The MMA thread

cyberman said:
Yeah but those boxing events are produced by Sky with unrivalled access to the fighters because of that.
They wouldn't get that access with fighters all the way over in America. Look at their coverage of Mayweather v Pac.
They got a few soundbites and videos of them standing outside of the MGM but there was no face off etc because Sky was a number of broadcasters, not the primary broadcaster.
They didn't have the access. That problem would repeat itself if they acquired the UFC imo.
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I agree mate it wouldn't be 100% the same, part of Hearn's deal is obviously that Sky will only talk about his fighters and get all the access to them (you wouldn't know Frampton is fighting this weekend and they barely mention Fury either anymore.) I just would like to see something done, try and generate a bit of buzz. In the past they used to put the UFC Exclusive content on at certain times such as Embedded but they don't do that now it would help sell some interesti n the fights.

In fairness they flew all their pundit team out to a hotel in Vegas (and I'm sure they loved it, they were pretty much poolside on the piss all week!) and they just bought a lot of footage off HBO and Showtime for Gloves are Off stuff and put them on at decent times. They did get interviews with Mayweather as well at the weigh in. It's where the infamous Carl Froch telling Mayweather about George Groves videos come from.

UFC benefits from BT promoting them so I don't see why they would flat out refuse to help them in some ways. Dan Hardy does a half hour fight hype on YouTube before big fights and it's hugely insightful for example. He's English and I'm sure he's based in England, why would UFC not let him do some stuff for BT for example? There's literally no harm in UFC giving them this stuff.

A deal with BT or Sky is huge for UFC really, you're right there is other broadcasters but Dana White has made no secret about the UK and Ireland being a massive market for them. I can't see why they wouldn't be co-operative with them if they wanted to produce more UFC content.

I don't expect it to be the Matchroom type coverage as you rightfully point out they have a monopoly on Sky really but BT could do better than just sticking the card on and leaving it at that. I honestly can't even remember seeing an advert for the UFC on BT!
 
I actually think BT do a good job. They show every event that they are allowed to, so thats the main thing

Delighted with this, but I do agree SKY do things better

All the numbered events would be PPV
 
Raoul said:
Are the PPV events free in the UK ?
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They're on BT Sport which is a monthly subscription channel which you have to pay for and they are included in that package. I think it's about 25 quid a month but with that you get UFC, some premier league games, CL games, German Bundesliga and loads of other stuff so it's worth it really. It's free if you have Virgin Media I think as well as they did a deal with them when they rebranded.

If it was on Sky it would change as people have said so we'd get prelims, fox cards free to air on Sky Sports 1 or whatever and then have to pay for all the numbered PPVs which would be about 20 quid an event.
 
Oggmonster said:
They're on BT Sport which is a monthly subscription channel which you have to pay for and they are included in that package. I think it's about 25 quid a month but with that you get UFC, some premier league games, CL games, German Bundesliga and loads of other stuff so it's worth it really. It's free if you have Virgin Media I think as well as they did a deal with them when they rebranded.

If it was on Sky it would change as people have said so we'd get prelims, fox cards free to air on Sky Sports 1 or whatever and then have to pay for all the numbered PPVs which would be about 20 quid an event.
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That's an amazing deal.
 
Raoul said:
That's an amazing deal.
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Yeah it's really good to be fair and obviously even better if you like other sports. They have exclusive Champions League rights so it's only on BT Sport where as it used to be on Sky.

Up until a few years ago Sky basically had a monopoly on all the sports and then BT bought ESPN* and started making a push for their business (Champions League and premier league games in particular were the bi ones) in the meantime ESPN had UFC so it has just stayed on that channel since really.

The criticisms are the production is pretty shit. It basically just streams what you'd see in America and puts a load of adverts over it to compensate for the fact it's free. For example we missed the "Brock is back" announcement cos BT cut to a break...so it was a blessing in disguise Helwani broke the news!

The boxing is similar to what Sky would of done with UFC. We get a lot of cards on Sky Sports 1/2/3 but then any big fight such as a Joshua fight is automatically on PPV for 22 quid a fight which would of been a big shock for UFC fans in the UK as we've never had to pay to watch it bar getting a whole channel.

*I think it was ESPN it was a few years ago now.
 
I'd guess it's McGregor getting involved in his interview on Conan. Kind of stole his thunder a bit but then if it wasn't for Conor Nate wouldn't be on that show anyway really.
 
I despise doping. I don't think people should get one year bans or two year bans or in the case of the UFC, a 6 month ban, I think anyone caught cheating (100% proved) should get a lifetime ban.

Anyway, in relation to Hunt, I have no sympathy whatsoever for him. He knew Brock was juicing. I saw an interview with him beforehand and he said that he knew Brock was juicing. He said he'd beat him anyway. Now that he has lost he goes on a moral outburst. Tough shit. He knew. If he was worried about getting killed in the Octogon and leaving his children fatherless, then he shouldn't have gotten into the Octogon when he damn well knew his opponent was juiced to the gills.
 
201 this weekend, flown under the radar a little.

So pumped for the Namajunas fight, hopefully they can get the win and get her title shot against Joanna. Quite like Karolina too but won't cheer anybody over Rose.

Only realised today that Pearson is fighting on the card. Crazy considering he only just fought earlier this month, hopefully can get a win to bounce back. Hoping Woodley/Lawler is a great fight but I'm not convinced it will be. Lawler has had about 6-7 incredible fights in a row but I think the style of Woodley will stop this being a barn burner like some of his recent fights. Hoping to be wrong.
 
meh, Mousasi vs Rockhold would have been a good one.

Belfort is only a challenge for the first 30 seconds. He should be fighting guys of his same level, like Machida.
 
JP77 said:
201 this weekend, flown under the radar a little.

So pumped for the Namajunas fight, hopefully they can get the win and get her title shot against Joanna. Quite like Karolina too but won't cheer anybody over Rose.

Only realised today that Pearson is fighting on the card. Crazy considering he only just fought earlier this month, hopefully can get a win to bounce back. Hoping Woodley/Lawler is a great fight but I'm not convinced it will be. Lawler has had about 6-7 incredible fights in a row but I think the style of Woodley will stop this being a barn burner like some of his recent fights. Hoping to be wrong.
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Yeah it's almost the forgotten card. I think the problem is being stuck between UFC 200 (what was meant to be their biggest PPV) and UFC 202 (which probably will be their biggest.)

It's not a hugely stacked card on paper either really and it doesn't help that if they could do with promoting the fight with the fighters none of them are hugely interesting talkers which will sell it to the on the fence people.

I do think a lot of people are sleeping on Woodley personally though, Lawler is rightfully favourite but he's taken some huge damage in his last 2 fights and in that time Woodley hasn't even fought. If it gets out of Round 3 I'd back Lawler but any time before then I think it could be close.

George Owen said:
meh, Mousasi vs Rockhold would have been a good one.

Belfort is only a challenge for the first 30 seconds. He should be fighting guys of his same level, like Machida.
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I think they're just stacking UFC 204 with these kind of fights to just get them out the way. Henderson vs. Bisping should be an easy night for Bisping and Mousasi has called Belfort out a few times in the past. They'll sell tickets in England to any fight really especially when it's headlined by Bisping in a title defence so they might as well fill it with shite. If it was an American card I doubt people would go. The PPV will probably do poor numbers as well but they'll just write it off cos 205 is the NY card which they'll stack hugely.
 
@Oggmonster

Yeah I was seeing it from Mousasi perspective, he gains little from this fight on route to a title shot, but allows him to make good money and stay active while waiting his shot to the shot fight. A Weidman Jacare caliber.

Still, an interesting fight nonetheless. This old dogs can still pull out one out from under the sleeve.

Mousasi massive favorite obviously. Wondering if he comes out straight for the finish or goes back to his more conservative approach.
 
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George Owen said:
@Oggmonster

Yeah I was seen it from Mousasi perspective, he gains little from this fight on route to a title shot, but allows him to make good money and stay active while waiting his shot to the shot fight. A Weidman Jacare caliber.

Still, an interesting fight nonetheless. This old dogs can still pull out one out from under the sleeve.

Mousasi massive favorite obviously. Wondering if he comes out straight for the finish or goes back to his more conservative approach.
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He could fight better opponents I agree in terms of actual ability, this is 1 fight though where if, like you say he comes straight out for the finish he could finish it very early and still be fresh in a few cards time.

I think the one thing you have to look at as well is the rankings:

C) Bisping - Fighting at 204
1) Rockhold - Might not be cleared to fight then?
2) Weidman - Been injured, they probably want him on 205 if fit. Maybe against Rockhold?
3) Jacare - Probably should be fighting for the title. He already beat Mousasi as well
4) Vitor Belfort

So he is fighting really the "best" available opponent in the rankings really maybe except someone who has beaten him already. It's a pretty stacked division at the moment and one I'd imagine they have big plans for. Rockhold vs. Weidman is a fight they'll want done again soon.
 
George Owen said:




he gonna get paid at least.
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Always funny these weigh in videos now since they've already weighed in and all this bit is for show. They even got the guy "checking the scales" there and Joe reading the weights as he's doing it, they could tune that bit up a bit he was to quick to read the weight really.

Looking forward to the card though it has a few decent fights on it, not as stacked as the upcoming ones but Lawler is always good to watch and Namajunas vs Karolina (not gonna even attempt to spell her last name) could be good.
 
Fight pass prelims starting now, hopefully we get a good card here. Some good style match ups throughout.

Edit: Wow didn't last long, that was impressive.
 
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