Not that it already isn't on a meteoric rise in the sports world, as ESPN, TSN and the various other sports networks start showing more and more highlights it'll will make it's way onto network sports shows, if it hasn't already. UFC 75 Champion vs Champion is being show free on Spike TV and it's pretty much the best idea they could've had. The Ultimate Fighter is already doing great ratings for Spike and that's with no name fighters they want to build up, but with this fight, essentially one of the biggest in the sports history because it's unifying the Light Heavyweight Championship of Pride and UFC so the fans are finally getting an undisputed champion (who will have a long glorious reign of however long it takes for them to let Shogun fight for the belts) Plus they throw in Mike Bisbing, already hugely popular from TUF and from being a totally awesome fighter.
There's also Mirko Cro Cop's comeback fight, a huge fan favorite for both UFC and Pride fans these days. Then of course the main event, Dan "Hollywood" Henderson, hugely popular and both the Pride Middle and Light Heavyweight Champion and the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, one of if not the funniest and most charismatic figures in all of sports. These man have everything that's needed to gain fame to the sport, compelling stories, superb skills, comedic flair and also Championships. There's a reason the Super Bowl is the most popular show on television. Americans as a whole love resolution, just have the match and declare a Champ. Watching a series is too much for them, it's why soccer will never be as big there as it is elsewhere, soccer is all about tournaments and waiting and anticipation. The high speed lives of the Yanks don't leave room. So if they come into this knowing they're watching the best fight the best to declare who is the ultimate best...they wont be able to resist. And the fighters on this card will be enough to draw them in to want to see more.
Rampage, Hendo, Bisbing and Cro Cop can all be counted on to provide highly entertaining fights. They wont have to sit through a 15 minute jujitsu match as their induction to MMA and they'll grow to appreciate it. Not the vast majority of the public by any means, but there is a large percentage of people out there who love combat sports but are on the fence about MMA and wonder about the worth of spending money on PPV's. Comparing it to boxing is senseless and is like saying Basketball won't ever be as popular as football. Who cares? They both have their hardcore fans. They both are able to survive and operate alongside one another. And they both have fans that like both sports or hate the other with a passion. The arguments ever be resolved but they also wont ever stop. Thus is the competitive nature of the human race.
War Fedor!
War Shogun!
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