The UFC has always been, and always will be, a struggle between sport and business.
As with any combat sport, there are people who will emerge as stars, become moneymakers, and the nature of the beast is that they will get favorable treatment. But over the last year, the struggle has been more about money vs. popularity and making new fans.
It’s a unique struggle, because historically, money, popularity and making new fans are all tied in together. When you increased popularity, you make new fans and make more money. That’s what makes the modern combat sports economy so unique at the top level.