A different approach to MMA: What a top fighter thinks about the new league plan

Scott Coker is trying to launch a new MMA league by 2027 with $60 million behind it. The league will focus on just one weight class at first, running a big tournament-style event. But Aljamain Sterling, a former UFC champion, isn’t convinced this is the best way to grab fans’ attention. Tournaments can feel slow and outdated, he argues, and today’s fight fans want fast-paced action and engaging shows rather than drawn-out bracket-style fights. Coker isn’t new to this. He’s run leagues like Strikeforce and Bellator, both known for using tournaments as their main format. But times have changed. Modern MMA fans often prefer regular matchups with clear storylines over one-off elimination rounds that drag on for months. Sterling’s warning suggests that just copying old ideas won’t be enough to compete with the UFC. If the new league wants to stand out, it needs to keep the action lively and the production exciting.Sterling also has his own reasons to push for a better format. Despite being a former champ with years in the UFC, he feels the promotion has treated him unfairly. He’s been open about his frustrations, even suggesting that the UFC wanted him to lose fights he could have won. That history makes his advice to Coker more than just about fights—it’s about fairness and respect for athletes. So what’s the key takeaway? A new league with big money and experience behind it still needs to listen to fighters like Sterling. Tournaments might be part of its past, but today’s fans want something fresh. If the league keeps production fun and fights frequent, it could actually change the game. But if it relies too much on old-school formats, it risks fading into the background just like so many others before it.