OMAHA, NE - FEBRUARY 14: Diego Sanchez weighs in during the UFC on FUEL TV weigh in event at Omaha Civic Auditorium on February 14, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
The counter-programming battle continues. Tonight as the UFC runs their UFC on Fuel TV show headlined by Diego Sanchez vs. Jake Ellenberger in a key Welterweight fight, Spike TV will host "Fight Night on Spike Featuring Diego Sanchez" - a Diego Sanchez themed UFC Unleashed marathon. The Spike programming begins at 7 p.m. ET and will include Sanchez's fights with Clay Guida, Paulo Thiago, and David Bielkheden, along with various other non-Diego fights.
This isn't the first time Spike has counter-programmed new UFC content with related archival content. Since the UFC left Spike at the end of 2012, their former home has repeatedly used their rights to the UFC library to try and pull viewers in on UFC live event nights, often focusing on the fighters who will be seen live that night.
This Sanchez offering might be particularly successful as the UFC's show tonight is on Fuel TV, a channel in roughly one third the houses of Spike. Despite Fuel offering a free preview this week, there are going to be a lot of UFC fans who find themselves unable to watch tonight's fights. If those fans are craving some UFC, Spike has a perfect alternative for them. Smart move by Spike as they look to capitalize on Fuel's current weakness in the market.
For more on your options tonight, check out How To Watch UFC On Fuel TV Live Tonight.
0 recs | 25 comments
People discount these Spike cards
by saying they might confuse some casuals, but people that follow the UFC won’t be fooled into watching old fights versus live fights.
I have a friend that didn’t watch UFC on Fox 2, and opted to watch the Spike UFC marathon that night instead. He said he knew he would be watching good fights on Spike, versus having the possibility of watching good live fights. I’m sure alot of fans would rather see a match featuring a fighter they know and like instead of watching some “no names” during the leadup to the main fight.
Spike’s tactics might draw away more interest than alot of people are willing to concede.
The Lethal Haze - February 15, 2012
I agree.
Plus way more people get Spike than Fuel obviously. I can guarantee Spike pulls higher ratings than Fuel tonight I wonder how long it takes the UFC to buy back the old fight library.
nickrodamous - February 15, 2012
They won’t buy it back. Spike loses the library at the end of 2012. They need to do stuff like this while they can to capitalize on the value of their time-sensitive asset.
Machiel Van - February 15, 2012
Yeah, I was in a bar in bumfuck Nebraska that same night...
… that was airing the Rashad marathon on their big screen, instead of the FOX card. Couple dudes were cheering for the fights like they were live… despite the fact that Rashad was in all of them. Classic.
woooburn - February 15, 2012
Hilarious.
I bet you could be in a bar in bumfuck Nebraska tonight where the event is taking place and they would still show the spike marathon lol
nickrodamous - February 15, 2012
That's hilarious
The Lethal Haze - February 15, 2012
That's great.
Did Rashad win the Tournament? ;)
AusEagle - February 15, 2012
That blows my mind
I love watching old fights too but am I gonna skip out on new fights just because I know the old fights are guarenteed to be good? Hell no.Plus I already know those results, I dont know whats gonna happen with the live and new fights. They might suck but you also might see a FOTY or incredible KO or SUB.
Same thing with those “no names”. You might not know Olivera but if you chose to watch the old fights you also miss a great calf slicer sub.
bigdmmafan - February 15, 2012
I watch most of the PPV at BWW.
You learn a lot from over hearing the casuals some of the shit I hear makes me literally LOL. The last PPV I watched there was 142 everyone was there was watching the NFL playoff games when the Barbosa KO kick landed I lost my shit and started screaming and said you will never see that in the NFL and how 5 seconds of MMA is better than 5 hours of NFL it was a good time.
nickrodamous - February 15, 2012
I agree with you 100%
but I get the feelings we’re UFC junkies, while my friend is somewhere between a hardcore and a casual (leaning more towards hardcore). I was shocked he told me he opted for the old fights. Can’t really argue with his main point though- the fights spike played that night were far and above more entertaining then the Fox card.
The Lethal Haze - February 15, 2012
Yeah that night he happened to “luck out” but it’s like you never know. How many people thought UFC 142 wouldnt be that great? Best card of the year so far, imo.
Yeah you dont get FUEL, ok then I understand watching Spike if you dont stream but damn I would never dream of skipping live fights for fights I already saw.
bigdmmafan - February 15, 2012
The last FOX card was a dud.
Still thats no excuse for watching old fights.
nickrodamous - February 15, 2012
Machiel Van - February 15, 2012
the ufc needs to ask itself a quesetion
who does it want to compete with – bellator, or itself?
i think the answer has to be bellator.
besides, if they don’t have at least one competitor, the anti-trust folks are going to come knocking sooner or later.
Clifford J - February 15, 2012
they already tried
benten20 - February 15, 2012
Well, there’s also the opinion that says if Spike wants to show UFC fights more frequently let ‘em – they’ll still be building the UFC’s own brand. I mean, if someone is going to watch MMA tonight that is not the Fuel show, wouldn’t the UFC at least prefer that person watches UFC programming? The UFC wants to build “UFC fans” not “MMA fans,” and this helps.
Fraser Coffeen - February 15, 2012
Since no Fuel TV I guess I'll be watching Spike TV tonight
AnyGiven - February 15, 2012
I'm sorry
is spike a 14 year old girl? this is childish.
the guy with the big nose - February 15, 2012
Considering the type of programming Spike generally has,
It’s more like a 14 year old boy.
pud333 - February 15, 2012 via mobile
why would they show some of their best rated programming on a night that fans of that are watching TV? What kind of asshole would do something like that?
Phildo - February 15, 2012
this is gonna backfire for spike
What are the chances that once Spike loses the UFC’s library rights, and just only show Bellator, then the UFC and Fuel and Fox will counter program the shit out of all the Bellator shows, whether it is live or reruns. Spike will lose a lot of viewers and they might even cancel Bellator, thanks to Spikes silly tactics.
latheman - February 15, 2012
Isn't Fuel doing a free preview though?
At least for the providers that carry it anyway.
Neo X - February 15, 2012
The UFC would have done that anyway
Myke2525 - February 15, 2012
lol spike oh spike
I just look down on spike for doing this. Reminds me of that desperate ex that can get over the fact you moved on and is doing everything they can to ruin your first date.
Bloodsport - February 15, 2012 via mobile
holy moly
guys. fox is counterprogramming the fights with American idol. what pricks!
Phildo - February 15, 2012 via Android app
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Bloody Elbow to post a comment.