Talk of Kimbo still lingers. But, as CBNC's Darren Rovell notes, the spotlight is shifting from Mr. 14 seconds, to the real winner in EliteXC's Oct. 4 showing: the UFC.
As the biggest MMA promotion around, the UFC chose to lay back and just watch EliteXC (rapidly) fall last Saturday. Dana White & Co. didn't try to counter the prime-time show with UFC card at the same time. The UFC didn't do anything, really. And, yet, as Rovell explains, the top promotion won -- again:
The problem is that mixed martial arts is not a viable business, just like professional football is not a viable business. The viable business is the UFC. The viable business is the NFL. It's why the International Fight League didn't make it. It's why the XFL didn't make it.
It's why when Elite XC's last contracted fight is over -- it has one more to complete the four-fight deal with CBS -- the organization will be on the ropes.
- EliteXC gets "Sliced" (CNBC.com)
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Comments (20) Add A Comment
The UFC did counter Elite's card with a replay of a recent, very successful PPV.
How can MMA be taken seriously when the people writing on the subject don't know what they're talking about?
The UFC never sits back and watches the chips fall where they may, they always counter with something to take viewers away from a rival event, this time it was a repeat of a PPV.
thecoylewis
Saint Pauls, NC
Total Comments (2)
the lady writing this story is a true dummy, she dont know how to fight, nor can she comment, she probably never been in a fight, tell this 90210 gurl to write aboout soap operas
AngryPlaya
Beverly Hills , CA
Total Comments (2)
Angry playa you are an idiot what does getting into a fight have to do with Nicki not knowing there was a UFC counter programing on Spike? You are just looking to slam this girl because she is a chick.
Thecoylewis you make an excellent point, how does she not know that there was counter programing made by the UFC? As someone who reports on this sport you need to know what you are talking about. This is one of many reasons this sport is having trouble making it to the main stream. If the people reporting on it cannot take it seriously then why would the casual fan? Especially someone writing for such a huge company as SI? Truly disgraceful!
yao Ming
Coppell , TX
Total Comments (2)
I would agree i find myself cringing whenever i read her stories. She should not be writing about MMA for sure.
MoonKnight
Norman, OK
Total Comments (35)
i find myself cringing when i read articles from most, if not all mainstream sports media about MMA. It's obvious that their knowledge of the sport extends as far back UFC 50 and whatever comes out of Dana White's mouth.
chrisgiff
Allston, MA
Total Comments (7)
counter programming? ummmm....no....reruns are what everybody puts on when they aren't really trying to compete...reruns during the SB, reruns during the summer vacation season, reruns during basketball finals, reruns during march madness....
-Loki-
Total Comments (8367)
this isn't really even an article. Its just an elaborate introduction to someone else's quote/opinion....that's what writers do when they can't think for themselves. The last article of hers I read was about how everyone loves TUF but I don't know a single person that admits to watching that WWE meets Real World crap
-Loki-
Total Comments (8367)
SI doesn't put good writers on the sports categorized under "Other" sports
-Loki-
Total Comments (8367)
I also am tired of this particular writer who seems to make a living quoting other people's articles. Not to mention.....how do you spell CNBC?
Ian from Canada
Liberty , MO
Total Comments (1)
oh, I was thinking CBNC was some channel in canada....
-Loki-
Total Comments (8367)
It really is ridiculous how many "journalists" write about things that they know nothing about. That said, the UFC does have the only cards worth watching.
MTOWN
Memphis , TN
Total Comments (9)
I find it amusing how about 90% of MMA reporting is terrible. I don't think Nicki deserves any more blame than many of the others writing, although his is a big slip. The problem is unlike a sport like football, where you can cover up not knowing specifics by commenting on the obvious stuff ("Great hit" or "That was an amazing run!"), MMA takes an understanding of what is going on to full commentate on it. One inch or one wrong turn can end your fight. There's no kickoff after a touchdown, there's not 8 other innings or 2 other periods, you're done. It'd be like having someone who's watched baseball having to explain the finger placement and ball rotation of various pitches. As a result we have people who like MMA writing and telling us who is the best, why someone is a fake, and how such and such fight is the most entertaining. So until MMA finally makes it way all the way out of the niche, we're stuck with editors with limited understanding writing the articles...
QOBrien67
Maryland Heights , MO
Total Comments (6)
they don't even have to put good writers on this. it wouldn't matter. they could put a pulitzer prize winner on mma and it will still be terrible unless they were a real fan. i would rather read an article by David Spade than any of the ones on here. At least that dude has been to some live fights...
chrisgiff
Allston, MA
Total Comments (7)
sigh i know its been pointed out but god dam she is dumb. my friend who almost nevers follows martial arts new ufc was having an event to take away from kimbo and shamrock. sigh im only clicking on article by her if she takes her clothes off from now on
notorious
Total Comments (103)
"counter programming? ummmm....no....reruns are what everybody puts on when they aren't really trying to compete...reruns during the SB, reruns during the summer vacation season, reruns during basketball finals, reruns during march madness.... "
Loki running a previous fight that was on pay per view at the same time a competitor is airing a live fight is the epitome of counter programming. The UFC is hoping to pull some casual viewers away from the live broadcast, by doing so they are hoping to hurt Elite XC's ratings. Thus by hurting the Elite XC's ratings they will then no longer be on free TV. Sure it isn't a LIVE show, but it's still counter programming. Not very many people saw the Jackson vs. Griffin since it was on ppv so airing it on Spike would bring in many viewers. The fact is they are trying to compete, how many times do you see the UFC show a previous ppv on Spike? They've only been doing it recently when the Elite XC has had a live broadcast or when Affliction has had their one show. If that isn't enough to show the UFC is counter programming then you are an idiot.
yao Ming
Coppell , TX
Total Comments (2)
MMA doesn't really compare to professional football. It's much more comparable to pro boxing which of course does not have a proprietary league system. Saying that other promotions can't compete is certainly untrue, no one promotion can control all the talent nor all the draws.
Just take a look at the current state of the HW division in MMA.
Czechvarmander
Beverly Hills , CA
Total Comments (26)
you seem like a good person but you need to learn your facts before you make yourself look less then intelligent
TheRobReport
Prior Lake , MN
Total Comments (3)
Crap and I go and use Then instead of Than...
anyway just do your homework. Theres a lot of people who would kill for your job and it seems like you reported this piece without doing any research into your claim.
TheRobReport
Prior Lake , MN
Total Comments (3)
Also for you yes it is Counter Programming. If they had put on a repeat of one of the Ultimate Fight Night's which was aired on free tv to begin with then I would be less likely to state that it is counter programming. However they aired one of the biggest ppv events for free on spike tv and many people who did not have the oppurtunity or the $50 to spend missed it and had a hard decision.
TheRobReport
Prior Lake , MN
Total Comments (3)
no counterprogramming...seriously? please accept this post as my application for this writer's job.
bonzer
Las Vegas , NV
Total Comments (1)
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