The actual query is whether or not Berlanga might be matched tough. Zuffa isn’t exactly known for the slow construct or protecting investments for 3 years. Based on how Dana White and TKO are structuring their initial run, the era of Berlanga padding his record with plastic wins is probably going over.
Zuffa functions more like a furnace than a typical boxing nursery. They’re buying the Berlanga brand, but they appear perfectly comfortable with the concept that he might fail the test. The logic is easy: they need to know if a man is a star or a gatekeeper immediately. If he gets cracked, they only move on to the one that did the cracking.
Bradley didn’t name a selected opponent, however the message was clear. He believes Berlanga can thrive so long as the matchmaking is careful, but that changes once he’s put in with proven top-tier fighters.
Berlanga stays one among the more recognizable names within the division, which provides him value no matter opinion. That always buys time in boxing. It doesn’t all the time buy wins.
Berlanga has a little bit more value because he can sell tickets in Latest York and Puerto Rico, but that value is tied to his “Monster” aura. The moment he loses a transparent decision or gets stopped by a top-tier signing, he becomes a high-priced gatekeeper.
Within the UFC model, there isn’t any going back to basics against journeymen after an enormous loss. If Berlanga can’t hack it against the sharks Zuffa is signing, they’ll likely cut bait or use him to construct another person.
Berlanga is currently sidelined following his fifth-round stoppage loss to Hamzah Sheeraz last July. Signing with Zuffa was essentially his only route after his options dried up elsewhere. He’s already talking an enormous game about putting the division on notice, but the fact is that Zuffa needs recognizable names to fill their cards.
They’ll feed him to the wolves because, of their eyes, the “wolves” are the one ones well worth the investment. If he can’t survive a troublesome match, Zuffa will find someone who can.
