UFC 103 Undercard to Be Televised on Spike TV [Updated]
by Nick Thomas on Aug 21, 2009 7:59 AM EDT
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According to the Keep Punching blog at OCregister.com:
"The "UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort" pay-per-view card is going toe-to-toe with the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Juan Manuel Marquez HBO pay-per-view event on Sept. 19. "
"The UFC is known for its creative marketing and counter-programming tactics and it looks like the MMA giant has come up with a good plan to beef up awareness for UFC 103."
"The UFC will air a two-hour telecast of the UFC 103 undercard commercial free on Spike TV as a lead in for the UFC 103 main card on pay-per-view, according to a source at the UFC."
Main Card Bouts:
- Rich Franklin (25-4) -175 vs. Vitor Belfort (18-8) +145
- Junior dos Santos (8-1) -140 vs. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (25-6-2) +110
- Mike Swick (14-2) -185 vs. Martin Kampmann (15-2) +145
- Josh Koscheck (12-4) -500 vs. Frank Trigg (19-6) +305
- Tyson Griffin (13-2) -240 vs. Hermes Franca (19-7) +195
Preliminary Bouts:
- Efrain Escudero (11-0) -165 vs. Cole Miller (15-3) +135
- Dan Lauzon (12-2) vs. Rafaello Oliveira (9-1)
- Paul Daley (21-8-2) vs. Brian Foster (10-3)
- Drew McFedries (8-5) vs. Tomasz Drwal (16-2-1)
- Jason Brilz (17-1) vs. Eliot Marshall (7-1)
- Vladimir Matyushenko (22-4) vs. Igor Pokrajac (21-5)
- Robert Emerson (9-7) vs. Rafael Dos Anjos (11-4)
- Jim Miller (14-2) vs. TBA
[UPDATE] by Nick Thomas:
HT: f4wonline.comThe Prelim Special will be a one-hour, commercial free broadcast centered around the Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller matchup. The other fight that is confirmed to air on the Prelim Special is Drew McFedries vs. Tomasz Drwal.
The reports that surfaced initially that were speculating about the UFC 103 Prelim Special being a 2-hour broadcast were incorrect.
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*snaps fingers*
Awwww yeah!
Keep firing Assholes!
Romans, be it your duty to rule the nations with imperial sway … to impose the rule of peace, to spare the humbled and crush the proud.
Soooo
What’s the plan if all of the main card fights end in the first round? Replay the SpikeTV fights?
Awesome
Wow. Really. This is awesome!
http://www.mmavalor.com
"My Take" on the world of Mixed Martial Arts.
that is a direct slap in the face to Mayweather
and me — since I’ll be there live!!!!
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
Oh uh well….. Sorry?
http://www.mmavalor.com
"My Take" on the world of Mixed Martial Arts.
by MMAvalor on Aug 20, 2009 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
HAHAHA, HACKSAW JIM DUGGAN!!! HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Aug 21, 2009 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Explais why Efrain is on the undercard. Basically like headlining a Fight Night.
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who
by thetakeover on Aug 20, 2009 11:19 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
If this is true I hope us international viewers aren’t left out.
I’d guess they’ll do four fights before the Spike card airs to be used on the PPV if needed and then air four fights on Spike, something like Escudero/Miller, Daley/Foster, Drwal/McFedries and either the Miller or Lauzon fight.
Don’t most international viewers not have to pay for a pay-per-view?
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
it's free,
but i hope the undercard airs here too..
by Anton Tabuena on Aug 21, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
But to what extent will this affect the buy-rate for the main card?
I mean, watching all 8 prelim bouts and 5 main event bouts in one day would be pretty draining. If possible, it would be better to move the event up one night and televise the undercards a day during the Mayweather bout
It may have the affect of actually gaining more buyers because they will probably advertise UFC 103 A LOT during the card
by chrisbboy82 on Aug 21, 2009 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s really a 2 hour infomercial, that happens to feature fights.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 21, 2009 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Honestly....
That works for me. The more free fights that I get to see, the better.
by chrisbboy82 on Aug 21, 2009 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions
that is very awesome!!!
this is why i say competition is GREAT!!!
it forces EVERYONE to up their game and the winners are the FANS!!!
"I’m not going to stop yelling because that would mean, I lost the fight!"-Kenny Powers
shooter/cutter for AllElbows.com
Erm…
This is competition from an outside sport, not another MMA promotion.
These treats would filter out naturally in a Zuffa dominated MMA landscape.
Keep firing Assholes!
Romans, be it your duty to rule the nations with imperial sway … to impose the rule of peace, to spare the humbled and crush the proud.
Yeah, because in a Zuffa-dominated MMA landscape, there would be no more boxing!!!
Wait, what?
by Michaelthebox on Aug 21, 2009 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
really???
These treats would filter out naturally in a Zuffa dominated MMA landscape.
its just a coincidence UFC gives free fights away when there just happens to be another MMA/boxing promotion on at the same time that the UFC could pull viewers from??
"I’m not going to stop yelling because that would mean, I lost the fight!"-Kenny Powers
shooter/cutter for AllElbows.com
UFC is competing with all forms of entertainment, it doesn’t need MMA competitors to give out free stuff.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Aug 21, 2009 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
in all seriousness, where was the undercard broadcast for 101? and do you think they will do this for 104 when there is direct PPV competition?
i am just wondering why you think the UFC will offer fans more free fights when there is NOT a PPV or competing org on TV? and what previous programing do you base your assumption on.
:)
"I’m not going to stop yelling because that would mean, I lost the fight!"-Kenny Powers
shooter/cutter for AllElbows.com
do you think they will do this for 104 when there is NO direct PPV competition?
oops, forgot an important word.
"I’m not going to stop yelling because that would mean, I lost the fight!"-Kenny Powers
shooter/cutter for AllElbows.com
Mayweather is the competition.. And i am gonna go out on a limb and predict a free card with a big name main event..Maybe Silva Vs Mir on the same night as Fedors StrikeForce debut
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Aug 21, 2009 1:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Really?
I’d like to you to expand that argument a bit.
I’m not discounting your argument at all but it seems to me that Zuffa is leveraging their relationship with Spike to fight for market share amongst fans of all fighting sports. Whether that competition comes from a boxing, K-1 or MMA event, it seems to me that it is the competition itself that drives this move. What makes MMA different?
In support of your argument I would say this:
In my mind, this move works because the people who care the most about this — us — aren’t forced to choose between two MMA events and to that extent I agree with your argument. If Zuffa put their PPVs head to head with non-Zuffa MMA PPVs in the same manner that professional wrestling promotions have done in the past, they would be offering fans (and public venues like sports bars) with an either or proposition. That would be a zero sum game for MMA itself and would risk alienating their core fan base.
However:
I’d argue that the recent noise about merging WEC with UFC is about encouraging Spike and Versus to step up in future negotiations and that that is another Zuffa’s position of leverage in the fighting sports market. They are competing head to head with all fighting sports in those negotiations. Who is to say that a non-MMA fighting sport couldn’t produce a successful TUF-style reality show? Zuffa has to compete for market share with all fighting sports within the mainstream while simultaneously fighting for MMA-specific market share amongst the MMA fanbase.
they should have been showing undercard fights on spike anyways. good way to get some new guys some exposure.
"Frank Mir had a horseshoe up his ass. I told him a year ago. I pulled it out of him and I beat him over the head with it." Brock Lesnar
by pitbull187 on Aug 20, 2009 11:39 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Hope this becomes a trend.
"Like a ballet of violence clothed in fine Brazilian silk." ~ MMASuPreMaCy
Great undercard to do this for as well
I’m excited to see a bunch of those fights
"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn
Awesome
If there was one thing that Affliction did right it was showing the undercard fights on free TV. Hopefully this move is successful and the UFC starts doing this more often.
www.mma-elite.com
So is the UFC paying for all the commercial time?
Or is Spike so excited for more live UFC content that they are waiving the fees?
"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn
“Alright, I’m here with the winner Efrain Escuadero. Efrain, take a look at the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Edition instant replay, and talk us through.”
I KNEW UFC 103 would be on Spike!!! :-)
I’ll take this since it’s a good undercard.
McFedries for free!
Beverly Hills 90210.......Denver Broncos 7.
We better hope
There isn’t a lame UFC 101 type of undercard that is full of decisions.
Beverly Hills 90210.......Denver Broncos 7.
by SSreporters on Aug 21, 2009 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
tell me about it. i paid 400 bucks to sit through that crap.
by sonofapsycho on Aug 21, 2009 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Where is MMA Supremacy finding the negative in all of this? lol
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 21, 2009 12:14 AM EDT reply actions
It's only because Zuffa is going against boxing
The fact they’re going against boxing makes them evil!!!!
Strikeforce and Affliction never did this!!!
DOWN WITH ZUFFA AND DANA WHITE THE BALD FOUL-MOUTHED BASTARD!!
Beverly Hills 90210.......Denver Broncos 7.
by SSreporters on Aug 21, 2009 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Blasphemy!!!!!!!!!
You dare object to free high level MMA? Interwebz ignorance begets more interwebz ignorance. Down with Zuffa and Dana? No, sir, down with your face.
"He built his whole reputation (as a) waffle house chef. They've been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes." - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
LOL At The Haters...
This is great for MMA fans. Competition always means the fans win.
I’m happy. =)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 21, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
What does that say about your fight career if you can’t make either the PPV or the free telecast? lol
In all seriousness, it’s a great thing for the fans. We will likely get to see 4 fights free on TV before the PPV, which will feature 5 or 6.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 21, 2009 12:22 AM EDT reply actions
If they show the undercard telecast here in the Philippines i will be a happy happy person...
They usually show Fight Nights live also, so i’m hoping this one is live too.. *crosses fingers
commercial free?... as long as you dont count the 84,000 UFC commercials
that is pretty weird. They are really going all out to get that PPV dolla. Will they do the same aginst SF? They might but I think it’s more due to the fact that Floyd Mayweather is sucha household name. Like most fans, I’ve been bittter about not getting the prelims despite paying top doller for what can be mediocre action in a main card. Airing prelims with fight hype will definetly result in more buys…AND we deserve it.
I don’t get why people would be bitter about getting exactly what you pay for, if not more.
The UFC is always very straight forward about what comes with the PPV, and you always get at least that.
It’s good that they found a way to get the other fights on the air in a way that works, but people need to stop acting like they’re owed those fights or that they paid for them.
very simple
there is quality MMA going on and I dont get to see it because they dont include it in there broadcast. They easily could include or give me the option of paying a few dollars more to see it but they dont. I’m not claiming false advertisement. Maybe I just always expect the best and get dissapointed when it doesn’t come. I dont understand your suggestion that we the fans shouldn’t ask to see the undercard fights. If you are passionate about MMA then you naturally would “demand” to see all of the quality fights that night. This isn’t some local show under a tent. All of the fights have the potentil to be high quality. Why wouldn’t the fans who fund this enterprise demand to see them??? I will continue to ask to UFC to give me more for my dollar and I think other hard core fans will demand no less. In case you didn’t realize it, the UFC is the Standard Oil of high quality MMA. They are doing their utmost to extract th most money form the consumer. The consumer needs to do what it can to demand the most for it’s money. You might ague that my complainining or being bitter doesn’t result in more fights but that is a seperate arguement.
This is why Dana White is so smart
Instead of rushing on to ESPN or network tv he developed a relationship from the bottom up with Spike where now each are branded by the other and Dana can do stuff like put live fights on with no commercials.
This is also clearly a shot at Mayweather-Marquez, as that card has been beefed up to included Chris John-Rocky Juarez rematch and Zab Juddah returning.
No way they fit 8 fights in 2 hours
even without commercials. Maybe they’ll designated a few fights as the “prelim undercard” and have those just for the live audience, like a standard numbered event…then they’ll televise the rest of the prelims on Spike, followed by the main card on PPV.
i don’t think they’re really gonna show all 8 fights.. they still need a couple of fights as back up for the 3 hour ppv..
by Anton Tabuena on Aug 21, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I had planned to go out
to watch this event, instead of ordering it. With the undercard on Spike, I think I’ll stay home and throw an extended party. For the UFC, they just got at least one extra PPV buy with this ploy. Damn you UFC, giving me Vitor and a free undercard!
This isn’t exactly what’s being reported here, according to Meltzer:
UFC and Spike TV will be officially announcing later today a one-hour commercial free special showing live undercard matches from UFC 103.
The first time airing live undercad matches of a PPV is to combat the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Juan Manuel Marquez match from Las Vegas that is also on PPV against the UFC show, headlined by Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort.
The special will be one hour, not two as is being reported in some places, and will be based around TUF 8 winner Efrain Escudero against Cole Miller. The other match scheduled is Drew McFedries vs. Tomasz Drwal.
http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com
Well that really sucks.
1 hour is probably 2 fights but at least McFedries’ fight will take no more than 2 minutes.
Beverly Hills 90210.......Denver Broncos 7.
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