Watch Kalib Run: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Around SBN: Baby Boilers no more: Michigan State-Purdue Preview

UFC 95 is Free! So What?


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.


0 recs  |  Comment 0 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

More from Watch Kalib Run

Cage Cast 64: UFC 109 Recap

Feb 2010 by Zak Woods - 0 comments

LOL UFC 109

Feb 2010 by Zak Woods - 10 comments

Comments

Display:

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Innovative, incisive and independent MMA coverage
Start posting on Watch Kalib Run »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Catman3_small
On The Spot with Mark Coleman

Recent FanPosts

Avatar_small
What is going on with Anderson Silva and Ed Soares?
The-return_small
MMA Fashion Apparel Poll
K2-xl_small
Sengoku News
Gsp123jv7_small
Breaking Down IGN’s First Look of UFC 2010: Undisputed…
Avatar_small
UFC 109: Relentless Predictions
K2-xl_small
Fox Fight Game UFC 109 Preview
The-return_small
UFC Undisputed 2009 Thread
Logo_small
Interview with Season 2 Bellator Fighter Carey Vanier
K2-xl_small
Bellator Announces Ultimate Bet Sponsorship

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >


Managers

K2-xl_small Zak Woods

Contributors

Img_8375_small E. Spencer Kyte

Chicagoatnight1_small Zach Krantz

Pride_fc_2006_openweight_gp_small Nick Becker

Snapshot_20100105_small Chris Shanks