Interview with One Line Sports Agency Representative Adam Rauch

By Justin Murphy - Yahoo! Contributor Network, May 25, 2011

Murphy: Why do you believe UFC/MMA is so popular now?

Rauch: I strongly believe that UFC/MMA is the perfect sport for the modern sports fan. Fights move along quickly and present a time constraint that forces the action. Furthermore, the modern fan has come to terms with the fact that nothing is forever. They know that the next big fighter will come along any day, so they are easily able to jump from fighter to fighter and build a fan base.

Murphy: How do you respond to the feeling amongst pro wrestling fans that UFC/MMA gives them something to believe in again after the business they love has been so exposed over the last 20-25 years?

Rauch: Personally, I do not believe that wrestling was ever exposed in a way that hurt the sport. True wrestling fans know that the story lines and results are pre-determined, but they enjoy the drama, the characters and the overall spectacle. UFC/MMA appeals to fans who appreciate real-life competition where the end results are unknown until they step in the octagon. That is why I contend that UFC/MMA is hurting boxing more so than wrestling.

Murphy: What is your opinion of Dana White?

Rauch: While I do not know Dana personally, I respect him as an innovator and promoter of an entire industry. His hard work and dedication has transformed a sport that was once considered taboo into a multi-billion dollar business supported by major corporate sponsors.

Murphy: How do you respond to the feeling amongst boxing fans that UFC/MMA is fast boxing for the short attention spans, as boxing is sport with slow and plodding bouts that last an hour or two while UFC/MMA's are more exciting yet only 10 minutes?

Rauch: Boxing has lost mindshare among the public not so much due to the nature of the sport, but rather the personalities and boxers associated with it. The heavyweight division has been devoid of a major star for more than a decade. Also, boxing became diluted with so many different belts and rankings. People simply lost interest. Boxing is far from dead. They just need bigger stars.

Murphy: What is your opinion of Brock Lesnar?

Rauch: Brock is a physical specimen that people cannot ignore. He joined the WWE at the height of its popularity and it provided him with immediate exposure to the American public. In retrospect, if he had concentrated immediately on the UFC/MMA, he probably would have been a bigger and more accomplished star now than he ever was in the WWE.

Murphy: How do you respond to the feeling of traditional martial arts fans feeling UFC/MMA has taken their sport mainstream, both the positives and negatives?

Rauch: UFC/MMA has provided a platform for fans to learn and respect traditional martial arts. While the purists are hesitant to accept the UFC/MMA as a violable platform, they should thank them for the exposure it has given the entire industry.

Murphy: What do you feel is the future of UFC/MMA?

Rauch: Very simple - More corporate sponsorships. Bigger stadiums. Cross-over stars.