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It definitely seems as though ESPN is pushing more 'accessible' sports. I think this is why events like the World Series of Poker, Darts, competitive eating, spelling bees, etc. are getting air time. I think once you get out of the big 3 (professional and college baseball, basketball and football) the trend is to steer programming towards events that their average viewer can feel like they can take part in. There was a time (particularly throughout the 80s) that boxing was a significant part of the ESPN line-up, now you don't see nearly as much on ESPN 1 or 2 and for the most part its been relegated to ESPN Classic along w/ Kickboxing. I think the success of the World Series of Poker, where they can edit 1 event and show it over a month's time and then re-run it ad nauseum to solid ratings will make it tough for MMA to reverse this trend.
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If every Sherdogger who claims to have been a fan since UFC I is telling the truth, Gracie vs. Shamrock was watched by more people than this year's World Cup.
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