Comments on: UFC 83 ticket sales should make the UFC re-think expansion plans http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/ Your Destination for Insider MMA News and Opinion Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:21:14 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: bubbafat http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-14724 bubbafat Sat, 09 Feb 2008 01:17:23 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/#comment-14724 Something I don't think that the rest of the world realizes about Canadians is that they don't mind driving a couple of hours just to stay a couple of hours. And I resent the statement ," the NHL season seemingly lasts forever". Something I don’t think that the rest of the world realizes about Canadians is that they don’t mind driving a couple of hours just to stay a couple of hours.
And I resent the statement ,” the NHL season seemingly lasts forever”.

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]]> By: Zack http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-14485 Zack Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:22:48 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/#comment-14485 I think the UFC, especially Dana and the Brothers, deserve enormous credit for where they've taken organized MMA. That said, I think you could also find quite a few poor business decisions they've made, including the purchase of PRIDE, Dana's decision to openly bash fighters by name, their confusing positioning of the WEC as "not a minor league", and now their expansion plans. Not knowing the roadblocks to holding shows in Canada it's hard to fault them too much, but the insane demand shows they probably hadn't done their homework on the Canadian market. I think the UFC, especially Dana and the Brothers, deserve enormous credit for where they’ve taken organized MMA. That said, I think you could also find quite a few poor business decisions they’ve made, including the purchase of PRIDE, Dana’s decision to openly bash fighters by name, their confusing positioning of the WEC as “not a minor league”, and now their expansion plans. Not knowing the roadblocks to holding shows in Canada it’s hard to fault them too much, but the insane demand shows they probably hadn’t done their homework on the Canadian market.

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]]> By: Dan Cruickshank http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-14478 Dan Cruickshank Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:10:16 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/#comment-14478 Outside of Montreal, I believe Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver could all host mega events. I'm in Calgary so I might be biased, but Calgary is nuts for MMA. Hardcore Fighting Championships is a promotion losely based out of Calgary (the proprietors are Calgarians) and there first show headlined by Joe Doerkson with special guests Franklin and Liddell drew 4500 paid. The next event with a stronger card headline by Aleksander Emelianenko vs. Bobbish had a strong showing I'd say +3000 people. The card was better but without Franklin+Liddell I don't expect the casual fans to be drawn in as much. Although, FEDOR was at the show as was Josh Barnett as a trainer. But the casual fan does not know their greatness. Then the most recent HFC show from this best February headlined by Little Nog vs Some Canadian with overall the strongest card yet, it was back up to +4500. Even the nose bleeds of the "Corral" were full. MMA is everywhere in Calgary, and there always seems to be strong support for even the smaller shows. And I don't think i have to mention the MMA / Wrestling cross-over. Calgary has a -strong- heritage when it comes to pro wrestling and show the "sport" some crazy love. Those same fans would come out for a UFC in droves. Not to mention all the money in Calgary. We're a very rich city. This UFC in Montreal bodes will for a UFC in Calgary. Cock-a-hoop! Outside of Montreal, I believe Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver could all host mega events. I’m in Calgary so I might be biased, but Calgary is nuts for MMA. Hardcore Fighting Championships is a promotion losely based out of Calgary (the proprietors are Calgarians) and there first show headlined by Joe Doerkson with special guests Franklin and Liddell drew 4500 paid. The next event with a stronger card headline by Aleksander Emelianenko vs. Bobbish had a strong showing I’d say +3000 people. The card was better but without Franklin+Liddell I don’t expect the casual fans to be drawn in as much. Although, FEDOR was at the show as was Josh Barnett as a trainer. But the casual fan does not know their greatness.

Then the most recent HFC show from this best February headlined by Little Nog vs Some Canadian with overall the strongest card yet, it was back up to +4500. Even the nose bleeds of the “Corral” were full.

MMA is everywhere in Calgary, and there always seems to be strong support for even the smaller shows. And I don’t think i have to mention the MMA / Wrestling cross-over. Calgary has a -strong- heritage when it comes to pro wrestling and show the “sport” some crazy love. Those same fans would come out for a UFC in droves.

Not to mention all the money in Calgary. We’re a very rich city.

This UFC in Montreal bodes will for a UFC in Calgary.

Cock-a-hoop!

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]]> By: Evan http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-14471 Evan Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:56:43 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/#comment-14471 The UFC was going to Canada after GSP won the belt the first time but for some reason they pulled out. The UFC was going to Canada after GSP won the belt the first time but for some reason they pulled out.

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]]> By: pr0cs http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-14470 pr0cs Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:53:34 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/#comment-14470 It is rather surprising they waited this long but it's likely because they think they have Canada "in the bag". They're right though because SpikeTV is on regular cable here, we get all the content that made the UFC big in the USA, the same can't be said about the UK so they likely "seized the opportunity" of the explosion of the brand to try and grow it in the UK while it's really hot. The problem is, without the mainstream content (like TUF) available to a large number of homes in the UK it's still a tough sell for a very American (in production) product. The other problem with Canada will be venues, Montreal is perfect because they've ran MMA events for a long time now, and already have some very successful orgs like TKO who regularly sell some 4000+ tickets to their events. Outside of Montreal though there may be problems. Ontario is a wash due to draconian governing bodies, East coast likely doesn't have big enough venues or population to support a huge event. Edmonton/Calgary may work however neither have a huge venue to hold an event, though both citys regularly host MMA events so there is likely enough interest. My other feeling is that the UFC needs to stop holding so many events in Vegas, with the recent news that a large number of 'comp' tickets for 81 were given out I have to question the need to have so many shows in Vegas. Unless they have some really sweet deal with the casinos (which is likely not the case) I have to think that the extra cost of taking the show on the road is easily offset by the increased ticket and merchandising sales. UFC 83 will likely sell out and I would no be surprised if they put a closed-circuit venue for the same event in Montreal and sell that out as well. Stuff like that makes me think that it's time to stop doing so many events in Vegas. It is rather surprising they waited this long but it’s likely because they think they have Canada “in the bag”. They’re right though because SpikeTV is on regular cable here, we get all the content that made the UFC big in the USA, the same can’t be said about the UK so they likely “seized the opportunity” of the explosion of the brand to try and grow it in the UK while it’s really hot.
The problem is, without the mainstream content (like TUF) available to a large number of homes in the UK it’s still a tough sell for a very American (in production) product.

The other problem with Canada will be venues, Montreal is perfect because they’ve ran MMA events for a long time now, and already have some very successful orgs like TKO who regularly sell some 4000+ tickets to their events. Outside of Montreal though there may be problems. Ontario is a wash due to draconian governing bodies, East coast likely doesn’t have big enough venues or population to support a huge event. Edmonton/Calgary may work however neither have a huge venue to hold an event, though both citys regularly host MMA events so there is likely enough interest.

My other feeling is that the UFC needs to stop holding so many events in Vegas, with the recent news that a large number of ‘comp’ tickets for 81 were given out I have to question the need to have so many shows in Vegas. Unless they have some really sweet deal with the casinos (which is likely not the case) I have to think that the extra cost of taking the show on the road is easily offset by the increased ticket and merchandising sales. UFC 83 will likely sell out and I would no be surprised if they put a closed-circuit venue for the same event in Montreal and sell that out as well. Stuff like that makes me think that it’s time to stop doing so many events in Vegas.

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]]> By: metro http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-14464 metro Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:14:15 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/#comment-14464 Montreal, Toronto (when and if) and Calgary are the only real spots, but definitely Calgary. As I used to live there, major events would see lots of people from all over. I'm in the prairies now and will and have made a 7+ hour drive to see a show etc. Because central Canada is so spread out, more people are willing to travel, and this also makes sure they're damn happy to be there. I know people who are trying to get in on Montreal right now, and facing a 3 day 1way drive. As far as Japan goes, I don't know how the UFC will be accepted there, considering the people may see the UFC as the company that dismantled PRIDE FC and scattered their heroes across the globe. Montreal, Toronto (when and if) and Calgary are the only real spots, but definitely Calgary. As I used to live there, major events would see lots of people from all over. I’m in the prairies now and will and have made a 7+ hour drive to see a show etc. Because central Canada is so spread out, more people are willing to travel, and this also makes sure they’re damn happy to be there. I know people who are trying to get in on Montreal right now, and facing a 3 day 1way drive.

As far as Japan goes, I don’t know how the UFC will be accepted there, considering the people may see the UFC as the company that dismantled PRIDE FC and scattered their heroes across the globe.

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]]> By: Derek B. http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-14459 Derek B. Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:57:19 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/#comment-14459 when is the UFC going to go to Japan with an event? when is the UFC going to go to Japan with an event?

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]]> By: cyphron http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-14457 cyphron Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:47:52 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/#comment-14457 It's obvious why the UFC waited. They waited for GSP to regain his belt. Canada is huge with population separated by long stretches of empty land. England is smaller with huge dense populations packed close together. The first show in Canada will be big. But can Canada sustain this enthusiasm? I think so, as long as GSP retains his belt. It’s obvious why the UFC waited. They waited for GSP to regain his belt.

Canada is huge with population separated by long stretches of empty land. England is smaller with huge dense populations packed close together.

The first show in Canada will be big. But can Canada sustain this enthusiasm? I think so, as long as GSP retains his belt.

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]]> By: canuck http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-14452 canuck Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:13:49 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/#comment-14452 Canada's a tricky place for MMA, it's not like Ohio, where you there's 10 million people within a 6 hour drive. The Bell center in Montreal is one of a very few venues that have the right mix of population/laws/accessibility. Vancouver won't allow MMA in the city (where all the large venues are) Edmonton or Calgary are possible, but the the chances of selling out an arena aren't high. There's no chance of an event in Ontario (Toronto) for years - the sport is not sanctioned. Quebec is the only real option, and there are maybe three cities in that province that could put on an event like this. Canada’s a tricky place for MMA, it’s not like Ohio, where you there’s 10 million people within a 6 hour drive. The Bell center in Montreal is one of a very few venues that have the right mix of population/laws/accessibility.

Vancouver won’t allow MMA in the city (where all the large venues are) Edmonton or Calgary are possible, but the the chances of selling out an arena aren’t high. There’s no chance of an event in Ontario (Toronto) for years – the sport is not sanctioned. Quebec is the only real option, and there are maybe three cities in that province that could put on an event like this.

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]]> By: Kelvin http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-14449 Kelvin Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:06:27 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/07/ufc-83-ticket-sales-should-make-the-ufc-re-think-expansion-plans/#comment-14449 I would have ventured into Canada before the UK as well. Giving that the TV market is different overseas...After UFC 70...I would have done my homework on that before doing another show over there. I would have ventured into Canada before the UK as well. Giving that the TV market is different overseas…After UFC 70…I would have done my homework on that before doing another show over there.

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