The UFC Making $ - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

Pitbull · 09-25-2006, 02:05 PM

I'm seeing some things from the UFC where in terms of business are good ideas, but could possibly have a negative effect on the sport and the fans.

An example of this would be the EXCLUSIVE UFC "DVD Club." If I give the UFC my credit card number, they will send me a new dvd each month without having to go out and look for it. This is good, because you can no longer buy the dvds in stores! The UFC has saved us time by locating them for us. You can only buy them directly from the UFC!

It just so happens that the UFC no longer has a distributor for the dvds. So they save money on distribution!

And it appears that instead of having the behind the scenes material and the fights jumbled up on one dvd, the UFC was nice enough to separate the two for us. The price on the dvds have increased by about $5, you have to pay for shipping and handling too, but you conveniently get the extras on a SEPARATE DISC!

Cut out the distributor + make the dvds only available through you + have people commit to joining the "club" and charge them each month + increase the price = More money for the UFC

Another example is "UFC on Demand." You can watch all the undercard fights for free if you order the event through the website and watch on your computer. Now someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm assuming this a good way to increase event purchases and save a bit of money, because you can show the undercard without having to buy more Pay-Per-View time.

Increased purchases + less money spent on ppv time = More money for the UFC

It now appears that the UFC will have one ppv event each month. But since the events have gone to one-a-month, some people have started complaining about the quality of fights. Now, I'm not one of these people. I like watching all the fights and gives the new fighters a chance to showcase their skills.

But, I sure hope to see the fighter's salaries increase along with ppv buys. It only makes sense right?

Now don't get me wrong, I'll buy the dvds. I'll order the ppv events. I'll pay my $40 and always enjoy the fights. If you order through the internet you get to watch the undercard fights that you might not get to see on ppv.

But, with all this money, I'd like to see some of this money going towards fighter's salaries. These guys go out and sacrifice their bodies.

And maybe, CUT THE FANS a break!

Yes Dana, I appreciate your generosity in giving us Tito vs Ken for free. But I also can't help but think that this fight would be a tough sell to ppv buyers.

And if you introduce people to Tito, one of your biggest draws, to the people that are new to the sport and watch UFN, but normally don't order the ppvs, you might get them to order Chuck vs. Tito when it conveniently comes around in December.

Just some thoughts from a fan.

GeorgeXVX · 09-25-2006, 02:10 PM

i think the smartest thing the ufc did and should continue to do is once a week show three old fights that are classics.... shwo new fans three awesome fights in an hour and they will get hooked.... i got two of my old room mates hooked with it and i am sure it will work wonders for what little pro wrestleing fans are left

subgenius · 09-25-2006, 02:18 PM

I like all of this, except that I wish that the UFC would put on a weekly MMA special, maybe one or two hours, and showcase all the young and new talent on the TV special rather than on the PPV. Or, show the prelims the week after the fight on Spike TV. They are not (usually) on the PPV, and it's included with the website purchase, so I think people would watch the prelims on a weekly show. Add in a few new live fights and they could showcase the talent that way. If a fighter wins enough TV matches, then elevate that fighter to the PPV. Also, when fighters lose two or three PPV matches, send them down to the TV specials to reprove themselves. That would put Penn and Loiseau on TV for us a month or three from now.

MTKrav911 · 09-26-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subgenius

I like all of this, except that I wish that the UFC would put on a weekly MMA special, maybe one or two hours, and showcase all the young and new talent on the TV special rather than on the PPV. Or, show the prelims the week after the fight on Spike TV. They are not (usually) on the PPV, and it's included with the website purchase, so I think people would watch the prelims on a weekly show. Add in a few new live fights and they could showcase the talent that way. If a fighter wins enough TV matches, then elevate that fighter to the PPV. Also, when fighters lose two or three PPV matches, send them down to the TV specials to reprove themselves. That would put Penn and Loiseau on TV for us a month or three from now.

I agree with showing the prelims a week later on Spike.

THe UFC has great marketing no doubt. They need to trickle some of that $$$ downward to the fighters though. Because for what they go through, they still don't make that much.

Also. Just like Boxing, I wish the UFC would get some pay cable/satellite deal with HBO or Showtime. Have the fans who want to buy the PPV event, then replay it a week or two later like big boxing events. It'd work. You'd attract a bigger audience who know nothing about MMA and that would increase marketibility and of course $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

twigz · 09-26-2006, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subgenius

I like all of this, except that I wish that the UFC would put on a weekly MMA special, maybe one or two hours, and showcase all the young and new talent on the TV special rather than on the PPV. Or, show the prelims the week after the fight on Spike TV. They are not (usually) on the PPV, and it's included with the website purchase, so I think people would watch the prelims on a weekly show. Add in a few new live fights and they could showcase the talent that way. If a fighter wins enough TV matches, then elevate that fighter to the PPV. Also, when fighters lose two or three PPV matches, send them down to the TV specials to reprove themselves. That would put Penn and Loiseau on TV for us a month or three from now.

Those are all awsome ideas.