Bob Arum: The UFC thought they would hurt boxing but they just got buried

Whether you felt the event was a success or not, there's no denying the UFC made history this past Saturday night (Nov. 12, 2011) by broadcasting its Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos heavyweight championship fight live and free on network TV.

For whatever reason, they did this on the very same night that boxing great Manny Pacquiao returned to the ring to do battle against Juan Manuel Marquez in an exciting but controversial pay-per-view bout.

So leave it to the 80-year-old promoter of that fight, Bob Arum, to fire a few shots at MMA. From NYPost.com:


"They thought they would hurt us. Instead they got hurt because they got buried. But I think the fact they're just on for an hour helps us."

His first point, that UFC got hurt because they got buried underneath all the Pacquiao vs. Marquez 3 coverage definitely has some merit. In fact, despite mainly covering MMA, our traffic indicates a strong lean towards the big boxing fight last night. Actually, it was a complete blowout.

The second point Arum makes also has merit, considering UFC President Dana White actually told his audience to watch the Velasquez vs. Dos Santos fight before tuning into the Pacquiao match. And, apparently, that's exactly what they did.

The 5.7 million viewers UFC on FOX garnered was most definitely a success but might it have done better if it wasn't "buried" underneath a highly anticipated boxing match featuring one of the biggest draws in combat sports?

monaroCountry wrote:Thanks JL and crew. I love this boxing forum. As a combat fan I love boxing and MT just as much as MMA. Manny is easily my fav fighter.

Apres Moi wrote:I wouldn't agree with Arum, but Zuffa "goals" weren't reached this past Saturday. I hope MMA has reached its peaked as the direction of MMA is bastardize. MMA will always be a sport for REDNECKS.

I wouldn't agree with Arum, but Zuffa "goals" weren't reached this past Saturday. I hope MMA has reached its peaked as the direction of MMA is bastardize. MMA will always be a sport for REDNECKS.

monaroCountry wrote:

I wouldn't agree with Arum, but Zuffa "goals" weren't reached this past Saturday. I hope MMA has reached its peaked as the direction of MMA is bastardize. MMA will always be a sport for REDNECKS.

There was a time when MMA was more about respect, honour and courage, where fighters fought not just for themselves but for their country and discipline, where fans cheered for both men and understood the moves being made and the intricacies of the sport. Many fighters do miss the Pride era.

I think M1 really do want to go this route again, Vadim has made this abundantly clear, M1 also supported the WAMMA concept which would have made MMA a properly run sport (not fragmented). Its no wonder that Fedor is now sporting his "RUSSIA" outfit instead of some clothing brands.