Following PPV letdowns, champ Henderson hopes Diaz can help sell UFC on FOX 5
Following PPV letdowns, champ Henderson hopes Diaz can help sell UFC on FOX 5
Quote:
UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson isn't one to hype a fight, but heading into the second defense of his title, he hopes his opponent will help sell it to the public.
While Henderson's bottom line won't necessarily be affected by the number of viewers who watch the bout, he would like to increase his earning power.
"It is something that I am aware of, pay-per-view buys and numbers and all of that stuff," he said. "The two pay-per-views I was a part of did not do very successfully, as far as comparing them to other numbers – the average numbers."
Quote:
However, Diaz's reputation as a forward-moving, bird-flipping fighter can hardly hurt for promoting the bout, and by extension, Henderson. The 28-year-old champ sees the benefit of hype, being an avid fan of onetime middleweight title challenger and current light-heavyweight contender Chael Sonnen, who was recently named one of the top-five PPV draws in the company.
"He knows it's a promotional game," Henderson said of Sonnen. "He is of average speed, average athletic-wise, white guy, average-looking, and he wrestles guys. He holds guys down – that's his game. Who wants to see that? That's not a super-marketable (style). But as soon as he starts talking, he's very marketable. And he knows that."
Henderson, though, doesn't want to play the same game. Instead, he wants to do his entertaining in the cage. A thrilling bout with Diaz will be a job well done.
"You have to be entertaining and have a few tricks up your sleeves, (to where people say), 'Oh wow, what was that?'" Henderson said. "A few entertaining tricks, and hopefully you pull them off."
"He knows it's a promotional game," Henderson said of Sonnen. "He is of average speed, average athletic-wise, white guy, average-looking, and he wrestles guys. He holds guys down – that's his game. Who wants to see that? That's not a super-marketable (style). But as soon as he starts talking, he's very marketable. And he knows that."
I'd be curious to see what the reaction to this would be if it had been someone talkin about Bendo and referred to him as "having decent speed, etc. and he's black".
I don't care that he made mention of skin colour in referring to Chael - I'm just curious what the reaction would be if this were reversed because it doesn't seem like something that a fighter would get away with sayin these days.
"He is of average speed, average athletic-wise, white guy, average-looking, and he wrestles guys.
apparently people don't like to watch White Guys fight.
__________________
Favorite "Boring" Fighter: GSP.
Favorite "Head Up His Own Ass" Fighter: Paul Daley.
Favorite "Can't String Together Enough Wins" Fighter: Alessio Sakara.
Favorite "Good luck coming back to the UFC" Fighter: Renato Sobral.
"He doesn't write his own material. Some homo in Queens living in his mother's basement in his underwear is writing Chael's material for him." - DON FRYE.
that was pretty dumb Hendo, never really liked this kid anyway. And "average-looking" wtf does that have to do with anything?? lol. would he prefer to fight a really "good-looking" dude? wtf..
I get the point, and it's fair. Some guys get a certain amount of star power just from looks, or at least help from it. Kongo comes to mind - he's such a muscular guy that I think casual fans assume he's a better or more dangerous fighter for it. Rousey clearly gets an edge with fans for being sexy. Yada yada, it's why politicians are tall.
I suppose Vendor thinks that minorities, being less common, still stand out more and get some positive novelty bias for it. Not sure I agree that that is true in sports, but whatevs.
__________________
"If it was old school MMA I would just take @bisping down and lay on him til he died of starvation."
I dont even get what hes talking about lol. Is he saying Nate isnt good looking enough? Or that he doesnt shit talk enough or that he doesnt come to fight lol?
Im not going to get into a mans looks lol, and Im sure Diaz will talk alot more then lets say Edgar or Maynard....And If we were going by who was actually more exciting inside the cage Diaz has Bendo beat by a looong shot imho.
Diaz has two finishes in his last three fights.
Bendo has zero finishes in his last 5 fights.
Hes talking about you got to have tricks up your sleeves? How about a triangle choke while giving double middle fingers to your opponent? Or walking towards your opponent with your hands down saying "cmon Bitch!"
If I were Bendo, I wouldnt be worried about Nate Diaz bringing the fight is what im trying to say.
__________________
God hates me, never keep my banger on safety
My mother raised me alone, you can't break me
Like my hearts pumpin the blood of Royce Gracie!
I'd be curious to see what the reaction to this would be if it had been someone talkin about Bendo and referred to him as "having decent speed, etc. and he's black".
Bendo is only half 'black'... and half 'yellow' (or as my lil' lady likes to call herself, olive) aka Korean
that was pretty dumb Hendo, never really liked this kid anyway. And "average-looking" wtf does that have to do with anything?? lol. would he prefer to fight a really "good-looking" dude? wtf..
Did you read what he said? He's talking about how Sonnen sells his fights.. He's saying Sonnen doesnt sell fights with his looks or insane athletics.. he does it with his mouth.
Following PPV letdowns, champ Henderson hopes Diaz can help sell UFC on FOX 5 
Thats right bitches, gonna have to bling out the other hand soon...
Linear Mode
