Counter programming alert: Carano vs Cyborg vs UFC 100



http://mmamania.com/2009/08/12/counter- ... s-ufc-100/

Back in June, veteran mixed martial arts journalist Loretta Hunt said that Gina Carano will “get more press and media attention than UFC 100.”

Looks like we’re about to find out once and for all.

Ultimate Fighting Championship has scheduled a Spike TV replay of selected fights from UFC 100 for Saturday, August 15 at 10 PM ET, directly opposite the Strikeforce: ‘Carano vs Cyborg’ event that’s set to air live on Showtime.

Fights to be aired from Zuffa’s mega-event include:

265 lbs.: Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir
185 lbs.: Dan Henderson vs. Michael Bisping
185 lbs.: Alan Belcher vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama
205 lbs.: Stephan Bonnar vs. Mark Coleman
155 lbs.: Shannon Gurgerty vs. Matt Grice
205 lbs.: Jon Jones vs. Jake O’Brien

This is not the UFC’s first counter programming effort against Strikeforce. Spike TV debuted UFC 94: “St. Pierre vs. Penn 2” to run head-to-head against “Shamrock vs. Diaz” back on April 11.

This latest news, of course, should come as no surprise since Zuffa has made a habit of counter programming in the past. The UFC went up against the Elite XC debut show on CBS in May 2008 with a tribute to perhaps the most popular mixed martial artist on the planet, Chuck LIddell, called “Ultimate Iceman.”

They also hastily put together UFC Fight Night 14 to draw interest away from the debut of Affliction: “Banned” on PPV last July with a main event between Anderson “The Spider” Silva and James “The Sandman” Irvin.

For Affliction’s second effort, “Day of Reckoning” on January 24, the UFC answered with a replay of UFC 91 “Lesnar vs. Couture.”

Strikeforce can be now be considered a major player in mixed martial arts with its signing of heavyweight free agent, Fedor Emelianenko, as well as its pending cable and network television deals.

While UFC President Dana White has long since supported the efforts of Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, he is now at war with “Strikefarce” since they entered the proverbial big stage.

Competition 101 (or perhaps ‘100′ in this case).

Let the games begin.

On some other forums I've read (for a good laugh), people are actually complaining about this and saying its bad for the sport, even though those same people are always talking about more promotions (and thus, competition) being needed.

See, competition is only good if things are "fair," sort of like communism.

The 100 TV edition looks really good, and nice to see that Coleman's fight will air. I'm definitely watching StrikeForce, but counter-programming is to be expected.

Yeah if i had the choice i would not be watching 100, id be taking Strikeforce

Yeah, I really don't have a problem with this.

UFC should watch out that it keeps its efforts to remain dominant at a low intensity, just below the radar. If fans start viewing the UFC as "pushy" it could work the other way.

Of course I am no marketing guru, but that's my 2 cents.