Comments on: Mirko fighting in America?

By: FightOpinion.com - Your Global Connection to the Fight Industry.

FightOpinion.com - Your Global Connection to the Fight Industry. — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 04:07:53 +0000

[...] The most interesting note in all of this story is that the Croatian report does indeed name the WFA as the promotion that made a big-money offer for Mirko to work in America in October. The rumors right now suggest that WFA is going to run their October show in Las Vegas, meaning Las Vegas in one month will have shows from WFA, PRIDE, and UFC. PRIDE, right now, looks to be the big loser in all of this. [...]

By: FightOpinion.com - Your Global Connection to the Fight Industry.

FightOpinion.com - Your Global Connection to the Fight Industry. — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 07:53:56 +0000

[...] A few interesting notes: Recall when Mirko, a couple of weeks ago, stated that he was considering working in America in October but not for PRIDE or UFC? Jeff Thaler says Phil Baroni, who was supposed to work the UFC show in November (tentatively headlined by Vanderlei Silva vs. Chuck Liddell), is off that card. It’ll be interesting to see who fights and who doesn’t fight on the PRIDE show. [...]

By: Mr.Roadblock

Mr.Roadblock — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 06:54:21 +0000

An interesting thing about Showtime is that they often offer the boxing matches they air on PPV for $9.95 if you’re not a Showtime subscriber. This could be a great way for WFA (or another promotion) to get exposure. Then when they have a big event, maybe 3 or 4 a year, put it on PPV exclusively for $30+.

By: Lynchman

Lynchman — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 02:30:46 +0000

If Strikeforce is indeed bringing him in, I am surprised. Overeem did not draw a crowd reaction, or pull heavy walkup business.

Mirko will cost them a hell of a lot more than Overeem did. I would kill to see him live, but I can’t see them pulling in enough extra people to cover his costs.

By: Erin

Erin — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:33:36 +0000

Now, I’d definitly hike my butt to San Jose on a workday in rush hour traffic to see a Mirko fight.

By: Dukes

Dukes — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 22:03:27 +0000

Not so fast. The MMA world is in for a big suprise when they see who has landed Mirko – and it ain’t the WFA. This comes from an oddsmaker in Southern Cali who is salivating on this fight.

Hint: They hold the record for the largest MMA gate in the USA.
Hint: They have money.
Hint: They have has PrideFC athletes on their card before.

Guess who?!

By: Lynchman

Lynchman — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 16:47:57 +0000

I agree that WFA/Showtime could be a great combo. I really don’t see the WFA ppv doing much more than Pride has done, so Showtime won’t have to pay that much to make it worthwhile for the WFA.

By: Zach Arnold

Zach Arnold — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 16:33:30 +0000

Lynchman – I think it’s inevitable that WFA will try to get some sort of deal to get their big shows on Showtime. The PPV market seems to be oversaturated and having fresh MMA programming on a pay-channel like Showtime will only bring in new subscribers. Pay-based channels always are in need of finding ways to increase subscription base numbers, and MMA could be very well be that product to do it. It would be mutually beneficial for both WFA & Showtime to make a big deal.

By: Lynchman

Lynchman — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 16:28:49 +0000

I might be wrong, but I don’t think Showtime paid for that special. I think it was more of a paid spot for the WFA. If it had been something Showtime purchased, the WFA would not be able air it on their website.

By: Zach Arnold

Zach Arnold — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 15:33:52 +0000

Very interesting that Showtime is part of the CBS Corp. (which was marketed to shareholders as a “value play” versus the “new” Viacom marketed to shareholders for growth potential).

I’m still not convinced that getting a deal with Showtime would bring WFA to the promise land, but it would financially ease a lot of the pain.