The upcoming EliteXC MMA event this Saturday will be the first time that Mixed Martial Arts will be broadcast on a major television network. Maybe MMA has finally shaken itself of its old image and is now a main stream sport, rather than its life before the modern UFC when it was seen as a cult sport.
This sport has come a long way from its days of allowing eye-gouging and shots to the business.
Since the sport was first introduced, it was shunned by all major media people, and it was attempted to be shut down by a current presidential candidate. But now with the regulation of the events, how the fighters represent themselves and the sport, and grass roots shows like Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter how could this sport not be considered with the stick and ball sports of Football, Baseball, Hockey and Basketball.
Even respected sports networks like Sportsnet in Canada and a certain four letter word, lets call them PSEN, have had spots on television dedicated to this sport. Sportsnet even employs thier own MMA talking head. Not to mention most sports websites now have entire pages dedicated to the covering of not only the large events like the UFC, but also others like WEC, MFC and EliteXC.
Now politicians are trying to influence these young viewers of these events, as evidenced by the commercial during TUF last night where various UFC stars are encouraging people to vote. People who once poo pooed the sport, are now trying to take advantage of its popularity.
But even with the popularity of MMA, people still see it as they did when Royce Gracie was breaking people's arm. They refuse to take a look at this sport now and see how far it has come. But, then you can't influence how people perceive thier sport when thier mind is already made up.
With the first MMA event being put on "free" TV, Maybe MMA has finally arrived.
I actually participated in the conference call with CBS and got to ask Kimbo a few questions, I did a piece the other day at my site, check it out if you get a chance: http://sportsreviewmagazine.com/ind ex.php?option=com_content&task=view &id=2669
I think if MMA wants to explode they need to create a world title, and even if the organizations don't merge they should fight each other and unify championships like boxing. It would be quite interesting, and there is already rivalry brewing so it would be pretty intense.
I agree with you about the unification, because the UFC has already done this with Dan Henderson twice, and both were successful. But to merge all organizations would create a boring monopoly
Competition amongst these organizations is excellent and will keep the sport growing and more interesting. It will force new organizations to create a new market for themselves and force all the current organizations to compete. Like Elite going to CBS, and the UFC in talks with HBO. Competition is good for the sport and will help MMA rather than hinder it like it did with boxing.
Mojo McFart
Anything now coming out of the mouth of Dana White has got to be taken with a grain of salt.
UFC may well be the big man on campus at present. But with the presence of M1 Global rein that he tries to hold on so tightly to is going to begin to slip.
He treats the fighters within the UFC stables as if they're his personal slaves.
Personally I feel that it's good that we're seeing CBS take an interest in the sport and giving it the exposure it deserves. Elite XC should prove to be popular if marketed and exposed in the right way. The commentators and analysts are guys who know the sport. So hopefully they'll acquit themselves well when commentating.
Someone's cruisin' for a bruisin' from Kimbo Slice.
rampant' aka tophatal ..........
Last edited by rampantfanatic on May 29th at 2:30 PM.
MMA has taken off. Just look at the PPV numbers. It getting some exposer but with this Saturday night it could really take off. The PPV last Sat. was a great card and this elite package this weekend could be a lot of fun. As far as Kimbo Ramp, he's still got to get a ground game.
degraff
Groundwork or not I wouldn't want to meet his #### in an alleyway.
Not unless I've been in practice.
Wanderlei Silva is the guy I'd like to see
on this program.
Ya Top, the ax murderer put on an devestating display and I was glad to see it. BJ looked awful tight also but Sherk was an #### to stand there and trade with him. Kimbo is a bad dude no doubt.
degraff
If this Elite XC should take off on CBS . Then I for one hope that the cards'll be good ones. And you're right with regard to the PPV revenues as they far exceed what professional boxing has done here in N America over the last two years.
Last year alone PPV grossed $ 250m for boxing alone whilst MMA grossed in excess $290m . That if anything tells us that they've indeed found a niche. Is it any wonder that others want to be a part of this particular gravy train ?
Never mind the fact that with ancilliary rights and merchandizing you could be looking at a billion dollar industry. Hell if they can maiximize their exposure they could far exceed anything that's being done by the WWE !
If they can also create their own stable of stars as well as luring others away from UFC then it ought to bode well for them. The only problem being is that it could be somewhat considered a conflict of interest on the part of CBS, considering the tie in it already has with UFC via the Spike cable network which also is part of Viacom, the parent company of both CBS and Spike.
rampant' aka tophatal ......
Last edited by rampantfanatic on May 29th at 9:01 PM.
Until they headline with REAL MMA fighters, going mainstream is not going to legitimize the sport. I'm looking forward to the Lawler/Smith fight and moreso to the Faber/Pulver fight the next day.
