The build up to Saturday’s Strikeforce event featuring the HW match-up between Fedor Emelianenko and Fabricio Werdum has had a strong late push. We will explore some of the new ventures Strikeforce and Showtime took to promote this event.
Xbox 360 Advertisement:
Advertisements for the upcoming June 26 Strikeforce event could be found on the main dash board of Xbox Live. Showtime purchased this ad space to not only give Xbox Live users the ability to download a free Xbox Theme and Gamer Pics to use with their avatars, but also to watch the Fedor vs Rogers CBS bout from late last year to build some buzz for the fight on Saturday..
HDNet Airing Strikeforce: Fedor vs Werdum Weigh-Ins & Re-play of “The Last Emperor: Fedor”
HDNet is airing a great night of MMA on Friday night which consists of the weigh-ins, which will be a special edition of Inside MMA at 8 ET, HDNet Fights Vault featuring Fedor at 9ET, The Last Emperor: Fedor at 9:30 ET, and capping off the night with Sengoku 13 at 10 ET, which includes the much talked about Sandro vs Kanehara main event.
ESPN MMA Live Strikeforce: Fedor vs Werdum Preview:
Scott Smith Throws Out First Pitch of Oakland A’s vs Cincinnati Reds Game:
Scott Smith threw out the first pitch of the Oakland A’s vs. Cincinnati Reds game at the Coliseum Stadium in Oakland.
International Markets:
– Brazil: HBO Plus will air Strikeforce Fedor vs. Werdum live this Saturday, 10pm Brazilian time. There is good buzz in Brasil as one of their own in Fabricio Werdum will try to defeat arguably the best Heavyweight in all of MMA. Also on this card is another hometown hero in Cris Cyborg, who will try to retain her belt against Jan Finney. Talking to Brazilian MMA fans, not many know any other promotion in the US outside of the UFC, so it will be their second time (Fedor vs Rogers) experiencing Strikeforce this Saturday.
– Russia: NTV-Plus will be airing Strikeforce: Fedor vs Werdum as a PPV. This is different than the last time M-1 c0-promoted the event with Strikeforce and CBS, which aired on one of Russias most popular channels, Channel One.
– Japan: Strikeforce and M-1 announced the creation of “MMA Channel” to air MMA video via the internet for the Japanese market. Tele Planning International Inc (TPI) has been contracted as the marketing company. Last year Fedor vs Rogers was streamed live free of charge. Despite the lack of advertising, the stream attracted over 50,000 viewers. TPI announced that they will stream the Fedor vs Werdum card live, and it will be the world’s first true HD internet stream. The cost will be 1,000 yen (~US$10.90).
New Sponsors:
Blowout Cards is looking to make a splash on Saturday night, promoting their Topps UFC Tradingcards and other card collectible items. They will be sponsoring Jan Finney in her title match against Cris Cyborg. You can also see other sponsors that Finney was able to get for her fight on Saturday below:
They have to keep doing stuff like this, I’m glad to see other outlets are being open to it.
Is this a free Showtime weekend? I have it so never have to check on that.
That`s interesting that HBO would carry event in Brazil.
mmaguru:
It’s not all that uncommen. Different channels carry completely different content depending on the country. Bravo and HBO in other countries air Showtime content, etc. Also, I believe this is only the case due to M-1’s TV deals. Strikeforce: Fedor vs Rogers was the last (and only time) Strikeforce was shown Live in Brazil.
Call me crazy but I hate strikeforce…. Rather watch the WEC or Bellator… Strikeforce in San Jose tonight.