UFC Hits Oversaturation Point on Cable TV
by Nate Wilcox on Sep 23, 2010 11:31 AM EDT
in Business of MMA
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Dave Meltzer breaks it down in the must-read Wrestling Observer (subscription required):
It appears the effects of overexposure have hit for UFC. In the last few weeks, the Countdown to UFC 118, which was a marquee show with a title match plus Randy Couture vs. James Toney, did 293,000 viewers, an all-time low. The one hour Spike special before that PPV did a 0.83 rating, an all-time record low for that show (although it was hurt badly by the Andre Winner vs. Nik Lentz fight as so many people turned that fight off that it killed momentum to build the ratings, but even at best it would have done well below average for the series). The 8/1 Versus show (Jon Jones vs. Vladimir Matyushenko) did a 0.86 rating, down 25% from the prior show on Versus. WEC ratings continue to inch slowly down nearly every show, with the 8/18 show doing an 0.3 rating and 316,000 viewers, the lowest number for a live show to date.
One bad rating means nothing. Two becomes relevant. When it becomes five out of five in such a short period of time, it is a pattern. Now the Countdown show does have an excuse in the sense it was not promoted well. I didn't even know it was airing except that I was wondering when it would air and checked the UFC web site, and I watch a decent amount of Spike and theoretically should get a press release listing when it airs and never got it. And the WEC number is part of a long-term pattern that didn't just come up, and was only slightly lower than previous shows.
Overexposure was always going to hit the smaller events before it would hurt the big events. It may never hurt the big events a few times a year, because even now with boxing interest way down, the few big event fights per year actually do great PPV business. But rank-and-file shows are way down.
Zach Arnold points out that the UFC production formula is stale and that their team is overworked:
The truth is that UFC is having some rough patches right now in terms of making new stars and they better figure out a new, detailed, creative way of reutilizing their current television properties to create new stars by giving fighters more exposure on the right platforms. It sounds simple, but it's not. It's clear that UFC's brand strength gives them about a 1.0 on cable (and TUF is around a 1.2-1.3 rating for a floor). The company needs to change its vision on how they make new stars and, more importantly, not only how many shows they run but the type of production values (both live and on television) that they use. If you watch a UFC show in 2010, it's the same on TV as it was several years ago. (WWE is even worse - it looks like they have been stuck on autopilot for the last decade.) Change is needed on many fronts and in order to implement change, the production crew that works for Zuffa needs some time to breathe in order to come up with a new game plan. When you run as many shows as UFC is running, nobody really has any time to recalibrate their operations - it's just one show after another while struggling to catch your breathe. The oversaturation of product, both on PPV and on cable television, is playing a role in all of this. Not a dramatic one (yet), but certainly it is playing a role.
I've long felt the UFC was in a plateau or consolidation phase.
The era of explosive growth ended in 2009 with UFC 100. Since then fans have been bombarded with so much MMA product that it's difficult even for the most obsessed to keep up with it all.
Between Spike being the UFC all the time channel, Versus showing UFC and WEC, Strikeforce on Showtime (and briefly on CBS), FSN's now you see it now you don't airing of Bellator, and HDNet's airing of DREAM, KOTC, Sengoku, MFC, etc, there's a glut of MMA programming on the wire.
Even the majority of casual fans who are UFC fans only and not MMA fans are finding it impossible to keep up with the UFC's offerings on Spike TV and Versus.
I wrote yesterday about the weak ticket price performance of UFC 119 and the high likelihood that it will establish a new floor for PPV buy rates for a live UFC event.
The thing to keep in mind about the UFC business model -- which is a direct copy of the WWE business model -- is that cable TV is used to give away content that in turn promotes the PPV content. However, after five straight years of ever-increasing UFC content on Spike TV (and now on Versus too), the promotional channel is so glutted that any specific show has little impact.
Part of the problem is the poor job Spike and the UFC are doing of hyping their product. Few of the casual fans I spoke to knew when UFC Fight Night 22 was airing or even that it was happening at all.
And though my gang of casual fan friends enjoyed last night's episode of TUF (and loved Bruce LeRoy) and were pumped for UFC 119 after watching the Countdown, they hadn't been aware that there was a new season or a UFC coming up this weekend.
One happy bi-product of this phenomenon is that when the UFC catches cold, MMA catches pneumonia. The current/coming slump in demand for MMA product (which is distinct from the slowing of growth in demand we've been documenting for the last year) might very well wipe out competing MMA brands Strikeforce and Bellator.
I think the UFC might be happy to maintain current PPV levels -- which are extremely profitable -- for the next several years as a way of allowing the sport and the brand to sink more deeply into American culture while minimizing controversy. But eroding ratings for their primary promotional outlets are nothing but bad news.
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I never watch the primtimes or any of that stuff
Drink to remember, drink to forget.
by doonerthesooner on Sep 23, 2010 11:32 AM EDT reply actions
This.
The show is basically a sports version of American Idol and it needs to die quickly.
Mo Johnston finally fired. Let the house cleaning and road to success begin.
by SSreporters on Sep 23, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Yo yo yo dawg, look man, you were a little pitchy in some parts
High octaves don’t win fights.
Mo Johnston finally fired. Let the house cleaning and road to success begin.
by SSreporters on Sep 23, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I watch it, it's not that bad.
Drink to remember, drink to forget.
by doonerthesooner on Sep 23, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
the network deal is needed now
and the daily espn coverage that comes with it
people like and follow who espn tells them too, look at stephan strasburgs success selling out National games
a card on a NBC or even ESPN would explode the popularity of the sport, right now the mainstream media still pays no attention to the UFC, watch sportscenter today or any news show and they wont say a damn thing about the UFC
We have a saying back home that if your coming on, COME ON!!!!
I agree. I think instead of making a yearly UFC December to remember show like UFC 100, just bite the bullet and throw it on ESPN (if they want it). If they had one huge event where Brock, GSP, and another big name all fight on one card it would be huge. They would lose moneyin the short term, but I think it could really help the brand and MMA.
If you want to hear my opinion on Les Miles go to BJPenn.com.
Baseball fans were on the Strasburg bandwagon a long time before ESPN even knew his name
You see tankapalooza articles in June of 2008. That’s 14 months before he even signed a contract.
Not that ESPN wouldn’t but huge for MMA, but we baseball fans are a weird bunch when it comes to prospects.
Not afraid to nitpick
I agree that hard-core baseball fans knew who Strasburg was long before he hit the majors (me included), but there’s no way he hits the level of interest he had without the ESPN hype machine.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
Not quite the level of interest obviously
But Strasburg would have been a big deal hitting the big leagues if they had never shown him, and even if not, he certainly would have been a huge deal after his 14 K debut.
Not afraid to nitpick
tankapalooza articles dont sell out Nationals games though
the ESPN hype cetainly built off of a very hyped up prospect but they drew it to a new level that Strasburgs starts were a gigantic event and all for a team noone gives a fuck about
We have a saying back home that if your coming on, COME ON!!!!
Tankapalooza articles in June of 2008 do not
But that hype was going to build with or without ESPN. It definitely would not have reached the level it did without ESPN I’m not denying that, but he was going to be a big deal regardless.
Not afraid to nitpick
yea he was absolutely gonna be a big deal
but just that doesnt sell out Nationals games, think about it the Nationals are literally a team noone gives a fuck about, not as bad as the marlins but pretty damn close and the fact that ESPN could promote a prospect who had some buzz around him into a gigantic sellout star very very quickly is a testament to their drawing power
im a college kid so nothing i say is researched but i know that in every dudes dorm on campus sportscenter and espn are on constantly and since the UFC is never on it people know nothing about it besides brock gsp and the occasional silva fan
We have a saying back home that if your coming on, COME ON!!!!
Put it this way
Aroldis Chapman basically got the same amount of ESPN pub that Strasburg did, and had the magic marketing of a 105 mph fastball, but you aren’t seeing anything close to that level of interest. Yeah it’s reliever vs. starter, but does anyone outside of Cincy really care much about Chapman at this point?
The sellouts are a power of how incredibly good Strasburg actually was (hopefully will be) much more than the power of ESPN. Again this isn’t to say that ESPN didn’t play a significant role in those sellouts, but the guy was an anomaly of talent and not really anything anyone should be looking for to guide marketing strategies.
Not afraid to nitpick
People know about major prospects often long before they enter their respective leagues. Everyone knew who Sidney Crosby was entering the draft. ESPN was televising Lebron James’ basketball games.
by VirtualBalboa on Sep 23, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes. The general consensus is that he was the next Wayne Gretzky. Not sure why you picked this out to quote, but OK.
by VirtualBalboa on Sep 23, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Something’s up with the comments. People outside of hockey don’t know who Sidney is. He isn’t near the level of LeBron James.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
Point is that hype is not limited to ESPN. Hell, most people outside of DC that aren’t baseball fans don’t know who Strassburg is either.
MMA doesn’t even have a structure that could allow a prospect like one of those guys to be built up. Where would they come from? How would they compete before reaching the UFC level?
by VirtualBalboa on Sep 23, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
not a pro hockey fan
I only follow collegiate hockey because my old roommate is on our team.
But still, I know Crosby and Ovechken (sp?). I know a few Atlanta players too (Lehtonen?), but I know the big two fairly well. You’re right about him not being near LeBron, but Crosby is still a star.
"I need a shot of tequila and a cigarette." -- Don Frye
by Anthony Pace on Sep 23, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
here’s the thing with ESPN.
Remember when ESPN went all Arena Football crazy a few years back? That happened because ESPN bought a stake in the company. Will ESPn give the same push to the UFC without getting a piece of ownership?
The ratings on spike may be down a little, but having a channel that will throw things on last second and give you 5 hour blocks of time, and constantly air commercials is a good thing.
UFC or a network can help, but they can’t offer as much time as Spike can, and then it becomes a matter of what that help will cost.
What they need
is an AD agency, a good one that knows how to grow their brand. The commercials and music and posters and graphics are still living in the year 2003 (nu-metal? still?). Dana is still a control freak, and they really gotta LET GO and STOP DOING EVERYTHING IN-HOUSE.
by judonerd on Sep 23, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I’ve seen companies fail under the weight of their success because they would not properly expand. The motivations vary but a control freak is often at the top. I believe the UFC does actually contract out some promotional work but it doesn’t seem to be done for the important pieces.
I also hate nu-metal.
Agreed 100%
They really need to get off the numetal shit. I heard on Twitter they were looking to replace the intro song. Im just hoping they replace it with something epic and timeless. No numetal shit.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Twitter Handle = @xFenixKnightx
by xFenixKnightx on Sep 23, 2010 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
But eroding ratings for their primary promotional outlets are nothing but bad news.
Which is where that international TUF series should come in. It’s a great idea, and putting all of the finale’s of the different countries is a great way to get ratings. The talent pool is fresh, and the card will be guaranteed to be filled with talented up and comers, since they’re all going to be the top dogs of each country.
by Anton Tabuena on Sep 23, 2010 11:37 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs
This^ I think we have to expect that there’s only a certain market for MMA in a given country. Expansion from this point may have to be primarily international. When I first started paying serious attention to MMA five years ago, there was so little content that I was constantly starved for more. 5 years later and being a fan feels like a job some days:) I’m on Bloody Elbow more than I watch t.v., just to keep up with it all. Ratings on this site must be booming! To a casual fan that gets free MMA content every week, the PPV’s may seem like a waste of money unless their favorite 2-3 fighters are on a card. For the sport to get much bigger in America, it may take the fabled major network deal to really make a substantial jump in viewership. That may not be necessary as the UFC’s business seems to be raking in the cash at a healthy clip, but it’s hard to see a lot of room for growth in the U.S.
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Sep 23, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
there are 3 missing things for further growth
1) a true breakout star
2) a network deal, UFC on HBO would help too
3) more coverage from ESPN, CNN/SI
- & 3 are very interlinked.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Nate Wilcox on Sep 23, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
HBO isnt the answer
i personally think HBO championship boxing and the move to put everything on ppv was a huge reason for the death of the sport
We have a saying back home that if your coming on, COME ON!!!!
How do you create a breakout star and then force people to pay $50 to see them? Mike Tyson used to fight on HBO for this reason. Same with Oscar De La Hoya.
by VirtualBalboa on Sep 23, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep, I think you’ve summed it up much more succinctly than I did:) And I think Brock and GSP are both in the ballpark of being that guy, but neither is quite there. Possibly Jon Jones could be that guy, but a lot remains to be seen.
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Sep 23, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
The break out star thing is tricky
There are tons of guys who MMA fans treat like real superstars but even Randy Couture or Chuck Lidell aren’t really big as NBA or NFL sports heroes.
TUF is the best chance of creating stars. I’d like to see it expanded on a little bit in some ways rather than sticking to the new recruits fighting for a spot in the UFC formula.
Without going into a ton of detail, i believe the UFc could use a “production facelift”. I know you don’t fix what’s not broken, but you also do preventative maintenance. I’m not say ing they need to completely tear down their shows and rebuild them, but i do think they could try some new directions and help create new faces for their promotion.
by BJJDenver on Sep 23, 2010 11:38 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
UFC needs more wrestlers
Wrestling is exciting and really makes the sport grow. Guys like Maynard will really help this sport take off.
by 110 South on Sep 23, 2010 11:43 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs
What, this again?
Mo Johnston finally fired. Let the house cleaning and road to success begin.
by SSreporters on Sep 23, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice strawman.
I think you are forgetting who led the last major explosion in the UFC’s PPV business. It was some big fella with a wrestling background, a phallic tattoo, and a love for strawberries. As a matter of fact, almost all of the most commercially successful fighters in the history of the UFC come from wrestling backgrounds. The one notable exception to that rule is GSP, and while he may not come from a wrestling background, he sure as hell fights like a wrestler.
Attributing Brock's PPV success to his collegiate wrestling ability?
You, sir, are full of shit.
funny :)
"I'd love to be a Cheick Kongo looking brother that could actually move and do a lot of funky stuff - Jiu Jitsu, takedowns, kicks and stuff." - Jon Jones.
"This is the internet: you either have soul-stopping power or you’re a pillow-fisted pansy. There is no middle ground." - woomikee
Time to adopt Pride or Rio Heroes rules and enforce mandatory steroids policies
They can have all the events take place on the Paiute Indian reservation in Las Vegas, and replace Rogan and Goldy with Opie and Anthony.
"Now you see that evil will always triumph, because good is dumb."
Updating production and format
Desperately, desperately needed.
Re-invent TUF as something akin to the comeback season, but every season, and without the in house antics.
Create a new weekly/bi-weekly Fight Night/UFC Light show, featuring one hour of up and coming prospects not quite ready for the big show fighting veterans on the downside of their career who don’t quite have what it takes for the big show anymore.
Keep the Countdowns fresh. There was a stretch about a year ago where they were doing this but the show has gone back to being very cookie cutter.
Weekly recap shows featuring highlights from TUF, UFC Light, fighter profiles for emerging stars, stats, interviews etc, something to bookend all the programming the UFC offers.
A glut of programming is one thing, the big problem seems to be that there is little direction to it and there is no framework to tie it all together leaving the viewer lost and blunting any build to big PPV events.
"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.
Support independent artists
http://worldisart365.blogspot.com/
Also, PPVs aside
Most of it is so uninteresting and repetitive it won’t keep people watching on a consistent basis.
"Now you see that evil will always triumph, because good is dumb."
by menckenstein on Sep 23, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Repetitive is fine
I’ve worked in TV for close to 7 years now and repetitive is what sells, it just needs to be updated from time to time.
"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.
Support independent artists
http://worldisart365.blogspot.com/
It's the combination of the two factors
I’ve sat through plenty of repetitive or uninteresting programming but if it’s consistently both, hell no.
"Now you see that evil will always triumph, because good is dumb."
by menckenstein on Sep 23, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
How do you talk them into mimicking the “Comeback” season of TUF? It bombed.
by Jonathan Snowden on Sep 23, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Let me just throw something crazy at you. Do you think it could possibly be a good move to simply create their own cable channel? Obviously they’d need a lot of content, but with training shows, documentaries on fighters, stuff on the individual martial arts, TUF, WEC, re-airing of their back catalog of fights, q&a’s, weigh-ins, press conferences, etc., I think they could generate a lot of content. They’d still have their PPV’s, but I wonder if the ad revenue alone would make that a viable option, though still obviously a giant undertaking. When you see how much content is already available at UFC.com, I’ve wondered about this…
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Sep 23, 2010 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
it's too hard to get cable providers to carry a new cable station
unless comcast or time warner has an ownership share they won’t pick up a new station.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
Thanks. This has occurred to me a couple of times, and I’ve never gotten anyone to credibly shoot it down for me. On to the next wild idea:)
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Sep 23, 2010 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
i have also thought of this idea...
I dont think it would be that hard for a cable company to pick it up… I mean the nfl and nba have there own channels… if the demand is there and people will watch it then it is a no brainer for cable companies to carry these channels….
Re-invent TUF as something akin to the comeback season, but every season, and without the in house antics.
Create a new weekly/bi-weekly Fight Night/UFC Light show, featuring one hour of up and coming prospects not quite ready for the big show fighting veterans on the downside of their career who don’t quite have what it takes for the big show anymore.
Weekly recap shows featuring highlights from TUF, UFC Light, fighter profiles for emerging stars, stats, interviews etc, something to bookend all the programming the UFC offers.
I like these ideas. TUF would be more imortant if it were comebacks or top prospects trying to get into the UFC (Mckee).
They have a weekly re-cap shw on ESPN, but it comes on at mid-nght. A show on Spike would be better and they could get a better time slot.
If you want to hear my opinion on Les Miles go to BJPenn.com.
Dana Jumped the Shark at UFC 118
I’m a casual fan and I don’t need to see James Toney fight people in the Octagon. What a waste of time.
Anyways, it’s been about 1 year since I’ve gathered with a bunch of friends to purchase a UFC Event. Nothing is being done to make me want to go out and by another fight. I’m certainly not going to buy UFC 119. I think MMA is at a breaking point.
what was the last event?
surprised that UFC 114 or 116 didn’t bring you back
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Nate Wilcox on Sep 23, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I would buy 119 but I'ma got to the bar instead it's gonna be a stellar card
Drink to remember, drink to forget.
by doonerthesooner on Sep 23, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I think this is just short-term panic. This kind of stuff always happens in the media when 3-4 shows in a row aren’t blockbusters. After UFC 121 does over a mil and the Spike prelims show does a 1.5, this talk will die down. Do they need to strip it down a bit and go back to basics in terms of promotional awareness? Maybe. But I highly doubt it’s reached a saturation point yet. Not even close.
http://www.instrength.com
Well then you aren’t being logical. It’s obviously reached a saturation point. Of course a Lesnar PPV will sell, as will the GSP-Koscheck one, but those are the exceptions, not the rule.
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 12:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
How is it obvious? Because ratings are down for a month or 2? Please. They haven’t had a weak PPV buyrate in a long time. This oversaturation stuff is just rehashing the same stuff that was said in the UFC 108-110 phase. Sometimes there are lulls, it’s part of this kind of business. It doesn’t mean they’ve extended themselves too far at all.
http://www.instrength.com
you're missing the concept of floors
and momentum
They broke through their old bottom of 375K orders for even the weakest PPV this year.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Nate Wilcox on Sep 23, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I understand the concept. My point is that the PPV biz is always a rollercoaster. The WWE has proven the floors concept is inaccurate in the long run. You can set time limits and try to project that way, but it doesn’t trend out long-term because of the nature of the business. Pro wrestling has also shown what the saturation point of free TV can be, and the UFC is nowhere near it, IMO.
http://www.instrength.com
Yep the WWE hasn’t had a defined ceiling or floor for a long long time, it’s up and down like a rollercoaster. They go through large ratings swings on a regular basis and are always just one big event/news story/star away from shooting up or down again. I do agree with the article that the era of huge growth seems to be over for now but it wouldn’t take much to get them to take off again (or to bottom out even lower). There is no reason to panic, or to throw a party due to these swings (unless they actually threaten the organizations existance).
UFC on network TV (and LIVE to the West Coast), please Dana.
Actually I’d love to see the UK shows air on network TV on a Saturday afternoon, preferably in June/July/August when the big sports are light.
Mo Johnston finally fired. Let the house cleaning and road to success begin.
Live on the west coast indeed
I hate that the free cards, when I am at home and can join the discussions here, are done by the time they start for us. Hate hate hate.
I rarely tweet
I less-rarely write
"I ain't having it" - Buster Posey, hosing folks down
Oh come on
No one on the West Coast can complain about the UFC’s time tables.
Every PPV is on at the perfect times for you lot. Meanwhile I’m watching at like 2am and groggy at work on Sunday because I couldn’t sleep until 3.
People have learned the Countdown show is aired multiiple times all week long.
I have a hard time accepting an argument based on the viewership of the Countdown show. Because I’m guessing that 293,000 viewers is what the first showing did and that is always the number people are using to try and predict something.
Everyone knows by now that the Countdown shows air multiple times on Spike and other channels the week of the fight. So for me I’m never worried about catching the first airing because I can wait to catch it another time that is more convenient for me. Add up the total viewership for all the airings of the Countdown show and if that says viewership of the Countdown show has bottomed out I would be more inclined to listen to that argument.
Just BE.
Haha all of this is merely a wake-up call. By creating so many casual fans and refusing to educate that fan on the history of mma, Zuffa set themselves up for this. It will continue and continue. Zuffa will not be the #1 org in 5 years. It will likely go the way of boxing with co-promoters. Once the fighters get a union, do you think one owner (Zuffa) will be able to stop that? Nope, it’s not 32 owners like the NFL etc. (funny Dana and his sheep compare the UFC to the major sport leagues). Also Nate, with Strikeforce being the prominent league in EA MMA (a big deal and a star builder) not to mention the return of their HWs early next year along with all of the recent signings, I think they are continuing their climb up the ladder. Bellator will fold soon though.
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 12:00 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Yeah, you're obviously an anti-Zuffa guy.
Mo Johnston finally fired. Let the house cleaning and road to success begin.
by SSreporters on Sep 23, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I heard SF will be providing the police for New Detroit
You compared it to boxing, so why not use the boxers union as a comparison? Oh yeah…
And the fighter union will destroy Zuffa, but somehow not SF, where the contracts are so muddled that guys never know where and when they are going to fight?
So, what I have to look forward to, is, SF ruling the world and UFC co-promoting? I will be watching intently for this!
Personally I’m a little tired of the UFC “production”. I think the cage & mat itself need an overhaul to a brighter more sports/entertainment friendly look (consider: the DREAM white cage was AWESOME). The on-screen graphics look early 2000’s and tired. I understand the significance of the gladiator intro, but they need to update it to something less cliche.
It’s just sad to see them running that same old thing over and over again. Why can’t they think of something new? If anything it should be an intro of ancient Pankrationists fighting, which would be more appropriate. It just goes to show how the UFC is in a zombie like state and refuses to update/change with the times. Aren’t they trying to get away from the “human cockfighting” image? Roman gladiators fought to the death! What if (god forbid) someone died in the UFC right after they were done showing the intro of the Roman gladiator? That wouldn’t look good.
Personally, I love the WWE thing (well, up until Nickelback starts playing) that shows wrestling spanning from the 1920s up until today. That’s a cool little thing. Show Royce being lifted up on his brothers’ shoulders, Matt Hughes smirking, Tito shooting his pistols, Chuck doing his thing, Silva dancing, etc.
"I need a shot of tequila and a cigarette." -- Don Frye
by Anthony Pace on Sep 23, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s funny people hate on Strikeforce’s production. All Strikeforce commentators clearly know more about the sport than Goldie. Their intro is much better, they actually use data (compustrike or whatever) during the fight and their shows aren’t walking advertisements for b-level movies.
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 12:04 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Strikeforce's commentators are a disgrace to the sport
And they openly root for certain fighters, including their OWN champion.
Mo Johnston finally fired. Let the house cleaning and road to success begin.
by SSreporters on Sep 23, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Er....root against
But obviously the rec means someone understood what I meant.
Mo Johnston finally fired. Let the house cleaning and road to success begin.
by SSreporters on Sep 23, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Uh, Strikeforce’s commentators are way better than UFC’s. Joe fucking Rogan is awesome, at being a comedian. I love his act. But as a real professional commentator? Hell no. Hes garbage and biased and unprofessional. He said himself the only reason Dana wanted him is because people would recognize him from Fear Factor. Lame! I mean c’mon Dana white KNOWS that his employee gets high and thinks its awesome to get high all day. He knows this. Its crap. Ill take Florian over him ALL day.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Twitter Handle = @xFenixKnightx
by xFenixKnightx on Sep 23, 2010 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
biased and unprofessional
Two words. Frank Shamrock.
http://www.instrength.com
by Tim Burke on Sep 23, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’d say both teams are pretty even in their bias but Rogan is better at describing the action.
I’d like to see Militech and Mauro team up as Militech did well (for me) in covering the preliminaries on Sherdog’s live stream. He just needed someone with him. Mauro could take over the post-fight interviews.
Joe Rogan is far more intelligent and understands the intracacies of the sport
More than any other live analyst today. He’s a good comedian but I’m not going to disregard him based on that because he knows his BJJ and tae-kwon-do. I am quite sure he was actually a national champion at a TKD open-weight tournament eons ago.
Strikeforce stinks. You just claimed Rogan was biased when I already referenced Frank Shamrock saying “I’m not a Jake Shields” fan. They are terrible. Bellator is terrible but I can’t stand Sean Wheelock’s voice. Strikeforce is by far the worst out there as far as commentators. How the hell can you not know your submission defenses like Gus and still have a job? Because you scream?
Goldie is amazingly daft sometimes but I think he leaves everything else analysis wise to Rogan.
Mo Johnston finally fired. Let the house cleaning and road to success begin.
I am quite sure he was actually a national champion at a TKD open-weight tournament eons ago.
I think I remember him saying he was an Olympic alternate.
If you want to hear my opinion on Les Miles go to BJPenn.com.
Wikipedia didn’t have much info, but I got this off of IMDB…
Was the Massachusetts Full Contact Tae Kwon Do champion four consecutive times.
At the age of 19, he won the US Open Tae Kwon Do Championship and, as the lightweight champ, went on beat both the middle and heavy weight title holders to take home the Grand Championship.
Seriously? Strikeforce has to be watched on mute.
Bolts from the Blue // "It is what it is." - A.J. Smith
Bloody Elbow // "Richard is a jewel." - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Sep 23, 2010 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, it’s clear that you don’t understand Goldie’s role. Or anything else for that matter.
http://www.instrength.com
by Tim Burke on Sep 23, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The problem with mma is this. The reaction to my comments say it all.
1. Casual fans don’t watch the UFC because of Dana White or the UFC. Dana thinks he can take the WWE model that “no star is bigger than the org”. He’s wrong. If Lesnar went to Strikeforce that’s basically a million PPV buys for their first PPV show.
2. The “hardcore” fans are wannabe experts that see everything with Zuffa glasses on. I’m anti-Zuffa? No, I’m pro-mma. So obviously I love watching UFC events, haven’t missed one in 5 years and have over 200 bootleg DVDs of every UFC and PRIDE ever. As a matter of fact, I have every Strikeforce (aside from the garbage playboy cards) HEROs, DREAM and K-1 WGP Finals as well. I need to brush up on my Sengoku collection.
My point is I’m not anti-Zuffa, I’m just not a blind sheep walking around in a fantasy world. The reality is Zuffa is starting to hit lows they haven’t reached since Chuck-Randy 2 made the org huge. And anything non Zuffa is never given a chance by these “hardcore” fans that clearly couldn’t care less about the growth of the sport. Boxing is dead? Not even close. Co-promotion is the best way to go. The fighters make more money, the stars are the focus not the President of an org, and the best fights get made. People who think otherwise are entitled to their opinion, check back in 5 years.
By the way, whoever said Strikeforce commentators are a disgrace need to check themselves. Pat Miletich and Frank Shamrock have done more for the sport than any UFC commentator. They also don’t mark out like Rogan. Quadros and Mauro are way better than Goldberg, a guy that’s been announcing for 10 years and still knows nothing about the sport. Gus Johnson is the best commentator in the game when it comes to sports. The majority of MMA fans are just elitist fools.
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 1:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’d be happy if they dumped everyone but Militech and Mauro.
by Rufford on Sep 23, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
1 is complete bullshit.
Dan Henderson and the UFC drew 4.7 million viewers on Spike in 2007 when no one knew who he was.
Dan Henderson and Strikeforce drew 2.6 million viewers on CBS in 2010. And this is coming of Dan Henderson as a coach on TUF and part of the biggest MMA PPV ever.
The UFC and their promotion/production/whatever bring more to the table than people like to imagine.
by Phildo on Sep 23, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Who was Hendo’s opponent on Spike? Who was Hendo’s opponent on CBS? Also I think the fact that the two previous Strikeforce fights were 25 minute boring fights (to a casual CBS fan) had something to do with that. How did Kimbo draw on TUF compared to all the other TUF numbers? Ohhhh that’s right. He outdrew everybody ever. Chuck, Randy, GSP, Rich, Hughes, BJ all of them. STARS = Ratings. Nice try though. By the way, the UFC was doing much better on Spike in 2007 when compared to the present. Thanks.
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 1:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Who is Brock going to fight in Strikeforce?
Boring fights before don’t change the average amount of viewers who tuned in to see the fight.
In case that isn’t enough, how did Brock’s First UFC PPV do 17 times more buys than his non-UFC PPV? Magical fairies?
Fedor? Overeem? Barnett?
HAHAHA @ your 2nd point. Clueless b
Brock’s first PPV fight was on a show that nobody knew was on. He is now “legit”. This place is hilarious.
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 1:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Brock’s first PPV fight was on a show that nobody knew was on
You said something that makes sense. Congratulations.
No one knows when people are on Strikeforce cards, that’s why a terrible UFC that makes people run around like the sky is falling do triple the business of the best cards other people can do.
And beating Min Soo Kim made him legit? Beating him is what moved the needle from 35k to 600k? The UFC had nothing to do with that?
Wha? It’s on Jake now? Or the fights beforehand? Gimme a break. Viewership didn’t fall during the card, did it? Hendo just wasn’t the draw he was in the UFC. Period.
As for Kimbo…I don’t see the point. Did he pop PPV buys? Nope.
http://www.instrength.com
Hendo was never a draw in the UFC. Rampage was. And yes the viewers fell throughout the card. Jake Shields was a boring nobody to a casual fan so of course he is partly to blame. To think otherwise shows me you are not worth me debating with.
Now you’re debating Kimbo as a draw? Hahaha maybe I should stick to the UG.
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 1:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
And the stars don’t matter in this case, that’s why I picked the same person to compare directly.
If Hendo does that much less when switching teams, why on earth would you think Brock wouldn’t have a drop?
The stars do matter. Rampage isn’t a bigger draw than Shields? Are all of you this dense?
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 1:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
And everyone that Brock can fight in the UFC is a bigger star than everyone he can fight outside of the UFC.
right, the guy who can sell less PPVs than Urijiah Faber and draw less than Kimbo on CBS is going to do better business than Cain/Carwin/Dos Santos/etc.
you said everybody
Fedor is a bigger draw to a casual fan than Cain/Dos Santos. Most casual fans do not know those two by name recognition alone. And please, CBS did the worst job in television history marketing that card. C’mon man
CBS doing the worst job in television history marketing the card is the point.
They’ve been doing mma for 3 years, and they don’t know how to market cards. Brock is going to teach them how to market?
There’s only so much the star power can do, it needs to be marketed properly. Strikeforce can’t.
timeout
you think that if Cain or Dos Santos replaced Fedor on that card that they’d bring more people to the tv sets? Puhleez! Not even close
If it was in the UFC, yes.
Brock vs any of those people in the UFC at least doubles (if not does at least 10 times better business) than Brock vs Fedor outside the ufc.
that wasn't the argument you were making
you said:
“And everyone that Brock can fight in the UFC is a bigger star than everyone he can fight outside of the UFC.”
Fedor is a bigger star (more well known to the casual fan) than the fighters you just rattled off.
Draw less than Kimbo on CBS? Hahaha. Kimbo outdrew every UFC star to ever appear on Spike in the same format. Are you really this slow? Fedor had 5M people watch him along with being on the cover of the upcoming EA MMA. Brock would draw more vs him than anybody you named. None of those three are draws. The Reem would be a bigger star than all three as well.
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 1:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yes, Fedor almost beat America’s most wanted in the ratings.
Brock will not do nearly what he does in the UFC without the UFC, just like everyone else that leaves the UFC.
How many UFC shows have done better than 5M? Just out of curiosity.
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 1:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Off the top of my head
The Kimbo vs Roy Nelson fight on TUF 6M+
Tito Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock 6m+
TUF 10 finale 6M+
Quinton Jackson vs. Dan Henderson 5.8M
Anderson Silva vs. James Irvin did something like 4.8 million. There may be more that I missed.
Pretty sure there have only been been three outside of the UFC, the two Kimbo fights on CBS did and I believe the over-run for Fedor vs Rogers beat 5m too.
No company can stay afloat by putting all of thier effot into one star. What happens if Brock loses? Will the UFC go under?
The UFC builds itself on it’s brand not the fighters. What happened to Elite XC when they pushed Kimbo?
If you want to hear my opinion on Les Miles go to BJPenn.com.
Elite XC went out of business because of business. Kimbo a while later still drew huge on Spike. Record ratings actually. If a fighter loses, people want to see him come back.
UFC has three of the top 10 most watched fights ever.
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 1:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Once Kimbo lost in the UFC his popularity plummeted. Casuals see the UFC as the premier brand. Yes they have some huge stars, but the UFC, IMO can make a lot of fighter’s stars. They can push and spin anyone with a winning streak and a personality. If Kos somehow beats GSP and stayed the champ for a few years he could be the American version of GSP.
The UFC needs personalities that can also fight, but I don’t think it matters what the name of the star is. Look at how fast Machida came to popularity when the UFC was pushing him. And Lyoto doesn’t have much personality.
If you want to hear my opinion on Les Miles go to BJPenn.com.
1. Wrong. Lesnar wouldn’t pull a million with SF, because casuals don’t even know what SF is. Shortsighted.
2. I’ve never stated you’re anti-Zuffa, just anti-logic. The UFC approached these basement stats in PPV 7 months ago. It’ll come up every time a card does less then 400k from now on, because that’s what alarmists do. I never said boxing is dead, I said it’s in decline, and there’s no avoiding that. Co-promotion doesn’t work like you’re talking about. At all. That just puts the power in a few greedy promoters hands. It’s NOT where the best fights get made at all.
You’re entitled to your opinion of course, but I don’t understand where 97% of it is coming from, because nothing you’re stating has much basis in fact.
http://www.instrength.com
by Tim Burke on Sep 23, 2010 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Casuals don’t CARE what SF is. They care who LESNAR is. Can you not understand the entire point? Haha damn. That’s why one UFC card with him will do a million buys and another will do 300k. I am anti-logic? That’s why every journalist and fan with common sense see the saturation yet you don’t? Look in the mirror and repeat your posts back to yourself.
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 1:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Dude, you’re very good at not seeing the bigger picture, aren’t you? No one’s saying Lesnar’s not a fucking draw. They’re saying that Lesnar + UFC = a lot more buys than Lesnar + anywhere else. You’re putting all of the draw on the fighter and trying to act like the promotion doesn’t matter. You already said it with the Vince comparison above. Well, sorry to tell you this man…but that’s complete horseshit.
http://www.instrength.com
Lesnar drew 35k on a card nobody knew about in his debut. Wake up.
I’m telling you whether Mayweather fights for Golden Boy or Top Rank it doesn’t matter BECAUSE HE’S THE ONE FIGHTING. Fans don’t care about lighting effects or the other garbage mma hardcore fans whine about. Once casuals learn about this NEW sport of mma they will want to see the athlete, not the logo. It’s simple.
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 1:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Being a smartass isn’t going to make your argument any stronger. Why’d Brock do 600k in the UFC? You conveniently ignored that.
Mayweather a great example of why co-promotion works oh so well…the guy who’s dodging a fight he’d have to take if they were under the same umbrella.
http://www.instrength.com
Mayweather would never have to do anything. And he makes more in one fight than the UFC roster combined. Mayweather’s PPV numbers or Pacquiao’s are way better than UFC numbers. And it’s not because of their promotion. The fact Mayweather is scared of Pacquiao is besides the point. His fight vs Mosley had more buys than any mma card this year.
Brock did 600k because he wasn’t proven yet. Once he became proven instead of a WWE guy that was it. The star was burn.
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 1:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Because one company was the UFC and the other was a Japanese import that specializes in kickboxing? I think if Lesnar did a Strikeforce PPV vs Fedor he would hit 1M buys. Easily.
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 1:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
wait a second? you truly don’t think that a Brock/Fedor PPV could do extremely well w/out the UFC brand name? you ok over there?
by BeeTrain on Sep 23, 2010 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The guy is a damn fool. He said Lesnar vs anyone in the UFC would draw 10x more. On that note, I’m done for the day. Have a good day everyone. God bless.
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 1:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Availability I wouldve watched Brocks first fight but it wasnt available on Time Warner in NYC we dont get HDNET :(
by Papercut Elbow on Sep 23, 2010 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Why did Brock go from 600k to double that on average if it was the same org promoting him?
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 1:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
I think SF is growing and bringing in more high profile fighters. I would be very surprised if in the near future, casual fans weren’t knowledgeable about SF and its stable.
by RoeNoMo on Sep 23, 2010 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Casual fans don’t watch the UFC
hahahahahaha.
If you want to hear my opinion on Les Miles go to BJPenn.com.
ESPN doesn't even know who SF is
If you want to hear my opinion on Les Miles go to BJPenn.com.
by DayGeaux on Sep 23, 2010 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
I’d like to see a better structure to the UFC pay-per-view events. Something akin to the WWE events like Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania and Summerslam.
Am I the only one who liked those goofy names like UFC 76: Knockout
?
UFC 108: Catastrof*ck would’ve definitely earned them some buys.
Mo Johnston finally fired. Let the house cleaning and road to success begin.
by SSreporters on Sep 23, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I liked “the ultimate 2008” and thought the year end PPV would always be called “the ultimate (year.)” But that doesn’t really work because sometimes the “new year’s show” flips between january and December.
It worked a little better with Pride because they had all the tournaments. Total Elimination=first round, critical countdown=second round, final conflict=last 2 rounds.
The UFC isn’t structured like that, so it’s harder, but maybe they can go by the seasons or tie in to the holidays around the events.
I think they should have certain events set in stone
Super Bowl, Year-end/New Year’s, and the July event.
Mo Johnston finally fired. Let the house cleaning and road to success begin.
by SSreporters on Sep 23, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
By and large they do
They’re early August event as well, always falls on the same weekend.
"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.
Support independent artists
http://worldisart365.blogspot.com/
Spreading your butter too thin UFC.
The UFC needs to cut back on the amount of shows they are doing. Dana White and company should probably take a vacation/break. TUF format needs updating/rethinking; perhaps they should cut back to only one season a year for a while. They maybe should just merge WEC into UFC. Maybe even stop marketing UFC less like Pro Wrestling (WWE) and start pushing more for legitimate sport.
Really its quality over quantity, the main thing is, right now there is an over saturation and the quality levels are suffering because of it. It really is true, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and if the UFC were to cut back on the amount of shows they are doing it would help solve this oversaturation problem.
Surprised this hasn't been said...unless I missed it
Time to bring in a tournament. Maybe even an open weight tournament. You mix it with up and comers (TUF contestants for example) and established fighters based on weight class (if they don’t do open weight) and have everyone fight in round-robin format. The best fighters fight in single elimination tournament and become champ for that year. This will be separate from champion belt and maybe the winner of each weight class gets to fight the champ for the belt.
On the surface, but you are using unknown people...
It’s a reality show plain and simple. Some of these people are getting on the show because they are good on camera, not for their skills. I’m talking about mixing in some people looking for contracts with fighters already under contract in the UFC fighting it out, without the reality show aspect. Just fights.
This is true. But I don’t think tourneys are really the answer to anything other to satisfy a minority of fans. Having a tournament champ and a guy holding the belt dilutes the integrity of your belts, IMO.
http://www.instrength.com
True...
But it will keep things interesting. Instead of worrying about whether or not A. Silva or B. Lesnar is going to lose, you could watch their division shake out. Also could create contenders for the champ that no one thought about. It could create matchups that UFC probably would never make.
They need to find a way to push the action more
When my friends who arent hardcore mma fans watch a 15 or 25 minute fight where one fighter outwrestles the other and wins by positional dominance and not damage done is fixed MMA will get more fans. Till then we can all sit around and talk about how important it is to strategically hold people down and gain points that way. I think you can use wrestling to make for exciting matches but based on the current guidelines for scoring its not gonna happen. Casuals want to see Roger Huerta vs Leonard Garcia type fights. TUF needs better fighters if they cant get better fighters they need to change the format. Whenever you see these guys actually fight in the UFC they arent very good with the exception of the older seasons and Bader. Point is if you take these guys who arent very good and they bomb then watching the show is pointless since the show has lost its credibility as being a place to scoop real talent.
by Papercut Elbow on Sep 23, 2010 12:13 PM EDT reply actions
Dont blame this on wrestling. Even if each division was a shark tank of nothing but strikers we would still be having the same oversaturation problems.
Wrestling is important
but you have to do stuff when you get someone down. You cant be content with riding it out. People dont want to see decisions but if they do they want it to appear as though both fighters gave it there all to finish the other fighter.
by Papercut Elbow on Sep 23, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Finishes
What you want is people leaving the bar or turning off their TV’s and saying to their friends wow can you believe that (knock out or submission). You can certainly use wrestling to accomplish both. But to grind out a decision is not exciting. Also awesome fights have gone to decision but its because both guys are trying to knock out or submit each other.
by Papercut Elbow on Sep 23, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
You can’t expand your fanbase through PPV as your only channel to reach fans with relevant or interesting fights. Nothing newsworthy about that. But they’re still making money hand over fist, so I don’t think they’re worried or care.
As much as I am hoping, I don't think that is going to change
We’ll be stuck with the same 10 fighters on free TV unless something drastic happens.
Mo Johnston finally fired. Let the house cleaning and road to success begin.
by SSreporters on Sep 23, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
As long as people buy the PPVs, there will be no reason for them to give up the money that comes from PPV. Its enormous compared to what networks or cable is offering. As long as people keep arguing that buying PPVs like UFC 119 is “for the good of the sport”, they’ll be running subpar PPV cards.
by VirtualBalboa on Sep 23, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
True, and as long as people consider UFC 122 fine because it's free
They’ll continue to have Fight Night quality cards pass off as numbered major events.
Mo Johnston finally fired. Let the house cleaning and road to success begin.
by SSreporters on Sep 23, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
UFC 121 Impact?
I wonder how much that pending Huge PPV has anything to do with the poor ratings and seemingly lack of interest in the upcoming PPV and current UFC content?
I know I am not purchasing UFC 119 because it’s not really worth it for me at this time, and since UFC 121 is coming in the near future I’d rather save some money now, to spend it on that later. Plus we get UFC 120 free on Spike. I purchased UFC 118 and figured i could pass on 119.
Hidden
Having your product on Spike is virtually hiding it from mainstream sports fans. I think there is still untapped casual fans that refuse to switch off ESPN. Get UFC on ESPN and the brand will take off.
Root for the home team jack ass
by KING FEDOR on Sep 23, 2010 12:48 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
How I wish the UFC's TV offering broke down
TUF-Spike
UFN/Finale/European Cards-ESPN
Primetime Specials-ABC/NBC/Fox
Your base can only grow so big if the intro to your product is head banger heavy metal music with a guy screaming like hes possessed.
To truly go main stream you need a John Tesh NBA intro or a john williams orchestral Olympics score.
The NFL and individual football teams use plenty of hard rock.
UFC takes it too far with BRING THE PAIN! WEC has an appropriate hard rock intro that fits the product, hypes the audience, and is not aurally offensive. Zuffa knows how to market to sports fans, but as long as they rely on a Spike base things won’t change.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
I have been wondering about creating new stars who will make money. There are fighters like Ryan Bader or George Sotiropolous who are really coming up and are on their way to Title contention, but these fighters don’t draw in PPV buys. A question that comes to my mind is how the UFC and the fighters themselves become PPV draws but never hold a Championship Title or be a former champion. Sonnen and Koscheck managed to do it, and many of the former PRIDE fighters like Wanderlei Silva can do it, but many of the top ten and even top five fighters in most of the UFC’s weight classes are not PPV or ratings draws.
Check out MMA For You at http://www.youtube.com/user/Gobusiness123 for MMA reviews, predictions, and analysis.
Mindless violence, heavy metal, and punching
Isn’t giving the youngins a hard on anymore. Maybe it is time for Dana to stop preaching about making the sport look legitimate and actually market it that way.
by ImmortalTechnique92 on Sep 23, 2010 1:19 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Seriously.
New intro with a real sport feel. At least Strikeforce and Showtime have this right. Compustrike stats much?
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Twitter Handle = @xFenixKnightx
by xFenixKnightx on Sep 23, 2010 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
The UFC is starting to use stats a little more, and I can’t remember all the details right now, but there was one time in a recent show where i wanted to fly to the arena, steal the stat sheet, and use it to inflict `1 million papercuts on every SF broadcaster because they were trying to use the compustrike stats to argue that a guy who was clearly losing the fight might be in it because he landed greater volume.
Using stats is nice, but SF is not really doing the best they can do with them.
Oh, and Rec'd!
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Twitter Handle = @xFenixKnightx
by xFenixKnightx on Sep 23, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Crazy?
One happy bi-product of this phenomenon is that when the UFC catches cold, MMA catches pneumonia. The current/coming slump in demand for MMA product (which is distinct from the slowing of growth in demand we’ve been documenting for the last year) might very well wipe out competing MMA brands Strikeforce and Bellator.
the prime times and countdowns are cheesy
they need a new production team on that, and get rid of the super cheesy “Marines, the few, the proud” voice over dude. Reminds me of the monster truck commercial on Beavis and Butthead.
Every single one of these shows is the same and constantly repeats little segments like the viewer is a moron. Stop making fighters look down, and then move towards the camera, it is getting sily.
can’t stand it!
..!..
Yup. PPV commercial EVERYTIME they come back from a break. EVERY FUCKING TIME! lmao Its pretty silly. But hey it works I guess. =/
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Twitter Handle = @xFenixKnightx
by xFenixKnightx on Sep 23, 2010 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I realize this is not going to happen anytime soon, but I think the sport would be much better off if the UFC was a sanctioning organization and the production and commentary were handled by one of the networks or ESPN or HBO. When I’m going to watch a fight or a promo, I want to get actual information and analysis instead of being told that Couture vs. Coleman is going to be totally awesome over and over and over. As it is the productions seem small-time, with the same three or four people posing as experts over and over, none straying from their version of the company line, and I feel like I’m being lied to constantly.
1. They UFC doesn’t need to do anything to try and appeal to people like us, we are the ones who will watch regardless. They need to find ways to keep/increase casual fan interest in the sport. Kimbo was a joke at best and in terms of the sport the UFC made a good move in giving up on that experiment but for some reason the guy was still a tv draw with casual fans. Heck Spike should of just signed him as an on air personality, Just him doing occasional appearances on TUF would raise the ratings. Pretty much everyone in the know hated Toney vs Couture but boxing vs MMA was a storyline that they can sell to casual fans, they need more storylines that get added attention.
2. Network television is way over-rated. Heck Spike tv on cable doesn’t trail CBS in number of households by that much of a difference and Spike will be very happy with ratings that would make CBS balk. Exposure on multiple networks would be preferable but they don’t need the big networks to be successful they just need more/better cable outlets.
3. ESPN is great if you are targeting “sports fans” but is that actually the main group that MMA targets? 18 to 36 year old males doesn’t neccessarily translate in to ESPN addicted sports fans, ESPN is important in terms of exposure but they are only a piece of a much larger pie. The UFC needs a bigger reach than just being talked about on ESPN.
4. Where has all the advertising gone? I am a MMA internet regular and the very definition of a hardcore fan but for some reason the last fight night slipped up on me and I didn’t realize till a couple of days beforehand that it (and TUF) was happening that week. I haven’t had a clue when a countdown special is going to air in several months. Granted I don’t watch a lot of Non-UFC on SpikeTV but I don’t remember seeing any advertising at all on TV outside of Spike or Versus(which is worthless) in quite a while. Casual fans aren’t going to go out and dig to figure out when events are going to be on, you have to find them and feed the information to them, that takes broad advertising and they need to do that even for fight nights too.
5. Brock Lesnar being out so long hurt them, he was not only a big draw but events after his were doing better numbers too. They really need a couple of new mega-stars or even some guys who can just headline a decent PPV on their own. They are a big name or two (or even a resurgance of interest in Brock) away from getting things rolling again.
I've long been a proponent of the following
A narrative based show, like Road to the Final Four or something, with substantive interviews with the fighters (not the token “How do you see it going down?” shit with a black backdrop) and you go around to their homes and stuff. Then you have them fight in a fixed location that never moves around, like Monday Night Raw back in the day. This would be an outstanding way to build new stars, with fighters becoming regulars until they’re ready for “The Big Show”, that is, PPV.
"I need a shot of tequila and a cigarette." -- Don Frye
Can't overlook decreasing ratings everywhere else
While I’m sure there’s a bit of an over-saturation phenomenon going on, you can’t overlook the fact that television networks — especially cable networks — are struggling to grapple with the Internet and the economic downturn, which of course has nothing to do with the UFC specifically.
I also don’t see that the UFC has plateaued at all. The fact is that MMA is innately appealing to sports and fighting fans, and that historically boxing was the most watched sport on the planet. There’s no reason to think that MMA can’t become the next boxing.
With an NFL-sized fan-base, it wouldn’t matter that some fans tune in one week and tune out the next, which is precisely what happens in pro sports. You have your core of die-hard fans, and then fans who could miss a game or two and not mind. There’s no evidence to suggest the UFC can’t substantially grow it’s overall viewership.
It appears the effects of overexposure have hit for UFC. In the last few weeks, the Countdown to UFC 118, which was a marquee show with a title match plus Randy Couture vs. James Toney, did 293,000 viewers, an all-time low. The one hour Spike special before that PPV did a 0.83 rating, an all-time record low for that show (although it was hurt badly by the Andre Winner vs. Nik Lentz fight as so many people turned that fight off that it killed momentum to build the ratings, but even at best it would have done well below average for the series). The 8/1 Versus show (Jon Jones vs. Vladimir Matyushenko) did a 0.86 rating, down 25% from the prior show on Versus. WEC ratings continue to inch slowly down nearly every show, with the 8/18 show doing an 0.3 rating and 316,000 viewers, the lowest number for a live show to date.
One bad rating means nothing. Two becomes relevant. When it becomes five out of five in such a short period of time, it is a pattern. Now the Countdown show does have an excuse in the sense it was not promoted well. I didn’t even know it was airing except that I was wondering when it would air and checked the UFC web site, and I watch a decent amount of Spike and theoretically should get a press release listing when it airs and never got it. And the WEC number is part of a long-term pattern that didn’t just come up, and was only slightly lower than previous shows.
Overexposure was always going to hit the smaller events before it would hurt the big events. It may never hurt the big events a few times a year, because even now with boxing interest way down, the few big event fights per year actually do great PPV business. But rank
Boy what the hell has happened to Meltzer as of late?, I don’ remember him reaching this much to make a point since the first years of the UFC. There is just so much here it’s hard to know where to start but i’ll try…
First trying to garner anything from Countdown shows is silly they play them multiple times during the week are online and on demand plus FSN. Which makes the initial ratings for these always lower rated shows meaningless.
The lower ratings for UFC 118 prelims are also easily explained the Lentz fight which I enjoyed hurt the overall rating and secondly it wasn’t a strong prelim match ups overall. As we’ve seen the prelims ratings go up and down for a variety of reasons since they started.
So are the UFC 22 ratings which didn’t have any real draws it was no surprise it didn’t get the high ratings that the UFC 21 show did.
Next comes the talk about Versus ratings which will always be lower than Spike’s for mutliple reasons. Anyways there was no surprise that the second UFC show on Versus did a lower rating than the first which was much more hyped and had a much stronger card overall.
Finally we know that the ratings would suffer for WEC shows after the WEC ppv because most of their top guys was locked into that so it would hurt their next few cards. That is over with now and with Aldo, Faber and Torres all being on free tv again I expect the ratings to rebound, that isn’t oversaturation that’s lack of draws.
I’ve always been a big Meltzer fan but this sky is falling stuff from him when there are simple explanations for a couple of shows underperforming which has happened before. Makes me really start to wonder what is up with the guy as of late, it’s starting to become an ugly pattern with him.
"they mad at me, I keep going hard reppin/
cause what's your Rampage to Rashad Evans/"
-Joe Budden (Something To Ride To)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/76866807deabe3c1/
did you replace MMALogic as the official UFC shill on BE?
because he was much much better.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Nate Wilcox on Sep 24, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
The only draw the WEC has is Faber. Check the ratings.
Spike and WEC cards, along with TUF, Countdown shows and Primetime are barely drawing. Over saturation along with poor promotion and stale product are the problems. Other than Lesnar, what star has Zuffa created lately? If it wasn’t for Lesnar’s WWE background and size he wouldn’t be a big star either. They need to personalize guys. The countdown show is nothing but boring and monotonous training montages.
YOUTUBE ‘CRO COP PRANKS’ to see something Zuffa should have aired to market CC.
by Mr Pulla on Sep 23, 2010 9:40 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Really is that why the UFC will once again break their own buyrate record and make more money than they ever had before. I had no idea that Brock was part of UFC 114 which did a million buys, nor was he apart of TUF which continues to deliver very good ratings for Spike. Not to mention the last 2 UFN’s did very well themselves so did the WEC ppv.
I swear if I didn’t actually know all the numbers and facts i’d think that the UFC was about to go out of business thanks to people like you. Luckily I do so it’s easy to call out this sky is falling bs than pops up every six month from people who swear that the UFC is in dire straights when they are one of the most successfull business out in a reccession amazing.
"they mad at me, I keep going hard reppin/
cause what's your Rampage to Rashad Evans/"
-Joe Budden (Something To Ride To)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/76866807deabe3c1/
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