UFC 95 is Free! So What?
by Zak Woods on Dec 23, 2008 11:44 AM EST
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Today Zuffa announced that UFC 95 will be aired free on Spike, most likely via tape delay. I enjoy free fights as much as the next fan but let's cool the celebration. There hasn't been an exclusive European pay-per-view since Okami-Franklin, which performed extremely poor.
Since then, every UFC fight card featured in Europe has been free in the U.S. on tape-delay. Even when large bouts occurred in Europe such as Rampage vs. Henderson, they were featured on tape delay. There is a core demographic that will buy pay-per-views no matter what, but the casual buyer will simply go to a bar or read the results online. Besides who wants to buy a fight card for three o'clock in the afternoon?
Clearly the UFC's pay-per-view power base is located within the U.S. Lorenzo Fertitta is on record describing pay-per-view events as the engine for Zuffa's business model, they won't be doing an exclusive European pay-per-view any time soon.
Besides the European events now act as a middle ground (when it comes to talent) between Fight Nights and U.S. PPV events. They are also a great way of hiding large pay checks, remember when Cro Cop fought in Europe to hide his massive compensation.
So let's stop acting surprised or excited when the Euro-fight cards are announced as free. The fan base has grown to expect it and the business model now reflects that expectation. Instead let's enjoy watching Marcus Davis for the up-teen time.
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