The UFC outside of Las Vegas
OfflineEvery once in a while the UFC ventures out of Vegas. Other promotions do but the UFC is the big daddy of them all right. Aside from UFC 93 and The Fight For the Troops special they seem to hold at least three events in Vegas for everyone that is held outside. I say this because I know there has been a push for MMA in my home state of New York for about a year. Aside from the issue that a labor union is having trouble with the Fertittas and their casinos, the main argument Dana gives is the amount of money that an event will generate in Buffalo or New York City. However, if you look at the events on UFC.com you will see that the UFC has stayed rooted more in recent years in Vegas then in the so-called "lean" years. There were times that 2 or 3 events were held on the East Coast in addition to other venues including Vegas. Yes an event brings money in, but what is the reality here? I mean there needs to be no urgency on New York's part because the chances of an event coming here in the next year is slim, considering its been and 19 events since the UFC has come to New Jersey (UFC 78). 9 of those events including UFC 91 were in Vegas. It has been 3 years since UFC 55 has been to Connecticut. Dana complains that New York is dragging its feet on accepting MMA. Well maybe if the UFC would not drag its feet on coming to the Northeast and give those slow people in New York a reason to move, we would have MMA in New York.
Wardog
Comments
I'm with you Wardog. The UFC could put on events in DC and Northern Virginia and AC right now if it wanted and Baltimore next year.
Why the fixation on NYC? It doesn't have to be NYC or bust...
As a New Yorker I know that there is some sort of pinnacle of NYC being this area where to quote Sinatra "if I can make it there I can make it anywhere." But I agree the UFC should not worry about it like that. AC is perfect for them hotels, casinos, etc, and it is not that expensive compaired to Manhattan. Also Dc and other areas offer venues that would be benefical as well. NYC is expensive, so you wouldn't get out of town people travelling. I live an hour outside of NYC (on a good day without traffic) and 3 away from AC and I would rather go to AC or Moheggan Sun, Conn. (also about 3 hours). I think Dana will have one at Madison Square Garden (which is really a shitty venue by the way) and never really do it again. He just wants to prove the UFC can do it. And as a boxing guy the Garden is Mecca to him. And the other reason MMA is having a problem getting into NY is because this state is really a boxing state. And as someone who used to train at a boxing gym there is a bias amongst the hardcore boxing fans here against MMA which the see as inferior. These are the types who are helping to block MMA here. That's why aside from Renzo Gracie's place and Matt Serra's there are a lack of real MMA gyms here, boxing is still king here unfortunately.
Wardog
I have to disagree the Garden is not a shitty facility but as a lifelong New Yawker I would love to see it happen but why not go to AC or even Connecticut? What about Philly? All within driving distance of NY. Hell you can take a ferry to Bridgeport CT and drive 45 minutes to Foxwoods. I am also sick of seeing these shows everywhere else but here. Even Ohio has had like 3 shows in the past 18 months.
Godfather and all-around Mafia Aficionado
Co-Founder of The MMAFIA
Live Blogger for Fightticker.Com
The L.O.U. Is Back With A New #1
Sign Up For The November Rankings
The Garden itself isn't bad. But parking and traffic sucks! And forget getting a hotel around there. But the Garden itself isn't bad. Sorry about the confusion.
Wardog