MMA fights for prime-time exposure
Date: 2008-11-01 01:00:00
Source: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/mma/2008-10-29-mma-...
Submitted By: MMA Fight Dump
The demise of EliteXC leaves prime-time network mixed martial arts in limbo, along with fighters such as Gina Carano, Kimbo Slice and Robbie Lawler. Yet the sport still has a presence on the networks. Strikeforce announced last week that its Oct. 18 Strikeforce on NBC show drew more than 1.1 million viewers. The show airs late Saturday nights and is available in roughly 80% of TV markets, says the organization's director of communications, Mike Afromowitz. What Strikeforce does not have is a nasty rivalry with UFC president Dana White, who danced on EliteXC's grave last week and jabs away at pay-per-view rival Affliction. White says Strikeforce, a slowly expanding California promoter that is building on experience in kickboxing and other martial arts, runs a great business. "I hope they do 10 million viewers next week," White says. "Have you heard me say a bad word about Strikeforce? I wish them all the luck in the world. I have nothing bad to say about guys who are running the right promotion." Says Afromowitz: "We have nothing but admiration for what (White) has done," he says. "He's overcome tremendous barriers. I've been in the sport for about 10 years, and I've watched UFC grow since Zuffa (White's company) took it over." Another fighting company expanding out of California is thriving under Zuffa's umbrella. World Extreme Cagefighting, now focusing on lower weight classes, has several replays on Versus and live shows such as the Nov. 5 card with featherweight champion Urijah Faber and middleweight champion Paulo Filho.
