UFC Playing UK Stadiums?
by Kid Nate
on Jun 24, 2008 12:01 PM EDT
in News
That's what their man in the UK is telling the press:
UK UFC president Marshall Zelaznik says the organisation are keen to build on the burgeoning success of the sport on British shores, which has seen sold-out shows in London, Newcastle, Belfast and Manchester, headlined by some of the organisation's biggest stars.
The UFC is expected to soon confirm a sixth UK show inside 18 months, with a rumoured bout at Birmingham's NIA in the autumn - although Zelaznik says that is only the start.
"We are going to continue to do four big events in the UK per year," Zelaznik said from the UFC's UK headquarters in Knightsbridge. "We will be confirming our next UK event in a couple of weeks.
"We hold records in the biggest indoor venues in the UK already, and the next step is running big outdoor shows. The UFC in a UK football stadium would be an incredible fan experience.
Fightlinker does a comprehensive job of pointing out why this is stupid:
- UK Attendance has been so-so thus far
- You’ve got Bisping aaaaand … no one
- There are 1001 better places to do a stadium show
In their defense they have signed up Dan Hardy, but he's not going to be filling up Wembley anytime soon. The other UK MMA star, Paul Daley is the one who got away, choosing EliteXC over UFC.
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Doesn’t it stand to reason for that a show like this they will drop ticket prices and bring over a bigtime star like Chuck Liddell?
by Michael Rome on Jun 24, 2008 12:19 PM EDT 0 recs
Dan Hardy, nor Harvey, FWIW
Good points on stadium shows. If the UFC wants a stadium show, the Skydome in Toronto is their best bet right now
by Hardcharger on Jun 24, 2008 12:31 PM EDT 0 recs
except for the sanctioning in Ontario
I thought I read Hawaii would be the best, most logical bet for an outdoor show.
by pr0cs on
Jun 24, 2008 1:05 PM EDT
up
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Don't forget about Neil Wain!
He’s been signed since January and still hasn’t fought in the UFC.
by ChrisNelson on Jun 24, 2008 1:27 PM EDT 0 recs
Lack of atmosphere
Stadium events lack atmosphere and electricity. I know this isn’t there concern, but they don’t come across as well of television. At least in pro-wrasslin.
by ghettoiam on Jun 24, 2008 2:02 PM EDT 0 recs
dana also talked up the idea right after UFC 85:
http://www.mmapayout.com/2008/06/more-stadium-talk-from-dana.html
by robnashville on Jun 24, 2008 4:54 PM EDT 0 recs
Dumb!
Writing a dumb article is one thing, writing a dumb article based on a dumber one is something else.
UK Attendance has been so-so thus far
You mean record breaking events in Manchester, Belfast, London (twice) and Newcastle? You mean outselling boxing events like Mike Tyson, Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe? Or concerts like Sting, Rolling Stones and Madonna?
You’ve got Bisping aaaaand … no one
Bisping is a big draw in UK, sure. But it is the name “UFC” and fighters like Cro Cop, Franklin, Hughes and Penn who have been drawing these numbers in UK.
There are 1001 better places to do a stadium show
What’s that got to do with it, even if it is true? You got this ass-backwards. UFC have not had a board meeting going “We must do a stadium show – where shall we do it?” rather would have said “We are getting good numbers in England, how long before we can put on a stadium show there like they do with boxing?”
I guess the Zuffa hate runs deep around here…
by Paul Peeps on Jun 25, 2008 7:19 AM EDT 0 recs
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