ESPN: My theory

[Drain Bamage]

ESPN didn't want this card on TV because Greg Hardy is on it

 

[podsox]

Espn bought the ufc tv rights to get subs for their streaming service

 

[PAPERCLIP30]

Probably definitely not

 

[POWER2]

ESPN didn't want this card on TV because Greg Hardy is on it

maybe.

 

[dc007]

Nah, they want you to buy the service.

 

[Universal Champion]

ESPN loves drama if anything they encouraged his card placement.

 

[Drugstore Cowboy]

"Fuck ESPN" - Greg Hardy

 

[neandertal]

Maybe.. All I know is everybody is lying.

 

[JudoThrowFiasco]

I would say football would be the strongest supported sport among ESPN fan base, so having a big name NFL player be on the main card should result in interest.

 

[orangecuse]

Hmm my theory was they always wanted him on thier ESPN+ card to drum up controversy and get potential NFL causal fans to check it out. Well after this whole set-up and fight date was determined they clearly wanted Greg Hardy on this card and have him in the co-main event. Not even the first fight on the ESPN+. The promoted, interviewed co-main eventer on the ESPN+ debut in his UFC debut.

ESPN didn't want this card on TV because Greg Hardy is on it

You do understand this new UFC-ESPN deal, the date and all the ESPN+ details of the deal were made before any fights on this card and before Hardy was officially in the UFC, right? They announced the set-up of the fight card before any fights were made. Getting fight dates, signing huge deals for new streaming services and getting all that in order is complicated stuff that takes a long time. Making a fight doesn't.

 

[ritchest_eva]

Espn wants to use UFC debut to bump their ESPN+ membership numbers

 

[Substance Abuse]

ESPN didn't want this card on TV because Greg Hardy is on it

You guys aren't that smart. Wow.