Search results for query: *

Now that ESPN has a seven year TV, digital and PPV deal with the UFC, expect more WMMA to be prominent on fight cards and promotion. Despite the constant complaints from some on this board, WMMA fits within a growing demographic (i.e., women viewers) for ESPN (and their advertisers) and the UFC...

I don't understand why Bellator is shortchanging MacFarlane. As a high-profile champion, she should be earning more. In the UFC, Valentina Shevchenko, before she became champion, made $100,000 (not including a $30,000 Reebok payment--which would have made her total pay $130,000) at UFC 231...

I will miss him. He brought objective, informative information to this forum.

And Amanda wonders why she doesn’t resonate with the fans and Dana doesn’t give her preferential treatment. She consistently destroys wonderful momentum and opportunities. I don’t understand it. She needs a professional manager and not rely on her girlfriend.

Some of the other promotions are trying new things (i.e., PFL with "seasons and playoffs"), but it doesn't seem to connect beyond the hardcore wall. The UFC will always be MMA's version of Coke or McDonald's, who will be the clear worldwide number 2 (or the Pepsi or Burger King)?

Thanks for the insight. Conversely, based on your analysis, then ESPN expects to use the UFC as a loss leader for ESPN+. I can’t see how UFC can bring in that many new subscribers to offset the $150 million per year deal for ESPN+.

What do you think Bellator has to do during the three years to convince DAZN that continuing the deal is a great ROI?

I agree. He does not learn from past mistakes. I get frustrated when other MMA promotions keep repeating the same errors that prevent anyone from seriously challenging the UFC.

Is there an opt out clause in the DAZN-Bellator deal for either party?

You’re the TV expert, but I expected a little higher average and peak ratings especially after the UFC PPV cancellation left the week open for Bellator. To be fair, I know we don’t know DAZN ratings so that may change my perception.

I suspect other promotions do not want to touch Leslie due to her unionization efforts. If so, someone would have picked her up by now. Or her asking price is too high relative to any financial return she could deliver.

The difference is that Alvarez and Mousasi are not PPV draws that could justify a higher purse (from the UFC perspective). The only time Alvarez was involved in a PPV as a main event that drew very well was UFC 205 with Conor--and we all know the high buyrate was due to Conor and not Alvarez...

Yep, that's what I'm saying. It would make no sense for Kayla to jump over to UFC if she is not making champions money (of course, if she wants to compete against better fighters then the UFC should be her top choice). If PFL still exists in 2-3 years and they decide to maintain the 155 pound...

ESPN and the UFC will continue to sell the streaming service so I expect the number to rise throughout the year. In fact, ESPN executives are more than likely anticipating larger new subscriber numbers when McGregor, Khabib, Jones and Cyborg/Nunes fight on PPVs (customers can purchase the PPV...

I agree. I am just trying to remind everyone who are happy over the $1 million purses that the investor money will run out eventually. Even the UFC almost went under but for the success of The Ultimate Fighter. Again, I am not wishing for the PFL to fail. The more competition in the MMA industry...

Yeah, it will be interesting to see now that the $1 million checks cleared for the 2018 season whether higher profile fighters will migrate to the PFL. If so, then ratings could be impacted on a positive note. The question is whether PFL champions will be snagged by the UFC. For example, Kayla...

Yes, I agree with you that it takes generally 5 years or so for any new business to mature before seeing substantial dividends. However, in Scott Harris’ August 2018 article...

I’m happy you’re satisfied with the PFL and how they’re treating fighters but at a certain point the promotion has to make a profit. All of that money going to fighters is investment money—that supply is not endless. The celebrities and investors are expecting a large return on their investment...

I agree. I wish the UFC could sign McFarlene but Coker would probably overpay to retain her. She’s one of the few homegrown Bellator stars. She actually brings in viewers.

You may be right but we’ll never know because MacFarlene and Velasquez are not fighting the same level of fighters than Eye, Calderwood, etc. in the UFC.