Tito Ortiz is still a HUGE name to casuals.
All those numbers did is prove that MMA is in serious trouble in North America that viewers are still clinging to old Heros while top tier talent they don't care for 
I feel like the UFC totally fucked up a good thing they had in Canada. I might as well be living in Pakistan if I'm looking for a UFC card on tv...Can't find that shit.
shizz - I feel like the UFC totally fucked up a good thing they had in Canada. I might as well be living in Pakistan if I'm looking for a UFC card on tv...Can't find that shit.Agreed with that. Strange how quickly that flipped.
SupesUp - So 1.8 million viewers, the highest mma rating of the year.
What does it mean?
Say what you will about the ufc but they have the highest concentration of top fighters.
Is that not important? If the ufc were to headline a card with
osp vs jimi manuwa
and had a Co main of
Bobby green vs Myles jury
We know that wouldn't do 1.8 million but really you'd have very similar levels of competition as this card.
So what draws all those people?
A better channel?
The Ortiz name?
What can the ufc learn from this? How can this help mma in general?
It's not about ufc vs bellators, just about what it means for the industry. I'm curious about the opinions.
It means Tito is still a major draw, and that pro wrestling antics put asses in seats. I knew Tito was still a major draw, but I was wrong about the pro wrestling stuff. I thought it was dumb, but it's smart - it puts asses in seats.
It means Scott Coker is a stud, and about to take Bellator to another level. No UFC buyout this time.
Kirik -SupesUp - So 1.8 million viewers, the highest mma rating of the year.
What does it mean?
Say what you will about the ufc but they have the highest concentration of top fighters.
Is that not important? If the ufc were to headline a card with
osp vs jimi manuwa
and had a Co main of
Bobby green vs Myles jury
We know that wouldn't do 1.8 million but really you'd have very similar levels of competition as this card.
So what draws all those people?
A better channel?
The Ortiz name?
What can the ufc learn from this? How can this help mma in general?
It's not about ufc vs bellators, just about what it means for the industry. I'm curious about the opinions.
It means Tito is still a major draw, and that pro wrestling antics put asses in seats. I knew Tito was still a major draw, but I was wrong about the pro wrestling stuff. I thought it was dumb, but it's smart - it puts asses in seats.
The wrestling stuff is dumb regardless of how many butts it puts in the seats
JerodR - Big names pull big numbers... The UFC has been to busy worrying about promoting the initials U F C, and not as much on making these fighters stars. Guys like Tito came from a time when it was more about building stars, and putting on a show. Tito played that game very well and love him or hate him, the guy gets attention.
The UFC has done an outstanding job at laying down a solid foundation and building the brand worldwide. That also keeps improving, however they really need someone that is in charge of making these guys stars as well. Someone that can take a great production and make it even better, remembering that they are putting on a show.
They need to hire Paul Heyman to help fighters promote themselves effectively. Problem is, they become stars and stars demand more money...
So in short...it will never happen.
JeffersonDArcyChoke - Names.Dropping straight truth
It's why tonight's college basketball on ESPN will draw.
Duke. Kentucky. Kansas. Michigan State.
Coach K. Calipari. Izzo.
Why watch Buttfuck U vs Buttfuck State with Coach Dong vs Coach Jimmy?
You watch names you know.
Because a name you know means it's been established that those are the stars.
Tito Ortiz has been established as a star.
Rory MacDonald could win 10 more straight and still not even get noticed at an airport
The UFC had focused on the brand name of UFC but they forget it was star fighters like Tito who even got them to the dance.
UFC 40 didn't sell cause it was a UFC event.
It sold cause two stars were in the main event.
Stars draw numbers.
The rest draw flies.
If they start to promote stars they will lose leverage and have to pay stars. Not gonna happen
I think it shows that the majority of fans will watch fights in which they have some investment in the fighters.