Bradley’s remark displays a view shared by many followers who nonetheless query Berlanga on the elite stage. Whereas Berlanga has remained a marketable identify and harmful puncher, critics have lengthy argued that the most important names at 168 would expose the issues in his recreation.
The actual query is whether or not Berlanga shall be matched powerful. Zuffa isn’t precisely identified for the sluggish construct or defending investments for 3 years. Based mostly on how Dana White and TKO are structuring their preliminary run, the period of Berlanga padding his report with plastic wins is probably going over.
Zuffa features extra like a furnace than a typical boxing nursery. They’re shopping for the Berlanga model, however they appear completely comfy with the concept that he may fail the take a look at. The logic is easy: they wish to know if a man is a star or a gatekeeper instantly. If he will get cracked, they simply transfer on to the one who did the cracking.
Bradley didn’t identify a selected opponent, however the message was clear. He believes Berlanga can thrive so long as the matchmaking is cautious, however that modifications as soon as he’s put in with confirmed top-tier fighters.
Berlanga stays one of many extra recognizable names within the division, which provides him worth no matter opinion. That usually buys time in boxing. It doesn’t at all times purchase wins.
Berlanga has slightly extra worth as a result of he can promote tickets in New York and Puerto Rico, however that worth is tied to his “Monster” aura. The second he loses a transparent determination or will get stopped by a top-tier signing, he turns into a high-priced gatekeeper.
Within the UFC mannequin, there isn’t a going again to fundamentals towards journeymen after a giant loss. If Berlanga can’t hack it towards the sharks Zuffa is signing, they’ll probably minimize bait or use him to construct another person.
Berlanga is at present sidelined following his fifth-round stoppage loss to Hamzah Sheeraz final July. Signing with Zuffa was primarily his solely route after his choices dried up elsewhere. He’s already speaking a giant recreation about placing the division on discover, however the actuality is that Zuffa wants recognizable names to fill their playing cards.
They’ll feed him to the wolves as a result of, of their eyes, the “wolves” are the one ones definitely worth the funding. If he can’t survive a troublesome match, Zuffa will discover somebody who can.
