Quote of the Day: Dana White Slams HBO PPV

by Luke Thomas on Dec 7, 2008 2:25 PM EST in News Comment 45 comments

"Did you see the production? And that was HBO. Maybe they should give us some of their Emmys. The pacing was awful. There was no energy in the crowd. They had to loop Pacquiao’s music when he came out because he had to walk so far."

-- Dana White, UFC president, trashing the horrendous production (and by extension the undercard matchmaking) from last night's De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao pay-per-view on HBO.

Everyone knows I've got my issues with White, but when he's right, man is he right.

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the real problem was the undercard of mismatches. setting the card isn’t HBO’s responsibility, but they should have recognized the potential for very quick finishes and should have been ready to adjust the show accordingly.

by boxingstudent on Dec 7, 2008 2:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Much better insight

than what Dana had to offer. The undercard was a couple monsters against has beens that were at least expected to offer a few rounds of entertainment not get annihilated. Hell the main event was just a big name has been getting annihilated by a monster too – but I enjoyed that one cause it lasted a while.

by skwirrl on Dec 7, 2008 3:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

HBO...

has said “no” to plenty of proposed cards in the past…They could have again.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 7, 2008 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

Boxing events really don’t have much of a level of excitement in the air at actual events… mainly cuz the real boxing fans can’t afford the tickets to these events.

Boxing PPV’s seem to be social gatherings for the rich and famous. There is more exciting things on CSPAN when they show the House of Representatives.

At UFC events, you can see regular fans laughing it up w/ the King of Queens at least.

by Gunslinger20 on Dec 7, 2008 2:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hear, hear

And everyone still wonders why he demands production rights over his product.

by subo on Dec 7, 2008 3:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

as i tried to say above, the real problem last night was on the matchmaking side, not the production side.

by boxingstudent on Dec 7, 2008 3:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I get what you're saying

The production of these events are right up there w/ PGA events… they are boring as hell. No excitement at all. I realize the fighters should provide enough excitement, but these weren’t battles by any means…

Battles are epic and great to watch…. ritual killings like the undercard last night, geez.. those weren’t even the slightest bit exciting. Rocky montages have more excitement… bring on Thunder Lips!!

by Gunslinger20 on Dec 7, 2008 3:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That’s not totally true. Their filler in the event of quick finishes needs some serious revamping. The interviews were ok, but not particularly helpful and the analysis just sauntered aimlessly. There need to be production elements in place in the event of quick finishes so that we don’t have to hear talk-radio analysis for over (a combined) hour.

by Luke Thomas on Dec 7, 2008 3:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i’m not saying HBO is blameless. they certainly could have used better filler. in-depth prefilmed fighter profiles on Juanma and Ortiz would have helped, for example.

by boxingstudent on Dec 7, 2008 3:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The interviews...

for 30 minutes while a live fight went on in the background…was unforgivable. They were trying to sell the main event to people who already bought it.

They could have at least showed the fights and done a picture in picture of the earlier interviews…

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 7, 2008 4:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I couldnt agree more.

by iamtheoriginalchris on Dec 7, 2008 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Dana should learn

From FEG before complaining about ANYBODY’s production. Most UFC’s are a step up from Strikeforce at the Playboy mansion.

by skwirrl on Dec 7, 2008 3:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That's right

because obviously everyone loves pyrotechnics and ramps. Obviously, someones opinion on production has to do a lot with their personal preferences. But, if you want to analyze HBO’s production on it’s technical merits, was it really that impressive? White’s points in that regard seem valid.

by LiuLang on Dec 7, 2008 3:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I’m more talking about the awesome intro videos that PRIDE and K-1 are famous more

by skwirrl on Dec 7, 2008 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

On the flip side of that, I really enjoy the way UFC packages pre-fight interviews and highlights, helps get revved up for the fight that’s coming up. Beer might influence that too, who knows?!

by LiuLang on Dec 7, 2008 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I too have enjoyed the last five years of the melodramatic gladiator and greased up shadow boxing. Never change UFC!

by George Lucas on Dec 7, 2008 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The gladiator needs to go.

by Eugene Schelfaut on Dec 7, 2008 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The new graphics packages they have on Spike I actually like.

by Eugene Schelfaut on Dec 7, 2008 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Reading comprehension’s an issue, huh? Before every fight, they show interviews and such. Thanks for the insight though George.

by LiuLang on Dec 7, 2008 5:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s no less fair than your characterization of FEG by its ramps and pyrotechnics

by George Lucas on Dec 7, 2008 6:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess you’d be making a good point of it wasn’t often cited by many people that ramps and pyrotechnics are the reasons why they think Pride production was better than UFC’s. I’d don’t think you’d here anyone, much less me, say that the gladiator intro doesn’t need some updating.

by LiuLang on Dec 7, 2008 6:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Take a look at DREAM and K-1

Those productions are pretty bad ass in my opinion…

by Gunslinger20 on Dec 7, 2008 3:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This is another thing a find surprising. I am so glad I DVR’d Dream 6. The endless interviews and dead time was brutal, I fast forwarded through so much crap. If I had watched it live, I probably would have recorded it anyway and went to sleep. More killer, less filler. I feel kind of the same way when watching commercials on free shows on Spike. Just hurts the overall pace.

by LiuLang on Dec 7, 2008 3:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like the entrances and pyro...

I think seeing that kind of stuff live would just make the atmosphere more exciting. I like seeing it when its on TV.. lol… gets my attention.

by Gunslinger20 on Dec 7, 2008 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The entrances themselves were generally pretty good and fun. Entrances from Japanese fighters in the UFC like Gono spices things up and are really fun compared to most entrances. I was more talking about the commercials and the sometimes long delays between fights and pieces they did were too drawn out.

by LiuLang on Dec 7, 2008 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thats what I like about the UFC

For that reasoning… thats why I’m glad the UFC doesn’t show the undercards sometimes… they can throw in the earlier fights to kill time between the bouts if they end earlier than expected.

Affliction and Elite XC didn’t do that on their telecasts… maybe show highlights of earlier action or something. Hell, Affliction as music acts…. I’m pretty sure they are capable of playing more than 2 or 3 songs..

by Gunslinger20 on Dec 7, 2008 8:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The walk-in music at this K-1 was horrible

No energy, no drama. Headache inducing crap.

Even worse, they opened the show with some female Japanese singer doing the worst cover ever of “We Are The Champions”

Actually that was so bad, that it was actually entertaining.

by dualdiagnosis on Dec 7, 2008 8:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lol...I agree

My wife thought I was watching Animal Planet and someone stepped on a retarded cat or something.

I can still remember Jerome La Banner’s entrance when he faced Gary Goodridge, dressed up like a Roman Warrior… that was entertainment.

I always half expect Hong Man Choi to grab a small child from the crowd whenever he enters the ring..

by Gunslinger20 on Dec 7, 2008 8:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What I like from Pride was those big video walls that matched up with the music

and the pyrotechnics, fighter rising up…- Awesome!

Hong Man vs Bigfoot Silva for P4P carnival sideshow.

by dualdiagnosis on Dec 7, 2008 8:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Video wall is what i'm refering too

God Forbid the UFC spend 1/4 of 1% of their total gross to put those up and add some flair to a broadcast

by skwirrl on Dec 7, 2008 11:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sure because looking like the WWE’s production would be great for their appeal as a real sport in the US.

by who me on Dec 8, 2008 12:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Zuffa had a video wall and got rid of it long ago. Ever watch UFC 32-43?

by D.Capitated on Dec 8, 2008 10:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That, along with crappy undercards, is the reason why i only watch superfights and pacquiao fights.. And i rarely watch the undercards unless another big fight is in there.

http://weoweoweo.deviantart.com/

by Anton Tabuena on Dec 7, 2008 6:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You must not be paying the 55 bucks to see it then... lol

by Gunslinger20 on Dec 7, 2008 8:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

pacquiao fights are free here in the philippines.

thats in tape delay on the TV, plus millions of ads in between rounds.. but if you want it live, it costs around $10 for a ticket in cinemas.. So its still wayyy cheaper here. :)

http://weoweoweo.deviantart.com/

by Anton Tabuena on Dec 7, 2008 10:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't

understand why anyone takes what Dana White says seriously the man has an agenda so he’s not going to be truthful in his comments.To say HBO should give the UFC some of their Emmys is asinine and I’m sure he’s taking a cheap shot at them because HBO didn’t cave into the UFC’s demands during negotiations to televise UFC events.

by tylerdurden1 on Dec 7, 2008 6:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nobody thinks Dana doesn’t have an agenda. I just think it happens to be making MMA a worldwide phenomenon that will dwarf what it has already become, with the UFC as the sole home for its top talent.

I like that agenda.

by subo on Dec 7, 2008 7:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If that was his agenda

He wouldn’t have told Hellboy hey we bought your PRIDE contract and you can fight here. But we’re only going to pay you half of whats on the contract. Whats that? Don’t like it? Well you aren’t gonna fight anywhere else for a full year.

by skwirrl on Dec 7, 2008 11:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Its not like Hansen earns millions. Dana and the Fertittas are after money pure and simple and don’t give a damn about the sport.

by skwirrl on Dec 7, 2008 11:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Right…and who is spending a lot of money to expand the sport into other states and countries? Dream? Affliction? Oh right, it is the UFC.

by iiowyn on Dec 8, 2008 2:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Expanding

the sport in other states and countries is a way to increase your revenue in the long run by branching out your business into a new market of consumers.The sport isn’t even sanctioned yet in the biggest market in the country New York and make no mistake the reason their spending a lot of time and money to get the sport sanctioned in New York isn’t because of the fans it’s because they’ll make a whole lot of money expanding into New York.The same thing with England It cost a lot of money making the move there but it will make the company more money long term getting into the European market. Being from New York I certainly hope their successful bringing the sport here but I also realize why it’s so important for them to get it done.Their missing out on a lot of money not being sanctioned in the biggest market in the country,also the UFC is the only promotion capable of getting this done their the ones making the huge profits.If one of the other promotions out there were in the UFC’s position they’d be doing the same thing but their not.

by tylerdurden1 on Dec 8, 2008 2:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think anyone though he was asking for one of their emmys he was just making a point that their show wasn’t up to snuff. For the same reason that people should stop taking everything seriously people should stop trying to read hidden meanings or reasoning into what he says too. He made a comment about the HBO show, a comment that a lot of people agree with, it wasn’t put together very well.

by who me on Dec 7, 2008 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Boxing WAS cool
MMA IS cool
enough said…..

by ProCannonFodder on Dec 8, 2008 12:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

pretty much sums it up. I’ll be happy for the day when MMA is no longer cool, its actually seen as legitimate.

by Benicio on Dec 8, 2008 7:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You know, in retrospect, I hadn’t even looked at the whole article, and boy, that is some hilarity. Dave basically lets Dana rant and doesn’t offer any resistance. Only two boxing gyms in Vegas? “There was no energy” for Pacquiao/De La Hoya?

by D.Capitated on Dec 8, 2008 10:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs