Comments on: What if the UFC Used a Smaller Octagon? http://www.jeffjoslinmma.com/2010/05/what-if-the-ufc-used-a-smaller-octagon/ Learn Mixed Martial Arts Techniques,MMA Training Tips and other MMA Stuff Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:02:31 -0500 hourly 1 By: Jeff Morris http://www.jeffjoslinmma.com/2010/05/what-if-the-ufc-used-a-smaller-octagon/comment-page-1/#comment-824 Jeff Morris Mon, 31 May 2010 22:39:58 +0000 http://jeffjoslinmma.com/?p=2873#comment-824 Dana has gone on record saying that Joe Silva wants/wanted a smaller cage. http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=dd-danachat100709 (interview from shortly after TUF Season 10). I think that would be pretty awesome, though I wonder how it would affect some of the bigger guys (Mir, Lesnar, Carwin, etc.) What size would be the best compromise? 30? 28? Now, as a somewhat but not entirely related question. Having fought in both rings and cages, Jeff, what do you prefer, and what do you think offers the more neutral environment for the fighters? The Cage seems to dominate North American MMA, as far as the big guys go (with the UFC, Strikeforce and Belator using them, and formerly EliteXC). There are exceptions, but the cage is the preference. In Japan it looks like the opposite, both DREAM and PRIDE having been almost Ring exclusive. Even many MMA fighters and fans say they prefer a ring, including Nick Diaz just prior to his recent DREAM fight. Dana has gone on record saying that Joe Silva wants/wanted a smaller cage.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=dd-danachat100709 (interview from shortly after TUF Season 10). I think that would be pretty awesome, though I wonder how it would affect some of the bigger guys (Mir, Lesnar, Carwin, etc.)

What size would be the best compromise? 30? 28?
Now, as a somewhat but not entirely related question. Having fought in both rings and cages, Jeff, what do you prefer, and what do you think offers the more neutral environment for the fighters?

The Cage seems to dominate North American MMA, as far as the big guys go (with the UFC, Strikeforce and Belator using them, and formerly EliteXC). There are exceptions, but the cage is the preference.

In Japan it looks like the opposite, both DREAM and PRIDE having been almost Ring exclusive. Even many MMA fighters and fans say they prefer a ring, including Nick Diaz just prior to his recent DREAM fight.

]]> By: Gavin Devlin http://www.jeffjoslinmma.com/2010/05/what-if-the-ufc-used-a-smaller-octagon/comment-page-1/#comment-823 Gavin Devlin Mon, 31 May 2010 22:03:42 +0000 http://jeffjoslinmma.com/?p=2873#comment-823 I think this should definitely be considered by the UFC. They always talk about how the sport is evolving, so I don't see any reason they shouldn't be willing to experiment slightly. I'm actually suprised nobody has suggested this before, especially with booing becoming so common during events now. It used to be that the fans would boo when a fight wasn't all wild striking, but most fans now appreciate the other disciplines, and in my opinion would boo less as long as they had some sort of action to cheer about. Dana is always encouraging fighters to "leave it all in the cage" and the referees are constantly seperating fighters to try and provoke more action. Seems logical to decrease the space in which the fighters can avoid each other. UFC is all about the show, and to their credit they do put on a hell of a show. The impressive size of the Octagon is obviously part of the spectacle, but maybe on this occassion they should sacrifice a small piece of the event grandeur, for more action. I think this should definitely be considered by the UFC. They always talk about how the sport is evolving, so I don’t see any reason they shouldn’t be willing to experiment slightly. I’m actually suprised nobody has suggested this before, especially with booing becoming so common during events now. It used to be that the fans would boo when a fight wasn’t all wild striking, but most fans now appreciate the other disciplines, and in my opinion would boo less as long as they had some sort of action to cheer about. Dana is always encouraging fighters to “leave it all in the cage” and the referees are constantly seperating fighters to try and provoke more action. Seems logical to decrease the space in which the fighters can avoid each other.

UFC is all about the show, and to their credit they do put on a hell of a show. The impressive size of the Octagon is obviously part of the spectacle, but maybe on this occassion they should sacrifice a small piece of the event grandeur, for more action.

]]>