Quote Originally Posted by Larryboy

Some on the internet are of the opinion UFC is huge everywhere and is going to take over from boxing as the number 1 fighting sport. I simply don't beleive this is true. UFC has drawn some very impressive buyrates this year on ppv. Aside from De La Hoya vs Mayorga, their top couple of shows have beaten all boxing ppv's this year. This alone does not mean UFC is now number 1.

It also has nowhere near the popularity it does in America in other countries. When I go in to work I can always find people to talk about the boxing on ITV, I've never met a UFC fan anywhere but on the internet.

Funny thing to me is people think that UFC is the only MMA entity in the world... Hell UFC isint even the largest organization in the world.. Pride F/C is.... Not to mention there is K1 as well so UFC is what people relate MMA to but its not...

Quote Originally Posted by Larryboy

Where UFC has a big advantage is that they all work for a promotion. Boxers and boxing promoters seem to try and put off fans by avoiding putting on matches people want to see. There always seems to be something in the way, look at the welterweight scene this year, there was huge money to be made with a combination of Hatton/Mayweather/Margarito/Cotto but none of those guys ever got it on, all took inferior matches that people didn't really want to see. This hurts boxing, whereas UFC is one organistaion, they have their fighters under contract, they have their own ppv schedule, and a tv show to hype them. It's much easier for them to put on the matches their fans want to see. And thats what I chalk them getting big buyrates up too. They don't have everyone all over the world clamering to see who wins their matches, it's still a niche sport, I can't stand it and think it's incredibly boring, but they have a fanbase, which is the biggest it's been since their mid nineties boom, and they are putting on the matches these fans want. Eventually these matches will dry up and the boom will be over, just like what happned before. Boxing will carry on just as it always has, regardless.
Again see above post UFC isint the only Entity, Pride and K1 showcase the best MMA fighters in the world they have a ton of European, Asian and American fighters not to mention the other organizations like NAGA and Mass Destruction etc.. Contrary to your belief there is plenty of fan fare and anticipation for matches and outcomes...MMA has been on the rise every year and again I dont know any fads that go on for over 16 years and show dramatic increase in numbers year after year..It cant dry up cause there are Plenty of upper echilon MMA fighters in the world, actually they out number Upper echilon Boxers even with all the alphabet organizations...And the difference between A, B and C class fighters in MMA is so razor thin its ridiculous to illustrate the skill level is tremendous..