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 |  (51) Comments Castle: Great article! He should have a "loser leaves town" fight with someone in a similar boat. The UFC should have all the guys in danger of getting cut do that and promote the hell out of it. I'm sure that would make for some intense battles. Natalia Baage: Great article, Spencer. Dana's loyalty is incredible, and while Bonnar has solid skills, it's hard to say that a possible triple losing streak isn't enough to get him booted. Still, I think Dana'll keep him around for the reasons you mentioned. One thing's for certain: Bonnar vs. Soszynski is gonna be a war. Don't forget that Krzysztof is one tough customer, and will be looking to come back from his last fight too, which was a loss also. Giada Esposito: Good read Spencer, you make a lot of important points. There is unquestionably a bias in favor of the TUF veterans in the UFC, and I can't imagine that wouldn't rankle fighters who made their way into the organization from a different path. On the other hand, there is no question that familiar faces seem to sell PPVs, so maybe it does make sense from a business standpoint. I still agree though that at a certain point it becomes a little ridiculous, and hard to justify. Mtx: Great article Spencer. Its still makes me shudder every time I think Bonnar still being in the UFC and they let some great talent out of it. For whatever reasons, I find this ridiculous. JujitsWho: Bonnar is garbage. Always has been, always will be. I agree with your POV here ESK. Its totaly crap the way they protect shit fighters just because they were on some stupid show. Then they cut people who are far more talented than some of the trash they wanna keep. If you cut the dead weight you would be able to spend a bit of cash on a guy like Hendo, UFC. Not that they can't now, but that decision becomes much easier to make without a stable full of Bodog main eventers sucking up funds!!!! WAKE THE FUCK UP!!!!!! Andrew: I don't have a problem with loyalty to a guy who really helped propell the UFC to where they are. He's not getting tons money he got 25k last July and hasn't fought since thats not much money. They aren't putting him in Co main events or main events. Is he really doing that bad of a job that everyone needs write about how he should be fired. IwishIwasMMA: obviously someone with the leet skillz of da greatezt mma fihgt eva dezervez to stay in da ufc! phail... kick his ass out... and get someone else in there with some fudgking skill.. E. Spencer Kyte: Thanks for all the comments everyone... I understand the loyalty side of this situation, but it's hard to see a guy like Tim Hague get handed his walking papers today after a controversial loss and a win over up-and-comer Pat Barry, when Bonnar is still pulling a check despite seemingly being unable to beat anyone who is ranked... Additionally, Coleman manhandled him and got axed today too... how does that make sense? That is my question to Dana and the UFC. The guy who beat him got axed after losing to a legend who Dana says is "Top 6" in the division... That should mean that Bonnar gets cut if he loses at UFC 110 to a guy who is certainly not Top 6 in the division... although I won't hold my breath. xdusty: its not fair, but its the biz and its simple. bonnar has a fan following. believe it or not, there are people that buy events because bonnar is on the card. however, no one decides if they will or will not buy a card based on hague being on it.add to that all the time they have put into developing bonnar into a mainstream name....it will take alot for them to just walk away and take a loss. the question should be, why arent they taking the time to develope and expose guys who can actually win? Hizoka: Bonner is a less then gate keeper fighter... honestly he does not even belong in strikeforce The Hitman: bonnar has never, nor will he be a good fighter. he has nothing. if mark coleman beats you you are in trouble. the sport has evolved and he did not....at all. watch any of his older fights, he is the same fighter LexTalionis: Until the loss to Coleman, Bonnar was the definition of gatekeeper, his only losses came to LHW chmpions and Jon Jones, who many consider to be the future of the LHW division, he's never been stoppped in the UFC so not only does he provide a good challenge for those looking to challenge, but he's also a test of endurance. The loss to Coleman was bad, but i think he's allowed an off night. If he beats Soszynski then IMO things will return to normal, if he doesn't then i think the criticism can start but i think it's to early to say he's getting an easy ride Internet Tufguy: I thought this was a great article. I don't necessarily agree with it, though. I can see clear strategic value in maintaining these guys. It sprinkles familiar names throughout the UFC's PPVs and Fight Nights. These guys have all proven popular with casual fans. It wouldn't take much to make these guys look like stars on a SF roster. Keeping them(and their names) out of the competition's hands is not a mind boggling concept. Bonnar is coming back from a career threatening knee injury. The same one that hampered Shogun's early career in the UFC. I don't think he'll ever contend, but time will tell if he'll return to competitive form. I think loyalty is only a small part of this decision. Leben is money. A guaranteed tough, game UFC star to patch a hole on any card. Well written, but missing the point. Internet Tufguy: Can't we all just get along? Wandering_Minstrel: *sniffs* I smell vagina in here. *leaves thread* thebutterflybee: I just re-read the comments that Mike said to you as well, and I would just like to reiterate what he was saying, which I think you may have taken the wrong way. Essentially we have writers on here that do alot of hard work for free. Everyone is going to make mistakes in their writing at some point. Even in terms of their opinions, there are going to be times where someone will read it and immediately think something like "this is retarded". All we ask on here is that if people are going to critique an article, specifically in this area of the forum, then to take a breath first, think about how to word it and then say their piece. You say you were not insulting him, you were insulting the article. Essentially, the feel of your first post was very much like "I think you are a retard and I am going to shout loud and proud to make you feel dumb". This may not have been how you intended it to be, but we would just ask, respectfully, that if you are going to continue posting here (and unlike you may feel right now, we like having people with opposing opinions) please have a little bit more tact towards people who are working hard to get ahead in a difficult and constantly criticised profession. Again, thank for listening. Mickey knox: Stevefiji, I apologize for calling you a fool and somewhat dismissing your opinion. Everyones free to watch Fox News, just as I am free to laugh at them for it. lol Seriously though, it takes some gusto to make your first post on the forum go aginst the tide, and I have to give ya props for that. I apologize for any insults that have been thrown your way on account of your opinion, but it is to be somewhat expected when you jump into a crowd and shout, "You're all wrong, and this is why." Either way, I hope that you continue to post here because you seem to enjoy the debate and most people here enjoy the debate as well. You made alot of deicent points, but I still dissagree with much of your stance. I don't care to argue every point you made because that's too much typing for an issue that isn't that big of an issue, but here's what I think: I don't like Dana White, the way he treats the fighters or the way he handles the chunk of MMA he has control over. This is a great sport and I don't think he has any respect for it. He likes to think he started it all and that also pisses me off. He doesn't pay people for fighting, he pays them for entertainment. That's what pro-wresling is for, they shouldn't be saturating MMA with that bullshit showbiz mentality, but that's what the UFC does and I think It's retarded. It cheapens the sport as much as keeping talentless one time stars around because they put on a good show ONCE. I have options though. I will continue to watch UFC, but I'll also watch every other organization that is promoting fights, because I love the sport, not just the mainstream aspect. Sengoku, Bellator, Dynamite, Dream, K-1, Strikeforce, and WEC all have good fights. Another thing I like about them is that they talk about MMA, the UFC talks about the UFC. I'll always watch it and be a fan, but I will never have any respect for Dana White whatsoever, because it isn't, nor will it ever be about MMA for him. For Dana, It's about marketing and fame. He's a whore for fame and I beleive that will be his ultimate flaw. How many other promotion's presidents are running around with their mugs on TV and on the internet as often as they can? I've said it before, none, because they're not trying to play rockstar, they're trying to build their promotion for what it is, MMA. I hope Dana continues to make stupid decisions, I hope that shit backfires on him, and the Fertittas have the fool replaced. It'll probably never happen, but a boy can dream. Wandering_Minstrel: I would like to add that we're not like most Forums. We really do function much like a family here. Saying derogatory things to one member will more than likely get you a talking-to by another member, if not more members. We're a close-knit group of people and if you can overcome the "new guy jitters" we will accept you. Please don't think ill of us and walk away, Steve. You are clearly an articulate and intelligent individual and I know we'd like to have you here. Perhaps you could apply for a writer's position?