The business of MMA isn't what a lot of people think it is. You can't pay these guys what other companies try to throw at them and what a lot of these guys "think" they're worth because the money ISN'T THERE right now. If you're not making money in your chosen profession then GET ANOTHER JOB because it is what it is, no one comes to my place of employment to tell my boss that I'm not making enough money, it's like the NFL lock out, just play the fucking game cause I don't care about the other silly shit that has nothing to do with my personal finance.
People pay money to watch the UFC and the UFC only. You can host a UFC here with a solid main event, some local fighters on the undercard against mediocre fighters, and maybe a decent co main event and it sell out without a blink of an eye. Then host half of the heavyweight tournament that Strikeforce is putting on with Henderson defending his title in the main event in the same arena and I'm sure you'd trouble selling it out. Is it right? Probably not but it's business.
If you want to "compete" with the UFC then know your limits and know that the marketplace isn't about fighters like a lot of fanboys would love to think it is, it's about the UFC and the fighters on the card are secondary (for the most part). The UFC builds their brand first and the fighters second, they've been successful in doing it should continue doing it judging by the fact that besides a minor group online, who'll probably watch their shows regardless, people are loving the UFC right now.
People pay money to watch the UFC and the UFC only. You can host a UFC here with a solid main event, some local fighters on the undercard against mediocre fighters, and maybe a decent co main event and it sell out without a blink of an eye. Then host half of the heavyweight tournament that Strikeforce is putting on with Henderson defending his title in the main event in the same arena and I'm sure you'd trouble selling it out. Is it right? Probably not but it's business.
If you want to "compete" with the UFC then know your limits and know that the marketplace isn't about fighters like a lot of fanboys would love to think it is, it's about the UFC and the fighters on the card are secondary (for the most part). The UFC builds their brand first and the fighters second, they've been successful in doing it should continue doing it judging by the fact that besides a minor group online, who'll probably watch their shows regardless, people are loving the UFC right now.