The UFC has confirmed three more bouts for UFN 21 – the UFC’s debut on cable television network Versus – and what now looks to be the best card ever assembled for an Ultimate Fight Night event.
Confirmed
Brandon Vera vs. Jon Jones
Junior dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga
Anthony Johnson vs. John Howard
Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Eliot Marshall
Rumored
Sean Sherk vs. Clay Guida
Brendan Schaub vs. Chase Gormley
Duane Ludwig vs. Jeremy Stephens
Payout Perspective:
The real upside of the UFC on Versus deal is that it’s a network that has traditionally drawn a demographic with a stronger preference for sports than Spike TV. Versus provides the UFC with the same age exposure, but also a more targeted sporting skew. There are young sports fans out there that are very much aware of the UFC, but haven’t had the opportunity or really the inclination to watch on SpikeTV – UFN 21 will provide more of those individuals with that opportunity.
Thus, it’s very important that the UFC put together a strong offering for the Versus show; and, the proposed card is chalk-full of dynamic, explosive fighters and clever matchmaking. Not only is it the type of card that should perform exceedingly well – gaining new fans in the process – but it’s also positioned younger fighters front and center, which has obvious long-term benefits.
——
There was a lot of “I told you so” going on after UFC 108, but I’m not sure it was justified. There is no denying that we’re all fans of the sport because we like to watch fights. However, there’s something to be said for the value that a fan gets out of watching “just a fight” versus a “fight with meaning.”
There’s no way that anyone can look at UFC 106 through UFC 109 and tell me that those events even hold a candle to what’s being talked about for UFC 110 through UFC 113. It’s not about disrespecting the fighters – it’s about meaning, it’s about anticipation, and it’s about expectation.
UFC 108 would have been a great card regardless of its pre-event hype. But it was the low level of expectations surrounding the fight that led to so many people being pleasantly surprised with the card. They saw great fights that night, but not great fights with meaning.
Is there any update on the Vs./Direct TV situation? I am suprised that the UFC would put a card on a station where a decent portion of homes flat out can’t get it.
Great article. You spelled Duane Ludwig’s name wrong though. The super UFN could be useful down the line too. It would be great leverage to go to a NBC or ESPN and say look what ratings we can get right out of the gate on a new network.
Another great fight for Santos. I got banned on a fight forum for telling people Santos was going to kill Cro Cop. The mods were Cop fans. The same forum was going with Yvel to beat him. They will never learn. Santos will have to much power and reach for Gabe. Gabe falls apart once he starts getting hit. This is a perfect name for Santos at this point.
“They saw great fights that night, but not great fights with meaning.”
Kind of like EVERY Strikeforce card?
Josh Gross:
For DirecTV subscribers concerned they’ll miss UFC on Versus (Jones-Vera, Gonzaga-dos Santos) I’m told a resolution is expected by March.
http://twitter.com/SI_JoshGross/status/7719150285