WEC President Reed Harris creating a stacked PPV 'You just gotta watch'

by Jesse Holland on Nov 11, 2009 8:58 AM EST

Quoteworthy:

"When we decided to focus on the lighter weights we knew we had our work cut out for us. But if you look at boxing for example, it took many yeas, but now the lightweight guys are the guys everybody is interested in. If you look at the time frame, I only started really focusing on the light weights about eight months ago. Now look where we are at. Everyone in the MMA industry says the best lightweights in the world fight for WEC. I get calls from across the world, from Japan, from Korea, from Brazil, with coaches saying 'I've got lightweight fighters we want to bring into the WEC, because these guys want to fight the best.' It used to be the other way around. We used to have to chase after them. Obviously we've got guys like Miguel (Torres), Brian Bowles, Urijah Faber, Mike Brown, and Jose Aldo. We're starting to build this huge list of guys that people are interested in. I know if we do a pay-per-view I am going to have to have a completely stacked card. Deeper than anything I've ever done. And it's going to have to be fights people want. I watched the Countdown show the other day. Once the fans understand the fighters and what the fight is about, then you just gotta watch."

WEC President Reed Harris promises to deliver a stacked card when the UFC sister promotion eventually enters the world of pay-per-views in 2010. The WEC has long been (and will continue to be) on the Versus network but Harris is confident that he has not only the business model, but also the talent pool in which to successfully create a future for the WEC in the world of pay-per-view. Any Maniacs out there willing to part with a few extra bucks to catch their favorite WEC stars mix it up inside the cage? Or is this strictly a "free -- or not for me" type of promotion? Thoughts?

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Is it just me or are WEC ring girls > than UFC ring girls?

by tiger_style on Nov 11, 2009 9:01 AM EST reply actions

I was just thinking – I only read the headline of this thread but if thats who is headlining the main event – I just might be interested in a PPV.

Tiger_style isn’t lying folks.

by Big Zino on Nov 11, 2009 9:06 AM EST up reply actions

I must whole heartedly disagree with tiger_style…

by ccrattler on Nov 11, 2009 9:22 AM EST up reply actions

I must whole heartedly agree with tiger_style…

by Ca$z on Nov 11, 2009 9:50 AM EST up reply actions

tiger..that’s funny! the only reason I’m here posting is to say the same thing…I call the one on our left

by McArthur on Nov 11, 2009 10:52 AM EST up reply actions

Looks like a young Carmen Electra

by BeerMan on Nov 11, 2009 11:18 AM EST up reply actions

I take the one on the right

by Robert(1) on Nov 11, 2009 1:15 PM EST up reply actions

Either will do me!!

by Ca$z on Nov 11, 2009 1:29 PM EST up reply actions

Not to be mean or anything but the most recent UFC ring girls look like dogs next to those two WEC hotties. I’m with McArthur, especially the one on the left. UFC ring gals have not been of the highest quality since Ali Sonoma and Rachelle Leah left.

by RedDog on Nov 12, 2009 10:13 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, Robert, the more I look at the pic…there’s something edgier abt the one on the right. She kinda seems like the one you just have fun with but don’t bring her home to mom.

by RedDog on Nov 12, 2009 10:34 AM EST up reply actions

First thing I noticed as well, dude.

by oneshot on Nov 11, 2009 9:50 AM EST up reply actions

WEC is good and all, but I wouldn’t pay to watch it.

by BeerMan on Nov 11, 2009 11:19 AM EST up reply actions

That is because you are cheap. You have no idea who is on the card or how much it will be.

by DFoy on Nov 11, 2009 12:56 PM EST up reply actions

lolol point well made dfoy

by an 8yr old boy on Nov 11, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with BeerMan…not going to pay to watch what used to be free. F them. It’s not THAT good. DFoy must be an employee of WEC making the forum visits to jump on anyone who has an opinion about what a retarded idea WEC is trying to implement in making us pay to watch those fights.

by RedDog on Nov 12, 2009 10:16 AM EST up reply actions

I agree, all of their main events have been free, why charge for it now?

by Robert(1) on Nov 11, 2009 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

You read my mind

I also like the WEC graphis, intro’s, and overall their video production is better top to bottom.

Even the announcers are on Par, I like the job Rogan and Goldberg do but Mir and company are right there.

I hope the WEC can make it

by jtc2112 on Nov 11, 2009 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

Replace Goldberg with the dude that announces next to Mir, have Joe Rogan avoid his biased and one-sided comentary, put those together and you have a dream team.

by RedDog on Nov 12, 2009 10:18 AM EST up reply actions

Man, nice girls. Anyways, not quite sure how to feel about a WEC PPV. So used to seeing WEC for free that it’d be weird to say the least. However, the fighters might actually make some decent money then. I don’t know. Without a ton of advertising, it could be a flop regardless of who fights.

by n4tacon on Nov 11, 2009 9:27 AM EST reply actions

If they want more advertising dollars they need to either pressure DirecTV to pick up Vs. or find a new network.

by PW on Nov 11, 2009 10:10 AM EST up reply actions

meh..he listed 5 of the top guys right there, and 2 of them are fighting in a few weeks…for free. Im not sure how a WEC PPV would do, especially since people with the right channel watch it free…whats next..$5 for an unleashed episode? Quit being so effin greedy zuffa!

by salamagogo on Nov 11, 2009 9:31 AM EST reply actions

I guess when he says lightweight he means featherweight and bantamweight because we all know the best lightweights by far are in the UFC

by ja434650 on Nov 11, 2009 9:41 AM EST reply actions

I love the WEC but I don’t believe I would buy a ppv. I am an avid MMA fan bun with as many cards as the UFC is putting out I am tapped out. No pun intended lol.

by ldcpanther on Nov 11, 2009 9:43 AM EST reply actions

I would NOT buy a WEC event. You cant just take something away thats been for free for years and start charging $45 for it. Even a completely stacked WEC card is only ok. Risky on his part. As for me I would rather just read about the fights the next day and catch them on replay on VS for free a month later.

Thats my $.02

by jimmycrackcorn on Nov 11, 2009 9:57 AM EST reply actions

My thoughts exactly! There isnt a fight in the wec that I would pay to watch, unless they put Faber against Torres. In that case, I would pay $5 to watch it =)

by tylerS on Nov 11, 2009 5:42 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, 5 dollars would be about my limit for the WEC. Don’t get me wrong, I love the WEC but part of why I loved them was because it was such awesome fights that we didn’t have to pay for. It was like a way of showing that these fights can be done without using a PPV model. Now they’re getting greedy. Little bastards. We’re the ones who put them on the map and this is how they treat us?

by RedDog on Nov 12, 2009 10:21 AM EST up reply actions

I would possibly pay. BUT, not the UFC price structure. I’m thinking $9.99 – 14.99.

Funny though, I would’ve paid UFC prices to see that Strikeforce Fedor card.

It’s weird, every time i watch a WEC event it seems like almost every fight is awesome (of higher quality, entertainment-wise than the UFC fights). But, big names, are big names, and I will pay for the big names. The shortlist of WEC elite is impressive, but for some reason I don’t HAVE to see any of those fights. The last WEC fight I was REALLY excited for was Faber vs Pulver 1. All of the others I watched on my DVR.

by mikemick on Nov 11, 2009 10:12 AM EST reply actions

Although I don’t like their decision, I’m totally going for the PPV! The fights have been amazing this year and I’m sure they’ll only get better and better.

by Alexilos on Nov 11, 2009 10:13 AM EST reply actions

still can’t watch, I’m on DirecTV :-(

by kibbled_bits on Nov 11, 2009 10:15 AM EST reply actions

Im all about capitalism, but there is no way in hell I will buy WEC PPV’s. Only was is if they are $19.99 or something.

by El Mexicutioner, Formerly The Mexicutioner on Nov 11, 2009 10:44 AM EST reply actions

That is capitalism. The market will dictate whether this business plan is feasible.

by PW on Nov 11, 2009 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

Very true. We will see, but my prediction is that they wont do a lot of buys.

by El Mexicutioner, Formerly The Mexicutioner on Nov 11, 2009 11:58 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed. That’s one for either free TV or justin.tv

by PW on Nov 11, 2009 12:02 PM EST up reply actions

I would definitely consider buying in on a WEC PPV card. Anytime you watch a WEC event, it’s close to a sure thing that you are gonna get consistantly good to great fights.

by Luppers on Nov 11, 2009 10:54 AM EST reply actions

I wouldn’t watch these fight on ppv and I don’t get vs I allready pay 40$ amonth for dish and to get vs I’ll have to pay an extra 10$ a month and vs dosent have anythbing I wanna watch besides mma lol I will always pay for a good ufc card or maybe a strikeforce card depending who’s on it if they ever get on ppv but the showtime card suck so I don’t see that happening anytime soon lol

by kingcriminales on Nov 11, 2009 11:00 AM EST reply actions

by kingcriminales on Nov 11, 2009 11:01 AM EST reply actions

PAY FOR WEC?…HELL NO.

by Jack on Nov 11, 2009 11:04 AM EST reply actions

HELL, I’m not even going to buy UFC PPV’s anymore. All I have to do is wait 2-3 weeks and they show them on Spike for FREE!!!

by Jack on Nov 11, 2009 11:05 AM EST reply actions

I love WEC but would not buy a PPV. UFC PPV’s drain me enough.

by natedog77 on Nov 11, 2009 11:27 AM EST reply actions

yesh it’s tuff, diff if nobody wants to come over and watch it. 1 fight a month is making my cable bill $200 a month. if i try to take a break from buying them i freak out theres fights on and i’m not watching. if i was to go to a bar and watch it i end up spending more than just watching it at home

by FatAttack513 on Nov 11, 2009 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly fatattack!

by RedDog on Nov 12, 2009 10:23 AM EST up reply actions

I am not trying to sound like an ingrate, but paying for something you are used to seeing for free just seems wrong.

by Bill Maher on Nov 11, 2009 12:02 PM EST reply actions

I finally agree with you Bill Maher! And I hate Bill Maher.

by RedDog on Nov 12, 2009 10:24 AM EST up reply actions

You guys think Dana is bad, but then you’ve got this guy saying “I did this” and “I did that.” At least Dana says “we” when he talks about his product.

by rockwell on Nov 11, 2009 12:40 PM EST reply actions

ummm, I wld double check that info rockwell

by RedDog on Nov 12, 2009 10:25 AM EST up reply actions

THIS JUST IN….the U.S. government just decided to pass a bill where every citizen must pay for the oxygen they breathe..

by salamagogo on Nov 11, 2009 12:43 PM EST reply actions

Good analogy

by RedDog on Nov 12, 2009 10:26 AM EST up reply actions

Just to say “I’m not paying for it” means your cheap. I’d prefer to see how much they are asking for and what the card looks like. Three title matches for $29.99 is worth it to me

by DFoy on Nov 11, 2009 12:59 PM EST reply actions

Nice to meet you WEC employee!

by RedDog on Nov 12, 2009 10:26 AM EST up reply actions

free or its not for me sorry

by Nate on Nov 11, 2009 2:02 PM EST reply actions

The WEC fighters deserve to be paid a lot more, especially the likes of Torres, Faber, Brown, Bowles and Aldo who are quality fighters and the former 2 in particular are huge names in MMA. The only way for them to be paid amounts comparable to UFC fighters is if they go to PPV, so it puzzles me that the same people that bash Zuffa for not paying their fighters then bash Zuffa for charging for PPVs, as that is how the fighters make their money. I’m not saying that the WEC should charge UFC prices, but if they charged about $20 for a stacked card like one headlined by Faber-Torres then that would be reasonable. One annual PPV could help the top talent get paid the amount that they deserve and help the promotion grow, build up their roster and put on more stacked cards. If nobody will buy WEC PPVs then they have to merge with the UFC, or else risk losing Torres, Faber, MTB, Bowles and Aldo as they will get better offers from other promotions like SF.

I hope the WEC becomes available in the UK ASAP, Bravo did a good job at getting the rights to SF. Hopefully ESPN can do a deal with the UFC to get the WEC rights as well, otherwise I’ll still have to rely on the net to see sick fights like MTB-Aldo. Selling the TV rights abroad, with Zuffa backing, would make them a lot of money and again help the fighters get paid more as the promotion earns more money.

by David W-S on Nov 11, 2009 2:48 PM EST reply actions

Id go with;

faber/brown 3 (title fight 145)
torres/bowles 2 (title fight 135)
varnerORhenderson/cerrone 2 (title fight 155)
a pulver fight
a aldo fight
a garcia fight
etc.

PPV WORTHY, I THiNK so!! BJ BJ BJ!!!

by ( (Adam G) ) on Nov 11, 2009 4:00 PM EST reply actions

i also think if no one buys the first ppv attempt their wont be many more, WE the fans decided if we are willing to pay for this, its up to you, miss a live evvent, catch it later that night on replays an save yourself thousands in eventual ppv costs, in no time it wil be at 45 bucks, it wont start there but if we pay once we’l pay twice and twice as much, think about it. cant stop the ufc prices but can we stop wec prices . . . probably not.

by ( (Adam G) ) on Nov 11, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions