UFC could benefit by developing a more diverse base
I've noticed that the audience for MMA in general and the UFC in particular is predominantly male and overwhelmingly White. I'm sure that this is no newsflash to even the most casual of observers. MMA is truly a world wide sport. But in the US it appears to be primarily, almost exclusively, marketed to the above demographic.
Am I suggesting that there is some sort of nefarious conspiracy lurking behind the scenes? Absolutely not. I believe that it is more related to the fundamental skill set of the US version of the sport.
Even though combat sports have been around forever in Asia, the mostly-Japanese stars do not burn so bright in the US market. Some Brazilian superstars get a bit of love from US fans but nothing in comparison to the Caucasian US elite fighters.
White, ex-collegiate wrestlers are the prototypical, potential, fan-friendly US-MMA superstar. Wrestling provides a terrific foundation upon which to build MMA skills. And being 6 feet tall, 200 lbs with blond hair and blue eyes (or a smaller version of the same) sells very well to the US fan base.
ESPN Desportes is attempting to nurture and tap the potential Latin fan base. If done correctly this 'south of the border' initiative could create a very lucrative market in a culture with a long history for their love of combat sports (boxing, professional wrestling and bull fighting).
With the UFC being the premiere US-MMA promotional company it enjoys a unique opportunity. A well conceived campaign to encourage participation as both athlete and spectator in the Black community could be very successful.
Instead of converting wrestlers to strikers, try the opposite. Take young, inner-city boxers and teach them wrestling (and jiu jitsu). Simply put...teach a young, athletic boxer a ground game.
Market this social experiment by creating semi-reality shows for cable targeted to a young Black demographic. BET attempted something similar to this with the Iron Ring which was wildly popular.
The UFC has the financial might and experience to take this concept to a much higher level. Creating a larger more diverse fan base and deeper talent pool should appeal to the business side of the UFC masterminds.
follow me on www.twitter.com/drjcbenjamin
Am I suggesting that there is some sort of nefarious conspiracy lurking behind the scenes? Absolutely not. I believe that it is more related to the fundamental skill set of the US version of the sport.
Even though combat sports have been around forever in Asia, the mostly-Japanese stars do not burn so bright in the US market. Some Brazilian superstars get a bit of love from US fans but nothing in comparison to the Caucasian US elite fighters.
White, ex-collegiate wrestlers are the prototypical, potential, fan-friendly US-MMA superstar. Wrestling provides a terrific foundation upon which to build MMA skills. And being 6 feet tall, 200 lbs with blond hair and blue eyes (or a smaller version of the same) sells very well to the US fan base.
ESPN Desportes is attempting to nurture and tap the potential Latin fan base. If done correctly this 'south of the border' initiative could create a very lucrative market in a culture with a long history for their love of combat sports (boxing, professional wrestling and bull fighting).
With the UFC being the premiere US-MMA promotional company it enjoys a unique opportunity. A well conceived campaign to encourage participation as both athlete and spectator in the Black community could be very successful.
Instead of converting wrestlers to strikers, try the opposite. Take young, inner-city boxers and teach them wrestling (and jiu jitsu). Simply put...teach a young, athletic boxer a ground game.
Market this social experiment by creating semi-reality shows for cable targeted to a young Black demographic. BET attempted something similar to this with the Iron Ring which was wildly popular.
The UFC has the financial might and experience to take this concept to a much higher level. Creating a larger more diverse fan base and deeper talent pool should appeal to the business side of the UFC masterminds.
follow me on www.twitter.com/drjcbenjamin
Comments