Is Cain-JDS the most important, significant fight in the history of MMA?

Not just the two combatants, but everything surrounding the event?

The UFC debuting on Fox Sports and starting its seven-year deal by putting a hugely-anticipated heavyweight title fight on free TV.

Two very, very solid fighters face off in the primes of their careers.

Two professionals who will turn up in shape and show respect for the sport and each other.

The debut of mixed martial arts as a mainstream sport in America.

Is this the most significant fight in MMA history?

And if not, why not?

:hat

 

It's big for sure. Depends on how the ratings are for me to really say if it's that significant, as well as if it's a good fight. Liddel/Ortiz II was the first MMA card to hit 1 million PPVs so that was big. Plus UFC 100 has has been the most significant money and views wise. But, I think if this gets hyped enough, and the right way it can trump those. Especially since it's free, and especially if it's a great fight.

 

I think we can judge how significant this one is by the ratings of the next fight on Fox. But it could be, if it lives up to the hype.

 

At one point Lesnar-Mir was the most important, significant fight in the history of MMA. :conf

 

I know it's free, but I am gonna go watch this fight live. Great fight.

I would say that it's more significant in that it has a chance reach a lot of viewers. You're probably going to get a large number of people watching it, and if it's a good fight, some of those viewers will tune again and tell friends.

 

the fights after this one are the most significant, need to be consistent to prove anything

XFL football had 54 million people watch it on network tv, but it died out within a year

 

:good

I am very excited about the developments in the last year or so. I believe that Dana and Zuffa seem to be playing pretty much all their cards right. They do seem pretty committed to giving the fans what they want. If there is demand for a particular fight to be made, the UFC is reliable about making it happen.

Yeah, but the XFL was competing directly against the biggest sports league in America. And indirectly against college ball as well.

The UFC now has the virtual monopoly on fight sports. A good proportion of males like to watch two tough guys scrap it out in a fair, clean, sporting fight. That always used to be boxing, but for the last couple of generations boxing hasn't been scratching that itch. Now comes a product which has all the main fighters under one roof, has lots of fights on free to air network programming, and is actively striving to get fighter's individual profiles out there, so they can attract fan followings. You can follow a guy's career even if he's only a gatekeeper or contender.

:hat

 

Definitely not the biggest fight in terms of anticipated match up, but it could be the most meaningful for the UFC expanding as a whole

 

Yes.

By any measure this is the most significant and important so far in MMA history. The combination of the fox deal, the potential audience, the fighters, and the implications given the outcome of the fight and the fight itself, this fight is huge. Even if it tanks, it is still the most important fight we've seen up to this point.

 

its a shame it won't go past the first round though.

 

It's arguably the first legit UFC heavyweight title fight.

 

absolute hogwash.

 

then it was Lesnar vs Carwin.

This is the way MMA is promoted, it is to appeal to morons. Everything is "the best ever" until the next "best ever" comes along.

This type of hyperbole sells so the rest of us have to endure it.

 

I think the fights involving Fedor and Nogueira are the sport's most significant fights, but Dos Santos and Velasquez may over take that in the future. It really depends on if/how great these fighters become.

 

NO!!! Sakuraba vs Royce Gracie and Fedor vs Cro Cop