Affliction vs. UFC Is Drowning This Weekend's EliteXC-CBS Show

by Luke Thomas on Jul 24, 2008 10:57 AM EDT in MMA News

What seems very clear to me is the poor or perhaps unfortunate timing for EliteXC in scheduling their second CBS venture one week after the Affliction vs. UFC July 19th weekend. Whether intentional or not, it is quite apparent the aftermath of the two events and what they mean for the sport has enough carry over power post-event with MMA fans to drown out most of the build-up for the "Unfinished Business" card this weekend.

Now, part of that is the relatively weak card on CBS. For casual fans, Antonio Silva vs. Justin Eilers isn't quite the barn burner of Fedor vs. Sylvia. No one really knows who Shayna Baszler is, Nick Diaz's opponent is all but anonymous and while Smith-Lawler II does have some traction, it's not enough to carry the day as the main event (or at least not with its current supporting cast).

The most problematic element of this situation, though, is timing. Even though the card is a little ho-hum as compared to many top-level recent MMA cards, the CBS exposure and intrigue of EliteXC's follow up to the Slice-Thompson event would ordinarily be more than enough to promote interest. Maybe there are others out there who see it among MMA fans and media outlets, but I certainly do not. News outlets like Sherdog may be diligent in covering all aspects of the MMA world, but blogs like this - that are generally a little more responsive to market demands from an editorial selection standpoint - aren't seeing it at all. The posts about EliteXC are generating very little interest and there is paltry amounts of traffic coming into this site that's related to anything in the EliteXC universe.

I think the timing of this event - that is, being so close to the aftermath of Affliction vs. UFC - is going to cost EliteXC. How much? That's hard to tell. But what's very clear to me is the need for fans to chew on this new landscape or rivalry created by Affliction going head to head with the UFC. They need the time to digest all its significance and once that becomes stale, then the time is right for grabbing their attention. Certainly that window is small and perhaps there wasn't much they could do to fulfill that requirement. But truth be told, without the CBS exposure of this show, very few within the MMA community would be invested.

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Comments

It’s unfortunate for EXC—they’ve actually put together a decent card this time out, and they still have to compete with UFC 84.

Personally, I’m still going to watch EXC. Production-wise, they put on the 2nd best show in MMA, and I’m anxious to see what kind of shape Gina Carano will be in when they focus on her during the womens fight.

by steak_knife on Jul 24, 2008 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

Second best? I’m pretty sure the UFC and WEC both put on better shows.

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by Richard Wade on Jul 24, 2008 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

They do.

by lovingmma25 on Jul 24, 2008 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Well

He said “production-wise”. Perhaps he’s narrowing the scope of his argument.

by Luke Thomas on Jul 24, 2008 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Or he may be lumping all Zuffa-owned organizations together.

by Estrada on Jul 24, 2008 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, that’s certainly a possibility.

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by Richard Wade on Jul 24, 2008 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

to clarify

Production-wise, Zuffa puts on the best show (UFC & WEC). EXC is 2nd best.

by steak_knife on Jul 24, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I was referring to production.

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by Richard Wade on Jul 24, 2008 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

MMA Fatigue

There is no shame in admitting fatigue at watching so many events. If you watched the FSN lead-in, Affliction, and the UFC event, you watched seven straight hours of MMA. After a weekend like that, it’s no wonder people need a break. Especially with WEC 35 and UFC 87 coming up next week, fans may need to pace themselves.

by sl0wb0t on Jul 24, 2008 10:57 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t watch a lot of regular television but I haven’t honestly seen even one advertisement for this card/event.. Unlike the first show on CBS with Kimboh.
I’ll be watching as i think it will be a pretty decent (IMO likely better than the premiere). I don’t think people are suffering from fatigue more that CBS has done very little to hype up and promote this event..which is a shame.

by pr0cs on Jul 24, 2008 11:00 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I too do not watch a ton of “live” tv due to work schedule, but I do DVR a bunch of programming. I have seen the advertisements for the CBS show on CBS. There were probably 2-3 during 1 half-hour show. I have not seen, or maybe not noticed, banner advert’s on various websites and things of that nature. I, like many, will be watching the fights with genuine interest. I really hope that, like the first show, they have Frank Shamrock (or someone else) explaining and demonstrating the different ways a fighter can win. For the new or casual fans, this type of information is extremely helpful. Mostly to dispell the “Human-Cockfighting” misconceptions that are out there.

by Kel on Jul 24, 2008 12:27 PM EDT reply actions

I’ve been pretty critical of EXC, but I like this card. They don’t have the “stars.” That’s defintely going to hurt. I still think they were too quick to put on another show. Of course, they may have wanted to get this one in before football season started. If they cut out all the sideshows, it should be an improvement over last time. I don’t think that the improvements will benefit them in regards to ratings, though.

by Cannon Jacques on Jul 24, 2008 2:03 PM EDT reply actions

Shields/Thompson and Lawler/Smith both have a chance to be entertaining. The rest of the card doesn’t look particularly exciting though.

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by Richard Wade on Jul 24, 2008 2:24 PM EDT reply actions

I personally, find this to be a more enticing card than their first one.

Last week, websites were loaded down with Affliction pieces and the UFC counter programming stuff. This week, very little on EXC.

I actually think this is a far more important weekend in the landscape of mma. If EXC falters to much, it could send a ripple effect through the thoughts on network programming and if it is a success, would that be what it takes to get UFC on a network?

"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'"

by BJJDenver on Jul 24, 2008 3:24 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

back off, Dana.

if it is a success, would that be what it takes to get UFC on a network?

This is a great point. Come to think of it, I think that re-airing UFC 84 opposite EXC is a bad move by Dana White if he’s still trying to secure a network deal.

The stronger EXC’s ratings, the more leverage UFC has when it’s their turn to negotiate with the networks. He shouldn’t want to see them fail, just yet.

by steak_knife on Jul 24, 2008 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think that EXC’s future ratings matter that much to the UFC, in regards to a future TV deal, unless they tank. MMA has proven popular. The UFC is, undoubtedly, the best poduct out there. It’s just a matter of Zuffa negotiating a deal they’re comfortable with.

by Cannon Jacques on Jul 24, 2008 4:50 PM EDT reply actions