So when the hell did the UFC learn to market themselves again?

[Deleted member 1]

2009 Lesnar + MMA hype was the proper storm of wrestling fans and publicity from the casual fan.

Pride had folded, their fighters were coming over or already in the UFC. Tons of LHW and HW matches to keep people occupied that wanted nothing more than a KO.

Then RUINED it. I mean seriously, 2013->2014 was just bad with the exception of pulling Silva and GSP out to trot them around. Just no star building. No investment in story lines to entice anyone. Same time Dana is talking about hating WMMA and (dammit I can't remember who) was talking about how the lighter weight classes aren't that marketable.


And now I see Rousey co-promoting on wrestling. Conor running around doing his best Irish Sonnen impression. I'm not here to argue the merits of bringing in PPV views at any cost. I'm just wondering what changed. Who is running the ship now that wasn't running things 14 months ago?

 

[Fett_Loadin76]

Maybe Dana's letting the fighters actually suggest how they want to promote

 

[Priziesthorse]

This is the first time I watched WWE in years. I felt as giddy as a schoolgirl when Ronda got into the ring with the Rock.

 

[SongExotic2]

I diddnt even watch it I just get frothy at the gash when people mention the rock and ufc in the same chat

 

[Zeph]

It was a transition period. You had Silva losing, GSP retiring, Lesnar losing/leaving, combined with the perfect storm of injuries to give them those terrible years. The promotion they put into Jones and Rousey during that time is starting to pay off, although they still need compelling opponents for Jones to pull big numbers, unless the Cormier fight put him over.

The only new thing I've seen them do is this World Tour. Its been great, you've seen the dynamic between the two fighters and it has given them a lot of exposure. It has really added to the storyline of the fight and in my opinion will be the biggest card of the year. Hopefully, they will start doing similar stuff for more fighters and this fight paves the way for others to get that kind of treatment.

Actually that is a lie, they have also doubled up all title fight cards to help combat injuries and PED scandals. I think they have learned from 2013-2014, but it was also a perfect storm of transition and injuries that dropped the baseline buys.

 

[dacofty]

As hard as I want to believe that the UFC is coming up with a way to promote fighters better, i think it only is the fighters that buddy up with the head bag. I dont think you will see dana taking his time to work with the average up and comer like he is Conor. He sees the golden goose and he is keeping it close. I think if they let the fighters promote themselves they would get a better result. As you seen with rousey, she did well at WWE, and get this dana wasnt around.

 

[BrattMamley]

It's sucha breath of fresh air to see the UFC promote fights and fighters again. Hopefully everyone can stay healthy.

 

[ECC170]

ESPN coverage helps a TON...christ sake they had Rousey wreslemania highlights..I've never seen that type shit on espn...pretty cool i think...

 

[lookoutawhale]

As hard as I want to believe that the UFC is coming up with a way to promote fighters better, i think it only is the fighters that buddy up with the head bag. I dont think you will see dana taking his time to work with the average up and comer like he is Conor. He sees the golden goose and he is keeping it close. I think if they let the fighters promote themselves they would get a better result. As you seen with rousey, she did well at WWE, and get this dana wasnt around.

good post. I think the UFC is pretty bad at marketing their fighters. The only reason its working right now its because Conor and Rousey are marekting themselves.

I remember some fighters saying that Dana didnt like their opening music or when they wanted some hilarious entrances with outfits it was nixed. I love that type of stuff with the cool pride entrances. Dana and the fertittas said they want UFC to be more like boxing where its just bread and butter no entertainment value to anything other than fighting.

when i read that i was like daym! i wish pride was still there. they were so creative and entertaining.

 

[Deleted member 1]

It was a transition period. You had Silva losing, GSP retiring, Lesnar losing/leaving, combined with the perfect storm of injuries to give them those terrible years. The promotion they put into Jones and Rousey during that time is starting to pay off, although they still need compelling opponents for Jones to pull big numbers, unless the Cormier fight put him over.

The only new thing I've seen them do is this World Tour. Its been great, you've seen the dynamic between the two fighters and it has given them a lot of exposure. It has really added to the storyline of the fight and in my opinion will be the biggest card of the year. Hopefully, they will start doing similar stuff for more fighters and this fight paves the way for others to get that kind of treatment.

Actually that is a lie, they have also doubled up all title fight cards to help combat injuries and PED scandals. I think they have learned from 2013-2014, but it was also a perfect storm of transition and injuries that dropped the baseline buys.

Very interesting thoughts!

 

[ChaosOverkill]

ESPN coverage helps a TON...christ sake they had Rousey wreslemania highlights..I've never seen that type shit on espn...pretty cool i think...

To me they'd have less need for their own marketing if they had a relationship with ESPN and not FOX. ESPN are the kings of cross marketing on their own products for which they have a massive potential audience. FOX isn't doing squat in that respect. Their Spam marketing will only work for a guy like Conor vs X and Jones vs DC or another guy he has beef with or a Ronda fight because she's an anomaly in the sport for a variety of reasons right now.

The spam marketing will not work to help Rory and Lawler, they highly respect each other and are not interested in hyperbolic shit talk. The only way you increase the blander guys profile, is cross marketing with a partner who has the platforms to get creative.