UFC’s Coming Attractions to (Unintentionally) Lead to Greatest Summer Ever
__________________________________________________________________________Dana White has to be ecstatic the way things are beginning to shape up for his red hot promotion.
On the heels of distant competitor Strikeforce floundering on national television, and likely done with its working relationship with CBS, the UFC is primed to further separate itself as the top dog in MMA.
It’s not enough that White is closing in on Jake Shields, one of Strikeforce’s top fighters and soon-to-be MMA free agent. The UFC promotion is now set to showcase three huge bouts over the next three months.
All of which should have taken place already. All of which practically sell themselves.
Much of the coveted mainstream attention during the Summer of 2010 will be primarily dedicated to NBA Free Agency, and who goes where in Extreme Makeover: NBA Edition. But don’t sleep on the UFC. These Box Office Bullies are set to do big business over the next few months.
May 8, 2010: UFC 113- Machida vs. Shogun 2
You wanna jump your buyrate buy at least 50,000 buys? Add a “2″ at the end of a fight. This week’s tilt between Loyoto Machida and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship should have already been decided back at UFC 104.
Unfortunately, Shogun was virtually robbed of the Lightweight Championship. After physically dissecting Loyoto Machida like a government-sponsored frog, yet somehow losing, the rematch was almost immediately announced by a peeved Dana White.
The controversy surrounding the original decision at UFC 104 will be enough to give this fight a healthy boost at the box office. It will also help that the card will be featured before a rabid Canadian crowd in Montreal. This boost will serve as somewhat of a blessing as neither of these non-English speaking fighters will be able to entice American buyers through the otherwise obligatory pre-match trash talk.
May 29th, 2010: UFC 114- Rampage vs. Rashad
The UFC has its hands so full going into the summer. So much so, it has become apparent that they have foregone any significant build up for the aforementioned UFC 113 card down the home stretch (there is currently no showing of the UFC 113 countdown show on Spike TV the week of UFC 113).
This seems to be because their primary focus remains on the much anticipated blood feud between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and “Sugar” Rashad Evans.
These two were supposed to lock horns back at UFC 108. ut after Dana White made some unfriendly remarks about Rampage dropping out, in favor of accepting the role of Mr. T in the upcoming A-Team Movie, Quinton Jackson promptly quit.
Then he came back.
While Jackson’s sudden departure may have derailed the buyrate for UFC 108, the act only sweetens the pot for a Jackson/Rampage bout come May 29th.
With animosity reaching its desirable level of intensity, the build up for UFC 114 will be nothing short of brilliant. Both Evans and Jackson are pros when it comes to talking up not only their fights, but themselves as well.
July 3rd, 2010: UFC 116- Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin
UFC’s top draw Brock Lesnar was originally scheduled to face Shane Carwin on November 21, however career threatening complications caused by diverticulitis forced the bout to be postponed. 
Lesnar’s miracle recovery has now helped set up what many believe will be the biggest fight in UFC history.
Both Shane Carwin and Brock Lesnar have shown to be dominant throughout their careers. Sans a fluke loss at the hands of the now overrated Frank Mir, Brock Lesnar has been unstoppable since his UFC debut.
Shane Carwin has been equally (if not more) impressive, as he currently sports a 12-0 record with none of his fights ever having gone to decision.
Brock Lesnar is a heat magnet and at least half a million buys on pay per view are built into the Brock Lesnar brand name. Shane Carwin will be portrayed as the Knight in Shining Armor primed to save the UFC from Brock’s tyrannical reign.
The simplistic story leading into this fight, coupled with Brock Lesnar’s long awaited return, will put this card over the top as possibly the highest grossing event in UFC pay per view history.
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Tags: Brock Lesnar illness, Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin, Machida vs. Shogun Rematch, Rampage Jackson quits UFC, Strikeforce in Nashville, UFC 113, UFC 114, UFC 115
