Rampage has done tremendous harm to the UFC's marketing strategy this fall.

1. He backs out of a killer year end super card that would have easily been able to approach a million buys after the hype the show and the smack talk brings.

2. His backing out sort of makes this TUF season a lame duck. If Kimbo goes down next week, what's to watch really? The ratings for this show will fall once Kimbo loses. Roy Nelson getting scolded by Rashad and Wes Sims can't carry a show ya know.

3. The UFC had to scratch that other November card designed to counter program Fedor. BJ-Diego had to be moved to December. They have no ability to string together a card to compete with Strikeforce. White says Fedor will not be counter-programmed.



Rampage taking a comic relief roll in some step above B movie comedy action joke will cost the UFC untold millions. And none of this "The A-Team is a serious movie" business. It's hard to envision a world where that crap doesn't end up to be a cheesy worthless flop. It's the fucking A-Team. I'm 25 and I'd never even heard of the "A-Team" until like literally two years ago. What the fuck is the A-team really? Does anyone give a shit about the fucking "A-team"?

I doubt many people still care about the A-Team but with Bradley Cooper, Liam Neeson, and Jessica Biel apparently set to be in it I'm sure it will do alright at the box office

Damn that's who's in it? and Page is playing Mr. T?

And I'll say he did ruin those 2 potential great fights for sho

Yeah and the dude who was just in District 9 is rumored to be playing the other part apparently

And yes him backing out of the fight does suck

Yeah. Rampage has been pretty lame this year. I thought he was going to have huge year after knocking out Wanderlei last december and beating Jardine. Just did not happen. Excuse after excuse after excuse.

It partially worked out though. Not accepting the original fight with Evans set up Lyoto getting his rightful shot at the title.

I'm with you on the not knowing/caring what the A-Team was. But you know what I care even less about? The UFC's marketing strategy.

Rampage got a great opportunity, rightfully took it... and the fight with Rashad will happen probably a month or two later.

discovery99 wrote:

I'm with you on the not knowing/caring what the A-Team was. But you know what I care even less about? The UFC's marketing strategy.

Rampage got a great opportunity, rightfully took it... and the fight with Rashad will happen probably a month or two later.

You or I may not care, but the UFC care's, and Page straight up dicked them. I guess the A-Team(which I see as a starsky and hutch quality movie, maybe a little better) makes PAge more marketable. So I don't see the UFC giving him the cold shoulder right now. but he better win a couple fights or they might.

I can see everybody's POV on Page, but who really cares about countering SF/M-1? I mean yes we hardcore fans will watch and CBS will make another push on behalf of programming, but SF and Fedor combined still doesn't carry the UFC's water as far as name recognition to the general public. I realize that to some that it is tantamount to sacrilege to say such a thing, but the numbers speak for themselves. I am hoping that they have to compete against a decent football game that evening, just to see where they are as far as popularity though.

Andrew the Raider King wrote:

I can see everybody's POV on Page, but who really cares about countering SF/M-1? I mean yes we hardcore fans will watch and CBS will make another push on behalf of programming, but SF and Fedor combined still doesn't carry the UFC's water as far as name recognition to the general public. I realize that to some that it is tantamount to sacrilege to say such a thing, but the numbers speak for themselves. I am hoping that they have to compete against a decent football game that evening, just to see where they are as far as popularity though.

True UFC is still top dog, but SF on free TV featuring the #1 p4p guy in the sport(+ at least one other high qualtiy fight in Shields Miller) is tough to match up against.

I am not talking free though Cap. I am talking "name recognition" and Fedor and SF don't have what the UFC has combined! That is why Yahoo changed the name from MMA to UFC and added twice the amount of its it normally does on that page alone. I agree and will be watching the fight, but that is me. I want more mainstream sports fans, because that inflates the numbers and promotes my favorite sport.

I have a little different POV than most of you on this. I think financially this makes total sense for Rampage to do the movie. I don't know how much he is getting for the movie, but I would think it would be more than what he makes for a fight. Also, this will get his name out to more people and that will bring more of these type movies, will he win an Academy Award? Probably not, but he will probably win some bullshit award at the MTV Movie Awards show. I don't think Cung Le is a good measuring stick for how MMA fighters will do in that business, because he doesn't have the personality that Rampage has. I think like someone said before me, this will get more people in Rampage as a fighter and possibly bring more people to the shows and or buying the PPVs. Also not on the subject but does the UFC schedule weaker shows during football season because they don't want to compete with college football?

Actually Dana said he isn't making shit for doing this movie FWIW

Well, he may have said that, but with him you kind of have to read between the lines. I think with most of these guys its all about the money, and they are going to do what will give them the best chance to retire young and still have a high quality of life. What does he make per fight? I think I saw $400k, does that include endorsements and a cut of the gate? Or do they get that?

Im actually glad Page has been a pussy. Because Lyoto got his shot, and Fedor won't be counter programmed.

Name recognition or not, in terms of total viewers, this should still be one of the most watched fights in MMA history. Especially since he's not a joke like Kimbo. Fedor does have some traits that generate interest.