MMA thread

[Alex]

Been thinking this for a while, Sky have often tweeted about it. My worry is that they will start putting the events on Sky Box office, similar to wrestling.







Haven't decided if I'm gonna watch it yet, really doesn't interest me at all.
Rousey is very pretty though.

The talk is of having a few more UK/Ireland based events for normal TV. Headlined by top British/European fighters, then have some of the American PPVs on PPV here too. There is only 12 proper PPVs in America a year anyway (The numbered events) So I guess its people like GSP and Silva who we will have to pay for.

But to have it on Sky would be amazing, think of all the room they have to show replays and highlight shows.

[spud_gun]

I imagine that BT would be keen to snap up the UFC when the ESPN contract ends. They're building a couple of sports stations from scratch and thus far have been spending like a drunken sailor on shore leave.

Anyone know when the ESPN contract ends?

[Alex]

This summer, dont know the exact date. Think the UFC would prefer Sky Sports. But I guess the money from BT would be alot.

[Gibbo]

The talk is of having a few more UK/Ireland based events for normal TV. Headlined by top British/European fighters, then have some of the American PPVs on PPV here too. There is only 12 proper PPVs in America a year anyway (The numbered events) So I guess its people like GSP and Silva who we will have to pay for.

But to have it on Sky would be amazing, think of all the room they have to show replays and highlight shows.

Still think its a ****e idea .

I like the format I have now with ESPN where I just pay and get it all, is it next year that they lose all their football? That could mean a jump to sky could even further hurt the channel.

It's strange because, I imagine the UFC gained most of its UK fan base from people who subscribed to ESPN and decided to give it a try. Putting it on regular PPV could really ruin that for some people.

It really depends how they do it, I don't think there is a high enough UK fan base to even pay for a Silva fight, but it would make much more sense than that ******* F1 channel.

[Alex]

Still think its a ****e idea .

I like the format I have now with ESPN where I just pay and get it all, is it next year that they lose all their football? That could mean a jump to sky could even further hurt the channel.

It's strange because, I imagine the UFC gained most of its UK fan base from people who subscribed to ESPN and decided to give it a try. Putting it on regular PPV could really ruin that for some people.

It really depends how they do it, I don't think there is a high enough UK fan base to even pay for a Silva fight, but it would make much more sense than that ******* F1 channel.

I think there is a fan base out there. All of the events they put on are sell outs. I would pay £10-£15 to get a few mates over for a GSP or Silva fight. Imagine if they fought together.

**** me, people still pay to watch Wrestling on PPV in this country and Id guess MMA is much more popular than that now.

[spud_gun]

I think there is a fan base out there. All of the events they put on are sell outs. I would pay £10-£15 to get a few mates over for a GSP or Silva fight. Imagine if they fought together.

**** me, people still pay to watch Wrestling on PPV in this country and Id guess MMA is much more popular than that now.

Fairly sure it's the WWE who stipulate that events must be PPV on Sky.

Sky have shown with boxing that if the event isn't making money they'll drop the PPV aspect for a time.

I don't think UFC would be that successful as a PPV entity in this country given that the majority of big events start 3am UK time. Also the cards that they put on in Europe tend to be a little on the **** side. Certainly not good enough quality to merit PPV status.

[Gibbo]

Actually enjoyed Rousey vs Carmouche.

Even though I wasn't sure why they let Faber fight twice.

i thought she was out in that face crank! No surprise how the fight went. Machida looked good against Henderson, I really like his style and really wanna see him fight jones again!

[ric.williams]

I don't think UFC would be that successful as a PPV entity in this country given that the majority of big events start 3am UK time.

this. AND mma is known as 'cage fighting' here and has mostly negative media coverage

[Gibbo]

Ramon Dekkers died today. An absolute beast of a man.

RIP

[Gibbo]

Condit vs Hendricks

Based on Diaz vs St-Pierre I've come to the conclusion that Silva would beat Georges

[Alex]

Condit v Hendricks was a hell of a fight. Id love to see a rematch.

Still think GSP is one of the best in the world. He didnt really look troubled against Diaz, seemed to stick to his game plan the whole time. He basically spent the first 2 rounds attached to his back, then in later rounds the trainer was telling him to be reactive rather than proactive. Seemed to want the fight to go a certain way.

Shame Diaz effectively retired at the end, when a fighter questions if they have it anymore, thats usually a sign they dont.

[Gaz]

I wouldn't pay much attention to Diaz threatening to quit, it's not the first time he's said something like that in a post fight presser, he's said it after his last couple of losses and keeps coming back, the dude wouldn't know what to do if he retired

[Gibbo]

Anyone staying up for Henderson vs Melendez?

[Alex]

Think ill just watch it tommorow morning. Was going to try, but I'm falling asleep already

Should be good.

[Gibbo]

Damn that was close, I must admit I thought Melendez had the first 3, but it really could have gone either way. Hopefully they will fight again.

Oh and i'm really starting to warm to Sonnen.