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[LethalStriker]

Source: GracieFighter.com

Recently there have been rumblings that the UFC was in the final stages of buying the WEC. Appearances by the Fertitta brothers at the last WEC show only added fuel to the rumors. But why exactly would America's largest and most well funded fight show have any interest in acquiring a show that holds most of their events in an obscure Indian casino? Most speculated that the UFC would be using their recent acquisition as a feeder system, somewhat like a professional baseball team uses a farm team for future prospects. Upon closer inspection we find that there might be much more than meets the eye in this deal.

It is no secret that the UFC and HBO have been having ongoing negotiations. Some of the main obstacles are that the UFC already enjoys huge pay-per-view numbers and is currently under contract with the Spike network. The fact of the matter is that the UFC does not need the HBO network and having future UFC events on HBO makes no logistical sense. However not partnering up with HBO might be a tactical mistake. It could very well clear the way for a rival show to enjoy mainstream exposure and success.

Showtime's recent partnership with the Rumble on the Rock organization has only hastened HBO's desire to have an MMA show of their own. The 2 networks (HBO and Showtime) have a long history in boxing rivalry. Both understand that in order to compete with each other they must not fall behind in sports programming and that MMA is the new cash cow. What to do?

The WEC could be the answer to this dilemma. It could very well be the show headed to HBO. By buying the WEC, the UFC will avoid contractual conflicts with Spike while at the same time ensuring that HBO would not be a future rival. In a sense they would own the competition and further corner the lucrative American TV market. Airing the UFC, TUF (Spike) and WEC (HBO) will make Zuffa the Rupert Murdoch of MMA programming.

Business must be very good indeed.

[kaisq11]

Buying the WEC and using it like a farm team is a good idea

[enigma]

I hope that UFC will sign an agreement with HBO cause I am very sad that MMA will be on Showtime cause I don't even have that channel.

[Beatts35]

the best part about showtime and hbo... we'll finally get mma in HD.. hopefully we will still see the sport grow with these new deals and we won't see a thinning of talent, like in boxing.

[subman]

Originally Posted by Beatts35

the best part about showtime and hbo... we'll finally get mma in HD.. hopefully we will still see the sport grow with these new deals and we won't see a thinning of talent, like in boxing.

There is already MMA in HD. WEC is on HDNet regularly. For that matter, WEC is ALREADY the feeder program for UFC. Many fighters came from WEC to UFC (Irvin and Franca are two recent examples). Every WEC event I have watched on HDNet has had UFC fighters and or officials in attendance. Chuck Liddel has been in the corner of at least 3 fighters, for example.

[LethalStriker]

Casey Olson is a fighter that I think fights out of The Pit with Chuck.

[iced]

that would be kind of cool. then maybe we'd see fighters like urijah faber and razor rob in some ufc fights!