What's Worse?

by Michael Rome on Dec 20, 2007 6:35 PM EST in MMA News

Everyone's seen the story now where Randy claims that the UFC turned down an offer to co-promote the fight. However, he didn't really give any details, and for all we know they offered to do it on a M-1 show while mentioning UFC a few times. However, if you assume it is a legitimate offer, I think the narrative saying that there is no upside for the UFC in doing this is wrong.

Imagine this: 10 minutes into Sportscenter, the anchor interviews former UFC champion Randy Couture, who has succeeded in court against the UFC, and has now signed a 4 fight contract with a new startup organization. He will fight Fedor Emelianenko, who many consider the best fighter in the world. Randy goes on to put over the new group, and it is all over the news.

This is the only event that can really hurt the UFC at this point. A co-promoted UFC show where M-1 is mentioned in the main event, Fedor is announced as a M-1 fighter, etc, really will do nothing for a company with no TV. The only thing that can get them a meaningful deal is a contract with a big star like Randy Couture.

The first half of UFC's 2008 looks pretty barren in terms of big main events, and the second half will be disastrous for them if Randy is able to leave and turn a small organization into a big one.

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Re: What's Worse?

I disagree with the idea that simply mentioning the fight on sportscenter would really hurt the UFC that badly. The UFC right now is bigger than the fighters...it is considered THE SPORT by a lot of casual fans. Were that to happen some fans would tune in and might enjoy the M-1 product. But most casual fans would probably consider it a step down for Couture. No one knows who Fedor is (in the "general public" sense)...the fight needs the UFC marketing machine to succeed fully.

I know a lot of people will consider this UFC nuthuggery but I think it's the simple truth. To use pro wrestling as an analogy...when Kurt Angle left the WWE as one of the top stars in the world and went to TNA (a reletive upstart company) it didn't really increase the casual wrestling fan opinion of TNA it just resulted in a "Boy, Kurt is kinda sluming it" attitude.

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 20, 2007 9:46 PM EST reply actions

Re: What's Worse?

I gotta be honest, Randy leaving is a far bigger deal than Kurt Angle leaving, in terms of draw and mainstream appeal. This is more like giving TNA Austin/Goldberg in 2003, to stick with your wrestling analogy.

The biggest obstacle for new MMA companies is getting meaningful television. It's a vicious circle, cause they need TV to make stars, but they need stars to get TV. Coming in with the most beloved UFC star signed to a marketing meeting is an amazing ace in the hole.

On the other hand, a co promoted main event on a UFC card does almost nothing for M-1. It would be the equivalent of the belt on the line in the Mayweather/De La Hoya fight...nobody gave a shit about the belt by the end, it was about the fighters.

by Michael Rome on Dec 20, 2007 10:27 PM EST reply actions

Re: What's Worse?

Thats the point. A co-promoted event does not really benefit either promotion...it pretty much only benefits the fans (and the fighters involved). I still don't think that people would really lose their mind over Couture fighting for another promotion. I mean, it would obviously be good for them and would get them some attention. But at the same time with the constant talk about Couture being at the end of his career and his age...it just doesn't strike me as really having that kind of punch. Especially if it isn't until late in '08. You have to remember that this is a "what have you done for me lately" world and if Couture is out for a year and then comes back to fight for an organization that no one in the casual audience has heard of...you're just not going to have a heavy impact.

The UFC is bigger than its fighters right now. There is no way around that. It's kind of David Caruso leaving NYPD Blue. Sure people like you...but it's because of the show (sorry...I like random pop culture references).

As for the Angle analogy...he was the top star in the "sport" for YEARS. He may not have the same level of mainstream appeal but it was just an example of someone on top of a sport/entertainment field who made a move to an "upstart" (although not as new as M-1 Global) promotion and it didn't matter to the casual audience. The same thing happens with entertainment all the time.

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 21, 2007 9:56 AM EST up reply actions