MMA Live on ESPN or ESPN2?

by filipinomix2oo0 on Aug 12, 2008 1:26 PM EDT Comment 30 comments

Fronted by Luke Thomas.

"Florian discussed the show's future while a guest on Monday's edition of TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com) the official radio partner MMA Junkie":

So when exactly could the deal be done?

"I don't want to let the cat out of the bag, but soon," Florian said. "The next couple of month, we're hoping to get [MMA Live] on ESPN or ESPN 2, and the sponsors are getting on board as we speak, so we should have a deal very, very soon. We're all very pumped."

The 30-minute studio show, which launched in May, is hosted by Jon Anik with Florian, boxing/MMA writer Franklin McNeil and other guest hosts as analysts. With stellar production values, video footage from all the top organizations (including the UFC) and the backing of the sport's world most powerful news oulet, "MMA Live" has garnered a strong following despite being distributed only on the web.

"It's a fun time," said Florian, who awakes at 4 a.m. to tape the show in Bristol, Conn., each Thursday. "The producers are awesome to work with. Everyone over there is cool."

"MMA Live" airs Thursdays at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN.com.

I don't know why any other blog hasn't covered this yet, but this is potentially one of the biggest things to happen to the sport. ESPN is the Mecca of sports television and for MMA to possibly get its own show and stand side-by-side with other shows such as NFL Live, Baseball Tonight, and NBA Live is a huge deal. If this happens, I think its safe to say that MMA will have finally broke into the mainstream. It's never been a better time to be a fan of MMA.

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Dude

I’ve talked about this EXTENSIVELY on MMA Nation. Both with Kenny Florian and in my own rants.

by Luke Thomas on Aug 12, 2008 1:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I was just going to post that he should go back and check out your podcasts from MMANation about this. Good stuff in there, Luke.

by Kierkegaard on Aug 12, 2008 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Apology

Sorry Luke if you took offense to my comment about not covering this. I haven’t been listening to your podcasts on MMA Nation, so my bad.

by filipinomix2oo0 on Aug 12, 2008 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fingers crossed

Let’s hope this happens; it’ll be a great, positive step for the sport if it does.

by VikingPhotography on Aug 12, 2008 1:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No

Not until they replace Franklin McNeil with me. Until then, it’s unprofessional.

by Luke Thomas on Aug 12, 2008 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

YES

Even with McNeil, it’s still a huge step for the sport, Luke. There are millions of casual fans who have no idea that this show even exists. There is no argument: McNeil is horrible; that being said, just being aired on ESPN could take it to the next level. As an example, No Limit Texas Hold Em was completely irrelevant until ESPN started broadcasting the World Series of Poker. They made a star out of Chris Moneymaker for God’s sakes. And he’s fat.

by steak_knife on Aug 12, 2008 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know

It just drives me up the wall. The UFC is strong arming them into hiring their fighters as commentators and getting boxing writers converting to MMA to do the job. There is no meritocracy. It kills me.

by Luke Thomas on Aug 12, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I also despise the lack of a meritocracy

in the established media outlets. But the above sentiment seems to hold true, that even if we had MMA showing on an MXC-style format on a major channel like ESPN, it would be a big win for the sport.

At this point, we’re definitely still in “any press is awesome press, so long as it doesn’t mention cockfighting!” mode.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Aug 12, 2008 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They want actual sports writers, not people who are going to endlessly make comparisons to pro wrestling. Can you blame them?

by D.Capitated on Aug 12, 2008 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

?

I’m not sure what you’re driving at, but being a “sports writer” doesn’t mean you cover all sports well. And in case you hadn’t noticed, the boxing writers who are moving over to MMA aren’t exactly good at what they do.

Should Peter Gammons talk about NFL offenses? Probably not, even if he is a “sports writer”.

All of it just an attempt by the UFC to influence the mainstream narrative about their sport.

by Luke Thomas on Aug 12, 2008 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

MMA Live covers more than just the UFC

If MMA Live were solely UFC centric, I’d be inclined to agree with you – but they give airtime to all the promotions that are currently out there.

Oh, and of course the UFC is trying to influence the mainstream narrative – by doing so, they build support for the sport, fill seats in arenas and stadia and ultimately use the leverage of popular opinion to get MMA sanctioned in the few states where it’s still a contentious issue.

When the UFC spends money to open up new markets, everyone in MMA wins since it paves the way for local shows and other promotions to host events in those areas as well. This leads to more fight talent being discovered which can only be of benefit to the sport in the long run.

by VikingPhotography on Aug 12, 2008 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

EXACTLY.

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones

by jemaleddin on Aug 12, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sweet!

I watch this show religiously every single week. I just hope they dont put it in a really late timeslot. Once a week after Sports Center would be AWESOME! This is very big!

Obligatory w00t!!!!

by xFenixKnightx on Aug 12, 2008 1:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Any free MMA is good MMA.

by mythbuster on Aug 12, 2008 1:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This would be excellent. The show is good and easily accessible right now, but I’d love to be able to watch it on my television every week, knowing that they’ll inevitably pick up tons of viewers who would never otherwise know about it.

by Popetastic on Aug 12, 2008 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

p.s.

Luke Thomas > Franklin McNeil.

by Popetastic on Aug 12, 2008 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

luke

remember when luke thomas was sane? the explosion of mma has blown his brain to bits!

by turdburgler on Aug 12, 2008 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't think I've ever been sane

by Luke Thomas on Aug 12, 2008 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I personally don’t recall such a time.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Aug 12, 2008 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can relate to that comment.

by Cannon Jacques on Aug 12, 2008 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The man devotes countless hours to a blog about MMA. Anyone see the sanity in that? Look at his cohorts: a guy who took ipecac after losing a bet and a guy who drank a gallon of chocolate milk as payment for people filling out a poll. Beacons of sanity.

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones

by jemaleddin on Aug 12, 2008 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t forget the grape photo.

by Popetastic on Aug 13, 2008 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unfortunately I don’t think I ever, ever will.

by Chris Nelson on Aug 13, 2008 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or the 2 boys 1 cup. Yeesh.

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones

by jemaleddin on Aug 13, 2008 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What would you like to see

Hi fight fans,

I am interested in hearing what you might like as fan novelty, sourvenir or memorabilia items for MMA.

I design for all sports – but have just started designing for MMA, and would welcome more seasoned information from fans that know the sport better than I. (Though I am learning).

So far I have done exact replica finger puppets (two kinds – both with very unique additons), punching bags that look like the fighters, a whack of octagon shaped stuff, etc…. If you have any thoughts – I would welcome them.

Thanks

by Bablaze on Aug 13, 2008 6:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’ll save the joke about the finger puppets for another time.

But I gotta be honest with you if that is where you are starting you got a long way to go in my opinion.

Wish I could have been more positive in my response but I take the finger puppets as an insult to my MMA intelligence and to my love of the sport.

There maybe a place for finger puppets(and again I will refrain from using a joke here) but I don’t think this is the place for it. I guess I could be wrong on that. It wouldn’t be the first time I have been wrong.

by mattman73 on Aug 14, 2008 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs