UFC Expansion Might Put Them on HBO Soon! (merged threads)

jkruw · 07-02-2006, 12:46 PM

If you haven't read it, there is an article on MMAweekly.com, first reported by the Wrestling Observer, concerning the UFC's possible deal with HBO. The thing that really sticks out are the sheer magnitude of events that the UFC will be running this year and next. Lots more free MMA to, which is always welcome.

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/...=2315&zoneid=2

Conrete · 07-02-2006, 12:53 PM

Doesn't get much bigger than this. Really big news. More quasi free fights.

yodaman · 07-02-2006, 12:57 PM

They already were on HBO...sorta.

Seriously though, if Ultimate Fight Nights continue pounding Boxing After Dark into oblivion, HBO will probably bite the bullet and get MMA, which the company would probably use as second-tier (all the fights right below PPV)

jakeharris74 · 07-02-2006, 12:57 PM

Zuffa's current plan for 2007 is to run "about eleven" UFC pay-per-view events (priced at $39.95 per event), plus 6-8 Spike TV events (which includes 4-6 Ultimate Fight Night events and the live finales of TUF 5 and TUF 6), plus an unspecified number of HBO events if a deal can be finalized.

As it is, 2006 is scheduled to have nine UFC pay-per-view events by the time the year is over. After running four PPVs in the first half of 2006, Zuffa has PPVs planned for July, August, September, October, and November of 2006, which means that nine UFC PPVs will have taken place in 2006. The plan in 2007 is to expand that number to ten or eleven PPV events during the year.
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Wow, now that is a lot of MMA.. Something tells me they are going to need to start bringing in some more top talent. I wouldn't be surprised if they are collecting a nest egg right now and preparing for when the competition gets stiffer(PRIDE coming to the US, WFA and random promotions growing). And then just blowing a wad on buying talent when it's necessary.

Right now they have no real competition here, so they can just build up a little nest egg for war time. The UFC may be playing very smart.

TMTCSurge · 07-02-2006, 12:57 PM

I will definitely have to get HBO if this goes down.

JOECALIFORNIA · 07-02-2006, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMTCSurge

I will definitely have to get HBO if this goes down.

Wow, how can you not watch Sopranos, Entourage?

callmeamack · 07-02-2006, 01:05 PM

Thats a WHOLE lotta UFC right there, and more the better, keeps people interested, and it's much for effective having a guy fighting 4 times a year rather than 1 or 2 like the old days.

Swick vs. Tanner, Marqaurdt vs. Leben, Louiseau vs. Silva, Lister vs. ?

Axl F'N Rose · 07-02-2006, 01:05 PM

And people will still bitch about Dana.

jakeharris74 · 07-02-2006, 01:07 PM

Also, HBO fights will bring MMA more credibility. In the next two years I see some really talented fighters popping into the scene thanks to the added exposure and interest of MMA with the masses.

Smashyagrillup · 07-02-2006, 01:10 PM

I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not...Where are they going to get all these main events?
Are they suddenly going to open up the bank and start paying for fighters like Wandy,Crocop,Big Nog,Lil nog,etc ? I doubt it.