Neil Davidson of the Canadian Press reports that the UFC is now contemplating whether or not to hold UFC 113 on the night of May 1st, which could possibly pit the anticipated PPV against the boxing mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley.
UFC president Dana White confirmed via text Monday that the mixed martial arts organization is rethinking May 1 for UFC 113.
UFC light-heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, due to meet Mauricio (Shogun) Rua in the Montreal main event, also signalled a possible change.
“My next fight against Shogun is scheduled for May 1st, but there is a possibility to change,” light-heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida said via Twitter. “If it does I’ll let you know through here.”
The all-Brazilian main event is a rematch of the UFC 104 bout in October when Machida won a controversial decision.
The scenario of Mayweather fighting on May 1 was fuelled by news that boxer Andre Berto, citing the disaster in Haiti where he has family, has withdrawn from his Jan. 30 welterweight title bout in Las Vegas with Mosley.
Payout Perspective:
The Mayweather-Mosley fight is not yet a guarantee for May 1st. HBO is currently contemplating many different options that could see the fight take place anywhere from March to June depending on what the fighters agree to, HBO’s marketing plans, and venue availability.
There can be no doubt that MMA has taken tremendous strides in the last few years, but the sport’s major promotion is still not at a level where every one of its cards can compete head-to-head against boxing’s most popular fighter without taking a hit. Nor should that be the expectation. At this point, the UFC wants to go head-to-head with Mayweather as much as Mayweather wants to go head-to-head with Lesnar.
However, as MMA continues to grow, competition is inevitable. The number of fights per year are increasing quite rapidly and eventually we’re going to reach the point where MMA is competing head-to-head on a monthly basis with the biggest boxing, wrestling, or other sporting events that are out there. It’s simply unavoidable and a by-product of the success of the sport. That’s a good thing.
Crazy how the sport full of “wealthy young males” might be switching dates to not compete with those old and poor followers of Boxing.
LOL
As of yesterday from Josh Gross:
“Based on what I’m hearing, UFC won’t move off its May 1 date in Montreal. Things can change, but as of right now I don’t think it will.”
I do think they will move if PBF vs Mosely happen’s on the 1st though.
“Crazy how the sport full of “wealthy young males” might be switching dates to not compete with those old and poor followers of Boxing.”
Makes about as much sense as your last comment using the Vegas strip as a snap shot of the American boxing scene. Whats next. You going to tell us all that ALL basketball fans are millionaires because you saw Jack Nicholson at a Lakers game? lol