UFC 102: Too Many Good Fights, Not Enough Pay-Per-View Time

Posted Jun 24, 2009 11:35AM By Michael David Smith (RSS feed)

Filed Under: UFC

The news that a heavyweight fight between Gabriel Gonzaga and Chris Tuchscherer has been officially added to the UFC 102 fight card reminds me of something I've been thinking about for a while now: There are way too many good fights on the UFC 102 card.

Obviously, it sounds ridiculous to complain about too many good fights. But the UFC only puts five -- or at most six -- fights on the live pay-per-view broadcast, and this UFC 102 card, headlined by Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in the main event, has eight fights that are very pay-per-view worthy.

Here's how the UFC 102 card looks right now:
Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Keith Jardine vs. Thiago Silva
Chris Leben vs. Jake Rosholt
Demian Maia vs. Nate Marquardt
Matt Hamill vs. Brandon Vera
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Chris Tuchscherer
Wilson Gouveia vs. James Irvin
Junior Dos Santos vs. Justin McCully
Nick Catone vs. Mark Munoz
Evan Dunham vs. Matt Veach
Todd Duffee vs. Mike Russow

Only the first five of those fights are scheduled to be broadcast live on the pay-per-view card. Even if the UFC decides to show six live fights -- as it did at UFC 99 -- that still means we're going to miss a couple of good ones. I consider Gonzaga-Tuchsherer, Gouviea-Irvin and Dos Santos-McCully all to be the kinds of fights that pay-per-view customers shouldn't have to miss.

I don't blame the UFC for wanting to have good fighters on the non-televised undercard, as something of a reward for the fans who buy tickets, and as potential filler to show during lulls in the live portion of the pay-per-view. But I also can't help but wonder if a couple of these fights shouldn't be moved to one of the promotion's September events. These are great fights that fans shouldn't miss.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-24-2009 @ 11:59AM

claytor said...

Sweet Jesus, this lineup looks fantastic!

As a new found Columbus, OH resident, ill be pulling for Hamill, even though i reside in Virginia, where Vera is from, good times :)

6-24-2009 @ 1:00PM

richardbikle said...

maybe its just me but i dont find coulture-nogeria interesting. to me its kind of a so-what fight.

6-24-2009 @ 1:04PM

my name is said...

I absolutely agree! Often times, when watching PPV, i pray for quick matches, so that they will show the undercards...on this card there are easily 3 other good fights on the undercard (gouvieau and irving should be an excellent fight)

6-24-2009 @ 1:07PM

Eric said...

If I was going to miss an event, this would be the one. With the exception of Demian Maia vs. Nate Marquardt, the rest of the fights aren't particularly influential to the sport of MMA.

Sure Dos Santos is an up-n-comer in the heavyweight division, but I consider a fight with McCully to be a step down from his last 2 opponents.

Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - I'm a big fan of both fighters, but at the end of the day they're 2 guys who are past their primes ... both coming off of KO losses.

i agree richard, but unfortunately, randy couture is always going to be the main event, or at least co-main event..

6-24-2009 @ 1:22PM

Frederick said...

Even better would be too get all prelims free on the PPV Chanel to promote it

I know I am dreaming but that would be great

6-24-2009 @ 3:41PM

Alistair Azimuth PSN: johnnynumber5 said...

It's a nice change from their recent offerings that included at best 2 compelling fights. This is a better card than UFC 100 IMO. Maybe they are getting back to the old UFC days where every PPV has nothing but interesting and compelling fights.

6-24-2009 @ 5:07PM

imshortyk said...

Personally I'm just looking forward to the Maia versus Marquadt fight. Either Damain will dominate once again or Nate will show us his improved ground game and killer instinct . . . very interesting.

6-24-2009 @ 5:08PM

Demian** Lol

6-24-2009 @ 7:11PM

joey said...

Randy Couture is the best!!!!!!!!1111

6-24-2009 @ 8:15PM

My guess for

Couture vs. Nogueira - Couture
Jardine vs. Silva - Jardine
Chris Leben vs. Jake Rosholt
Maia vs.Marquardt - Maia
Hamill vs. Vera - Hamill
Gonzaga vs. Tuchscherer - Gonzaga
Gouveia vs. Irvin - Irvin
Dos Santos vs. McCully - Dos Santos

theres some questionable calls there, but thats my guess

6-25-2009 @ 7:20AM

jay said...

Funny, me and a buddy of mine were JUST talking about this exact thing: too many fights I want to see on this card! And both headlines I'm not too crazy about (even though Jardine Vs. Silva should be a good one) but just about every other fight is interesting.

For $45.00 per Pay-Per-View, there has to be a way to watch ALL of them!!! I usually go to a local bar, so I'll def. be SOL :(.

6-25-2009 @ 11:24AM

M13 said...

Unfortunately, the only way you'll be able to them live is if some of the fights on the main card will quickly. On the other hand, if you wait a couple of months, you'll be able to purchase the events on dvd where you can view all of the fights anyway. The latter is much cheaper by the way. :P

6-25-2009 @ 11:27AM

"The only way you'll be able to See them live is if some of the fights on the main card End quickly". That's what happens when I don't double check my writing lol.

6-26-2009 @ 3:46PM

etal954 said...

old people and some no name fighters is why ufc is going down hill when all the fights with anyone with a name is on ppv and ratings are going down fast. ufc is novelty fighting with no future stars and bad reality shows blowing out credability when they win lose win lose win loose all the time . there is prob a better fight on hbo with up and comers in boxing starting to pop out. blaaaaaaaaaaaa cry babys and boxing picked up in major collages has boxing blowing up soon .