Five-round non title fights approved by NSAC

James Deuce · 08-21-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

The day of major rule changes continues with the news that the Nevada State Athletic Commission has approved the use of five round non-title fights for special events.

It is believed that most major shows with a non-title main event will use the five round format, so almost every major UFC show from this point forward will likely feature a five round main event. This is a rule change that several promotions, including the UFC, have been pushing towards for quite some time, believing that five round fights will give the main events a special and different feel from the rest of the card.

I should note that this doesn’t mean that Fight Night main events will be five round fights. I believe it would be applied to most pay per view events, such as the upcoming Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort fight at UFC 103 or the Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva fight from UFC 99. In fact, that fight was a major impetus behind the rule change getting passed.

Source: Inside Fights

Pretty big change. I don't know how I feel about it yet. I like the feeling of a 5 round title fight, so I dunno if it will take away from that feeling or add to it. A plus would be that so many 3 round fights are epic at the last seconds of that third round, so maybe we will see some great fights.

King TE · 08-21-2009, 02:58 PM

Hmm... I like it but I don't like it. I kind of think it'll take away from that special feeling a title fight brings. However, it also makes those non-title PPV main events so much better. Especially with fighters like Franklin, since his fights seem to be impossible to finish in 3 rounds as of late. If Wandy/Franklin was 5 rounds, I'm sure we would of had a decisive winner and same with Hendo/Franklin.

Suffy · 08-21-2009, 03:25 PM

I'll like it if used sparingly like Franklin vs Wandy or Wandy vs Liddell or Franklin vs Hendo or Forrest vs Silva (lets pretend we didn't know he was going to get ktfo) we know these fighters for the most part aren't going to get finished in 3 rounds and it adds some excitement and I think especially for number 1 contendor fights if you make it 5 rounds you can see will they gas in the championship rounds.

Kimura · 08-21-2009, 06:57 PM

I actually LOVE it. Every fight should be 5 rounds in my opinion, especially fights like Lidell/Wanderley, Franklin/Wanderley, Forrest/Bonnar, Franklin/Hendo, most of the Guida fights etc etc. Alot of times I feel so ripped off and feeling wanting more. Alot of fights need 5 rounds to settle things.

Maybe they could make every fight 5 rounds and Title fights must go until someone actually wins.

James Deuce · 08-21-2009, 07:00 PM

Meh, if they did that with title fights, in some cases we could be sitting their forever, and it could really be a bore fest. As much as I love GSP, I think his fights would probably be the most boring. His last 3 or so fights he's utilized the ground game nicely, but it doesn't necessarily make for an exciting fight, which Dana prides.

Kimura · 08-21-2009, 08:09 PM

I cant see any mma fight getting past the 7th or 8th round to be honest...the fighters would be exausted by then, especially when you think that some fighters gas after only 1 round.

James Deuce · 08-21-2009, 08:16 PM

Yeah, but also would it be fair to put a human through that? Most of the guys aren't going to want to quit in fear of looking like a loser, so you're pretty much forcing them to "fight to the death". I know Boxing goes for lots of rounds, but I have to believe MMA fighters use more energy than boxers, not to say boxing isn't grueling.