So there are probably plenty of people on these boards that watch UFC, as do many of my friends. It is surging in popularity, but I am a bit concerned. I never was one for such blatently violent sports (i.e. this and boxing), and I am dissapointed that it was actually the lead story on sportscenter the other day. Really, how many times do you see MLS highlights on sportscenter or ESPN? What does it say that ESPN is willing to cover this so in-depth, and so many people are interested? UFC is described as mixed-martial arts, and the last time I looked martial arts were for self defense, not being a thug. I haven't given the UFC enough of my time or money to watch any of it extensively, but the whole manner in which some of these guys conduct themselves and their nicknames reminds me of the bush-league, stupid entertainment that can be found in the WWE and other fake wrestling "leagues." The link to soccer here isn't huge, but I am looking at this from the perspective of a big MLS fan. It's disgusting that so many people support this crap and look the other way at all soccer.
Threads I have seen this season: NHL and MLS? CCC and MLS? SPL and MLS? I know I'm forgetting some. Feel free to add.
Precisely why I figured, why not? It troubles me, and it is a different situation from comparing it to other soccer leagues or even the NBA or whatever. We are talking about a sport who has a sole purpose of beating people up and that's how you win - not quite civilized, and yet so well supported.
I'd say I'm a casual fan of the UFC, if its on I watch it but I don't necessarily seek or find out when and where it showing. Bottom line is that their attracting a whole lot of viewers, their PPV sales far surpass any other PPV sporting event (boxing, wrestling, etc) on the air, ESPN basically doesn't have a choice but to cover it. The demand is there and you gotta give people what they want, MLS just hasn't come any where near to attracting as many fans, so in a way you can't really blame ESPN or any other program for not dedicating more time to MLS or soccer, if the demand was there they would. As far as MMA being a bunch of thugs or it being bush league I wholeheartedly disagree, its mainly made up of former college wrestlers, some Olympic athletes, etc. I don't know what exposure you've had to it, you've admittedly said it not a lot, but I'd suggest you watch more of it before you make those types of generalizations.
Except the thing, Roehl, is that UFC has gained a substantial amount of fans due in large part to SportsCenter. NHL has been very stagnant thus far, but the fact that ESPN is unwilling to promote a sport that it pays to air does not provide a whole lot of positive for the League.
UFC and MLS should combine and create an Ultras Battle at halftime where fans can volunteer to fight for their team in a cage match. That would create more fans and maybe some UFC fans would come out to watch the games.
UFC has NOT gained a lot of fans due to Sportscenter exposure. That exposure just started in the last month. UFC started gaining fans in mid to late 2005, and then exploded on the PPV front in 2006. Mainstream media was way behind on this one. Actual, legitimate coverage really only began across the sports media board in the US on UFC in the last month or so. Sure, the SI cover and the ESPN coverage might bring more new viewers. But neither was around when this explosion first began. I guaran-damn-tee you that if MLS could attract 600,000 to a million viewers on PPV at a price of $49.95 per event for a solid year (not to mention charge a couple grand for front row tickets, and a couple hundred for nosebleed seats), than you would see a lot more coverage on ESPN and in the mainstream media. UFC worked hard for the last 13 years to get here, and the coverage is deserved. MLS is working hard, and coverage is getting better, but we are not in the same league as UFC right now. As for the MMA, it is a legitimate sport. There are countless rules in place to make it safe without destroying the integrity of the sport. State commissions govern the darn thing. These are trained athletes with strong backgrounds in wrestling, boxing, and many different martial arts. Legitimate martial arts with decades and centuries of practice around the globe. The time and training and discipline that goes in to it is impressive. I'm a UFC fan, but do not order the PPV's, because I can't justify $50 for one event. But I watch on Spike and get the DVD's through Netflix. And if you are insulting the fighters themselves for their behavior, than I hope you are not a fan of the NFL or NBA, whose athletes are a lot worse than any UFC fighters.
UFC isnt a real sport, how can it be a real sport, when you are allowed to basically kill a guy when he is defenseless on the ground. UFC is just a fad gimmick like roller derby that wont last past 2010.
The irony is that the haters will still look at European and South American matches to say that soccer is the more violent sport.
I was really disappointed to see the UFC highlights on Sportsnet before the Toronto-Crew highlights. I personally dont like UFC.
Actually, I consider UFC/MMA as real a sport as they come. Living in Korea for the past 4 years, we used to watch PRIDE (came on at least 3 times a day), and I don't know how anyone can call boxing a sport and not call MMA a sport. Also, your statement is like saying NASCAR's not a sport because people have died racing. Look at how many people have died in racing or other sports, or have died as fans rioting in a sport (including soccer), then look at how many have died in UFC or PRIDE, or in MMA-related events. Who's died in UFC or PRIDE? And what makes UFC that much less of a sport than boxing, where you can knock someone out or punch them until the referee stops it? I do see one similarity between MMA and soccer though; both are sports that were much bigger overseas than they were in America, and both are just now crossing over into the American sports mainstream via UFC/PRIDE and MLS. I also think that if there is an MLS team in Las Vegas before the other four big leagues, you'll see a direct correlation between UFC and MLS there i.e. UFC could hold major fighting events in the MLS stadium, and there could be occasional cross-promotions for when that time comes. I see nothing but positives for the future of both MMA and soccer in America.
The ref stop the fight when it is obvious the fighter getting pummeled is not protecting himself intelligently. Boxing is actually more brutal because of the 10-count.
I'd put UFC in the same category with dog fighting or cock fighting. These animal athletes are highly trained, and professional, they earn lots of money, and they're becoming popular, too. Even celebrities like it. And these sports have rules, too, on some basic level. So ESPN should cover it. I want to know the latest stats.
With the huge difference being one is voluntary vs the other one being a forced fight.. Kind of an important fact.
A lot of you are missing the point. All of these professional sports that we compare to MLS are normally stagnant in terms of attendance and fans. UFC, on the other hand, is growing and becoming a "popular" "sport."
It's fun to watch people beat the crap out of each other. Maybe somewhere down the road we can start gettin' old school and have some honest-to-goodness gladiator fights, complete with weapons. You may scoff, but I bet it'd be more popular than MLS in the US of A. Might thin out the gene pool in the process, sounds good to me.
You're right. UFC isn't a sport. It's a league. MMA is the sport. This sentance is 100% absolutely false. I will bet you 5 billion dollars you are wrong.