I'm a believer in the "best athletes" don't get involved in this sport. There are many in the world of football, wrestling, the martial arts, and other sports who would excel in this style of fighting, but who long ago chose more common and lucrative sports.
But it is gaining in popularity and $$$ so it should get even better in the future.
I would agree with you to a certain extent. Especially when it comes to the Heavyweights (205 lb+). Almost all of them go to football.
I do think that more and more that MMA is draining away talent that is normally lost to boxing. Where does a strong wrestler that competes at 185 lbs or so go? They definatly do not go to Professional wrestling where all those guys are 240+
Look at Matt Hughes and Randy Couture. Pure Wrestlers that evolved into Hybrid MMA Athletes. I don't know where a Matt Hughes or a Randy Couture goes with in a professional sports field besides an MMA career.
Chuck Lidell goes to K-1 or another Kickboxing avenue. Or he just gives up the fight game and goes back to being an accountant.
*I'm a believer in the "best athletes" don't get involved in this sport.*
It takes a particular type of person to take a snap to the head and recover quickly, athleticism is big in UFC but so is a freakish tolerance to pain.