Why the WEC Is Fantastic
by Luke Thomas
on Aug 4, 2008 9:45 AM EDT
in News
Sam Caplan and I are wondering the same thing: is it possible for them to have a bad card? To wit:
Sunday night was yet another shining example of why the WEC is the best representative of our sport to the mainstream public. Despite being held in a small concert venue at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, WEC 35 looked like a major league event: strong production; fast pacing; a display of a variety of fighting styles; and compelling matchmaking.
With four fights guaranteed for the telecast and three of them being title fights, the WEC still managed to squeeze in six total fights in a telecast that clocked in just slightly over two hours. Thanks to an early-arriving crowd in attendance to see a strong undercard, the insertion of bouts between Josh Grispi vs. Micah Miller and Brock Larson vs. Carlo Prater in the live telecast looked seamless and appeared as if the bouts were airing live when in reality, they were being shown on a tape-delay basis.
VERSUS was able to show the two additional bouts because they ended early, but that is just typical of the WEC: everything breaks right for them during their shows.
Everything seems to break right for those with enough and the right type of talent. When will the mainstream start paying attention?
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When will the mainstream start paying attention?
Easy…when the shows get put on a channel that isn’t forgotten by most everyone on earth. Also when people can get over the “minor leagues for the UFC” aspect.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by brentbrookhouse on Aug 4, 2008 9:51 AM EDT 0 recs
"minor leagues for the UFC"
this and the depth of their bench creates a minor league appeal. IMO it was a way better broadcast and night of fights than the EliteXC’s last showing.
all you gotta do is...
by imapimp08 on
Aug 4, 2008 10:58 AM EDT
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Agreed
The WEC has been going about quietly putting together some of the best fights, but there has to be a more aggressive push and get them on a better channel. I don’t know if they can ever shake the minor leagues of the UFC stigma, but one of the ways is defining itself apart from the UFC, such as the focus on lighter weight classes where they’re full of talent.
by pud333 on
Aug 4, 2008 1:00 PM EDT
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While getting on a better channel certainly would help, increasing the frequency of shows would help even more. People have such a short attention span you can’t go 6-8 weeks between shows. To be “established” will take a weekly or bi weekly show. Of course there isn’t the depth of tallent to do weekly shows, that is the paradox.
by MusicCityBeatdown on Aug 4, 2008 10:13 AM EDT 0 recs
They have been my second favorite org for a while now and they aren’t very far behind the UFC at all. I haven’t seen a bad event from them. Even before Zuffa owned them and they were on HDNET they were damn good.
by SplitBreast on Aug 4, 2008 10:17 AM EDT 0 recs
Forget the mainstream. I’m selfish. I want these great fights to continue to be free on Versus. As soon as it blows up it will be on pay-per-view, and I will have to pay to watch yet another fight card.
by Brett Jones on Aug 4, 2008 10:33 AM EDT 0 recs
I don’t see anything wrong with it being on Versus. That channel is loaded with sporting events and sports related shows. I watch Bull Riding, Holy…!, The Contender. I like it on Versus.
by lovingmma25 on Aug 4, 2008 10:36 AM EDT 0 recs
My problem with Versus...
is simple. On every cable lineup I’ve ever seen it is way up in the “no man’s land” of high channel numbers. It never seems to be around the other sports channels or in a “channel surfing” spot where people in the target age range may flip by it and stop to watch. Which means you’re generally only getting the hardcores to watch.
It just doesn’t pull in enough viewers to get bigger sponsors to make enough money to run a more constant schedule.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by brentbrookhouse on
Aug 4, 2008 10:45 AM EDT
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Seriously
Before I moved, Versus was on Channel 54 which was actually before spike that was channel 60
Then, it was channel 730, wtf! I almost thought I didnt have it until I used the online directory! and spike was channel 34, right before MTV on channel 35, Versus shoulda been in the 20’s and get rid of QVC for goodness sake
all you gotta do is...
by imapimp08 on
Aug 4, 2008 11:01 AM EDT
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It’s channels 751 (HD) and 65 (SD) on Cox in San Diego
by Richard on
Aug 4, 2008 5:36 PM EDT
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On my cable lineup it’s channel 29 (after ESPN – 27, ESPN2 – 28. Not too shabby).
by Popetastic on
Aug 4, 2008 1:09 PM EDT
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spike used to be a dead channel as well
remember when spike used to be a dead channel… then UFC came along?
give it some time and you’ll see why versus is a much better option than CBS.
they need to keep UFC 170 and up and WEC 155 and down with one wiehgt class for chicks.
Once Spike see’s wec is not direct competition they will allow a similar reality show to tuf be run on versus.
by mmalogic on Aug 4, 2008 11:10 AM EDT 0 recs
I will not complain about FREE HD on Versus.
http://tharealness.wordpress.com/
by Tha Realness on Aug 4, 2008 11:37 AM EDT 0 recs
the insertion of bouts between Josh Grispi vs. Micah Miller and Brock Larson vs. Carlo Prater in the live telecast looked seamless and appeared as if the bouts were airing live
I feel duped ;(
by EnsignFrog on Aug 4, 2008 12:39 PM EDT 0 recs
WEC puts on an amazing show. There’s not much else you can say. I wish they would get some more attention, so the fighters get a chance for bigger paydays. WEC is light on hype and heavy on great performances. It’s refreshing to watch a sporting event that’s not laden with bullshit.
by Cannon J on Aug 4, 2008 9:06 PM EDT 0 recs
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