Strikeforce will likely to make their Ohio debut on March 5, 2011, coinciding with the Arnold Sports Festival next year.
The Dayton Daily News first broke the news on Sunday, when they reported that Strikeforce was likely to be in Columbus for the festival, taking over for the UFC/WEC, who chose to not be a part of the event this year, an annual tradition for Zuffa since 2007.
“We’re in talks with the (Arnold) organizations,” Coker said. “We think it could be a good fit for us.”
When UFC president Dana White confirmed the organization would skip Ohio in 2011, Ohio Athletic Commission Executive Director Bernie Profato put out the call to other major MMA promotions. He explained the unique cross-promotional possibilities with the Arnold Sports Festival, which has gotten exponentially bigger since its 1989 debut as a mere bodybuilding competition. So is there at least a 50-50 shot of Strikeforce heading to Columbus
“I’d say it’s much better than that — much better,” said Coker, who added that the Showtime-televised event would include some of the organization’s top fighters. “It’d be a big event, for sure. We’re working on it.”
Payout Perspective:
The event is expected to take place on the 19,000-seat Nationwide Arena and air on Showtime on Saturday night. MMAJunkie is also reporting that Strikeforce St. Louis headliner Dan Henderson could face Strikeforce Light Heavyweight champion Rafael Feijao as the main event for the show. Strikeforce fighters Jorge Gurgel and Roger Bowling, both Ohio natives, are also top candidates to participate in the event.
Needless to say, this is a great move by Strikeforce. Earlier this year, Strikeforce ran the Strikeforce Live event in conjunction with E3 and was a pretty big success in terms of creating new fan awareness of their product, attendance, and creating a great experience for their fans, as they teamed up with EA Sports to hold the event. In 2007, the UFC teamed up with the Arnolds for UFC 68, which featured Randy Couture vs Tim Sylvia, and drew 19,079 fans, producing the largest attendance in North American MMA history and breaking the Nationwide Arena’s records for attendance, live gate ($3 million), and merchandise sales. I expect Strikeforce to treat this event as a huge opportunity for them, as it will create a platform to showcase their product with a newly polished brand, merchandise, and apparel to festival attendees.
Agreed Jose,
Expect big things for Strikeforce this year if they can get their fighters to actually fight each other especially in the HW division. This card in particular if featuring Fedor would be huge. Fedor and Arnold would make good press and create major buzz.
The Ohio AC has already confirmed that the show will happen even if Coker hasn’t actually said so yet.
Been to all the UFC events there and a friend went to the WEC event. I would go to a SF event if i get the chance. But the UFC skipped on it because you just cant charge much for tickets. They can get a bigger gate with 10k in vegas than 19k in Ohio. The WEC didnt do that well so i wouldn’t chalk up a home run for SF yet. Also i saw Gracie Fighting Championships there also(not during Arnolds) and it didnt draw well either for a PPV that had big names.
The UFc can do well. But not so sure MMA without that name brand can make it a great success. The Arnold is an all day affair that last 3 days or so. The last thing the casual sports fans want to do is leave the Arnolds after a long day of every sport you can imagine(Literally every thing is going on) and go to Nationwide Arena for a little know org and fighters. Not to mentioned there is always amateur MMA and boxing already part of the expo.
But i do think its a great opportunity for SF. But just no the blow up venue it once looked like.
Brain,
I believe this year, the UFC just couldn’t make it due scheduling (all the international shows they have planned in the UK, UAE, Brazil, Canada, and so on). While they are expanding and moving on to bigger things, someone like Strikeforce can fill the void that the UFC (and WEC after the merger) leaves stateside. If not for SF this year, the state of Ohio would go without a major MMA event.
You are correct that it may not make as much sense for the UFC anymore, but it fits perfect for promotions like SF and Bellator, which typically don’t charge much for their tickets anyways.
jv:
Yes, MMAJunkie reported that Strikeforce has committed to a March 5th date (Saturday) and is rumored to be airing on Showtime and possibly use Hendo as a headliner.
Brain,
You are wrong about the Columbus events not doing a strong gate due to ticket prices.
UFC 68 pulled down $3MM. That might not be a record setting gate, but it is certainly WELL above average. Montreal and Las Vegas are the only other places where they have been able to top $3MM with any degree of regularity. Contrast that with what the UFC pulls down in a typical California show. Even Lesnar-Velasquez in Anaheim ($2.3MM) couldn’t come close to that number.
Throw in strong gates at UFC 82 & 96 and Columbus is easily one of the most lucrative markets at the gate for the UFC. Factor in a very strong gate at UFC 77 in Cincinnati ($2.5MM) and Ohio is clearly a fertile market for major league MMA.
I think you misunderstood what i was trying to say. I agree Columbus is a great place to go during the fitness expo. My point was after UFC 68 seeing how many people attended the UFC and how many attended the expo that it would going to be huge year after year. But its not as good as you would think with so many people there for sporting events and North American Grappling Association. Also outside of 68 the other events gate was nothing special. At the time the UFC did those events all their events were grossing 2.5+. I went to all those Ohio events even in Cincy. They were no better than the gates in Atlanta or Boston that i attended with only 68 beating those cities. Also dont orget the last two UFCs in Columbus only had gates of 2.2 and 1.8. So it has steadily declined each event.
But like i said given the circumstances Columbus should be much better than it is.
Keep in mind, for SF, anything above 1 million at the gate is considered a major success. I agree with Brian that the gate will be interesting to watch.