How do you feel about MMA's direction?

For the most part I agree with you. That's why the Heavy weight division is more fun to watch. Those Big Boys can bang even at the top tier level. However we still have good knockout artist like Anderson Silva, Cain Valazquez, Jon Jones, and Shane Carwin come to mind. PS if you like brawling watch Joey Beltran tomorrow. He is not top tier and never will be but im a fan of his fighting.