The UFC will no longer provide fight tape to camps, according to one prominent MMA coach.
Brandon Gibson, a coach at Albuquerque’s Jackson-Wink MMA, revealed that the UFC have contacted him, saying:
“Fight tape will no longer be available to coaches and fighters and I need to use Fight Pass.”
Fight Pass of course is UFC’s subscription based video library, essentially the Netflix of MMA.
Previously, coaches were sent links to previous fights by the UFC, which allowed fighters and coaches to study upcoming opponents in detail. Whilst this will still be possible, to a certain extent, using Fight Pass, the library is somewhat incomplete, and fights are occasionally slow to be updated – particularly PPV cards. Gibson further highlighted the problem with using Fight Pass, saying:
I already have a Fight Pass subscription, the problem is that Fight Pass isn't a good way to study. No slow mode, its a pain to rewind, etc
— Brandon Gibson (@SixGunGibson) February 15, 2017
Additionally, the UFC will not be providing camps with Fight Pass subscriptions, adding yet another cost into an already expensive pre-fight process.
Gibson has utilised video footage to help numerous fighters secure victories inside the Octagon, including Jon Jones, Cody Garbrandt and Lando Vannata.
Most recently, Vannata studied opponent John Makdessi‘s movement, before landing the highlight reel spinning back kick KO at UFC 206.
The new UFC owners haven’t hesitated in their cost-cutting measures so far, but is a few more Fight Pass subscriptions worth the risk of alienating one of MMA’s biggest camps?
We have contacted several camps for comment, and are awaiting a response.
