Spike television planned to televise just two of the three UFC events in June — UFC Fight Night 10 and The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 Finale — and never had designs to host a third — UFC 72: “Victory” — according to Steve Seivert’s Brawl Sports blog.
Conflicting reports swirled during the last two weeks that the cable network turned down the opportunity to air the show from Belfast, Ireland, via tape delay on free television. UFC 72, therefore, is now a pay-per-view (PPV) event that is set to air in the afternoon (3 p.m. EST) on Saturday, June 16 in North America.
Here’s a snip from a Spike spokesman:
“We were never scheduled to air that (UFC 72). I’ve heard the rumors (that Spike backed out of televising the show due to lack of a compelling fight lineup), but we never committed to airing UFC 72. It’s not as if we turned our backs on the UFC. Three big fights in two weeks would have been very tough.”
Sounds like a mess — and no one really wants admit dropping the ball. With the ongoing negotiations with HBO and ESPN — as well as the pending purchase of PRIDE FC — perhaps UFC 72 fell through the cracks.
Whatever the case, UFC representatives indicated that the event would indeed be free on cable television. Now, viewers are going to have to cough up a $40 spot to check it out.
That might be a hard pill to swallow for many, especially since UFC 72 — with not one title fight on the card — isn’t a compelling draw on the surface.
As the proprietor of a UFC-dedicated site, I’m going to order the event. But, I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m the exception and not the rule.
I like one UFCmania reader’s suggestion: Make it $19.95 and call it day.
***
In even more UFC news from the Houston Chronicle, UFC President Dana White has promised that there will be drug tests at UFC 72: “Victory.”
Steve Seivert broke the story a few weeks ago that fighters on the UFC 69 and UFC 70 cards all got free passes, despite the smattering of positive tests that have come back lately.
Miscommunication in Texas and lack of preparation in England were the reasons provided by the promotion. For more background on that click here.
Here’s a snip from White on the matter:
“That’s the hard part about not having a commission (outside of the U.S.). I don’t know exactly how we’re going to figure that out yet, but there will be random drug testing at UFC 72. We can and we will (conduct drug testing), we just weren’t prepared for it at the last event (UFC 70).”
Based on the comments in the article, it appears that the UFC is spinning both “oversights” as isolated cases.
Seems like the UFC is trying to do the right thing here — the promotion is under no obligation to test fighters on its own accord.
It’s just too bad it happened on back-to-back occasions.
55 Comments »
i would buy the event for 20 bucks, just becuase rich and forrest are two of my favorites…but at 3 o clock in the afternoon…i dont know…thats a wierd time…if they dont figure something out, i think they are gonna have to take this one on the chin with ppv buys….
Ill tell you what would sweeten up the deal for US subscribers… show EVERYTHING. Undercards, the entire fight line up. At that point Id be interested in buying the fight …
There is just too much ‘drama’ going on with the UFC of late. Goldberg said some things about the HBO deal, Lamply, and the fact he and Rogan arent on it… then you have this, then you have the Pride FC buyouts. They are really in the lime light, lets hope Dana and the boys make smart choices rather then look like jackasses (which Dana never does… he NEVER runs his mouth.)
So are they showing it at noon on the west coast?
Make it $5 and I’ll think about it…
20$ in the comfort of your own home plus no commercials sounds ok to me, i agree that they should show all the fights though. that early in the afternoon leaves plenty of time to show them all.
true, show them all definately….
[quote comment=”55351″]20$ in the comfort of your own home plus no commercials sounds ok to me, i agree that they should show all the fights though. that early in the afternoon leaves plenty of time to show them all.[/quote]
i know this is all wishful thinking though, not fact.
[quote comment=”55351″]20$ in the comfort of your own home plus no commercials sounds ok to me, i agree that they should show all the fights though. that early in the afternoon leaves plenty of time to show them all.[/quote]
Thats a good idea $40 is alot to pay for 4 fights.
I think I’ll just use this as an opportunity to get UFC on Demand. 60 bucks for a subscription and it appears you can watch the fights live. Does anyone have UFC on Demand and know whether or not the live UFC events are viewable with a normal subscription? Looking at ufc.com and the advertisement for UFC 71 it would appear that way.
Ah scratch that comment I can see now that you have to pay for the Pay per views.
Well this is certainly gay.
Buy 71 and get 72 at half off. If they don’t figure this out fast this will suck all the way around. For the fans,the organization, and the investors.
[quote post=”2106″]I think I’ll just use this as an opportunity to get UFC on Demand. 60 bucks for a subscription and it appears you can watch the fights live. Does anyone have UFC on Demand and know whether or not the live UFC events are viewable with a normal subscription? Looking at ufc.com and the advertisement for UFC 71 it would appear that way.[/quote]
No it is not.You have to pay 40$ for live events
i have this feeling the UFC is gonna say “40$ or screw you”
UFC should hold themselves up as the standard. All fighters should be drug tested at all events. No exceptions.
I agree, Andy, but I would even take it a step farther. Not only should every fighter be tested at events, the UFC should randomly test all active fighters throughout the year. In my view there is no place for performance enhancers or recreational drugs in the UFC. And with 2 million people buying PPVs at $40 a pop, I’m pretty sure they can find the cash to test everyone.
Something is up with this card. Locally it starts at 6pm, so 1 pm est. That’s 2 hours til the schedules ppv start of 3pm est. So 2 hours for 4 fights? Something’s getting added, has to. Rumors as swirling that the UFC is about to sign a VERY big name. Might work out for this card. ( No I’m not posting it til its confirmed, and I’d pass it on to Mania anyway ). ****Fingers crossed****
[quote comment=”55327″]Ill tell you what would sweeten up the deal for US subscribers… show EVERYTHING. Undercards, the entire fight line up. At that point Id be interested in buying the fight …
love this idea i will probly pay anyways but atleast the ufc would be making an effort
MoreThanUFC,
the least you could do is give a hint, like “the Pride HW champion”, or “his nicknmae is Shogun”, or “his initilas are BV”. Nothing that would give it away, just a hint.
I never see my typos till I post.
Makes you think how many others are druggies that are fighting in the octagon. It’s kinda sad really that people do these kinda things and ruin it for themselves and for the fans. I forgot who this was, but I heard on one of the recent PPV events, that one guy drank his own piss for nourishment. WTF, That’s just horrible that you suck so bad you cant just drink water or Gatoraid anymore and have to drink your own wee wee. I’d rather be caught ingesting drugs personally. Anyone remember who that was?
maybe they will add mike tyson vs tank abbott
i would get that for sure
[quote comment=”55516″]MoreThanUFC,
the least you could do is give a hint, like “the Pride HW champion”, or “his nicknmae is Shogun”, or “his initilas are BV”. Nothing that would give it away, just a hint.[/quote]
Ok, he was recently in the US for something that has nothing to do with MMA.
[quote comment=”55570″][quote comment=”55516″]MoreThanUFC,
the least you could do is give a hint, like “the Pride HW champion”, or “his nicknmae is Shogun”, or “his initilas are BV”. Nothing that would give it away, just a hint.[/quote]
Ok, he was recently in the US for something that has nothing to do with MMA.[/quote]
Dude I don’t know….I’m dying to know
[quote comment=”55612″][quote comment=”55570″][quote comment=”55516″]MoreThanUFC,
the least you could do is give a hint, like “the Pride HW champion”, or “his nicknmae is Shogun”, or “his initilas are BV”. Nothing that would give it away, just a hint.[/quote]
Ok, he was recently in the US for something that has nothing to do with MMA.[/quote]
Dude I don’t know….I’m dying to know[/quote]
can i ask yes or no questions like “Guess Who” to narrow it down.lol.you’re killing me MTUFC!!!
it’s Shogun Rua, who is getting signed.
“it’s Shogun Rua, who is getting signed”
In your opinion? Your hope? Or do you know for sure?
just hoping
That’s his opinion. I’m saving this one for UFCMania, so we can break it here first. The fighter in question has a website. The guy who runs that website also runs a Crocop website and also happens to be a friend of mine. The moment he posts it on the fighter in question’s website, then he is gonna phone me. I’m gonna email Mania immediately.
The deal is nowhere near done. With all the money CC and Nog just got, added to the fact the Pride sale is not done yet, this deal could take awhile. I’m hoping for a quick announcement so that this fighter can make it onto UFC72.
Last time I’m posting about this til its a done deal. I dont mean to kill anyone in anticipation with this, really. Something has to happen with this card. I mean it sucks and everyone knows it. Plus how can you have four fights in 2 hours? If they all end quick, then the PPV wont start for maybe an hour. An hour, with an Irish crowd drinking wanting violence? Not good. Another fight has to be added.
i hope its fedor! rua a close 2nd. mtu, you still working on this? you are the king of rumors that come true.
Rua has a four fight deal with Pride. He signed it, what, in Dec or Jan. Remember all those rumors that it was a 2 2 deal, 2 in Pride and 2 in the UFC?
MTU are you close way alot fighter in the MMA world because you happen to know everything that happens before MANIA dose.
[quote comment=”55517″]I never see my typos till I post.[/quote]
Me too dude.
I think it’s Rua also. Just a guess of course. 72 definetly needs another fight or 2
[quote comment=”55714″][quote comment=”55517″]I never see my typos till I post.[/quote]
Me too dude.[/quote]
I third that.
[quote post=”2106″]MTU are you close way alot fighter in the MMA world because you happen to know everything that happens before MANIA dose. [/quote]
No, I addressed this earlier. I actually dont spent near as much time as you guys think. I have 10-12 websites I go to daily, I 99% of the time only post here so no typing anywhere else, and have a ton for friends who are either fans or involved in MMA. I get a lot of emails…not as many as Mania I’m sure, but my buddies find something and they think I’ll enjoy it. And I do!
Any chance the new guy being signed could be Fedor.I heard he only sighns one fight contracts.Man that would awesome!
i just hope a resaurant carries it so i can see the fights so i dont have to spend 40 but i better get to see the undercard if i am payin 40 for this ppv
[quote comment=”55516″]MoreThanUFC,
the least you could do is give a hint, like “the Pride HW champion”, or “his nicknmae is Shogun”, or “his initilas are BV”. Nothing that would give it away, just a hint.[/quote]
Hints? hahaha as if those are all not complete give aways.
MTUFC:
New rule. Never say you know something if your not gonna say what it is.
“I have a secret, but you can’t know” haha what the hell man?
Now, about your little secret. Both Shogun and Wandi have contracts with like 3 or 4 fights left on them in Pride, this is fact. I think this eliminates them right?
Fedor - Hasnt he been thinking about new prospects for awhile? Hasnt he been getting offers from everybody? He is a possibility, but you’d think if they were on the verge of a Fedor signing, they would keep it way more under raps than to let it leak like this.
Hendo - Does anyboyd konw about his contract? He might be a possibility?
However, I think all these hopes and wishes are gonna be let down with the signing of someone like Josh Barnett, he has already expressed interest, and is a “big name”. Not that I wouldnt be excited to see him in there, but it would be a let down after hoping for Fedor
[quote post=”2106″]MTUFC:
Lotta big names out there guys, not all are named Fedor or Mauricio.
New rule. Never say you know something if your not gonna say what it is.
“I have a secret, but you can’t know” haha what the hell man?[/quote]
Agreed to. I had no idea you guys were gonna go ape on me like this. But congrats to Anomaly for using his noodle.
oooooo, I smell a Hint!!
Well, Pride contracts usually aren’t exclusive so noone is really ruled out. Fedor did the Bodog fight. Besides, we don’t know the current status the Pride/UFC deal, so who can tell.
Barnett a letdown? Not to me. I’ll take Josh anyday. Maybe that Barnett v Kharitonov fight?
Hendo supposedly was spotted with Dana at the WEC show looking “very serious”.
Anyway, I can’t torture myself with this anymore.
Barnett is not a letdown, but he is if it comes down to him or Fedor. Tell me you wouldnt rather have Fedor.
[quote post=”2106″]Hendo supposedly was spotted with Dana at the WEC show looking “very serious”.[/quote]
I’ve read that rumor too. Any comfirmation? Hendo was there for Santore I think and Dana lives in Vegas and owns the WEC. So it makes sense they’d both be there, and that Dana and Hendo would talk. But Hendo is a double belt holder in Pride, so I doubt he’d be coming over to the UFC unless its for a supermatch.
Only confirmation was a guy at Sherdog. LOL. But he had pictures of himself with different fighters at the event, so he was there. All he said was that Dana and Hendo were at the same table talking very seriously. Or appearing to.
Funny stuff Morethanufc, mister Hollywood with the connections. Just poking a little fun at ya for opening a can of worms. You learned your lesson for the next secret you’re keeping, I’m sure. I think it highly unlikely that they will add a new match with a newly signed name to this particular card, but I’d be happy to be proven wrong.
Yeah, seems a little short notice to add a fight. Sign a guy and announce it at 72, but not add a fight.
[quote comment=”55881″]Yeah, seems a little short notice to add a fight. Sign a guy and announce it at 72, but not add a fight.[/quote]
This is a distinct possibility. Just my opinion, nothing based on fact.
No I know I know, i’m just sayin it seems really short notice to earn a fight. Let alone with big name guys. Again not that I would complain. Just seems to good to be true, and usually when it looks that way, it is haha.
Earn? I cleary meant add. I must be crunk.
I just cant believe Joe and Dana would allow such a shit card to be a ppv. 70, 71, and of course 73 are all great, so there goes $120. I think 72 just sucks. Something has to give. Either it’s $20 or they add a great fight. Pride did it all the time, sometimes the day before the card aired!! I’ll be shocked if it stays status quo.
[quote comment=”55943″]Earn? I cleary meant add. I must be crunk.[/quote]
I’m not crunk, just have a headache so I’m up late.
[quote comment=”55947″][quote comment=”55943″]Earn? I cleary meant add. I must be crunk.[/quote]
I’m not crunk, just have a headache so I’m up late.[/quote]
Nah dude I wasnt calling you crunk. I meant me. And that typo I made.
[quote comment=”55957″][quote comment=”55947″][quote comment=”55943″]Earn? I cleary meant add. I must be crunk.[/quote]
I’m not crunk, just have a headache so I’m up late.[/quote]
Nah dude I wasnt calling you crunk. I meant me. And that typo I made.[/quote]
It was clear you werent referring to me. I was just making a joke over it. Peace, bedtime. MTU out.
Hey…I read somewhere that “Shogun” is rumored to be on this Card…….Maybe that’s just a bunch of BS…But if you heard anything???…………