Can Strikeforce Compete with the UFC's Media Machine?

Simply put…No. They can’t compete on many levels given their inept PR department. The lack of local advertising for shows and lack of furthering their brand name is killing their chances at long term success.

As far as casual fans go, I rarely hear any mention of Strikeforce outside of BE and other MMA websites. Also, I wouldn’t say that SF gets the same amount of coverage as the UFC even on MMA websites. Right now the internet is ablaze regarding this tournament, but UFC still seems to dominate news on a regular basis, and has for a while, just based on the sheer amount of events that they put on, the number of top fighters they have, and the ratings they get.

I don’t understand why fans/writers have to allude to the differences in the promotion when it comes to advantages of the UFC, and how the playing field isn’t the same for SF so the expectations shouldn’t be so high, whilst still trying to compare the two promotions. It seems to me that it defeats the purpose completely.

Do i think they can compete? Nah, not really, for a lot of reasons. But I also think the goal should to be to coexist, and piggyback the success of the UFC, whilst establishing some kind of brand recognition. Competition really isn’t what SF wants, nor should it be.

Probably not. The thing about having the dominant position is that you can use that dominant position to quash rivals and the UFC has not been shy about using that position to quash potential rivals (or just buying them if they become too successful).

Right now, pretty much the only person who will tear down the UFC from it’s top spot as an MMA promotion is the UFC. Which I think is fairly likely. And if (when) that happens, Strikeforce might be the guys who pick up the pieces but it won’t be because they out-competed the UFC. It’ll be because the UFC did something wrong.

Another sapect I think people miss is that not all of the “UFC” advertising is actually done by the UFC. Go near any of the MMA web sites on the week of a UFC PPV and you get bombarded by adds for the UFC event but a very large piece of those aren’t the UFC but are cable companies, especially Comcast. Why would they advertise a UFC event? Because they get a taste of the UFC PPV. If SF does a PPV we might start to see the cable companies help push it.

Similar a lot of the the other info you see isn’t the UFC doing some thing it is sports sites etc going out there and hunting down a story. The UFC may or may not help some one get in touch with a fighter. The more interest in an event the more sites and stories that sites and sports news is going to be motivated to do some thing for it.

I think its awesome that Strikeforce is getting more attention these days. The heavyweight tournament has a lot to do with that, which is awesome, but I’ve thinking for a while that SF puts out quality MMA. Their challengers series is great, their main cards have been entertaining, and they continue to sign and develop new talent. Also their whole rebranding campaign is going great, I love the new logo. I see no reason why MMA fans can’t appreciate both the UFC and Strikeforce for what they each bring to the table.

side note: I’m really effing exciting for this tourney to get rolling

okay here is my problem with some of the MMA outlets/experts/fans aka business experts/analysts
comparing UFC n Strikeforce:
1) UFC’s been around for around decade n Strikeforce is around for only 18-19 months, why would you want to compare n then write off a business who are that young and trying to establish themselves??? Like Coker said, 2010 was PHASE-1 of their business where they were just trying to hang around, trying to find new audiences, trying to grab eyeballs with news ( good or bad). UFC is ESTABLISHED business and they are A PROFITABLE business for years now. THEY have their loyal viewers and which will support them not matter what but Strikeforce, being the new guy relying on ppl who have neutral opinion and who love MMA rather than just one League. I knw you cant help it but compare but I think Compare Strikeforce with UFC is just insane considering STRIKEFORCE is young.

2) everyone knows where UFC’s revenue comes from, how rich they are and they just predict Doom n Gloom for Strikeforce not because Strikeforce is running into lose but because they dont know what Strikeforce’s revenue stream is..
these facts can be confirmed and provided by strikeforce’s Scott Coker→

a) they have 7 figure TV deal ( world wide in 80 countries, including eastern europe, asia,australia etc etc )
b) their sponosers like EA, Rockstar etc etc
c) their TV deal in US ( showtime/CBS)
d) their GATE collection ( which is their smallest part of revenue)
e) Merchandise etc..

most of the fans just look at strikeforce’s attendance and US tv viewership n think that’s it, Strikeforce is horrible n they r done but reality is STRIKEFORCE’s running cost is way less than UFC ( even if you consider hiring cost of FEDOR, OVEREEM)

their advertising and marketing costs are also way smaller than UFC
they dont have offices and personnel all around the world like UFC.

2) now coming to Strikeforce’s business model, every tom dick n herry thinks Scott is stupid to have relationship with M-1 n fighters that fight everywhr but in Strikeforce… these fans think they are smarter than the person running strikeforce and reality most of these fans r just online worriers.. but look at this business model closely:→

UFC has a business model which is not most traditional and its Zuffa has taken good bits frm Boxing and left out bad bits to make UFC what it is today.

but I think ( its just my opinion not analysis ) Strikeforce in the long run will be more successful. if you look at 2011 ( already) their HW champ although has fought only once in years is hailed by so many MMA fans as a legit MMA champ and may be mayb the most dangerous MMA fighter at the moment ..even considering he fought only once in years!!! why is that?? BECAUSE he has WON K-1 Grand Prix, becuase he is DREAM Champ!! that makes him LEGIT..n rightfully so. if he was in UFC, He wouldnt be allowed to fight in K-1 or Dream which means He’d would be just UFC CHAMP which is in my opinion is less impressive than being STrikeforce champ, Dream champ, K-1 champ. look at Brock, he lost n where is he? almost every one has written him OFF!! he is not more " the baddest man on the planet" n this title changes every month. But WIth Strikeforce, their HW champ is thought of as a BIG threat to any HW n imagine what if he WON this Grand Prix as well?? he’l become ( arguably) the best MMA HW. but if he wasnt fighting in K-1 or DREAM he would never achieve this kind of success n Strikeforce wouldnt have a CHAMP to boast of.

same with FEDOR, the guy is legend n can beat anybody but is with Strikeforce because of their business model. IMAGINE if he becomes Grand Prix cham + strikeforce CHAMP he will be BEST HW in the world again topping all UFC HWs..

Strikeforce is planning to host STRIKEFORCE vs DREAM in JAPAN.. what kind of exposure will it give them in ASIA?among hardcore MMA fans?

Strikeforce will always co-promote and will always have better talent look at the HWD already.. same will be for all the division in the future as STRIKEFORCE becomes bigger and better. you can already see the production changes, logo changes and many other changes for better in their business. they are plannin to do PPV, they have a solid TV deal. if that’s not GROWTH then what IS???

Strikeforce 18 months old baby is givin UFC a decade old hulk some competition IMAGINE if they are able to execute their plans successfully. I knw therez lot of Dilemma at the moment but it is Because STRIKEFORCE is thought of as SECOND tier PROMOTION or B grade PROMOTION not only by the fans but also fighters. BUT as THEY GROW, they become more popular they pay their Fighters MORE , they gonna get more respect and more legitimacy by everyone. I think they have already sorted out thier long term contract with M-1 GLOBAL and there will be no re-negotiations for good part of this contract, they have multi year contract with CBS/SHOWTIME, M-1 Global now.

all I can say.. I am impressed with STRIKEFORCE, for what they have achieve and for what they are doing. THEY had tough time, as any new business would when you already have a giant like UFC in the market who had monopolized the market and had all the media in their pocket. But with their december show n now ever improving challenger cards and now GRand Prix and co-promotion with DREAM and not to forget M-1 Global style inter-continent or international style challenge cards they will be introducing soon.. I think STRIKEFORCE is entering into full time battle with UFC. and they have achieved all this in just 20 months time… if that’s not impressive then I Dont knw what is…….

naysayrs been sayin frm day one that Strikeforce is gonna fold by end of this ( every year) year.. but actual scene is totally contrast….