UFC on FOX event features Super Bowl style tailgate party and pregame show leading into 'Velasquez vs Dos Santos'

by Geno Mrosko on Sep 2, 2011 2:55 PM EDT in UFC News

When UFC makes its debut on network television with its "Velasquez vs. Dos Santos" event, it will do so with a "Super Bowl level atmosphere."

That's because executives at FOX today promised levels of promotion the likes of which the world's largest mixed martial arts organization has never seen before. That includes a red carpet and tailgate party complete with celebrities and the big time feel you've come to expect from major sporting events like the Super Bowl.

Here's what FOX Sports President Eric Shanks said on today's conference call:

"I will say one thing we will be doing is launching the UFC on Fox with a Super Bowl style red carpet and tailgate party with every star in Hollywood, and every dignitary we need to get out there to launch this thing. It will be a la Super Bowl tailgate and Super Bowl red carpet, with a huge party outside before the event."

We gonna party like it's 1999, folks.

UFC President Dana White echoed those sentiments on the call when he said this will be "an event of all events." Well, it will feel like it, at the very least. Pre-game show, party outside the arena, celebrities, all the major players; this is kind of a big deal.

So what fight exactly will be bringing all the boys to the yard?

That would be a heavyweight championship fight pitting current titleholder Cain Velasquez against number one division contender Junior dos Santos, a bout executives at FOX are already saying is "like getting Ali vs. Forman."

While that might be a bit of an overstatement, there's no questioning the magnitude of this event. In fact, the fight was made even bigger with the announcement that it would be the sole contest held on the one-hour show, which is slated to air at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.

Five round war of attrition, anyone?

The undercard will, in fact, be made available to fight fans in some capacity and if the Velasquez vs. Dos Santos fight lasts for all of 30 seconds, we may even see a preliminary card bout on network television.

But the big money maker is the heavyweight title fight and by the time the show kicks off from Anaheim, California on Nov. 12, 2011, it will feel like the Super Bowl of MMA.

Ready, Maniacs?

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Can't wait to start seeing some of the previews on Fox

Hopefully they start on opening day on NFL Sunday!

"I felt like I was getting raped by Freddy Mercury"-Tank on losing to Dan Severn

by Puck Head on Sep 2, 2011 2:58 PM EDT reply actions

They supposed to start this weekend.

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

@xFenixKnightx on the Twitter

by xFenixKnightx on Sep 2, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

YES!!!! YES!!!! YES!!!!

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

@xFenixKnightx on the Twitter

by xFenixKnightx on Sep 2, 2011 2:58 PM EDT reply actions

DONE

Haha
Told ya its CAIN VELASQUEZ VS JUNIOR DOS SANTOS!
Overeem and frank mir can kis* my a** lol and yeah some of his fans! Hahaha

by onedeadman on Sep 2, 2011 3:03 PM EDT reply actions

Ufc is about to blow up

absolute genius move on danas and zuffas part to go all out for this. i like the vibes they are setting. Heavy weight fight… red carpet full of celebs… this will be grand and payoff big… Im going to predict 15million viewers

by March Pizzo on Sep 2, 2011 3:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I honestly CANNOT wait

To see the new intro, graphics and music!

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

@xFenixKnightx on the Twitter

by xFenixKnightx on Sep 2, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Things people may be overlooking:

- Even though they arent matching up with Pac and Boxings card they are showing this fight during prime hours of the late afternoon. Which should turn in good solid numbers since alot of people BBQ and hang out before big events. So this leaves an avenue to spend their time.

- To add, even though they arent directly competing with boxing they are taking alot of attention away from it. Including this “red-carpet” tailgate party with celebrities. All those people could be participating in the boxing fight’s pre-hype deal. Also the media attention will be less for the boxing card.

- This will also open alot of eyes of boxing fans towards MMA even if it is in the slightest. Plenty of boxing fans will be intrigued by a MMA Heavyweight Title fight. As many people have mentioned, the HW crown in any combat sports context is always heavily talked about.

- For everyone saying this is lame or stupid because of the one fight remember this. It is a first time showcase for mixed martial arts and the UFC on their network TV deal. One hour long. When has the HW crown been on free television?

- History will also be made since this will be a legit #1 and #2 match up for a world title in the HW division. This hasnt happened since Fedor fought Nog in Pride.

- In terms of 60 minutes, understand the fight could be a total of 25 mins. Commercials between rounds so 4 – one minute commercial breaks. The commercial after before the announcement. So we are looking at 30 minutes there. Also, they will spend a segment welcoming viewers of Fox to the new era of MMA on network TV. That will be 40 minutes. Now add in each fighters entrance and some pre fight hype and clips you are looking at a max of about 50+ minutes.

- There will be a card rumored to show on FX and quite possibly Facebook, if that is the case Fox may get some of those fights if time permits.

- This is a big announcement for the sport and the Nov. 12th showcase will be spectacular because it has to be. The UFC knows what is on the line.

"......I'm the best ever. I'm the most brutal and vicious, the most ruthless champion there has ever been. No one can stop me. Lennox is a conqueror? No! He's no Alexander! I'm Alexander! I'm the best ever. I'm Sonny Liston. I'm Jack Dempsey....My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable, and I'm just ferocious......." - Mike Tyson

by AintNoSunshine on Sep 2, 2011 3:12 PM EDT reply actions