Comments on: Does Canada Really Want Canadians?

By: Sergio G. Hernandez

Sergio G. Hernandez — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:47:31 +0000

Amen, Andrew.

Fight Night 13 didn’t have a huge name; Florian being the biggest but where is he on the totem pole compared to even someone like Koscheck?

That card was the best so far this year.

Real MMA fans want great match-ups first, names second.

By: andrew

andrew — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:25:56 +0000

asking if you’d swap some of the fighters for a different “name” is a stupid way to look at it. it doesn’t mean anything. show me a card where you wouldn’t want to swap any of the fighters for a bigger name.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:03:43 +0000

Again, we need to remember that this is Bispings debut at 185. He’s not going to get thrown against a top dog (Franklin, Hendo, Marquardt, Okami, Almeida) in his first matchup. He’s going to get somewhat of a gimme fight and then he’ll move on to mid tier guys (Leben, Belcher, Quarry, Starnes, Cote) for about two fights before he gets in the ring with the top guys.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:35:40 +0000

From #10 Slap yo Mammy

“it’s something that’s nice for only some fans… but also nice for the fighters getting to fight in front of some hometown fans, or just fellow-countrymen.

Chuck, Bisping/McCarthy is HARDLY overhyped. Quit being stupid.”

I was saying Bisping himself is overhyped- not necessarily the match. In spite of Dana White’s crush on him I’m not interested in seeing him fight- especially against Captain Miserable. Come on- what a joke of a match!

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Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:40:41 +0000

[...] Does Canada Really Want Canadians? [...]

By: ill will

ill will — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:31:58 +0000

“Well…they’ve broken their own record with over 20,000 tickets sold…so I’d say they did something right.”

It sold out because it’s the first UFC event in Canada. They could’ve put the most boring fighters in the history of the sport on that card, but as long as it’s headlined by GSP and happening somewhere within our borders, it’s almost a guaranteed sell-out.

I sort of agree with these statment, but at the same time most of the tickets were just brought up quickly, only to be sold at a higher cost later. So it didn’t exactly sell-out itself…people just saw a great investmnet to apply the “supply and demand” model to.

By: calzaghe_ko

calzaghe_ko — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:00:57 +0000

I’m more than happy with the british fighters fighting at a uk event, theyve all put in fantastic performances (with the exception of bisping at 75, ahem).

I’m sure it doesnt do the PPV sales any harm either

By: Recently.reaped

Recently.reaped — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:57:50 +0000

I’m Canadian and I think it’s okay if the UFC puts the ‘unknown’ Canadians (ie. ones casual UFC fans wouldn’t know) on the undercard and put known fighters like GSP and Cote on the main card. Otherwise it should just be another UFC card and should have at least one more outstanding match.
Bisping vs McCarthy is not that enticing. I am intrigued by Lutter vs Franklin, but I think Franklin cakewalks it.
there’s really only one WOW match up and the rest are alllllllright.
This card needed one more really solid match that ppl want to see.. no one is asking for the two fights I mentioned above.

By: Reaser

Reaser — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:56:46 +0000

I just agree with Huck reguarding PRIDE, here, it’s the first time, if its the same thing everytime UFC is in Canada and they just start throwing low level guys on the card to fill it out with home country fighters then ya, stupid…

I agree more with Gary, thats the only Canadian I’m interested in seeing more of…

By: FRANKIE

FRANKIE — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 05:58:52 +0000

Come on, Huckaby. You know nobody wants to see Rashad Evans.

By: pr0cs

pr0cs — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 05:43:19 +0000

I think that it’s also a way to reinforce the UFCs dominance in the industry. Putting on a show like this shows the fighters who the big dog is in the industry. It is an excellent way to prove to the fighters that the UFC is *the* place to fight. You can’t tell me that any of the fighters, from guys like Day making his debut to GSP will not get serious adrenaline in stepping into the cage with 20k+ fans cheering.
The UFC putting on a show like this showcasing Canadian talent is a way for the company to prove to it’s biggest employees that THIS is the place to be, the best way to get recognition and the place where you can make a serious name for youself, market yourself the best and make the most money.
As a fan I would have liked to see some more international talent (I was jazzed when initially Shogun was to be on UFC83) but I think you’re losing sight at some of the other reasons why the UFC may be showcasing a lot of Canadian talent.

In the future if the UFC comes back to Canada I hope they take advantage of Canada’s better “status” with other countries like Cuba, Canada has a lot more friendly tenure with some of the countries that the USA doesn’t like to deal with and I imagine there are some fighters from those countries that could still participate if the event was in Canada. Maybe I’m wrong but I hope the UFC has investigated that avenue.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 04:12:26 +0000

I think this article is irrelevant. Whenever the UFC goes anywhere besides Vegas, typically a few of the spots are filled by local guys who have earned their spots. Jason Day just defeated a former title contender outside the UFC and only has 2 or 3 losses on his record. Sam Stout, Jason MacDonald, and Joe Doerksen are all UFC veterans. On top of that, there are only so many “name” fighters that can appear on one card. UFC 83 has Serra, GSP, Franklin, and Bisping, not to mention guys that have TUF fame like Lutter, Danzig, and Quarry. On top of that, putting local guys on a card WILL help boost ticket sales, albeit slightly, based on the simple fact that a fighter’s friends, family, sparring partners, and local fans will all buy tickets. I’m sure a guy like Jason Day has attracted at least 30-40 people that may have been slightly more hesitant about buying a ticket. I don’t understand what the real objection of this article is. UFC 83 is the biggest live crowd in the history of the organization and I’m pretty sure that’s all that matters.

By: Gary

Gary — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 04:08:01 +0000

There’s one Canadian I’d like to meet – GSP’s hot sister…damn…

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:57:22 +0000

The card could have been better although it did sell out very fast for the fights that are on it !! I am going and would like to have seen a little more mainstream names on the card despite where they are from. But I am sure there will be more great events coming to Canada this will definatly not be the last event here I look forward to some better cards and maybe some day some events in Toronto!!

By: Pierre

Pierre — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:22:53 +0000

Once again i was wondering the same thing about Joslin? Does anybody know if he is still injured? Well just for clarity would i trade 4 of the Canadians for a big “name” fighter, i believe for most Canadians it would be dependent on the fighter. Such as if you offered me a guy like Wanderlei Silva for those Canadians i would want him on the card right away, but if it was say Evans…I would stick with the Canadians…Its all relative i guess.

By: RealMMAAnalyst

RealMMAAnalyst — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:12:59 +0000

FYI….Travis Galbraith is Canadian…..good research.

By: canadianfightfan

canadianfightfan — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:09:34 +0000

What happened to Jeff Joslin?? He is one guy that has fallen off the map? Does anyone know? I know he has has some injury problems but he is a great fighter and would be good on any card. And they could have put any one on the card and it would probably sell out because we are MMA Crazy up here!!
WAR GSP

By: islandguy666

islandguy666 — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:33:50 +0000

Look, I wouldn’t care if there are Canadians or not.. I’d prefer to see better fights. But hey the tix sold so fast that it was impossible for me to get to see it anyhow. So the fact that it’s here in Montreal.. may as well be in Iraq. I’ll be in front of my set just the same as always.

By: YoBMC

YoBMC — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:32:06 +0000

I am pretty sure Travis Galbraith is from Edmonton….

By: JollyDV

JollyDV — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:23:27 +0000

The title of this article is, “Does Canada Really Want Canadians?” IMO, yes they do, but they would prefer to see the Canadians win. Set that aside, Does Canada Really Want The UFC? YES, regardless of nationality. Period.