UFC on Xbox Live offers UFC 141 for free, but server problems leave 25,000 fight fans out in the cold
by Sergio Hernandez on Jan 1, 2012 4:15 PM EST
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The UFC on Xbox Live application went public on Dec. 20, 2011, offering live weigh-in streams, interviews with fighters and even episodes of the latest "Countdown" specials to fight-loving Xbox 360 owners. It was a one-stop shop for almost anything Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
To celebrate the launch, UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem was offered free of charge to the first 25,000 customers who signed up. It was a soft opening of sorts, allowing a controlled number of people experience what the application has to offer while also allowing themselves some wiggle room to work out any kinks that may come up.
Well, there was only one problem this past Friday night (Dec. 30, 2011), but it was a big one.
It seemed those 25,000 fans who were lucky -- ahem -- enough to get the pay-per-view (PPV) for free from UFC on Xbox Live were out of luck as error message after error message popped up when they tried to open and access the application. Now, I'm no Dionne Warwick, but this was the exact issue I brought up on Dec. 11:
Granted, this was a closed preview so the servers weren't as stressed as they will be once the service goes public. Whether or not any hiccups will pop up starting with UFC 141 will remain to be seen.
It certainly appears that question has been answered.
Throughout the evening, those in charge took to their official Twitter account to update frustrated customers.
That was a typical tweet sent out in the hours leading up to the start of the PPV. Discussion amongst fans comprised those hoping the application would start working by the time Nam Phan and Jim Hettes stepped inside the Octagon at 10 p.m. ET and others who were trying to decide if it was too late to hit up their favorite sports bar.
And then everyone's worst fears were realized when the folks at UFC on Xbox Live sent out this tweet.
The dagger.
To make it up to those fans left out in the cold -- and assuredly to save face on the public relations front -- they have announced that a future UFC event will be offered for free for those who signed up for UFC 141, but were unable to watch. It's unsure if that event will be Jan. 14's UFC 142, another future event or even allowing fans the option of any other future PPV show they would rather watch.
The thought was there -- show off your new service by offering up a $50 show for free -- but the execution was off by a mile.
Any Maniacs out there who were affected by this? If so, has UFC on Xbox Live lost you as a customer?
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lol DAGGER!
Perfect place for gif of Kendall Grove & that toothless bastard from the TUF house! alley-oop right there boys..Anyone?
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." George Bernard Shaw
by Fat Daddy Doobs on Jan 1, 2012 4:28 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Lol scarnon is going to have a field day with this news
I expected there to be some problems but that is atrocious. Sucks for the fans who never got to see the show for free, though the prelims weren’t worth watching anyway so if they had time to order the PPV then it’s not a total disaster for them.
Terrible start for UFC on 360 though, who in their right mind is going to trust them to stream the next PPV at full price when they couldn’t even get a closed server for 25,000 people working? Worst possible promotion for the new service.
Money Pool Season 6 begins 30th December.
ViolentMike, DarksideDrew and Yan will all fail.
On 30th December the Pain Train shall disband.
by David W-S on Jan 1, 2012 4:31 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I tried to login to it and buy it for "free" as it "tested" my connection and told me I couldn't stream HD...
which is funny because Netflix has no problem streaming it. I never messed with it beyond that and won’t ever again.
"It’s Mark Pavelich calling from the Maximum Fighting Championship,
I’ve just received notice that Drew Fickett or you, I don’t care which one of you fuckers did it, has signed a contract to fight in Strikeforce this fucking weekend. I’m going to get on a fucking plane soon and go where you’re at and choke you the fuck out. I’m telling you right now, I’ve had enough of your fucking shit. First of all, I’ve sent you the fucking pictures and secondly, I placed Drew Fickett in a fight fucking months ago and five weeks prior to my main event of my fucking fight card. You’re going to give me a fucking call tomorrow or I swear I’ll get on a fucking plane and go right where you’re at right now. You’re pissing me off, I’ve been nothing but professional to you motherfuckers and you’re doing this kind of bullshit, alright? Call me back, I’m fucking pissed."
by Swedish Chef smerdy herdy verdy on Jan 1, 2012 5:15 PM EST up reply actions
It was supposed to be free? I was ready to pay and try it when it wouldnt work. So i went the traditional route.
by hexbreaker on Jan 1, 2012 4:32 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Free for the first 25,000 people who signed up to the app
Everyone after that had to pay.
Money Pool Season 6 begins 30th December.
ViolentMike, DarksideDrew and Yan will all fail.
On 30th December the Pain Train shall disband.
UFC.TV WAS DOWN FOR ALOT OF PEOPLE TOO (ME INCLUDED) AND I PAID FOR THE FIGHT!!!
i couldn’t log on to ufc.tv. i’m getting a refund, but it sucked.
by Conan the Barbarian on Jan 1, 2012 4:52 PM EST reply actions
Same for me, I had also paid for it on UFC.tv a couple of hours earlier.. needless to say, I was pretty pissed when the site refused to work. I was able to find an illegal stream, but yeah, not happy with that situation.
SEE and LEARN the SECRET DEATH TOUCH
by Horselover Fat on Jan 1, 2012 6:24 PM EST up reply actions
I had the same thing happen to me as well Conan, I tried emailing the site, but have had no response yet. How did you get your refund already?
i contacted the ufc.tv support and the ufc shop support and bitched.
they tried to say that i could watch the fight now for 24hours, but i replied and said i paid for a LIVE ppv and that i would need to be refunded since they failed to deliver that product. they said ok and refunded my money back on my credit card. it should show in a few days.
by Conan the Barbarian on Jan 1, 2012 11:12 PM EST up reply actions
My best friend was one of those 25,000.
I don’t expect this ever catching on. Nobody is is going to, nor should they, ever pay for this service.
You mind your own damn business.
by jestermarcus on Jan 1, 2012 4:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions
What a clusterfuck
GSP out til late 2012, Brock retires, PPV numbers are terrible, Xbox Live fail.
Things are NOT looking good for the UFC. The final nail in the coffin will be the results of the FTC investigation.
Roger Huerta is one of a growing number of Zuffa-contracted fighter who feel that there is a disconnection between the company’s success and the way fighters are compensated. Huerta’s disillusionment with the UFC began when he did press tours for his employer in Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and London and received a $50 per diem for his troubles.
ROFL!!!! "Fastest growing sport in the world" "The BIG Show"
Ahahahahaha
Yes
The UFC is being investigated by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) for unfair buisness practices.
Details are scarce until the investigation is complete.
Roger Huerta is one of a growing number of Zuffa-contracted fighter who feel that there is a disconnection between the company’s success and the way fighters are compensated. Huerta’s disillusionment with the UFC began when he did press tours for his employer in Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and London and received a $50 per diem for his troubles.
ROFL!!!! "Fastest growing sport in the world" "The BIG Show"
Ahahahahaha
by dec3ptiKon_ on Jan 1, 2012 6:39 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I was one of those people!
As soon as the event ended the server came back up. Grade A bull shit from the ufc!
by sac165 on Jan 1, 2012 4:57 PM EST via mobile reply actions
wouldn't surprise me one bit if this was their plan from the start
“Oops, it seems we aren’t able to give anything away for free due to server errors”
lol, what a joke
Roger Huerta is one of a growing number of Zuffa-contracted fighter who feel that there is a disconnection between the company’s success and the way fighters are compensated. Huerta’s disillusionment with the UFC began when he did press tours for his employer in Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and London and received a $50 per diem for his troubles.
ROFL!!!! "Fastest growing sport in the world" "The BIG Show"
Ahahahahaha
Yeah I'm sure it was all a plan
Stop trolling. I was one of the 25k who was gonna get it for free. It didn’t work. So fucking what. I’m sure they’ll figure it out eventually. Are you really gonna bitch about not getting something that was a gift in the first place?
by Danny Glover on Jan 1, 2012 6:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Absolutely.
It’s wishy washy consumers like you who don’t seem to have a problem with getting fucked over. I bet you’re the type to sit in a restaurant and eat a giant pile of shit rather than complain and ask for your hard earned money back.
Smarten up and start demanding more for your money.
Roger Huerta is one of a growing number of Zuffa-contracted fighter who feel that there is a disconnection between the company’s success and the way fighters are compensated. Huerta’s disillusionment with the UFC began when he did press tours for his employer in Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and London and received a $50 per diem for his troubles.
ROFL!!!! "Fastest growing sport in the world" "The BIG Show"
Ahahahahaha
IT WAS FREE
How can I demand more for my money if I’m not spending any? It was just a bummer nothing to get all Occupy Wallstreet about.
by Danny Glover on Jan 1, 2012 7:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
And HOW MUCH DID IT END UP COSTING YOU?
When PROMISED FREE EVENT didn’t actually work out for you?
Fuckhead.
Roger Huerta is one of a growing number of Zuffa-contracted fighter who feel that there is a disconnection between the company’s success and the way fighters are compensated. Huerta’s disillusionment with the UFC began when he did press tours for his employer in Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and London and received a $50 per diem for his troubles.
ROFL!!!! "Fastest growing sport in the world" "The BIG Show"
Ahahahahaha
The same amount I would have spent if they wouldn't have GIVEN it to me
They’re giving people 142 for free get over it.
by Danny Glover on Jan 1, 2012 10:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
And there's plenty of ways to watch a UFC, legally, for free
These places called bars and restaurants that my fellow “wishy washy consumers” frequent. I know it’s a weird concept, but get out every now and then and you might to start to calm down a little bit. Seriously man, relax.
by Danny Glover on Jan 1, 2012 10:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I'm not sure if "You're" the definition of irony or ignorance.
"It’s Mark Pavelich calling from the Maximum Fighting Championship,
I’ve just received notice that Drew Fickett or you, I don’t care which one of you fuckers did it, has signed a contract to fight in Strikeforce this fucking weekend. I’m going to get on a fucking plane soon and go where you’re at and choke you the fuck out. I’m telling you right now, I’ve had enough of your fucking shit. First of all, I’ve sent you the fucking pictures and secondly, I placed Drew Fickett in a fight fucking months ago and five weeks prior to my main event of my fucking fight card. You’re going to give me a fucking call tomorrow or I swear I’ll get on a fucking plane and go right where you’re at right now. You’re pissing me off, I’ve been nothing but professional to you motherfuckers and you’re doing this kind of bullshit, alright? Call me back, I’m fucking pissed."
by Swedish Chef smerdy herdy verdy on Jan 1, 2012 11:16 PM EST up reply actions
It actually started working about an hour and a half into the card. It started from hettes-phan, and there was a replay available after the first playthrough. Also, ufc on xbox is offering another free card to everyone who got a free ticket or bought the card.
by slaughterproof on Jan 1, 2012 5:44 PM EST via mobile reply actions
same thing for the first day of NFL Sunday ticket on ps3. what a fucked day that was. shit wouldn’t work at all and I payed 330$ for that shit so that hurt but by like week 3 they had almost all the kinks worked out so give it another card or two b4 ppl should write this off completely
MMA = Best sport on earth
by FarNorCal on Jan 1, 2012 6:10 PM EST via Android app reply actions
Twat
We were affected by that EPIC FAIL. Nice havin’ a “UFC Party”, then the UFC doesn’t come on. LOLS. #EPICFAIL
The real problem wasn't the 25,000 who got it free
The UFC released another 5,000 just before the event. Around 8pm. So everyone who wasn’t in on the first 25,000 tried to log in and get a free pass. The UFConXboxLive twitter feed announced the last 5,000….and all 13,000 followers, along with god knows how many others, tried to get the last few. The app was working fine until they made the announcement.
I watched the weigh ins, Countdown and a few interviews with no issues.
Bad start for sure. But the app has promise. Nobody paid a cent….the tix they had were all free. So no harm done, this time.
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
by Scottidog on Jan 1, 2012 7:18 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I was affected by this too.
I ended up having to order it on cable which sucked because I was expecting it to be free. It did end up working a while after but I wasn’t about to not see this card live. Hopefully they will make good on a future event. I can’t really complain though because it’s not like I paid for it. I actually thought their might be a problem when they had some problems streaming the weigh-ins the day before so I was ready to order it on cable in case problems arose. Hopefully all the problems will be fixed by the next event.
by MMA Boss on Jan 1, 2012 8:21 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Man, you are a sucker!
You get fucked over via FALSE ADVERTISEMENT, end up PAYING for the event, and then calling me an idiot for sticking up for you as a consumer.
You must have Zuffa cum dripping from your ears boy.
Roger Huerta is one of a growing number of Zuffa-contracted fighter who feel that there is a disconnection between the company’s success and the way fighters are compensated. Huerta’s disillusionment with the UFC began when he did press tours for his employer in Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and London and received a $50 per diem for his troubles.
ROFL!!!! "Fastest growing sport in the world" "The BIG Show"
Ahahahahaha
I don't think you know what false advertising is
If the MLB advertises for a ball game and it get’s rained out, is it false advertising because there was no game? Do you accuse your internet provider of false advertising when your connection gets dropped for a bit? It was a technical issue, and an unfortunate one, but it was free, nobody paid for it, and it wasn’t false advertising
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter . . . who makes stairs.
My internet provider credits me for any downtime.
Technical issue…fine, but guess what, they still owe those 25000 people a free event next time when all their “issues” have been worked out.
Roger Huerta is one of a growing number of Zuffa-contracted fighter who feel that there is a disconnection between the company’s success and the way fighters are compensated. Huerta’s disillusionment with the UFC began when he did press tours for his employer in Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and London and received a $50 per diem for his troubles.
ROFL!!!! "Fastest growing sport in the world" "The BIG Show"
Ahahahahaha
Let me define false advertising for you.
False advertising or deceptive advertising is the use of false or misleading statements in advertising. As advertising has the potential to persuade people into commercial transactions that they might otherwise avoid, many governments around the world use regulations to control false, deceptive or misleading advertising. Truth refers to essentially the same concept, that customers have the right to know what they are buying, and that all necessary information should be on the label.
Roger Huerta is one of a growing number of Zuffa-contracted fighter who feel that there is a disconnection between the company’s success and the way fighters are compensated. Huerta’s disillusionment with the UFC began when he did press tours for his employer in Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and London and received a $50 per diem for his troubles.
ROFL!!!! "Fastest growing sport in the world" "The BIG Show"
Ahahahahaha
I just watched it the old way cable ppv
I used X box for gears of war lmfao
by biggant on Jan 2, 2012 12:27 AM EST via mobile reply actions
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