RealGM

http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish ... 5683.shtml

Fedor vs Overeem could arguably be the third biggest heavyweight fight in MMA history (and I don't mean ppv) behind UFC 100 and Brock vs Carwin. But how would it do with ppv considering SF's lack of promoting compared to Zuffa?

I don't really care though, I just want to see Fedor vs Overeem so badly.

it'll do well. there's mystique that's made it to the mainstream.

Define "well."

Maybe I'll change my tune based on promotion that has yet to come, and Herschel Walker/Bobby Lashley freakshows that have yet to be added to the card, but I would be flat out shocked if this event did 200,000 buys.

I really think it will struggle to do even half that.

CPT wrote:Define "well."

Maybe I'll change my tune based on promotion that has yet to come, and Herschel Walker/Bobby Lashley freakshows that have yet to be added to the card, but I would be flat out shocked if this event did 200,000 buys.

I really think it will struggle to do even half that.

Yep. A lot of bars/venues were burned with Affliction. If they still pay for MMA events, they'll pony up for the established brand.

The UFC could counter with a free show and put Strikeforce to shame. That might be the beginning of the end for them.

There are a lot of people completely insulated from anything outside of the UFC. Fair enough. They just want to see ass-kicking, they have no interest in seeking anything out with effort. But it will make things tough. Fedor is somewhat on their radar, I think, talking to co-workers.

Another thing about this, is that it probably means CBS has no interest in doing any more Strikeforce shows.

CPT wrote:Another thing about this, is that it probably means CBS has no interest in doing any more Strikeforce shows.

How do you make that connection?

Define "well."

Maybe I'll change my tune based on promotion that has yet to come, and Herschel Walker/Bobby Lashley freakshows that have yet to be added to the card, but I would be flat out shocked if this event did 200,000 buys.

I really think it will struggle to do even half that.

The show would easily do 200k buys. It won't struggle.

The card would probably be pretty stacked to as well. Probably something along the lines of:

Fedor vs. Overeem (for heavyweight title)
Robbie Lawler vs. Ronaldo Jacare Souza (for vacant middleweight title)
Gilbert Melendez vs. Josh Thomson trilogy (for lightweight title)
Dan Henderson vs. Gegard Mousasi
Bobby Lashley vs. Antonio Silva

I would buy that card.

High 5 wrote:The UFC could counter with a free show and put Strikeforce to shame. That might be the beginning of the end for them.

That might be the case but with the Overeem fight being the last on Fedor's Strikeforce contract they have to go for it.

skflives wrote:

CPT wrote:Another thing about this, is that it probably means CBS has no interest in doing any more Strikeforce shows.

How do you make that connection?

I think they would be putting Fedor and/or Overeem on another CBS show before the PPV if they had their way.

The word after the disaster that was the Strikeforce: Nashville show was that CBS wasn't really interested in doing any more MMA shows. Fedor's upcoming fight isn't on CBS, and from the sounds of it, neither will his next one.

I would think if CBS wanted to do another show, they would scoop up one of these Fedor fights, no? If not, what fight are they waiting for?

Its not that simple. Networks set up their programming well in advance. Strikeforce seems to run things in a more fly by the seat of their pants manner and they don't put a lot of shows on. To be honest, the UFC would better take advantage of a deal with CBS because they always have tons of cards they could use.

Fedor was supposed to fight on the April CBS card but he had those stalled negotiations with his SF contract which delayed the fight until this month. CBS only wanted a fight every 5-6 months. Now what they want/don't want is uncertain.

I can not imagine enough people care about Strikeforce to make a PPV very profitable.