MMA News Forums » MMA Forums » General MMA Forum

[MasterShake]

Case of bad timing for UFC 86?
by Steve Sievert on Jul 03, 2008 at 7:30 am ET

Source:UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com

The seeming lack of buzz surrounding UFC 86 is decidedly counterculture to what has otherwise been a tremendous year for mixed martial arts.

From MMA's debut on network TV to the UFC's wildly successful showing in Canada, and a highly anticipated grudge match between BJ Penn and Sean Sherk, just to name a few, 2008 has delivered for MMA fans.

On paper, UFC 86 appears to have the marquee main-event match-up necessary to keep the momentum rolling. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is back after a nine-month layoff to defend his light heavyweight belt against one of the original "Ultimate Fighters," Forrest Griffin, whose stock is rising after stopping 205-pound wunderkind Mauricio Rua.

This is edge-of-your-seat stuff, right? Apparently, not.

While fans certainly aren't staying away in droves, the crowd this Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas isn't expected to rival those of previous Vegas shows. And, the general lack of hype among fans on blogs and online forums suggests that UFC 86 isn't generating the level of interest we've come to expect from the sport's top promotion.

The UFC's tried-and-true formula of pitting main-event combatants as opposing coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter" was supposed to stir the pot for the fight, but it came up short this time around during season seven. Neither fighter was willing to step into the role of heel, nor did a heated rivalry materialize.

Fans don't need to see hatred spewed, a la Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock, to become interested in a fight, but some bad blood never hurts. The last season of "TUF" was short on that among the coaches.

And, that's too bad because fans who pass on this bout might miss a great one.

Jackson is bigger, stronger and more experienced and steps into the octagon as a decisive favorite, but would it really be that much of an upset if Griffin wins? After all, few gave Griffin the preverbal snowball's chance to beat Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, and the "TUF" cast member-turned-coach not only stopped the Brazilian, he owned him.

Beyond the main event, UFC 86 features a middleweight title eliminator in Patrick Cote and Ricardo Almeida, the return of a likeable fan favorite in Joe Stevenson, and a potentially action-packed lightweight bout between top contender Tyson Griffin and Marcus Aurelio.

Ho-hum, apparently, in the eyes of most fans. So, what's to blame? It might just be a case of bad timing.

In the wake of the EliteXC CBS show, a great World Extreme Cagefighting event June 1, and the recent TUF finale, fans have had a lot to digest recently, and many are already looking ahead to the Affliction debut and a free look at Anderson Silva on Spike TV later this month.

I have to say that in my opinion the guy that wrote this article should sit in the corner with a retard hat on for the rest of his life. It is pretty apparent he doesn't look at the blogs, probably just jurks on the Bodog forums, cause everyone I talk to that knows and watches MMA is pretty damn excited aboout this card.

[LookitsLance]

While I know people here are excited, as am I, I have noticed what seems to be a lack of advertising for this card. Not that its much less than usual, its just I expected it to be much more, if not just because of it being UFC's flagship weight class and a championship bout, but it features two of the most popular UFC fighters in the main event. I mean they push the hell out of Forrest, but they don't promote this thing like crazy, at least that I have seen.

[Dimson]

Originally Posted by LookitsLance

While I know people here are excited, as am I, I have noticed what seems to be a lack of advertising for this card. Not that its much less than usual, its just I expected it to be much more, if not just because of it being UFC's flagship weight class and a championship bout, but it features two of the most popular UFC fighters in the main event. I mean they push the hell out of Forrest, but they don't promote this thing like crazy, at least that I have seen.

Actually they have beem promoting this fight every Wed. for over 2 months. If they have to do a huge promotion after TUF then something is wrong.

[Qball1974]

I'm excited as hell thats for sure!

[hunterkiller]

Maybe the UFC is banking on Forrest and Rampage selling themselves to the fans and don't see the point of wasting ad dollars for 2 of the most popular guys.

[2mcgrath]

what ive noticed thats strange and cant say ive seen this before,but when playing rainbow six vegas 1 or 2 and ghost recon advanced war fighter 1 or 2 on the xbox 360.i see posters in those games while playing them. for ufc 86 advertising griffin vs jackson.

[hunterkiller]

It's not uncommon for video games to have product tie ins. Please tell me though that you are referring to online game play because if it's offline single player mode, then it's spooky because those games have been out for a lot longer than this fight has been planned.

[2mcgrath]

Originally Posted by thecoylewis

It's not uncommon for video games to have product tie ins. Please tell me though that you are referring to online game play because if it's offline single player mode, then it's spooky because those games have been out for a lot longer than this fight has been planned.

yeah its offline(single player) and online the posters are thrown through out the game.ive just never saw that before in games,like they will be on the sides of buildings and on walls.and it has a picture of rampage on one side and griffin on the other and lists the date and all

[taraneda]

I don'tknow where this guy get his info. Were I am at I know more eople are talking about this fight and watching then any other. Also 3/4 of the people are real big mma fans and the way it looks this fight is bringing them other

[KcMizzou]

Originally Posted by 2mcgrath

yeah its offline(single player) and online the posters are thrown through out the game.ive just never saw that before in games,like they will be on the sides of buildings and on walls.and it has a picture of rampage on one side and griffin on the other and lists the date and all

Burnout Paradise does the same thing. As long as you have an XBOX Live account (or whatever the PS3 version is), the ads update even on single player modes.

Pretty ingenuis, really. I don't mind as long as they don't disrupt the game. Real world ads for current movies and events kind of add to the realism, IMO.