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[Severn]

"It's not a UFC program. It's a mixed martial arts even featuring fighters from Elite XC." I had to keep my cool because I said that several times and since I'm the open MMA fan here in the office everyone’s going to me making small talk. It's unfortunate that these guys first impersonation of Elite XC was Kimbo/Thompson.

I had to repeat to myself that Kimbo shouldn't be in the main event of a CBS MMA event. Of course I was asked the obvious "If he's so green like you say then why was he in the main event?” The answer of Gary Shaw is an "opportunistic prick" isn't a good enough answer since they don't know who Shaw is.

It's a frustrating day. Anyone else experiencing this post Saturday Night Kimbo phenomenon?

[hunterkiller]

No one I work with saw it but my wife was calling me yesterday saying that some people she was working with were talking about it and even talking about WEC's event last night. I guess some of the buzz from Kimbo-Thompson spilled into the WEC. People were watching WEC too, which was cool.

[BigBanda]

It literally takes breaking down the whole scenario and giving a history lesson for the people who are not familiar with MMA at all. I had to go back to explain where Kimbo got his start with fighting in back yards and parking lots and showing the videos on YouTube. Informed how he had a mass following from that and that EliteXC was trying to capitalize on that to hype their show and bring in ratings because they are a much smaller org compared to the UFC and are trying to "make it".

So you really have to break it down to let the people who are ignorant to MMA know what is going on. This is exactly why I was disappointed because this show was the 1st impression of MMA to many people and as MMA fans we really had a lot riding on that event.

[surfrock66]

I convinced about 8 people to see the WEC event, and fortunately we're talking about it all day.

[grambino]

Surprisingly, MMA was a major topic of discussion on many major sports talk shows today that generally do not MMA often. Fox, ESPN, Rome etc...and it was nice to hear that overall the same message was being sent out the general public and that was that this was not a fair representation of the sport and it failed on many levels. I didn't hear a single announcer say MMA was bad, there were some callers ofcourse saying it was rigged or just like WWE, but it was refreshing to hear the hosts take the side of MMA and point out that this was a show from a small upstart show and then actually point out that the WEC show more than displayed what should have been aired. Rome even took it a step farther to explain that any other major network that would like to get involved is going to have to agree to give up a lot of control in regards to the show if they want to avoid looking like CBS and that's why we haven't seen a major network agreement with a major organization. Rome said he couldn't believe that with the Lakers/Celtics series starting this week that his entire first segment had been only MMA calls and emails. He said that spoke volumes for a sport that's had no mainstream exposure. The show certainly could have been better, but the press could have treated it much worse also. It seems like the educated people are trying to reassure the newcomers that they should look deeper and they'll understand.

[Ifightforaliving]

I had 15 people over to watch WEC on 4 tv's and now all day I have gotten calls wanting to come to the UFC and Affliction events so I think WEC really changed alot of peoples minds especially the last two fights

[Ramma]

Originally Posted by Severn

"It's not a UFC program. It's a mixed martial arts even featuring fighters from Elite XC." I had to keep my cool because I said that several times and since I'm the open MMA fan here in the office everyone’s going to me making small talk. It's unfortunate that these guys first impersonation of Elite XC was Kimbo/Thompson.

I had to repeat to myself that Kimbo shouldn't be in the main event of a CBS MMA event. Of course I was asked the obvious "If he's so green like you say then why was he in the main event?” The answer of Gary Shaw is an "opportunistic prick" isn't a good enough answer since they don't know who Shaw is.

It's a frustrating day. Anyone else experiencing this post Saturday Night Kimbo phenomenon?

I had someone come up to me at work and say, "I saw the Ultimate Extreme Cage Fighting on Saturday. Those guys are great, tough athletes. That ear was sick. -Insert more comments here-"

Ultimate Extreme Cage Fighting, lol.

All we needed was for it to be "Ultimate Extreme Cage Fighting Fury Rage Championship" and we would have had a whole bunch of organizations in there.

Yeah, I had to do some explanations too. Saying that those guys are good fighters, there are other organizations out there. Kimbo isn't everything the hype makes him out to be, but that isn't his fault and he wants to succeed and is working hard, etc.

And a lot of people noticed that.. that Kimbo was some hype.

Bottom line, it has people talking about the sport. Sure, the hardcores are pissed off. But in the eyes of the outside folks, it was entertainment.

[maxp84z]

Originally Posted by surfrock66

I convinced about 8 people to see the WEC event, and fortunately we're talking about it all day.

WEC puts on better events than the UFC... when it comes to the show set up. The fights keep coming, no BS.. its nice.

[Ifightforaliving]

i don't care as long as it's a good event

[Dimson]

To the average joe sports fan MMA=Ultimate Fighting. If I am ever talking to some one about MMA all I have to say is the UFC or Ultimate Fighting and they know instantly then what I am talking about. Hell there was a company advertising on this very site about teaching people Ultimate Fighting and not MMA. UFC is synonomis with MMA(eventhough some people on this board will not admit that openly) and that is why i don't think MMA will explode until the UFC gets a network t.v. deal. Once that happens that sky is the limit.