WEC 48 makes jump to PPV official for April 24 in Sacramento with 'Aldo vs Faber'
by James Kimball on Feb 3, 2010 2:54 PM EST
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It looks like WEC GM Reed Harris listened to all the naysayers who told him that May, the month that was previously reported to hold the promotion's pay-per-view debut, was far too crowded with two UFC events and a potential blockbuster boxing match scheduled.
But whoever he listened to, he likely made the right choice. The Associated Press breaks the news:
World Extreme Cagefighting will stage its first pay-per-view event April 24, scheduling a star-stacked card for its first attempt to persuade mixed martial arts fans to pay $44.99 for its fights.
Urijah Faber will meet featherweight champion Jose Aldo in the main event of WEC 48 from Sacramento, Calif., the lighter-weight MMA promotion's leaders told The Associated Press before Wednesday's announcement.
Former featherweight champion Mike Brown also will meet Manny Gamburyan at Arco Arena, and lightweight champion Ben Henderson will fight Donald Cerrone in a rematch of their acclaimed October bout.
As far as stacking a PPV card, you can't do much better than that with the current WEC roster.
"We wanted to wait until we had this type of card to go to pay-per-view," WEC general manager Reed Harris told the AP. "We didn't want to do a pay-per-view show until fans would say at the end of the night, ‘This was worth it.' This will truly be the biggest event we've ever done."
Was there any doubt this was going to go down in Sacramento, California? With Urijah Faber and Jose Aldo serving as the headliner, their decision was pretty much made for them.
And with the announcement of a rematch for the WEC's Lightweight title between Ben Henderson and fan favorite Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone, we are guaranteed at least two title fights on the card. But with the way the WEC brass is talking, we could be seeing some more big names announced for this historic card real soon.
"It's a natural progression," WEC vice president Peter Dropick said. "The WEC is growing, and going to pay-per-view is the next step. It's an important step from a business standpoint. We weren't just going to put a pay-per-view on. We wanted to make sure it was the right card and the right matchup. We've got the ability to put on one of the best cards we've ever done. The timing is right."
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more news on WEC 48 as it develops.
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WAY overpriced
I can’t see them getting too many PPV buys at that price. I might have bitten if it was like $25 since it is a nice card but I save that money for the UFC events.
"You know what would make a good story? Something about a clown who makes people happy, but inside he's real sad. Also, he has severe diarrhea."
Dumb move
They don’t have a roster for PPV events. They need to give it up and fold the 135 and 145 divisions into the UFC.
"If we fight for money, I'll stop hitting you when you ask me to. If we fight for honor, I'll stop hitting you when i feel like it." - Rickson Gracie
Don't know about this being "worth it",
I mean, I’d even bet that $45 is what they’re going to charge for regular definition, and HD will be $55 or something. I figure they should definitely have been a little more cost conscious, at least for the first PPV. Sh!t, we’ve been getting used to the WEC for free for a while now…
by Canucklehead. on Feb 3, 2010 5:05 PM EST up reply actions
I agree. Even if it it “worth it” compared to some of the weak-ass UFC PPVs lately (cough, 109, cough cough), they should have made it more affordable so the jump from “free” to “50 bucks” doesn’t seem so extreme.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 5:09 PM EST up reply actions
You can’t get a ppv slot and charge 20 bucks it doesn’t work like that. They have alot of exciting fights and i know we are accustomed to getting it for free. But come on now the card is stacked.
If you make an ass out of yourself, there will always be someone to ride you
Another thing
If you can’t find 5 friends to split it with (10 bucks apiece) well then it sucks to be you.
If you make an ass out of yourself, there will always be someone to ride you
I don’t enjoy watching fights with too many people. I already said I will order it, but I am not the average casual MMA fan. I’m looking at the big picture here, Skippy.
And if you can’t understand the simple economics behind the fact that the WEC draws small numbers on Versus as it is, those numbers will be TINY when you factor in a PPV that five fans split together… well it sucks to be you, bro.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 5:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
IT is not about getting 5 friends to split $10 a piece...
While it is a great card the fact is that it has been a free promition for years now. The UFC didn’t start at $55 and $60, it gradually went up. Take that and consider the current economic state of our country, I think it is a bold and greedy move at the moment. If people buy into this card I personally feel it gives justification for the UFC to raise prices even higher. If we will pay $50 for this(granted it is a better lineup then 109) where will the UFC go with their ppv prices. This is a sister company of the UFC and while it may be very well worth it for this one what is going to happen on the next one when all they have left is Bowles and Torres to fight 2 bums…The WEC doesn’t have enough names to carry $45 ppv every month let alone every 3 or 4 months. We will be seeing the same 7 names on every ppv for a $50 value: Brown, Aldo, Faber, Henderson, Cerrone, Torres, and Bowles…While alot of the other fighter in the WEC may be exciting, they mean very little to their respective divisions and we will be paying $50 for irrelevant fights, like 109.
The common mma fan is not going to pay $100 a month sometimes $150 (when two UFC cards fall on the same bill). I got Verizon Fios which I pay $$89 a month because they were the only ones that carried Versus in my area. So I am going to pay over $200 for MMA a month. A $100 of it going to Zuffa! One of these companies will lose out and judging how the UFC is the Epitome of MMA in the States and 1/2 the world, it will be the WEC! I am a and have been a die hard mma fan since watching the first UFC in 93, but shit is getting to costly for the fans. I for one won’t be paying for this, I hope most people won’t! As fans of mma we should all avoid paying for this!
There have been plenty of $30.00 PPVs (boxing and Strikeforce). I already intimated that the card is stacked, but a stacked card isn’t going to translate into profit for a company that was giving these fights away for free last month.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
And you know it won’t translate into profits because you are an economics major? Or just a keyboard economics major?
If you make an ass out of yourself, there will always be someone to ride you
A common sense major. Get back to me when they release the numbers.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 5:33 PM EST up reply actions
Keyboard variety i figured as much. You forget the UFC is the ones pulling the strings. And I guarantee they will make more money than they would on Versus.
If you make an ass out of yourself, there will always be someone to ride you
Ah, so when I make a prediction on PPV numbers, I’m a keyboard economist. But when you make a guarantee on profits, you’re not? Time to start paying a little more attention to your own sig, methinks.
Unless you have some idea what purchasing a PPV slot even costs in comparision to buying time on a low-end cable channel like Versus, I find that guarantee you just made pretty useless.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 5:41 PM EST up reply actions
And attaching the word “keyboard” to something in a derogatory fashion is alll the rage these days, but when you think about it it’s pretty retarded. I guess we’re all “keyboard” something-or-others since a keyboard IS the tool necessary to post an opinion the internet. What are you using, a flipping typewriter?
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 5:46 PM EST up reply actions
I just know the UFC didn’t get into the business to lose money. They pay people (with degrees not keyboard degrees) to worry about this stuff. And you honestly think they make less money on PPV? Thats the dumbest thing i heard i might have to make that my new sig lol. Thanks for the laugh before i go home.
If you make an ass out of yourself, there will always be someone to ride you
I just know the UFC didn’t get into the business to lose money
Well, that really sets them apart. Are you aware that the WEC has been losing money, which is why they are taking this desperate step in a last-ditch attempt to make a few bucks before they fold their tents?
And you honestly think they make less money on PPV?
Umm, if they don’t sell enough PPVs then yeah, they kinda lose money. Remember PRIDE? Affliction? Yeah, those guys. They got about as much exposure as the WEC does, and they bombed. This is a desperate move by a company which is already making nothing showing their fights on Versus. Their days are numbered. This is the biggest PPV card they can put together, and it still won’t sell.
And if being an expert on every facet of the business is required to post an opinion on this site, we better all unregister and only allow HOF pro fighters to comment on MMA. I’m sure you have those credentials as well, on top of being a Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist.
Anyway, I’ve wasted enough time. Glad I could provide you with a chuckle. I know your guarantee of a profit after chastising me for making a much looser prediction gave me a good laugh.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 6:02 PM EST up reply actions
And one more thing… this site is populated by HUGE MMA fans, who buy just about every fight offered… and as you can see, the general consensus on this thread and others is that they won’t pay for it. That says a lot, because if they aren’t buying it, Joe Casual Fan sure as hell isn’t either.
There is a proliferation of combat sport PPVs at the moment, and the WEC doesn’t have the name-recognition or the high-profile fighters to pull this off long-term. Probably not even short-term.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 6:16 PM EST up reply actions
You forget the UFC is the ones pulling the strings.
Zuffa has been pulling the strings all along, and they’ve been making fuck-all money all along. Everything Zuffa touches doesn’t turn to gold.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 6:27 PM EST up reply actions
…especially when the UFC brand name isn’t visible on the product.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
Good stuff JJ.
Dude, must be new, and he obviously hasn’t read your profile. ;) You mess with da bull…
As you pointed out, the card is definitely stacked but if Fedor couldn’t pull numbers for Affliction, then what does that say about the chances for this card.
by Canucklehead. on Feb 3, 2010 6:40 PM EST up reply actions
They pay people (with degrees not keyboard degrees) to worry about this stuff.
Dana White doesn’t have a degree in anything.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 6:56 PM EST up reply actions
bigbadbunbun is the lion. JJ is the hunter....
"Champions are not made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision." -Muhammad Ali
Ok Jeremy…. First off the WEC has been losing money you say. Ok why? Because they are on Verus duhh. So it’s stupid to try to make money by going to ppv? And if you honestly think Dana White is who i was refering to you are dumber than i thought. Dana doesn’t have anything to do with what i was talking about. And Pride and Affliction? WTF you talking about dude. The WEC and those company’s have little in common. Affliction and pride both shell out huge money to their fighters. They went broke because they bit off more than they can chew. The only person making good money is Faber. I wouldn’t be surprized if he got ppv %. But hey you think you know what you are talking about and clearly you don’t. Do I think they can sustain long term ppv buys? God no. But this is a good chance for them to make up for their losses. You sig says it best.
“Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once”
I like that sig but maybe you should practice what you preach. The cowardly thing to do is be safe and put of free cards and keep losing money. Or book a sick card and hope the “loyal” fans that have seen countless free shows throw you a bone.
If you make an ass out of yourself, there will always be someone to ride you
it'll be fun watching Brown KO Manny 3 days after the PPV for free on The Score
Fedor once bet NASA he could survive re-entry without a spacesuit.
On July 19th, 1999, a naked Fedor re-entered the earth's atmosphere, streaking over 14 states and reaching a temperature of 3000 degrees. An embarrassed NASA publically claimed it was a meteor, and still owes him a beer.
This is still a bad long-term move IMO, but May would have been suicide.
Between Mayweather/Mosley (which Gayweather still hasn’t signed for, BTW) two big UFC PPVs, and a Strikeforce card already scheduled, the buys would have been (even more) terrible.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
I bet you everybody says this is overpriced and wont buy it.
If we won’t buy it, who the hell is going to. Besides I have learned to live without the WEC since Direct TV dropped Versus. That reminds me, FUCK YOU Direct TV. :-)
His ass-chin seems bigger every time I see him fight. It ’s going to take some serious shots to put a dent in that freakish thing and knock him out. Luckily, Aldo is just the man for the job.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
Cerrone-fan favorite?
This will be the death of WEC. I would have bought the card for 25$. 45$? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAAHA
Not on your life, Reed!
Fact: TUF has produced more UFC Champions than the purchase of PRIDE has.
thinking the same thing I am.
Congrats to everyone who picked Robbie over MM. He took an a$$ whoopin but played a "risky" game plan like a fiddle. H O L Y S H 1 T that was an insane finish - Melvin was completly waxed. 2/3 on the night. Crap.
I have a question
Is it because the fighters are light that everybody thinks the card is going to be light on action? And, also because they are so light that no one should have to lighten their wallets to see them fight?
I for one think faber/aldo will be one of the best fights of the year and would gladly pay to see it. And of those 300,000 of you who payed 44.95 to see evans/silva, but think this is overpriced – well, i’m speechless
That's it for me.
Can’t watch 2 guys going at it that weigh less than most chicks. I’m not saying my thinking is correct, but it’s still my thinking!
Evans and Silva weigh less than some of the bitches I date, but I still watched Evans and Silva fight.
The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful
lmfao
how can i not laugh at that p-dub
"When they took away headbutts, I had to learn some skills." Mark Coleman
More cushing for the pushing!
Cushion for the pushin’. But yeah. Gross. No way those cows can adequately clean themselves in a hygienic fashion.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 8:36 PM EST up reply actions
JJ...thats why there's 4 of them
Fedor once bet NASA he could survive re-entry without a spacesuit.
On July 19th, 1999, a naked Fedor re-entered the earth's atmosphere, streaking over 14 states and reaching a temperature of 3000 degrees. An embarrassed NASA publically claimed it was a meteor, and still owes him a beer.
I’m not saying the fights aren’t excellent. I’ll order it, but hten I’m a sucker for combat sports and I order pretty much everything.
My concern is that this will bury the WEC as an entity. They will lose money with this strategy, because casual fans won’t pay for something they were getting for free last month. And while assimilation with the UFC has it’s strong points, it also means a lot of great fights will be buried on undercards or just not booked at all.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 3:59 PM EST up reply actions
I'm a sucker too
But if we buy this PPV they are going to think they can continue with this practice. I don’t want to pay for WEC all the time. We have to boycott buying this so they get the message.
Fact: TUF has produced more UFC Champions than the purchase of PRIDE has.
yeah i wont pay for this....
…not that i pay for any mma period via so__ast but should be a good fight/card if its on ppv
Shane Cawin....the next UFC HW champ....Mir......another puffy face with an added broken jaw....Brock you're next
You download all PPV's and you are here for what?
Fact: TUF has produced more UFC Champions than the purchase of PRIDE has.
I doubt Shane "Cawin" approves of stealing PPV's.
Fact: TUF has produced more UFC Champions than the purchase of PRIDE has.
Shane is a staunch defender of all things right and holy. He would not be pleased.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
Shane would never disrespect a PPV by not paying for it. In fact, he respects the PPVs so much he even pays for the high-def version even though he doesn’t have a high-def television.
The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful
That's just the kind of guy Carwin is though.
Fact: TUF has produced more UFC Champions than the purchase of PRIDE has.
shane pays for PPV
because he’s doing it for the fans
Whats not to Like?
Seeing Aldo, the most dynamic young fighter on the planet.
Cerrone v Henderson 2. rematch of one of the best fights of 09.
and Manvel the Anvil getting stomped out by MTB
im sold
Fedor played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
AMERICA.....FUCK YEAH
why not combine this as the undercard on a weak ufc ppv
with all the injuries that have gone down i would think they could have “tested the water” by mixing in a few wec fights on the ufc undercards…
"When they took away headbutts, I had to learn some skills." Mark Coleman
i would get to see it then
and more fans would get to see there fights, all i hear is people compalining about weak ufc cards lately so why not add these fights to a weak card and have the biggest ppv of the year. i would rather pay a little more (maybe $10) for a ufc/wec ppv then pay what there asking for this…
"When they took away headbutts, I had to learn some skills." Mark Coleman
absolutely not paying
that amt for this WEC card… maybe 19.95, 24.95 at the most, but $50 bucks is just ridiculous! especially when you factor in that I already pay for UFC fights, shotime (for StrikeForce), and HD programming to get HDNet… Zuffa has lost their damn minds!
im lucky
my bill went down when i added showtime? i have comcast and was paying high $90’s a month. i asked how much more to add showtime and they said my bill went down to $85!!
"When they took away headbutts, I had to learn some skills." Mark Coleman
I won't be buying this and I hope you don't either
The best case scenario is that the WEC PPV bombs and they either a) Go back to VS permanently or b) Fold the WEC into the UFC. I don’t mind paying $55 for the UFC PPVs, but I won’t buy them when they are crap (like 108). And hell if I’m going to spend $45 on a WEC PPV when I’ve been watching it on VS for years. We need to boycott this PPV so the WEC doesn’t pull this crap again.
There are no such things as lesbians, just women who have not yet met Chuck Norris
Are you kidding me?
I would never buy this PPV. I only buy UFC PPV’s and even those I get picky with. Faber vs Aldo is going to be the dumbest fight. No fight off the year there….Aldo by TKO round one. Brown vs Manny is a worthless fight. I hate manny and think he sucks. Cerrone vs Henderson is a cool fight but I would rather see Cerrone kill varner…NOT BUYING
If it were $29.95
I would buy it for the convenience of watching it home & the DVR
I doubt my friends will buy any MMA PPV where headliner is not named Brock Lesnar
So I guess I have to drag my lazy ass to the bar for this one (that counts as supporting WEC right?)
Your friends must be kinda stupid. No offense intended.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 6:13 PM EST up reply actions
Not stupid - just no MMA fanatics
Put Mayweather or Lesnar on & we have a party :)
by Stonian Prince on Feb 3, 2010 6:16 PM EST up reply actions
i’d love to see them both in the same cage.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 6:17 PM EST up reply actions
Why Mayweather and Lesnar? Mayweather fights generally suck. Pacquiao I could see…
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Feb 3, 2010 6:20 PM EST up reply actions
I guess you have never seen Mexican midget fights then
It’s a whole new experience, let me tell ya
by Stonian Prince on Feb 3, 2010 6:17 PM EST up reply actions
Hardcore fans, or hardcore cheap douches?
For those of you saying you’d pay 25 or 30, but not 45, that’s just retarded. I would hope most of you make that difference in an hour’s worth of pay. If not, you probably shouldn’t be wasting your time on MMA blog comments.
Shell out the extra dough and help these guys get paid what they should instead of acting insulted.
I prefer to spend that extra 15 bucks on more important things (like a bj or a quarter)
by Stonian Prince on Feb 3, 2010 6:20 PM EST up reply actions
What about people who just can't afford to fork out $50 after $50 after $50...etc....
The only thing retarded is your post. OdiudD-bag.
"Champions are not made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision." -Muhammad Ali
They are definitely not going to get a good buyrate.
The majority of WEC fans are the hardcore fans, the internet fans. And most of the internet fans do not purchase the PPV’s. They claim they do, but they really don’t, they live the streams. Honestly, they’ll be lucky to break 45,000 buys at that price with their fanbase.
i like wec alot..
but i can’t shell out anymore ppv $$ than i do for ufc..dunno why they are wrecking a good thing..free was smart…trying to get us to pay for this seems mean.
I agree 100%, UFC is having PPVs in 4 months
2 in Feb, 1 in March & April, and 2 more in May, which is 6 PPV events in 4 months! Now they want us to pay another $45 for a WEC card that we have been getting on VS for years—WTF? I hope the buy rate for this PPV sucks ass, they are trying to stick it to the fans and it pisses me off!
There are no such things as lesbians, just women who have not yet met Chuck Norris
somewhat
im somewhat excited..but my fist instincts was that it was a mistake…but im exited cuzz..i fucken hated all those fucken commercials!..and if you want to make dough zuffa change the dam blue ring that shit is low budget!
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