FanPost

UFC and BARAO BOTH WIN with PULL OUT


First off UFC 177 tomorrow night is a losing propisition with what ultimately will be the lowest rated PPV in the modern UFC era. The problem is in part Barao pulling out, but also has to do with diluted card that is a result of corperate greed not mixing well with a sport on the cusp of becoming a main stream sport in America. The UFC probably isn't losing money with their formula of selling out regional events with fan favorites headlining (McGregor in Dublin, Le in Macao, or like tomorrow Dillashaw in NorCal).

I remember when I wished UFC was every weekend. I still kinda do, but the reality for a UFC fan is the PPV's cost money and spreading out the most desirable match ups inevitably leads to cards like UFC177 (and a lot of other cards in recently with a solid main events and subpar matches comprising the rest of the $49.99 product). The way things are trending in a few years these fifty dollar PPV's will resemble boxing events where nobody has ever heard of anyone except the fighters in the Main Event.

With Barao bowing out of his bout tomorrow the UFC will have a built in spin for the ratings disaster. Instead of addressing why they are putting forth a product their fans are not excited about they can claim this was just a fluke. The reality however is it was going to bomb regardless of the circumstances surrounding the Main Event. While at first there is no doubt doing to be a backlash against Renan for this Shamrock'esque disaster, the next time Renen's management is at a negotiating table with the UFC they will be able to claim that this box-office dud was merely just a result of the 32-2 fighter not participating.

Unfortunately fans are the biggest losers here. The reality is what built the UFC to where we are today was events worthy of the term "stacked"! Hopefully they remember that when they look at the dwindeling PPV buys.

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