Comments on: Ticket information for Affliction 1/24 Honda Center event in Anaheim

By: Alan Conceicao

Alan Conceicao — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 03:14:51 +0000

Jeremy, again: The UFC has dealt with more networks than CBS. There was a dance that went for a solid 8 months with HBO. Why did that break down? Why didn’t they bounce on over to ESPN?

Maybe if they weren’t so committed to doing everything themselves, they could get a network to pick up the tab of production for something like a weekly fight show. But they’re not willing to go along with that. I’ve talked to people who get their wonderful press passes for the UFC and they say that backstage, the company frankly is somewhat worried about finding programming to fill the void for TUF when its finally phased out. Their hope is that UFC Primetime can do it, but I have my doubts that a show without any fights is gonna be able to keep them going over the long run.

By: Michaelthebox

Michaelthebox — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:45:57 +0000

I think the talk of the “death” of boxing is overplayed.

The truth is somewhat closer to the fact that boxing has never truly achieved its “life.”

People talk about the 2 million or so PPV buys that top boxing cards get as proof that MMA isn’t competing. In truth, boxing, if it were well run, would AVERAGE 2 million buys, and peak closer to 6 million or more. At some point, probably not too far away, the UFC will surpass boxing, and just keep going.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:20:59 +0000

Ivan,

One of the execs at CBS once made a public statement that control was not the reason the UFC was not on CBS.

From what I had heard, both the UFC AND CBS acted as though the other was lucky to be talking to them.

The numbers were nowhere near being close.

By: D.Capitated

D.Capitated — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:48:34 +0000

Mayweather/Hatton did better than, what, all but 2 MMA PPVs ever? And don’t give me that he’s “retired”. His reps are already out hustling for a fight with the Hatton/Pacquiao winner.

By: Steve4192

Steve4192 — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:53:11 +0000

“Hey, HBO’s two biggest years for total buys came in the last 4 years also. Yet, somehow, you’re the first to say its dying?”

ODLH can’t fight forever. Heck, after watching his last fight, it looks like his career as an elite level competitor is already over.

Excluding ODLH, boxing’s recent PPV numbers have been abysmal. I think that is where the ‘boxing is dying’ talk comes from. There is no one waiting in the wings to carry the load after Oscar retires.

By: D.Capitated

D.Capitated — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:41:53 +0000

We get that, 45. Hey, HBO’s two biggest years for total buys came in the last 4 years also. Yet, somehow, you’re the first to say its dying?

By: 45 Huddle

45 Huddle — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:05:44 +0000

Can’t find a way to have a legit response so you have to make a joke?

During 2008, the UFC offered only one paid event per month. The last time (before UFC 93/94) that Zuffa offered two PPV’s in the same month is… Yep, you guess it… Never.

There are no signs of weakening. Even if Meltzer’s numbers ren’t perfect, it shows an UPWARD trend of PPV Buys, not a downward. Zuffa likely expects around 200,000 for events like UFC 93. And most fans are going to pick and choose their events anyways and purchase anywhere from 2 to 6 a year, depending on the cards.

By: D.Capitated

D.Capitated — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:10:51 +0000

And if you it over the course of 15 years, the UFC only really averages a PPV show once every 2.5 months! Oh, 45.

By: 45 Huddle

45 Huddle — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:07:21 +0000

If you remove Affliction from the equation, the UFC is doing exactly 4 PPV’s in the first 4 months of the year. If UFC 94 was one day later, it would be one for each month through April. That’s not a big deal, especially when Zuffa is giving away 6 free cards during that same time period.

By: Ivan Trembow

Ivan Trembow — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:42:32 +0000

If you remove the Affliction PPV from that article entirely (if it weren’t happening), I think his point would still stand about too many PPVs and the long-term risks that this poses for the industry.