Of course its all about marketing. Something the WWE has paved the way in. MMA such as UFC has grown dramatically in the last 5 or so years. I think the contender was a step in the right direction.
Also a longer build-up of elimination fights for different weights shown on tv for free and THEN a big PPV with like 5 belts in dif weight classes.
Too often now there is one big fight and a bunch of crap added on.
The key is to grab and maintain public interest over longer periods of time. A Champion who has many title defenses helps to hold public interest.
I think things will change for the better as VALUEV unifies the heavyweight division and begins a "fight of the month" world tour taking on all challengers building his record up to ..oh....say.........100 - 0 .

(if i seem to be slurring it's cuz my toungue is in my cheek)