UFC 84: “Ill Will” — perhaps the most action-packed pay-per-view (PPV) event for the promotion thus far in 2008 — will air for free on Spike TV at 9 p.m. ET on July 26 — the same night and time as Elite XC “Saturday Night Fights” on CBS. And just in case you miss that episode it will re-air again at 11:30 p.m. ET.
In addition, Spike TV will feature a full day of mixed martial arts programming that begins at 4 p.m. ET with a rebroadcast of UFC Fight Night 14: “Silva vs. Irvin” special that is set to take place on Saturday, July 19.
Those who follow this sport know that the UFC hastily put together the UFC Fight Night 14 show to likely draw interest away from the debut of Affliction: “Banned” on PPV the same night. It has been billed as an opportunity to watch the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world strut his stuff on free television.
That’s a nice sell for those who don’t want to pony up $39.95 to get their fight fix that night.
And of course on July 26 — the same night as the UFC 84 showing — Elite XC is set to trot out its latest live network television special on CBS dubbed, “Unfinished Business.”
It’s likely no coincidence — the UFC counter programmed the Elite XC May 31 debut show on CBS with a tribute to perhaps the most popular mixed martial artist on the planet, Chuck LIddell, called “Ultimate Iceman.”
Who says competition is a bad thing?
61 Comments »
Thats better for us MMAfans.. but that is stone cold Danaism in full effect. He is straight Cock Blocking these other promotions. Even a blind man can see this..but the end result for us.. the more the merryier.
Personally, I will be watching EliteXC that night, but in a short period of time we are already seeing the benefits of competition….
THe UFC should not have announced that they are re-airing UFN Silva vs Irvin on july 26th because now, guys like me who dont own DVR’s, wont have to even worry about Silva vs. Irvin on the 19th, and I can focus my attention on one of the biggest fights in the History of mma: Fedor vs. Sylvia!
Oh Happy DAY! Elton brand is a 76′er! LIfe is good!
I dont mean to compare MMA to Wrestling — but…. the best and most changes came when WCW was competing with WWF. They changed their shows from 1 hr to 2 hrs.. and went balls to the wall to get ratings.
Competition can only be a good thing.
absolutely!
I plan on watching the Affliction event if I can get the chance. As for the Elite XC show, watching Penn vs. Sherk again seems just fine to me.
COMPLETELY DISAGREE!!! This hurts MMA. Mainstream media cares about one thing…the numbers. What numbers (how many viewers) did a TV show get. When you try to take away from an MMA event that is on national TV, you hurt their numbers, and you hurt MMA overall. Why? Because major networks think there isn’t as big of an interest. The say, well Poker beat out MMA in that time slot, so we’ll pay for more poker programming on network television instead of MMA in the future. All the columnists cared about after the first CBS event was it’s Nielsen rating (how many viewers). If the rating isn’t high, then people assume there isn’t interest and networks like ESPN give even less airtime to the sport on shows like Sportcenter.
The big picture is this… UFC should want Elite XC to flourish on network tv. Why? Because that means MMA is flourishing on network tv. Which means the UFC which is undoubtedly the leader of MMA becomes that much more valuable to rival networks like NBC, FOX, etc. If MMA is a proven winner on CBS, the other networks will pay that much more for the UFC.
Moikemick: THatis a very good point! good stuff!
Great Point!!
except that everyone will know there was a free “pay-per-view” on spike at the same time, and take that into consideration. your pov is very black and white. more free programming = more coverage, whether its on at the same time or not.
You can’t argue numbers, and these critics will simply not listen to a “well there was another event on tv that detracted from this event’s ratings”. Want proof, look at all of the columnists that are still calling MMA a dirty bloodsport. They have no interest in listening to reason or giving MMA the benefit of the doubt. These people don’t want excuses, they want facts. And the ratings are the facts.
uhhh… no.
UFC wanting to share the pie with competition is the dumbest thing i ever heard.
They want to crush their competition and secure a choke hold monopoly on the whole industry.
It’s not sharing the pie, it’s letting the pie get bigger. When MMA grows, the UFC grows. Elite XC isn’t anywhere near a threat to the UFC. If this was Pride a few years ago, then yes…UFC should react. But this is different. Elite XC isn’t a threat to the UFC. Unfortunately Elite XC is the only organization representing MMA on primetime network tv. So when Elite XC fails on CBS, MMA fails on CBS. To a columnist writing for TV Guide or whatever, they don’t see the difference.
Think of it this way, if Elite XC ultimately fails. Where does that leave the UFC at the bargaining table with major networks? Not very good. These executives aren’t necessarilly MMA fans and see it as MMA isn’t mainstream, and isn’t a proven product. If Elite XC can prove the MMA product, then the UFC could name their price for programming. You have to look at the big picture.
Did you SEE the last CBS broadcast??? It was a Disgrace to MMA. Chicks dancing like a football game…. Busta Rhymes rappin about BS. Lame pro wrestling entrances is wasnt classy or even look legit.. I think it made MMA look cheap fake and lame. Phil Baroni came in dancing like a male stripper. what an F’ing joke… i was embarassed to call that an MMA promotion… Screw Elite XC and their BS if your going to do it make it look good and classy like the UFC not like a backyard production… LAME LAME LAME = Elite XC
That pretty much sums up my feelings on Elite BS, great post!
Completely agree. The Elite XC show had some major downpoints for the sport of MMA. The one positive though was that it got relatively good numbers. Take that away, and then what do you have? A sh*tty show that nobody watched. Once that happens how long will it be until you see MMA on national primetime tv again? Most likely…never. What happens when you get a sh*tty show that people do watch? You get season 2 of American Gladiators. If people watch it, the networks buy it.
yeah but the elite xc show was a blackeye to mma really it marketed shitty fighting other then the carano fight and the lawler fight, the main event was terrible where one guys ear blew up, and one guy looked like a complete bum off a bench..
you don’t want that representing your sport at all not when you already have fought really hard to clean it up
Agreed, but this awesome. DVRs = 2 full cards for free!
John, got get a DVR bro….they’re very cheap now and it will totally change the way you watch TV. It’s kind of like a cell phone or the internet…once you have it, you will never go without it again.
Well I have to say after that garbage they put on CBS the first time I won’t be watching Elite XC again on CBS. The best fight of the night was stopped because of a finger in the eye. If they have to sugarcoat it like this then it doesn’t need to be on CBS. A watered down version of MMA on network television is not good for the sport. I will gladly watch Ill Will once more. Thanks Dana for giving us quality MMA fights and not some watered down garbage. The Affliction card is going to be awesome so I will have to put Dana on the back burner for that one.
Cock blocking is a termed use by those having their cocks blocked, I see as protecting your interests.
Awesome, the more mma the better. UFC 84 was the best overall card in a while, I’d love to watch it again.
I love what Dana is doing recently by countering these other promotions. I was there at 84 so I never saw it on TV… Nice.
lol…i love it
Sweet! The more promotions that get into the mix means more MMA for us fans. And more free shows as well. And that is only good news. $55 every month for PPVs in HD starts getting expensive real fast on top of all the other monthly expenses.
Dana, give us more free sh*t! Throw us a frickin’ bone, as the mighty Dr. Evil would say.
July kicks ass
They are also showing UFN 11 tonight on Spike at 9pm
Why in the world would I choose to watch a UFC event that I already saw and have on my DVR when I can watch LIVE fights???
Because not everyone saw it. Because people other than VM prefer the UFC over Elite XC. Because BJ Penn-Sean Sherk was a huge fight — much bigger than Lawler-Smith.Because some people may have no idea that Elite XC is on CBS. Because …
BURN…lol
Mania, u do realize that the UFC 84 dvd will be released soon?
Yes. I do. What’s that got to do with the price of rice in China?
My point is who the hell cares about an event, that most of AMERICA already saw (since it was one of the best events of the year), especially since everyone that has already seen it will probably be looking to purchase the DVD so they can watch all the fights. UFC 83 will be released soon which means UFC 84 wont be too far behind.
Mania, you cant sit here and tell me that you will be watching UFC 84 instead of EliteXC which will feature BIGfoot in action along with the anticipated rematch between Lawler vs. Smith….I would find that very hard to believe! The only good part about the UFC airing UFC 84 at the same time is I will have something to watch during the many eliteXC commercials!
I won’t sit here and tell you that because I’m not a “casual” fan. Casual fans pay more attention to UFC than any other promotion. Take a step back sometimes and pay attention to the power the UFC has over those who don’t follow this on a daily basis.
yeah, I understand that! But IMO, if the UFC doesnt do this counterproggraming carp, then the casual fans will check out a free event on CBS by a lessor organization and become bigger fans!
U r right about the casual fan aspect of it though! I am just happy to hear that u arent trying to lie to me by telling me that u wont watch a live EliteXC event in favor of a UFC event that we saw a couple months ago! I hear you!
I know right? What was that all about.
He’ll probably be home, wathching neither, jerking off all night.
My point WAS who wants to watch the past when they can watch the present.
Seriously, if you want to watch UFC 84, then go on F’n youtube, its there. Search Google, you can find every fight.
No doubt… UFC 84: Ill Will is non sequitur up against the live Elite XC show. Dana will have to pony up some live action to get my attention. Even so, I won’t be watching FN14 live either. I will be DVRing it while I watch the Affliction PPV. I buy every UFC and watch every MMA broadcast I can. I have HDNet so I DVR everything MMA, even the small shows, so maybe I am not the target for this tactic by Dana.
Im with you Savage. There isnt anything that the UFC could do to keep me from purchasing Fedor vs. Sylvia! Sorry Dana, but thanmks anyway for all the extra mma action!
i think you miss the point of counter programming like this john. this isnt to deter the 1000’s of hardcore mma fans who post on mma boards. its to grab the masses of casual fans, thats where the real money is. of course ppl like you and i are going to buy affliction…we are not the target that dana is aiming at.
Awesome.
Who says competition is a bad thing you ask???
The UFC apparently!
They’re doing everything they can to keep the little guys (fledgling Promotions) down, (read bullying) in the hopes that they will just go away.
The competeting Promotions are bad for the way the UFC has done business up to now. They don’t want to change their business model structure as it is hugely profitable.
Pay as little as possible for the fighters on exclusive contracts, while reaping as much percentage of profit as they can.
The Fertitta’s didn’t get as wealthy as they are by rewarding anyone for their efforts any more then they had to.
Clearly the UFC is intent on making this business as hard as they legally can on any Promotion trying to get a slice of the pie.
If we as fans don’t now support these competing MMA Organizations, they most certainly will disapear and we’ll be back watching the same old UFC. That is, only fighters willing to sign their careers away for less & less money.
(We don’t get to see the best fighters in MMA compete against each other in the UFC, only those under contract to the UFC.)
Competion IS good for MMA, but it WILL quickly disapear if we don’t, as the consumers of the product they offer watch MMA fights and buy from their advertisers, plus buy the PPV’s.
In short, support the competing shows, while continuing your support for the UFC. It can only make the sport better for fans & fighters alike, as Promotions are forced to put on better shows & compensate their performers more fairly.
I’ve got nothing against the UFC, they did bring MMA to the sporting mainstream.
We should thank them for that. But future growth of the sport will really depend on expansion of competing MMA Promotions.
I’ll be buying the “BANNED” PPV & taping the UFC/Spike show.
Good post.
I agree, said the same on the FC forum and the Dana huggers got all pissed off….nice post Talkman.
MMA is just not big enough right now to pay fighters millions of millions of dollars…..period. If you start doing that now, MMA will tank because there is not enough revenue.
It’s not about millions.. it’s about more than what fighter’s are getting today..and good competition is good for MMA in regards to promotions.
I agree with you 100%, I have said a similar thing in the past. I really do not understand those who say that they cannot wait for any new rival promotion to fail, or that only the UFC should promote and organize MMA events. As you pointed out not only would this leave the UFC and Dana with a firm grip around the fighters balls, but we would continue to miss out on seeing some of the best fighters in the world because Dana doesn’t happen to like them (Lindland, Barnett) or because they were not willing to sign their life away. You only have to look at this Affliction event to see how ignorant that way of thinking really is.
I love it. I love the replay of UFC 84 and UFN 14. This is great for new mma fans too. Think about it, now the new fans have an opportunity to chose which organization has the best fights and the best fighters. They can decide what they want to see as well, do they want to see more fights or more dancing? More fights or rappers doing intro’s? They also get to see fighters who are fighting top quality fighters. This is good all around. Thanks Dana!
I’ll be watching EliteXC since I was there for UFC 84 live. I’m just gonna wait till this comes out on dvd.
I’ll watch EliteXC in HD and probably record UFC 84.
F elitexc, they ruined the last event, I would rather watch the ufc, because I know they have good fights.
Give them one more shot - sometimes you stumble out of the gate. Things straighten themselves out one way or another in time.
This is great news. UFC 84 was a damn great card.
great event, lame idea!
If it looks as bad as the first exc event i might be watching ufc and forget about exc. i mean justin eilers? i dont care at all about that guy.
If you dont want to support Elite xc but still want to see their fights just download it the next day. That way they dont get your ratings.
Thats funny because thats what a lot of us do to the UFC…
UFN 14 and UFC 84 Replay will be shown AFTER Affliction PPV and EliteXC’s CBS show is done with, so everyone can watch both without having to choose.
July 19th on SPIKE:
6pm PT / 9pm ET
UFC® Silva vs Irvin
12 AM ET/ 9PM PT
UFC® Silva vs Irvin Re-Air
July 26th on SPIKE:
9 PM ET/ 6PM PT
UFC® 84: Penn vs Sherk Replay
11:30PM ET/PT
UFC® 84: Penn vs Sherk Replay
You can watch Showtime’s portion around 8PM ET/PT, followed by EliteXC’s CBS show from 9PM to 11PM ET/PT, followed by UFC 84 at 11:30 PM ET/PT.
Spike will also re-air UFN 14 back to back, so even if you watch the Affliction PPV, you don’t need to DVR or watch one versus the other at the same time.
Yo MANIA!!!!!!!!!!!!
What will you guys be doing on July 19?? Are you guys gonna do the live results for Affliction: Banned, or UFN 14???
wow… so 90% of you HATE eliteXC, but because of EliteXC, Dana has to give you free MMA… and yet, you still HATE EliteXC..
mmm…ok.