The UFC knew not to go against Fury/Ngannou

[MigitAs]

You guys realize they are on the same network, right?

This is Sherdog, you’re expecting intelligence?

True, but Dana could have put on an Apex show on a month's notice, maybe have a couple of recognizable names fight at catchweight in the main/co-main. Not that it would be a good idea, just saying that's sort of what he did with Anderson main eventing at LHW against Janes Irwin to counterprogram Affliction IIRC.

I was thinking this too, it’s not like they haven’t done makeshift cards before

 

[svmr_db]

ESPN has approval over UFC's schedule, it was likely their decision given they are the ones broadcasting Fury vs Ngannou.

 

[KOPPE]

 

[Char Jawz]

Seems like the boxing guys scheduled for a week that was UFC-less on purpose.

I'm all for bagging on Dana, but this thread is reaching.

 

[Dana's Moonface]

Do any of you guys think this circus will do well ppv?

I'm a boxing fan and I'm not even going to watch/stream. Rugby World Cup final is on now and a shitty horror film to follow

 

[BEATDOWNS]

Not even a lousy fight night card, they knew where all eyes in combat sports would be today. It’s rare to see them not even try to put a card together tho, maybe this event is just that massive.

lol dude this event will be over by 6pm UFC could have easily put on a card they take a break sometimes has nothing to do with this card at all.

 

[Rhood]

Nah
The UFC is just being lazy.
Sean Shelby wanted the day off and Mick Maynard wanted to go surfing at Huntington Beach.

Today is basically a Fuck You to MMA fans.
Even Bellator didn't want to try.

 

[The Bloody Nine]

Do any of you guys think this circus will do well ppv?

I'm a boxing fan and I'm not even going to watch/stream. Rugby World Cup final is on now and a shitty horror film to follow

Boxing fans like ourselves hate it and won't buy it. That leaves MMA fans (maybe), and casuals (again, maybe, Francis is a nobody to them).

I hope it bombs, so they knock this shit off once and for all.

 

[CerebralKnievel]

True, but Dana could have put on an Apex show on a month's notice, maybe have a couple of recognizable names fight at catchweight in the main/co-main. Not that it would be a good idea, just saying that's sort of what he did with Anderson main eventing at LHW against Janes Irwin to counterprogram Affliction IIRC.

You're looking at a time when the UFC was selling PPVs through any major outlet, and their television cable broadcasts were on Spike TV. These days, with their expansions and sale to Endeavor (or whatever theyre going by now), they're much more intermingled and involved at the higher levels with other media operations, so most likely direct challenges in competition like that aren't on the table as they once were.

 

[linvillegorge]

As a guy who grew up a big boxing fan it saddens me that the sport has been reduced to YouTubers and circus side show fights.

It's embarrassing for the UFC that their fighters are still clamoring to do it because YouTubers and circus side shows pay better than Dana White.

 

[El Fernas]

This thing will be over in like 2hrs or so...probably earlier, the UFC very well could had put a FN card on the same night no issues, fight "night", its still early AF and its only 2 fights left including the main event.

 

[Telford90]

Any predictions on buy numbers?

 

[TheBulletwithWings]

Dana booked the night off to watch an actual combat sports event. Even he gets tired of the absolute horseshit the UFC puts out weekly.

Why do you post in UFC discussion if you hate the UFC? Is your time that worthless?

 

[Pittie Petey]

They were terrified of getting buried by MJF vs Kenny Omega

 

[HaulParris]

You're looking at a time when the UFC was selling PPVs through any major outlet, and their television cable broadcasts were on Spike TV. These days, with their expansions and sale to Endeavor (or whatever theyre going by now), they're much more intermingled and involved at the higher levels with other media operations, so most likely direct challenges in competition like that aren't on the table as they once were.

Very true. This is not the same UFC that Fertittas owned.

 

[Dorkman]

I think they just didn’t want to look ultra petty. Francis exit and the hot debate of fighter pay wasn’t a great look for the ufc. Actively counter programming this will look very obviously as an attempt to take viewership and money away from the event. Which would be a bad looking given the debate around Francis’s exit. They get away with doing it on other cards around the year. But this one would have looked really on the nose.

 

[Dana's Moonface]

Boxing fans like ourselves hate it and won't buy it. That leaves MMA fans (maybe), and casuals (again, maybe, Francis is a nobody to them).

I hope it bombs, so they knock this shit off once and for all.

Me too
All it does is give fighters am excuse to.duck real fights and boxing especially is enough of a shit show, without these circus acts continuing

 

[Psychojoe86]

They were also trying to upstage ngannou by having Jones vs stipe in MSG after. Instead now aspinall and pavlovic will steal the show

 

[Bojka]

Boxing fans like ourselves hate it and won't buy it. That leaves MMA fans (maybe), and casuals (again, maybe, Francis is a nobody to them).

I hope it bombs, so they knock this shit off once and for all.

Does Saudi Arabia care if it bombs? I'm not hearing much buzz about it.

The Sherdog official Logan Paul/Danis fight thread had 1.5 times as many pages as the Fury/Ngannou thread has at the same time.

 

[Dana's Moonface]

Does Saudi Arabia care if it bombs? I'm not hearing much buzz about it.

The Sherdog official Logan Paul/Danis fight thread had almost twice as many pages as the Fury/Ngannou thread has at the same time.

Not sure Saudi care, but I'm sure broadcasters will care, or some promoters, or maybe not?

I Don't think it sells.
Boxing fans shit over it
Mma fans are happy for Francis, but do they care enough to buy it?

That leaves casuals and I doubt many will care. But who knows?