Should every fighter's goal in mma be to become UFC Champion?

[igor22]

Do you think every fighters goal should be to become ufc champion? or do you think there is some fighters that just enjoy it, and it beats working a day job and if the title shots comes it comes, and if it dosent, it's not ment to be.

Thoughts?

[Iconoclast]

No it shouldn't.

I know they've done a huge amount for MMA, but I am slowly beginning to hate the UFC's dominance of the sport.

Fighters shouldn't be made to feel as though they don't quite make the grade just because they haven't made it to the UFC.

[Rob T]

I think the UFC's dominance of the sport is a good thing overall. That's a different point though.

I think every young fighter should be aiming to be the best they can and constantly improve. If they want a career then obviously they have to aim for being the no.1 (at the moment, this is definitely the UFC belt) but they are also, most likely, going to have to accept at some point that's it's definitely not going to happen. Then it's down to each person, some may be happy to just fight on a local level, sometimes winning, sometimes losing. If they enjoy it, why not do it?

[igor22]

I think the UFC's dominance of the sport is a good thing overall. That's a different point though.

I think every young fighter should be aiming to be the best they can and constantly improve. If they want a career then obviously they have to aim for being the no.1 (at the moment, this is definitely the UFC belt) but they are also, most likely, going to have to accept at some point that's it's definitely not going to happen. Then it's down to each person, some may be happy to just fight on a local level, sometimes winning, sometimes losing. If they enjoy it, why not do it?

good post, but say if you are a good fighter example john fitch, kenny f, keith jardine. all brillant fighters, but i dont think none will be champ. what will be there mindset, do you think they just enjoy and love mma, and are happy competiting at the highest level.

and think well i dont have to work a boring day job, or do you think they think damn am so pissed off, i wish i was champ?

[kissenger]

Just because they won't ever be champ doesn't mean that they shouldn't TRY to be champ. That's their motivation.

[markjitsu]

well, if gsp were to move weight class or let his training slip, then why could fitch not become champ?
gsp and bj may seem untouchable now, but everyone has their day and then it's someone elses turn...

[Luke]

.........No.

[Lyoto The Cheater Machida]

Just because they won't ever be champ doesn't mean that they shouldn't TRY to be champ. That's their motivation.

This is why I fucking hate the term "gatekeeper". Just to be in the UFC itself is a huge testament that you are a brilliant fighter.

[Rob T]

good post, but say if you are a good fighter example john fitch, kenny f, keith jardine. all brillant fighters, but i dont think none will be champ. what will be there mindset, do you think they just enjoy and love mma, and are happy competiting at the highest level.

and think well i dont have to work a boring day job, or do you think they think damn am so pissed off, i wish i was champ?

I think all the fighters you have named would still believe they had a legit shot at the titles.

I would imagine most people who get as far as the UFC enjoy fighting though, so I can't see why they'd enjoy just having a career at that level.

[Rob T]

This is why I fucking hate the term "gatekeeper". Just to be in the UFC itself is a huge testament that you are a brilliant fighter.

Great point... MMA is more about the fights you've won and who you've beaten. Because there are so many ways to win, hardly anyone stays unbeaten (hence why Fedor is the goat) and a lot of outsiders do win belts.