When champions like Lidell/Hughes lose their title are they sent back down to the bottom of the division?

Question

Is it like the video games when they lose they have to go back to the bottom of the lightweight division/ladder and work their way up again. Is this possible with all the lightweight fighters in the division and if their are so many then don't they all deserve a chance to fight-What determines this/when a fighter fights?and how can you really determine a true fighters skills unless he has enough opportunities to show them?

I've never understood it?

Answer 1

No. They do drop a pg or two, but in most cases one or two fights can get them a rematch ( if both fights are successful) so they don't usually get automatic redemption but they don't usually get knocked out of contention.

Answer 2

No. They don't go back to the bottom, although that would be an interesting way to do things. They usually just have a couple of comeback fights against opponents that are picked specifically for them to beat, then rematch for the title. If they don't win the rematch, usually they are sent packing, or demoted to "gatekeeper" status. ( If were talking strictly UFC here, it also depends on their relationship with THE GREAT AND POWERFUL DANA WHITE)

Answer 3

They aren't sent back down to the bottom like some newbie, but are definitely sent back down a few rungs on the ladder. It is mainly just kind of a time for them to reevaluate their skills, career and their training. Now if they lose 2 or 3 in a row then they are sent quite a ways back down the ladder and then have to work their way back up.

As for determining who is the number 1 contender and who gets their title shot when, that is all determined through the promotion and the matchmaker, they each have their own way of looking at things and determining who they want to match up with who and when. For the most part though, if you get on a win streak and can maintain it you will get your shot. There have been plenty of guys though who have really worked hard and gotten a long way up the ladder and then lost a fight or 2 and had to start rebuilding themselves in their given division and organization.

Answer 4

No, they don't go back to the bottom of the barrel.  They usually are dropped below the number one contenders.  If they win usually 2 times in a row, they get another title shot.  Sometimes they get a title shot without having to win, (Randy Couture).

Answer 5

Champions are not dropped to the bottom, since there is no ranking system they get opportunities based on marketability.

Answer 6

Does seem a bit subjective doesnt it?

There are a few things to consider when looking at rankings.  Recent win/loss record is just a part of it.

As far as I know there is no hard and fast rule for ranking fighters in any sport.  Some of it is going to be based on their skills and how likely that they could defeat the next fighter up the ladder.  Some of it is going to be based on what the fans want.

Just cause you are a good fighter with good skills it might not mean you are going to be the next top ranked fighter or the next to get a shot at the title.  There have been many times that fights have been put together simply because the fans and the fighters have wanted to see a certain match.  Either to settle an old score or just to see two big names fight.

Some is going to be based on the health of the fighter too.  We as fans may not know all the injuries and such that happen between matches.  Those issues can surely affect the ranking of a fighter.

And also the fighter can go the the governing body and say that they need or want a break to regroup.  This has happened a few times that I can think of where a fighter has just stopped competing for awhile to take care of personal business, and that is going to affect their ranking.

There may be good fighters that are waiting to get a shot at some of the big names in the sport but a lot of the match-ups are going to be based on $$$$.  What can the sport promote that is going to keep the fans happy and keep people in the seats.  The biggest names in the sport might not be the best fighters.

Just my $.02