5-year plan for UFC

[Diegonightmare]

I know that several weeks ago there was a "what do you see happening to the UFC in the next 5 years" but I'm hoping this will be understood to be a slightly different topic...

In a recent interview (I think it was right after UFC68), Dana said something like "the Fertittas and I have put our heads together, we know what we'd like to accomplish in the next 5 years...".

I think we'd all agree that the Zuffa era of UFC has been managed extremely well and that Dana and the Fertittas know their shit. So my open question here is, what-all do you think that 5-year plan consists of?

My thoughts:

1 - Continue acquiring top names from whatever organization; promote and build up title fights with them
2 - Sign a long-term deal with Spike and potentially an ESPN or Fox
3 - Purchase Pride if they perceive it's possible to do so
3a If Pride is purchased, greatly improve its marketing in the US to build it up here
3b If Pride is purchased, arrange annual or semi-annual "supermatches" between Pride and UFC; build these matchups over during the course of the year or 6 months
4 - Continue to expand internationally, both with shows abroad and media presence abroad (would be more successful if Pride were acquired since most UFC fighters are still Americans)


These are some of the ideas that come right to mind...interested to see what "objectives"/targets you guys think are included in their 5-year plan.

I'm interested especially to hear your speculation on TUF - will it continue, will it evolve to something different, will something replace it - as well as TV contracts.

[baba]

If they do in fact purchase Pride (which I hope doesn't happen) -- I don't think they'd market it in the US. Most likely keep it an Asian promo.

However, I still think there would be a number of cross-promotional superfights.

[Beatts35]

With the rate things have grown over the last 3 years, it hard to say where it will be in 5. The UFC could be peaking soon. Or they may continue to double itself in business every 12months as they have the last 3 years.

Zuffa will help to get MMA legally sactioned in every state. And i believe they will help to rework some of the rules.

If I was Dana my 5 year plan would include buying Pride. Making the WEC a farm league to develop talent for the other shows. Purchase a European MMA league to use as a farm system there- it can lead to a European TUF series. Having cross Promtional fights 1-3 times a year.

Teaming up with an existing sports network or starting their own. Zuffa having its own channel is something I see them trying one day. In 5 years the UFC will be 19years old. They'll have more then enough content to have their own channel. With ownership of the WEC/WFA and one day Pride's Library along with their own original programing they could launch their own network.

Zuffa will set a new alltime NA gate and attendance record with UFC 94 at Madison Square Garden to be follow the next year with a Show at Giants Stadium with 80,000+.

They will have at least one yearly video game series come out.

Zuffa will have to take on a major entertainment or sports company as a partner with the size and expanse of their company.

[NixHex]

I like that, the TUF series/farmsystem in Europe is a nice idea. To get the top talent you gotta go find em. The sky is the limit in the next 5 years, the could have a weekly show ala Monday Night Football on Primetime TV and the endorsements would pour in. With the amount of expansion I look forward to more free MMA on tv. This could reach popularity of the Super Bowl in the US or UEFA Championships in Europe if they had a Grand Prix type tourney at the end of the year, deciding a #1 Contender to fight the champ at a later date.

[spencerholt]

I really think one of the main things the Ufc needs to do is the video game. The video game industry has surpased the movie industry as a leadin force in revenues. With a Game made by say, "EA SPorts" I believe it would only add to the hype and knowledge of fans.

[paintstik]

Originally Posted by spencerholt

I really think one of the main things the Ufc needs to do is the video game. The video game industry has surpased the movie industry as a leadin force in revenues. With a Game made by say, "EA SPorts" I believe it would only add to the hype and knowledge of fans.

Good point. A game by EA would really launch them into the face of alot of people who may not normally appreciate MMA.

[Salvy_Mic]

Aw man, I'd love an MMA game that was anywhere as good as any of the Fight Night games. Only EA Sports could do such a game justice.

[matto]

good idea those interpromotional champ fights and top level fighter fights would be like the big games like the superbowl or wrestlemania of mma, would be sweet.