Reply to Control Surface + Midi Pad

Hey I've been doing a lot of research into what my newest addition to my setup will be. Right now I just have a VCI-100 and plan on eventually selling it to buy a 4-Deck controller (maybe the next version of the S4 once the price drops and the bugs have been fixed), but right now I am looking strictly for pads, knobs and faders. At first I was looking at the Akai APC40 because for it's price it has just about everything you could need but the one thing I wasn't fond of was the pads. I am looking to use the pads for cue points and potentially as a drum pad so I need either velocity sensitivity or simply very responsive buttons. On that note I started looking into velocity sensitive pads and came to the conclusion that the Akai MPD18 is the best to suit my needs (simple and cheap), however then I started believeing about the Midi Fighter and am now very intrigued with the idea. The Midi Fighter has a 1UP on the Akai because of the lights and replaceable buttons, but it does cost almost $100 more. In regards to control surfaces I've got my eye on the BCF2000. I'm also looking into getting a used UC-33 (for around $100) but I'm under the impression they're discontinued so that would be the only way to get my hands on one.

Now my questions for you. Do you believe the Midi Fighter is worth paying $100 more than the MPD18? Are there any good controllers ($100-$150) with more than 16 pads? Are there any control surfaces ($100-$200) that have as many knobs as the UC-33 that also has sliders? As far as I can tell the UC-33 has more controls than any other controller that I have ever seen in this price range, I can't understand why it isn't being made anymore. Finally, what do you believe is the best combination of controllers (ideally one pad and one control surface) to have the most function for its value?

tl;dr Need pads (at least 16), faders (at least 8) and knobs (as many as possible). Want to spend around $300. MPD18? Midi Fighter? BCF2000? What say ye?