Is Tito still a big draw?

p0id0g · 02-11-2008, 05:39 PM

I keep reading posts where people say something like "...Tito is still a big draw.." or something to that effect. but is he really still a big draw? i really think that this message board has no feel for the pulse of the average MMA/UFC fan and that while Tito "was" a big draw and while his name is still popular, I don't necessarily think he's that big of a draw. I think the rashad fight was a big letdown and it really killed whatever momentum Tito had left at the time. they hyped up the fight and Tito talked a lot of junk (so did Rashad), but when fight night came around they put on a pretty boring show. I think everyone who saw that fight kind of realized that most top ten guys are not gonna lie down for him like shamrock did. granted, rashad is no pushover. but it wasn't so much about winning and losing as much as it was about Tito's work not keeping up with his mouth.

to put it plainly, i do not think a Tito/Rampage ppv would outsell a Forrest/Rampage ppv or even a Jardine/Rampage ppv. perhaps Tito could outdraw Machida or Thiago Silva at this point, but that's only because he's been around for so long. He may be a bigger draw now, but the time and money invested in new stars may pay off more than paying Tito what he wants.

what do you think?

brunswick.blake · 02-11-2008, 05:40 PM

Disagree.

Tito is by no means one of my favorite fighters, but he's a mainstream MMA figurehead and will always sell PPVs.

MontrealMauler · 02-11-2008, 05:42 PM

Tito is top 3 most recognizable MMA figures for the average joe

G-Ryder · 02-11-2008, 05:46 PM

Tito is a popular fighter for people who only know about MMA from tv and like the drama that he used to have. Nowadays, he still may be a draw for those fans, but for me he is kind of a one trick pony.,..and I think it may be time to put him down

p0id0g · 02-11-2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MontrealMauler

Tito is top 3 most recognizable MMA figures for the average joe

does "recognizable" = ppv buys, though? it's like, i know who hulk hogan is but that doesn't mean i'm rushing out to buy WWE ppvs. those ppvs are still bought by "fans" who give a rip about what's going on. if the main event of the next ppv were Tito vs Machida, how many more people would give a crap than if the main event were Jardine vs Machida? not enough to justify the pay difference between Jardine and Tito IMHO.

Zedlepln · 02-11-2008, 05:47 PM

He's still got market pressence. Hopefully, he's injury free and can live up to the hype, again.

**Bonzai** · 02-11-2008, 05:48 PM

Tito will always draw people, just how many people is the question. His attitude simply makes people want to see him get beat down.

DoomsdayFAN · 02-11-2008, 05:48 PM

Of course. But you have to rememebr that the name "Tito Ortiz" is bigger than the fighter "Tito Ortiz."

snepin14 · 02-11-2008, 05:49 PM

on the sherdog front page poll 75% said they would still watch order his PPV (15% always, 60% if the opponent is good) and only 25% said they wouldn't if he wasn't in the ufc.

that is still a big draw

threetimes3 · 02-11-2008, 05:50 PM

He's a big draw when you get near the neck. I always think I'm going to run out of paper by the time I get halfway up his head.