The LA Times reports that Manny Pacquiao will likely set Saturday, December 8th for his next fight. Although no opponent has been picked, the date coincides with the big UFC on Fox card the same night.
Pacquiao is rumored to face either Juan Manuel Marquez or Timothy Bradley on December 8. Pacquiao was originally scheduled to fight November 10th but that was pushed back.
The UFC card is stacked with Benson Henderson facing Nate Diaz, BJ Penn returning to face Rory MacDonald and Alexander Gustafsson versus Shogun Rua.
Payout Perspective:
Tough luck for the UFC as it now faces competition on December 8. On the bright side, the show is not a PPV and we can temper the talk about how many PPV buys might be lost to Pacquiao. Secondly, it’s likely that viewers can watch both the UFC and Pacquiao’s fight as UFC on Fox should be held prior to the Pacquiao fight. The other alternative would ask the Celtics play a late game that night which would force Manny to wait until after the game to fight. That was a joke.
Despite the fact that it’s likely that fight fans can watch both fights that night, the UFC probably wants to ensure that Fox gets very good ratings for the final UFC event on Fox this year. Notably, the last two events on big Fox have been less than impressive ratings-wise and the Seattle card reflects the fact that the UFC is trying to pull out all stops to ensure a ratings draw. A Pacquiao Fight Night could hinder this for the UFC.
Naively, I’d think that a free UFC on Fox show and a big boxing PPV would be nice complements. The boxing PPV being a big event that gets people in the mood to watch dudes punch each other in the face. So while you’re wating for Pac-man you can watch the UFC on Fox.
I dont think they will over lap at all. Even if the UFC was a PPV it would be stupid for either to run at the same time. Pacman knows there is MMA fans who will buy his fight. UFC knows there are boxing and Pacman fans who watch the UFC. Both take a hit. So im sure they both want to avoid each other if possible. Plus boxing drags out so long it will be midnight before pacman meanders to the ring.
Mayweather-Cotto did strong PPV buys and UFC did HORRIBLE ratings on FOX that same night.
Same will happen on December 8. RIP UFC
Pacquiao vs Marquez did well on PPV and didn’t hurt UFC on FOX 1. Why are your comments always so negative Sampson? Do you even like MMA?
They should probably change the date, but they won’t. The ratings will largely depend on the marketing strategy.
Mayweather-Cotto – 1,500,000 PPV buys
Mayweather is one of the biggest PPV draws in combat sports history.
UFC on Fox 3 did not feature a championship fight and former champions fighting rising stars.