UFC set to counter-program Strikeforce event with UFC 100 fights
Just as they have done in the past with Strikeforce as well as the now defunct Affliction and Elite XC, the UFC is planning on counter-programming a competitor’s event. This Saturday at 10:00pm Eastern/9:00pm Central, Spike TV will be airing six bouts from UFC 100. Included in the six contests set to be aired is the main event between Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir, as well as the fight between Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson. The other bouts scheduled to air are Alan Belcher vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama, Stephan Bonnar vs. Mark Coleman, Jon Jones vs. Jake O’Brien, and Shannon Gurgerty vs. Matt Grice. The Bonnar/Coleman, Jones/O’Brien and Gurgerty/Grice matchups were not shown during the pay-per-view, so it will give fans a chance to see those fights for the first time.
The UFC and Spike have had great success with counter-programming efforts in the past. UFC 94 was shown opposite Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Shamrock in April, and drew an average of 1.9 million viewers. UFC 91 was shown at the same time as Affliction: Day of Reckoning and drew an average of 2.3 million viewers. No doubt that the UFC and Spike are expecting numbers similar to or even exceeding those past numbers by showing fights from the historic UFC 100.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Related posts:
- Saturday night ratings good for UFC and Strikeforce
- UFC 100 Weigh-In Results
- UFC 103 undercard special will air on Spike TV
- UFC 100 payouts
- UFC 100 Preliminary Card Predictions
Filed Under: News
Man I really wish the UFC wouldn’t stoop to these levels. It’s a shame really. I know Dana and co have done great things for mma as long as the UFC brand is a part of it. These counter programmings just show that they only care about UFC and not mma as a whole. I really hope Strikeforce does well but I doubt it in this situation
I agree that it’s stupid for the UFC to do this. However, if Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg does poorly, it’s mostly Strikeforce’s fault. Their promotion has been shameful, especially since Carano gives them some pop off the bat. The Diaz situation and the rest of the card falling apart a little also haven’t helped their situation