For two reasons.
1. I would argue that UFC 84 was not only the best PPV this year, but maybe the last two years. That show had wall-to-wall exciting fights. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I will enjoy it again on July 26th.
2. Between DVR and the internet, this is a great move for some fans like myself who absolutely HATE EliteXC’s production. I cannot stand watching their shows. I do enjoy some of the fights because I am an MMA fan, but from the announcers to the cage interviewer to the dancing girls to the cheesy music and light show I despise their production values. This now gives me something to watch that night and then I can watch the Elite show on DVR and fast forward to the fights I care about.

I don’t say this often, but YAY DANA!

last night on CNBC featuring how the UFC started and where it was headed. I was supprised that it all ready outdraws all but the biggest fights. With this Elite competition maybe it will solve my biggest bitch with the UFC, watching old fights again and again. I think I’ve seen the first Franklin-Silva fight 103 times. Why can’t we see like a Gray Manard, Joe Luzon or just about anybody on a regular basis, rather than re-runs.

And great counter to Elite XC and Dana White is a brilliant businessman, hate him or love him… I personally don’t think UFC has to worry too much about Elite though, I think they should put more attention on Affliction and with the July 19th fights I give the edge to Affliction’s fight card and will be watching that one and maybe record the UFC fight.

As for the July 26th fights, I myself, having already seen UFC 84 (and enjoyed every minute of it) will most likely watch Elite XC only because I haven’t seen it.

What is everybody else going to watch?

was demonstrated on the special last night. His focus is demonic for what he has instore for the UFC and nothing better get in the way, was my read. At his pressers, he reminded me of Bill Parcells pressers, ” What kind of Question is That, you stupid S.O.B.”
I loved it.

I totally agree with Luke. Tough competition among the MMA promotions only makes the sport stronger over the long-term. The good promotions will only become stronger, and the lesser promotions will go away. In the short-term, fans may have to make some difficult choices, but it will be worth it in the end.

Even if Dana’s counter-programming doesn’t put a big dent in EXC’s ratings, it still reminds fans that the UFC is the biggest player in the industry. From a business perspective that’s a good move.

dana did mention how many people watched the first cba show of elite xc and how people thought that was ufc. could be he wants people to see the difference in the two brands and the quality of what the UFC has as well

I think it’s an awesome move. Now about a million people that never saw it will get to see Wand-Jardine and Penn-Sherk.

Finally the UFC is cutting loose with some of those archives of fights I’ve heard about but never seen. I honestly don’t think it would have happened without some kind of competition. I watched one PPV for $40 and was really disappointed and said that is all for that. I can’t afford it anyway being on disability.

If they were smart, they would air UFC fights on a night where nothing was happening. They would get all of the MMA viewers instead of only half – or whatever number they drew during the first CBS Fight Night card. Going head to head with a live card on a major network with HD using an older PPV on SpikeTV and SD won’t hurt CBS. It’s just an overall dumb move – some fans get turned off by the ruthlessness, and you won’t grab a full audience. In this day and age where many people own a DVR or a TiVo, you won’t steal many viewers, but Dana and Co. are old school. Oh well. :)

yeah dana’s a smart guy, but i’ll take new action on cbs any day. some very legit fighters and bouts on cbs card. i assume they’re smart enough to improve their product.