Jose Aldo, a legendary UFC featherweight and one of the sport’s greatest, recently made a controversial comment suggesting the UFC should release undefeated featherweight Movsar Evloev if he suffers a loss. Evloev, who holds an impressive 20-0 record with 10 wins inside the UFC—all by decision—is scheduled to fight featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi. Aldo’s suggestion is surprising given Evloev’s strong track record, which includes wins over top contenders like Dan Ige, Diego Lopes, Arnold Allen, Aljamain Sterling, and Lerone Murphy.

Aldo’s remark, however, appears to stem from a broader bias against wrestlers like Evloev, who often earn criticism for not being as exciting or marketable as strikers. The UFC and some fans tend to favor fighters with flashy, engaging styles, leaving wrestlers underappreciated despite their effectiveness in the Octagon. This has impacted wrestlers’ careers before, with the recent example being Gable Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist whose commitment to fan-pleasing brawling over wrestling led to a shocking early knockout loss.

This situation raises a larger question about the UFC’s dual role as a sports organization and entertainment business. Critics argue that Aldo’s comments confirm the organization's emphasis on fighters who not only win but also entertain, sometimes at the expense of rewarding consistency and skill alone. Comparisons are drawn to other sports where winning styles—whether defensive football or small-ball baseball—are not criticized for failing to entertain, underscoring the UFC’s unique pressure for marketability over merit.

Ultimately, the responsibility to promote fighters like Evloev who may not sell themselves lies with the UFC’s promotion team. While the UFC has successfully marketed wrestlers such as Bo Nickal to fans, it has not given the same push to Evloev and others. With Evloev earning his title shot on merit, cutting him after a single loss would be unfair and shortsighted. Instead, the UFC should leverage its platform to boost the visibility of skilled but less flashy fighters to maintain a robust, competitive roster.