This sport is dying

[scurlaruntings]

Originally Posted by Primate

Guys at my work today were talking about Pac-Bradley, but it only me and one other guy who actually watched it. When there's a UFC event on (a numbered PPV), then pretty much everyone has seen it and is talking about it the next day.

Good for you. In my neck of the woods that's just not the case.

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by Primate

They're still a business. If it's not profitable for them to physically be overseas, then they're not gonna be there. They've been very vocal about trying to break into China. TUF Brazil was a flop, but they still did TUF Brazil. They're about to do TUF UK v Aus, they've done UK v USA. Most cards have guys from a half dozen different countries, even if the majority are American or Brazilian. Saying the UFC isn't worldwide because they spend so much time/money in the US is like saying MGM isn't world wide because they only produce American movies. They're a business, the money is in the US, so that's where they put their efforts.

Well when you cite the fact that they are putting on shows in countries they havent been too in 2 years as an example of how the UFC is expanding, it's a bit laughable. They have been talking about China since 08...yet still no shows there

As you say it's a business, and when you cant put on more than 3 foreign cards out of 30 + a year in other countries, it's obvious that the UFC, whilst recognised, isnt financially sustainable as a world wide brand. You contradicted yourself fella in your own post.

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by scurlaruntings

Good for you. In my neck of the woods that's just not the case.

That's bullshit Scurla...in work with me one guy asked me when's Chuck Liddel fighting next about 3 months ago. MMA is brought up at least once every 3 months...it's a major talking point

The UFC is obviously bigger than it's fighters...

[scurlaruntings]

Originally Posted by Stoo

That's bullshit Scurla...in work with me one guy asked me when's Chuck Liddel fighting next about 3 months ago. MMA is brought up at least once every 3 months...it's a major talking point

The UFC is obviously bigger than it's fighters...

Well to be fair a guy did ask me what i thought of Fedor vs Couture 5 years ago when i was in Gatwick airport on my way to Tunisia. Shouldn't have worn that crappy UFC t-shirt. Its that meteoric rise BS again...

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by scurlaruntings

Well to be fair a guy did ask me what i thought of Fedor vs Couture 5 years ago when i was in Gatwick airport on my way to Tunisia. Shouldn't have worn that crappy UFC t-shirt. Its that meteoric rise BS again...

When I was at 120 people thought Cyrille Diabate was Anderson Silva...bearing in mind the had paid £250 for tickets

[Haggis McJackass]

Originally Posted by Stoo

Well when you cite the fact that they are putting on shows in countries they havent been too in 2 years as an example of how the UFC is expanding, it's a bit laughable. They have been talking about China since 08...yet still no shows there

As you say it's a business, and when you cant put on more than 3 foreign cards out of 30 + a year in other countries, it's obvious that the UFC, whilst recognised, isnt financially sustainable as a world wide brand. You contradicted yourself fella in your own post.

But how quickly do you expect them to do it?

This sport is in its infancy. Come back in 10 or 15 years and see how many cards have been held in mainland Europe or in the Asia-Pacific region. Come back when the main eventers are guys from all over the world who started training MMA because they watched Anderson and Cain and GSP and fucking Bisping when they were teens.

[scurlaruntings]

Originally Posted by Stoo

When I was at 120 people thought Cyrille Diabate was Anderson Silva...bearing in mind the had paid £250 for tickets

At the SENI a few weeks a couple of fans asked me who Overeem was....And how on earth do you get those two confused? Hey ho...

[Stoo]

Yeah let's speculate what they will do in 10 years ...you really have a handle on this debating malarky Haggis...always enjoy your input

[Primate]

Originally Posted by scurlaruntings

Good for you. In my neck of the woods that's just not the case.

Yeah, that was my point. Judging how well a particular sport is doing based on how much the guys at the gym/workplace/pub isn't a great way to go. In that case tennis is probably dead because I can't remember the last time I heard anyone discuss that outside of a tennis broadcast.

Originally Posted by Stoo

Well when you cite the fact that they are putting on shows in countries they havent been too in 2 years as an example of how the UFC is expanding, it's a bit laughable. They have been talking about China since 08...yet still no shows there

As you say it's a business, and when you cant put on more than 3 foreign cards out of 30 + a year in other countries, it's obvious that the UFC, whilst recognised, isnt financially sustainable as a world wide brand. You contradicted yourself fella in your own post.

No, I didn't. I acknowledged the fact that there are greater profits to be had domestically.

They can maintain a presence overseas without investing a huge amount of time and money there, much like is happening in the UK and Australia and will likely happen in Brazil.

Anyway. I honestly hate talking about this shit, and I find it a little bizarre that people who profess their love for the sport seem so enamoured with asserting it's inevitable failure and then patting each other on the back for it.

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by scurlaruntings

At the SENI a few weeks a couple of fans asked me who Overeem was....And how on earth do you get those two confused? Hey ho...

To be fair they were absolutely hammered, I won a tenner off them by betting that Condit would wipe the floor with Hardy

That was my beer money sorted. Top lads

[scurlaruntings]

Originally Posted by Primate

Yeah, that was my point. Judging how well a particular sport is doing based on how much the guys at the gym/workplace/pub isn't a great way to go. In that case tennis is probably dead because I can't remember the last time I heard anyone discuss that outside of a tennis broadcast.
.

Now you're being facetious...Granted its subjective but i think you've missed the point entirely. In the UK boxing by FAR is more socially acceptable with the wider support than MMA. You can argue the merits of the UFC till the cows come home if you want to. But the facts are boxing has more coverage, and more interest than the UFC. That, culturally in respect of the UK is not up for debate. If you want to casually dismiss that in favour of your absurd Tennis example then there's no discussion to be had here.

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by Primate

No, I didn't. I acknowledged the fact that there are greater profits to be had domestically.

They can maintain a presence overseas without investing a huge amount of time and money there, much like is happening in the UK and Australia and will likely happen in Brazil.

Anyway. I honestly hate talking about this shit, and I find it a little bizarre that people who profess their love for the sport seem so enamoured with asserting it's inevitable failure and then patting each other on the back for it.

Fair enough, I originally was pointing out that the UFC is barely a world wide promotion, guess we are on the same page in that aspect

Loving the sport and loving a brand are two totally different things entirely. And not believing the hype put out by the biggest brand does not mean you dont love the sport, or indeed enjoy the UFC.

I agree with you about these types of debates, reading back on them a week or two later is like reading a religion thread in the Lounge

[scurlaruntings]

Originally Posted by Primate

Yeah, that was my point. Judging how well a particular sport is doing based on how much the guys at the gym/workplace/pub isn't a great way to go. In that case tennis is probably dead because I can't remember the last time I heard anyone discuss that outside of a tennis broadcast.


No, I didn't. I acknowledged the fact that there are greater profits to be had domestically.

They can maintain a presence overseas without investing a huge amount of time and money there, much like is happening in the UK and Australia and will likely happen in Brazil.

Anyway. I honestly hate talking about this shit, and I find it a little bizarre that people who profess their love for the sport seem so enamoured with asserting it's inevitable failure and then patting each other on the back for it.

As a fan its easy to be objective about the facts instead of being a fanboy. Whether those facts are to your liking is largely irrelevant. The reality is -much to many UFC fanboys chagrin - the UFC isn't as wide spread as fans think it is and neither is it on an upside. You seem to be getting the wrong end of the stick here..

[Primate]

Originally Posted by scurlaruntings

Now you're being facetious...Granted its subjective but i think you've missed the point entirely. In the UK boxing by FAR is more socially acceptable with the wider support than MMA. You can argue the merits of the UFC till the cows come home if you want to. But the facts are boxing has more coverage, and more interest than the UFC. That, culturally in respect of the UK is not up for debate. If you want to casually dismiss that in favour of your absurd Tennis example then there's no discussion to be had here.

You can substitute tennis for whatever example you want to use, up to and including curling. My point was that you can't support an argument with a comment about what you hear guys talking about down the pub/at work/etc., which is exactly what you were trying to do. By that logic there are very few sports alive and well in Australia, as almost all sports discussions revolve around AFL and Rugby.

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by scurlaruntings

Now you're being facetious...Granted its subjective but i think you've missed the point entirely. In the UK boxing by FAR is more socially acceptable with the wider support than MMA. You can argue the merits of the UFC till the cows come home if you want to. But the facts are boxing has more coverage, and more interest than the UFC. That, culturally in respect of the UK is not up for debate. If you want to casually dismiss that in favour of your absurd Tennis example then there's no discussion to be had here.

Bullshit again...Pac v Bradley was reported on the BBC whilts a year or so ago they also ran a ''Cage fighting 8 year old'' story and Alex Reid's wedding in the mainstream news media

MMA is obviously getting more coverage in the UK. It's the fastest growing sport in the world