Jon Anik wants a reduction in the number of fights and the release of 150 fighters

UFC gala commentator Jon Anik would like to see a significant reduction in the number of fights at galas and the dismissal of 150 fighters.

Many MMA fans make the assumption that the more galas the better. One UFC gala commentator has a completely different optic on the matter. Jon Anik believes that the events of the best MMA league in the world are too long which means that in the bigger picture the content can be tiring and boring for the viewer.

Jon Anik argues that UFC galas should be shorter and the number of fighters under contract significantly reduced. The commentator pointed out the main advantages of such a solution.

UFC commentator wants reduction in number of fights and fighters

Jon Anik commented on the topic on the Spinnin Backfist podcast, where he said:

– I think our biggest challenge is that our galas are far too long. We should be doing 10-11 fights instead of 15. Even if we reduced the airtime to 5-6 hours instead of eight I would be in favor of that, because we really demand a lot from our fans by offering them 8 hours of fights for 41 Saturdays a year.

Jon Anik emphasized how many fighters are contracted by the UFC. The commentator also pointed out that each gala of the best MMA league in the world is twice as long as the Super Bowl, the final of the NFL league.

– The roster is 600 players, and about 50 per year hit extra from Contender. For me, this is not ideal, and if I could change something…. I may sound egotistical here as a commentator, but I don’t understand why we have to make events twice as long as the Super Bowl every time. I would fire 150 fighters and do 10 fights per gala, so as to serve the fans a sports dish in a more accessible form.

– I think for anyone who works every gala or watches every event those five hours instead of eight would make it more fun and rewarding.

Of course, it is doubtful that Dana White and Co. will decide to take such radical steps, however, undoubtedly serving viewers 13 or 14 fights at each gala misses the point, and many fans have already noticed a decline in the quality of fighters who join the UFC.