Comments on: TUF 10, Episode 7: Ratings

By: Caidel

Caidel — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:58:56 +0000

Michael Van: I will definitely watch Alexander-Kimbo fight and I think, it will be pretty fun fight, but at the same time, I think it is a HUGE integrity issue for UFC. I cannot recall any other fighter, who would get a handpicked opponent like that. (Point of this matchup selection is not really for both guys standing and trading – that could do a lot of guys against Kimbo, because by MMA standard, his standup is not really that good. Point of that matchup is find someone, who under no circuimstances will take Kimbo to the ground (which is something that lot of clever strikers would do)). Also, that catchweight thing. UFC also don’t do that too often.

By: Machiel Van

Machiel Van — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:04:40 +0000

I don’t think it would bring up an integrity issue to have Kimbo fight on PPV against an opponent like Houston Alexander. If they take this route they’re putting Kimbo up against a man who is 2-3 in the Octagon, is not anywhere near the top of the division, and it could be argued that he and Kimbo would be fighting merely to keep their UFC careers alive. If the fight was sold this way, it communicates to the fans that the UFC recognizes where Kimbo is at and that he has to earn a stay in the UFC by defeating a tough, but also a journeyman opponent (Houston’s last fight was not for the UFC). The desperation of the two to remain in the UFC, paired with Kimbo having an opponent who will most likely stand and trade with him, should serve the dual purpose of squashing the integrity question while at the same time delivering a match that fans would love to see. Regardless of your feelings on Kimbo, wouldn’t you all like to see Houston and Kimbo engage in an all out slugfest? I would, and I probably wouldn’t find fault with the UFC from any angle.

By: mma guru

mma guru — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:49:29 +0000

As i predicted, TUF days at 2.0+ ratings are over. This season has been an utter slap in the face to MMA with the Kimbo diatribe. Not sure why i feel that way. Kimbo in a PPV would be another one. Dana seems to be taking the UFC down a slippery slope.

By: Kelsey Philpott

Kelsey Philpott — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:57:44 +0000

Joseph:

You make a good point: TUF 10 was a ratings grab.

However, I think the UFC can play that off as giving him an opportunity to show that he was always what they said he was. He did in fact lose in the first round of the tournament.

If they put him on a PPV after failing the TUF test, what does that say about their word? Moreover, what does it say about the sport of MMA?

I think it’s a gamble and short-sighted.

By: Peter Griffin

Peter Griffin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:47:18 +0000

“There’s a trade-off there: integrity vs. short-term revenue.”

Yep, but people have been incredibly forgiving of the UFC in the past. I’m sure they’ll milk Kimbo dry in whatever way they feel maximizes their revenue and then move on, and there won’t be much more made of it than a slight ripple.

By: Joseph

Joseph — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:35:42 +0000

1) TUF 10 was built around Kimbo and was a ratings grab to begin with.

2) Kimbo vs Houston is close to being finalized, which people mistakenly think Kimbo can win, which he won’t and will get KO’ed bad.

3) They will get as much ratings and PPV buys as they can with Kimbo now, because he won’t be getting better any time soon. He is going to lose and the UFC knows this, so they want to make as much money using him as they can, then spit him out so no other promotion can use him.

By: Brain Smasher

Brain Smasher — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:26:54 +0000

There is only one way to justify Kimbo being on a PPV or on the main card of a PPV. That is to get him wins. If they put him on a PPV he has to win or they lose credibility. I am a huge believe in styles making fights. The UFC can find him someone he cant beat. The UFC has been very good at this in the past. Find X fighter a name fighter who just is a bad style match up yet most fans are none the wiser. Of course nothing is 100% in the fight game.

The rumored Kimbo vs Houston Alexander is a perfect example. Houston dont have the chin to beat Kimbo. He dont have a threat of a ground game and dont have the size or power of Kimbo. Houston has a punchers chance. BUt i would have Kimbo is a pretty good favorite to win.

The point of this is 1 win. 2 wins for sure. Gives the UFC opportunity to claim Kimbo isnt the same fighter Dana White trashed in the past. This is MMA Kimbo. Not Street Kimbo from youtube and XC. Even if Kimbo is the same fighter. THe UFC can justify it with just 1 win. BUt if he loses on finale or PPV they have to release him to save face.