M-1 Challenge 104: Battle in the Heart of the Continent

Basically the deal states that after a successful title-defense, the UFC would have the opportunity to sign that Champion. Khadis was signed after just 1 defense, mostly due to the LHW class. While Damir Ismagulov was signed after 2..Evloev defended 3 times before getting the call. Its all over the board as far as how many title-defenses are needed. Its about timing & skills. 

This will be Bogatovs second title-defense

Rakhmonov already has 1 defense and didn't win the belt til March of this year. 

Nate Landwehr who IMO should be getting signed any day now..has 2 title defenses 

My prospect Doskalchuk was about to defend for a 3rd time but tore his shoulder.....FML. So who knows basically.

appreciate the compliment @Mikey 

Not a dumb question @Brad because its easy to forget how deeply entrenched the UFC is. Back in 2014, a large group of people, including mostly fighters, took Zuffa to court on a Monopoly lawsuit. While majority of that case was about salaries, a small part was about how the UFC would just buy other promotions to take in talent.. 

5 years later.


The answer is Yes. The UFC works with just about every other promotion on the planet in some way or another. Including several similarly legitimate deals like they have with M-1. Fight Pass my friend, all of those MMA promotions have deals to build & ship off talent. Titan FC, CFFC, CES mma etc. 

Once again, yes, the UFC has 1 of those Champ deals with LFA which you alluded to earlier. Proof being the number of fighters signed. Remember how we got Askren? Deal with ONE Championship..of all people. Everybody is working with everybody. 

I know Future FC has made an official partnership with LFA, has already shipped over 2 fighters who have won with devastating finishes. And ONE has made deals with Shooto & DEEP 

Every single new year is the best MMA has ever been, in terms of everything. Crowds, talent, exposure, reach etc.