Start to Finish

Two words: Let Down.

I ordered the last two UFC PPV's and the main events left me disappointed. In the St. Pierre/Hardy fight, I was entertained for half the fight. The armbar and kimura had me on edge. I appreciate a dominant display of technique but what if that performance isn't exciting?

On Saturday night I expected big things from Silva and Penn. After round one it was clear that Penn was not at the top of his game. Holding out for the finish, I waited for the BJ I'd seen rip through the division. By the fourth round, it was clear that Edgar was going to win. His pace and activity level secured it. Penn looked stuck - cut up, out hustled and not looking impressive. I was disappointed with his performance, but now that the title has changed hands, things get a little more interesting.

Silva, on the other hand, had me beaming for the first two rounds. He picked apart Maia with precision, he taunted and I loved it. I was thinking he was going to finish spectacularly - then...nothing. No one engaged, Silva begged Maia to basically sacrifice himself. I began to realize that the KO wasn't coming. The remainder was dreadful. Silva has the ability, but he did not finish.

These champions are skilled enough to finish fights. By riding out decisions on the way to victory they are hurting their reputations. After Leites, everyone blasted Silva. Then he was given a challenge, moving up to fight Forrest and he delivered. Now a similar situation, lackluster against Maia and St. Pierre is the rumored challenge. Let's hope Silva delivers because boring fights are hurting his potential legacy.

When the title is on the line, the stakes are high. Strategic fights are great, but at the expense of excitement? I'd like to see champions like St. Pierre and Silva hold titles for years. But do I want to see St. Pierre takedown his opponent and not submit him for another five rounds? Or watch Silva taunt and dance around while not revoking his opponent's consciousness? No, it makes me want to see the title change hands.

My first recommendation, utilize the Yellow Card system for inactivity that PRIDE implemented. Referee's will need to have some standard protocol for measuring the duration of inactivity, but it might be the spark that sets off the fireworks. Taking money out of fighters' hands will surely kick that killer instinct into high gear.

Second, a new performance based pay scale. The UFC hands out significant bonuses for Fight of the Night, Submission of the Night and Knockout of the Night - but what if everyone who finished their opponent got a bonus? If the fight goes the distance and the crowd roaring, both fighters split a bonus for their performance. That might encourage some more risk taking.

This is just something to think about. This sport is still developing and it is very exciting to watch the transformation. I am able to find something admirable in most champs, whether it be their determination, technical prowess, raw power or the intangibles. I hope that the UFC champs get a stern talking to from Dana White. I want to see champions dominate, but I want to see them start to finish.