UFC 109: Randy Couture proves that UFC is star driven
UFC 109 had no championship belts on the line, zero of the top 10 fighters in the world (as ranked by yahoo.com) and was held on Super Bowl weekend, all issues that on paper look like the foreshadowing of a train wreck. But never, ever underestimate the drawing power of Captain America and the savvy-ness of Dana White.
Randy Couture is an UFC and MMA pillar. He has a loyal fan base and is uniformly respected as an MMA icon. He continues to compete at a high level despite the date on his birth certificate; a fact that endures him to every weekend warrior and over-the-hill ex-jock on the planet. And as I can attest, he is one of the nicest and most humble people that you may ever have the good fortune of meeting. He is an excellent ambassador of the sport.
Dana White, despite what you may think of him personally (I happen to admire his accomplishments), knew what he was doing with UFC 109. He recognized that Super Bowl weekend would provide the necessary back drop for a successful fight weekend.
The big game would draw a large number of gamblers to Sin City to party and bet on the game. These same individuals would likely be receptive to a great party starter like an UFC event. Dana just piggy backed off the Super Bowl hype/crowds and parlayed it into the 10th all-time Mandalay Bay UFC gate.
It will be interesting to hear the estimate of the almighty ppv numbers (It will have to be an estimate because the UFC never releases official ppv numbers).
How do you make a fortune in MMA with no championship fights and no top 10 fighters?
Just ask Dana White.
That's big pimpin' right there!!
Randy Couture is an UFC and MMA pillar. He has a loyal fan base and is uniformly respected as an MMA icon. He continues to compete at a high level despite the date on his birth certificate; a fact that endures him to every weekend warrior and over-the-hill ex-jock on the planet. And as I can attest, he is one of the nicest and most humble people that you may ever have the good fortune of meeting. He is an excellent ambassador of the sport.
Dana White, despite what you may think of him personally (I happen to admire his accomplishments), knew what he was doing with UFC 109. He recognized that Super Bowl weekend would provide the necessary back drop for a successful fight weekend.
The big game would draw a large number of gamblers to Sin City to party and bet on the game. These same individuals would likely be receptive to a great party starter like an UFC event. Dana just piggy backed off the Super Bowl hype/crowds and parlayed it into the 10th all-time Mandalay Bay UFC gate.
It will be interesting to hear the estimate of the almighty ppv numbers (It will have to be an estimate because the UFC never releases official ppv numbers).
How do you make a fortune in MMA with no championship fights and no top 10 fighters?
Just ask Dana White.
That's big pimpin' right there!!
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