The UFC co-founder is committed to ensuring that the fights remain engaging for viewers.
Sports at every level are not always thrilling, and this can make it challenging to continuously attract fans.
In 2025, some of the UFC’s most impressive victories didn’t translate into the most entertaining viewing experiences.
For instance, UFC 322 highlighted this issue, with Islam Makhachev overpowering Jacques Della Maddalena and Valentina Shevchenko thoroughly outclassing Zhang Weili.
Recently, the UFC co-creator shared his perspective on some major fights that failed to meet expectations and outlined his strategy to address this concern.
Campbell McLaren, in an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow, reflected on the UFC’s early days when the goal was to determine which martial art was superior. Whether it was UFC 322 or Khamzat Chimaev’s win over Drix du Plessis in August, wrestling often emerged as the decisive factor inside the Octagon, which sometimes leads to criticism and fan disappointment when events don’t unfold as expected.
McLaren noted, “I think fighting can be boring and I think Dana White is very aware of that. He doesn’t want a boring fight. What often makes a fight dull is stalling on the ground or fighters not engaging properly.”
As CEO of Combate Global, McLaren said they’re working with the committee to promote more action, especially since their fighters tend to prefer standing rather than grappling on the ground. “We want action because at the end of the day, this is a fight,” he emphasized.
When asked about his vision for Combate, McLaren described the UFC as “pretty perfect as it stands,” but recognized there is room for other promotions to find success by focusing on different aspects. He recalled being surprised by the lack of South American fighters at UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, which inspired him to target regions underrepresented by UFC and to sign exciting young talent who guarantee thrilling performances.
Fan Take: This news highlights a crucial challenge for MMA fans: the balance between technical skill and entertainment value. The UFC and other promotions pushing for more dynamic fights means fans can look forward to an evolving sport that values both high-level competition and captivating action.
