Comments on: Buyer’s remorse? CBS rethinks EliteXC, flirts with UFC

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:39:24 +0000

Did anyone else find it funny that the caption under Kimbo in the article read “UFC fighter Kimbo Slice”?

By: FAN590 - Blogs - The Showdown » Blog Archive » Couture vs Lesnar and UFC 88

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:33:14 +0000

[...] Buyer’s remorse? CBS rethinks EliteXC, flirts with UFC [...]

By: Toms Bombs

Toms Bombs — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:02:13 +0000

Yeah, next to being there live, PPV is the way to go.

By: Jrandolph

Jrandolph — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:39:36 +0000

This is way premature, but I am interested to know if Dana or any of the guys at the UFC, have discussed the possibility of a “saturday night fight” type program that might run during a fight season. Maybe during the summer when there is nothing on but baseball (ZZZzzz). This would be a great format for the WEC. Maybe a two hour program that focuses on up and coming figters.

By: fightfan

fightfan — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 23:21:21 +0000

I think it would be awesome for someone to start a boycott on Elite and their circus match up. They need ratings so they create someone to feed old men to him.

By: medecine balls

medecine balls — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:20:26 +0000

poor mans couture vs emelianenko? more like ignorant fans couture vs emelianenko.

By: naturalshadow

naturalshadow — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:17:13 +0000

I am actually fine with the UFC just being on Spike. Spike devotes a ton of coverage to the UFC, and I don’t think a major network would have the amount of time open for as many airings as Spike does.

By: www.flyingheadkick.com

www.flyingheadkick.com — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:44:34 +0000

Buyer’s remorse? CBS rethinks EliteXC, flirts with UFC…

Good article…

By: kama kaze

kama kaze — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:49:46 +0000

EliteXC and UFC business models couldn’t be more different and it shows in the end result.

Take Elite’s main event for example. Most hardcore fans think its funny and some are outraged. Fact is that the hardcorefans are NOT the targeted audience. Some think they are, and thats why they are confused. Shamrock and Kimbo both have names that are recognizeable to people who don’t watch mma. CBS is obviously trying to grab the attention of random people flipping through the channels with a headliner like that.

Elite justifys the main event with the “growing the sport” argument. However, it disappoints serious fans of mma by having sketchy judging, refereeing, questionable integrity of fights. Even the commentating is a sales gimmick. Look at Strikeforce. They are also a child company of ProElite, but their commentating is much more knowledgable and their shows don’t come with any of this baggage.

Bottom line is EliteXC is catering to the market who don’t watch mma even though the shows might have the same look and feel as the UFC. I’ll watch the Diaz and Shields fight online the next day. Hey, I love mma like I love rap music, but I’m not going to bump the song on the McDonalds commercial, if you know what I mean. I don’t see what CBS will bring to the table for UFC. I like UFC on Spike just fine and I’m looking forward to UFC89 which will be free. OH BOY!

By: islandguy

islandguy — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 18:43:09 +0000

Slice vs Shamrock may draw viewers; it is a highly promotable fight but given that it is unlikely to have any entertainment value at all you are left with a lot of disappointed viewers who walk away saying “Gee, there really is nothing to that MMA crap after all.” Why the big surprise at low ratings for the second show?

Say what you will about the UFC but they book (mostly) quality fights between legitimate athletes. Taking the freakshow approach to try to get ratings for the CBS broadcasts is a strategy that can only fail and likely sooner than later. Bunch a donks.