The best and worst from UFC on Fox 28

#3 Worst: Don’t build it, and they won’t come

Despite some great fights, Dana White probably won't be happy with the likely rating from last night's show

While last night’s show was absolutely full of action, it was hugely lacking in name value. And unfortunately, name value is what pulls fans in – after all, they don’t know which fights are going to guarantee action. It’s been a problem for the UFC’s shows on ‘big’ Fox for a while now and 2018’s shows seem to be suffering even more than they did in 2017.

Exactly what’s to blame for the UFC’s current lack of bankable stars is debatable – some would blame the Reebok deal for promoting homogenous fighters while others would say it’s down to the promotion allowing free agents to jump to Bellator. But I think it’s more simple – the UFC just doesn’t pay enough attention to their card placement a lot of the time.

The UFC’s matchmakers do a tremendous job, but in order for fighters to get over as stars, they have to be given the correct platform. The promotion simply can’t afford to put potential contenders – who usually end up in main events or co-main events – on prelim cards anymore in order to bolster things like Fight Pass subscriptions. They need to be showcased at the top end of cards.

Last night’s show was fantastic, but it’s likely to receive a low TV rating in terms of overall viewership, and that’s just sad. It’s also a major issue the UFC needs to look at fixing, and soon.