[quote]EmperialChina wrote:
Yeah Tito’s persona was and is very entertaining and it was exactly what the UFC was missing. Instead of just billing the UFC as singular force, they need to start building the fighters persona instead of just slapping a Xyience shirt on them, so some personality can shine through, whether good or bad it makes a fight contain more action and reaction.
By the way great posts guys, and nice recap on the Shamrock Ortiz feud.
I have a question for you guys, do you think a 42-43 year old has a realistic chance with a 31 year-old in his prime, how much is age a factor? I can think of Randy Couture at 40 as still dominate. Are there any 40 and up UFC, Pride or other leagues of fighters who are still dominate?
I agree in another post about Shamrock being a good fighter but never a great nor a legendary fighter, but this is where marketing and personality come through.[/quote]
I agree with you 100% The UFC really has to start developing more innovation and marketability with their organization.
To me, the UFC is right on the cusp of surpassing every other fighting organization in America and is very close to becoming mainstream. Now, however, they need to stop relying on the mediocre fighters of the past, but the fighters of the present.
Unfortunately, the best fighters of the present are virtually unknown to most normal people because of what I perceive to be a serious flaw in marketability and the inability of the UFC to capitalize on the value of entertainment.
I don’t want to suggest that they make it more like the WWF, but they need to change. They need to market the fighters more affectively. Even with simple things as better entrance theme songs, light shows, fireworks, highlight videos, Spike TV insider looks, etc. (I don’t know about any of you, but besides the UFC, Spike TV is one of the worst channels on television).
I know some of you may bash me for saying these things for it may seem like I am “selling out”, but I’m sure I’m not the only one whose hair raised during Arlovski’s entrance when it was pitch dark and the siren was going off while the pitbull was barking. People feed off of that stuff, regardless of how corny it may be.
Sure these guys are professional fighters, but they are entertainers in the average man’s mind because that’s why they watch them…to be entertained. They need to start developing people’s personas, character traits, story-lines, etc.
If they did it right, in my opinion, it would not only benefit the sport itself in terms of profit through merchandise, attendance, PPV orders, etc. but the fighters themselves could enjoy more fame, fortune, etc. Because in my opinion, out of all the sports, they are right at the top in terms of deserving more reward for their hardwork. You don’t go into a baseball game literally fearing for your livelihood because the team you are facing is going to knock you unconcious in front of millions of people…