if they lose a few in a row, and on the flipside, have shown they are willing to cut less exciting guys after just one loss.

It seems pretty obvious that as the ante continues to be upped as far as money and fame are concerned, more and more fighters are taking a less risk, more boring style of fighting. The amount of fights going to decision is higher than it has ever been and one of the main reasons for that is that with the increased amount of money and fame associated with being in the UFC, guys are a lot more willing to shelve finishing guys and instead try to out point their opponent. This new health plan makes it A LOT more appealing to be in the UFC as apposed to somewhere like Bellator, and it is very possible that the response of a decent amount of fighters is to take less risks than ever before.

No one is arguing that this health care is not a good thing, but it is not without it's concerns. Which was the point I was making had anyone read past "GSP".

That was another shot at GSP more than a real concern. If anything this will create more finishes because guys will be healthier and more confident to go all out. Also, more people joining the UFC will only make it easier for Dana White to justify cutting them if they don't meet his standards. The only "negative" is more guys who aren't healthy enough to fight won't fight, which isn't a negative at all.

On the flip side, with bonuses for FOTN etc rising, there might be more incentive to finish or at least have exciting fights. And generally speaking, Dana will keep guys on who entertain.

So if you are a midcarder and are boring as hell, your purse will be small and you will miss out on the bonuses. And then once you do lose, you'll be gone.

Cammo101 wrote:
It seems pretty obvious that as the ante continues to be upped as far as money and fame are concerned, more and more fighters are taking a less risk, more boring style of fighting. The amount of fights going to decision is higher than it has ever been and one of the main reasons for that is that with the increased amount of money and fame associated with being in the UFC, guys are a lot more willing to shelve finishing guys and instead try to out point their opponent. This new health plan makes it A LOT more appealing to be in the UFC as apposed to somewhere like Bellator, and it is very possible that the response of a decent amount of fighters is to take less risks than ever before.

No one is arguing that this health care is not a good thing, but it is not without it's concerns. Which was the point I was making had anyone read past "GSP".

Again, you seem to be overlooking the fact that GSP fights that way because he can. He is good enough all around that he can completely neutralize his opponent's strength and then outpoint him by being better everywhere else. Johnny Midcard can't do that. Other guys that fight boring do so because it gives them the best chance to win. Guys that always try to finish probably do so because they feel it gives them the best chance of winning.

Agreed about the bonuses as well. The chance at bonuses in the $100,000 range is going to at least offset the desire to fight boring to stick around because you will get your hospital bills paid if you get hurt in training.

I think you're just trying to create debate where there is none.

LOL at the hypothetical negative consequences of these guys getting health insurance.

Great move by Zuffa.

THIS is capitalism? What a joke. Ultimate Fighting Communists.

all run by the money you can stop with the help of these authorities