The time has arrived for ESPN to cover MMA like a major sport
From Sam Caplan at FiveOuncesofPain.com::
I tuned into ESPNews last night to gauge the level of coverage for last night’s Earth-shattering upset at UFC 88 by Rashad Evans against Chuck Liddell. To be honest, I was prepared to write a diatribe about how ESPN is a joke for giving prime coverage to things such as Hot Dog eating contests and Arena Football — two sports that are nowhere near as popular as MMA.
Much to my surprise there was a spot with Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan breaking down the big news and analyzing the fight. However, something just didn’t seem right. Why after all this time is ESPN not using its own team to provide independent coverage of MMA events? Giving free air time to paid employees of the UFC to supply pre and post-fight content just doesn’t make sense. It would be like ESPN running post-game analysis from the NFL Network following its own games.
I think Caplan really hit the nail on the head with this one - and I'm sure there are tons of MMA fans around thinking the same thing. ESPN needs to give MMA the recognition it deserves and hire serious analysts instead of relying on Rogan and Goldberg (and the UFC as an organization) to dole out free commentary. There are plenty of great commentators (and writers) out there; ESPN just needs to get on the ball and start asking.
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Comments
yeah, they can ask me! I'm
yeah, they can ask me! I'm open for hire and it wouldn't even cost them that much =]]
no shit. Underboss
no shit.
Underboss MMAfia
Head of the West Coast Family
2x Ultimate Challenge Champion
I'm not sure its ESPN on the
I'm not sure its ESPN on the commentators. I have read multiple times that Komissar White insists on the use of his own announcers.
I agree with Caplans
I agree with Caplans analysis. I nominate Pramit. Legit MMA Journalist with years of experience in the industry.
Sixtus wrote: I agree with
I agree with Caplans analysis. I nominate Pramit. Legit MMA Journalist with years of experience in the industry.
ESPN, listen to Sixtus. He knows what he's talking about.
PS. I'm not willing to relocate to Bristol, Connecticut...They don't have a football team...
i also nominate pramit. espn
i also nominate pramit. espn should build a studio in baltimore....
Underboss MMAfia
Head of the West Coast Family
2x Ultimate Challenge Champion
Baltimore doesnt have a
Baltimore doesnt have a football team either...ba dump bump! They beat Cincinnati though so I cant say to much.
Head of the MMAfia's Canadian Family - Canada Eh!
Joe Flacco for president!!
Joe Flacco for president!! Now I know what it's like to have an NFL QB leading an NFL team!
haha...i was at the game and
haha...i was at the game and was satisfied. flacco looked poised and would have had a touchdown pass if heap didn't play like crap. i'm not going to anoint him the next manning yet though. being a rookie, i fully expect him to have one or two really really really terrible games this year.
Definitely not Manning yet.
Definitely not Manning yet. But the kid has all the intangibles of the great ones and it was his first game of his career. He has a really strong arm and great mind to boot.
I was reading that in minicamp he had a better grasp of the offense than Smith and Boller.
And, during the preseason, he improved drastically every game. He's already better than Boller and Smith.
I will be disappointed if he doesn't make the Pro Bowl at some point in his career.
Well, my Lions got beat by
Well, my Lions got beat by the f'n falcons
Hitman for the MMAfia
were you really hoping that
were you really hoping that the lions preseason was going to translate into regular season success? go pack! (and jets)
Underboss MMAfia
Head of the West Coast Family
2x Ultimate Challenge Champion