MMA Access: The Good and the Bad of Bellator’s Pay-Per-View Cancellation

The Good and Bad of Bellator’s Pay-Per-View Cancellation

By Christopher Jester

 

It seems that Rampage Jackson just cannot catch a break. Just when he thought he had found happiness in his new home, Jackson lost his opponent in Tito Ortiz for the inaugural Bellator pay-per-view fight card. Instead of finding someone to replace Ortiz, Bellator and the head honchos over at Viacom decided to turn the event into a free card available on Spike TV. With fights like Michael Chandler vs. Eddie Alvarez II, Pat Curran vs. Daniel Strauss, and Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal vs. Emmanuel Newton II all on television for free, this is a good deal for everyone but Rampage Jackson.

The fans will get the most enjoyment out of this. This still remains a very good and stacked card for Bellator. Three titles on the line, including the anticipated rematch of a previous Fight of the Year bout between Chandler and Alvarez – this card has what it takes to leave some memorable impressions on the mixed martial arts community. But it still leaves many to wonder what are Bellator’s plans with Tito Ortiz and Rampage Jackson now? And can they attempt to try a pay-per-view again?

It is hard to say standing within this moment.  Ortiz and Rampage were once some of the bigger names in the sport. They are an attraction and can at least draw fans to a product. This was the mindset going into this pay-per-view; that these two fighters could produce results. Yet, Bellator must have feared that the pay-per-view was doomed to fail without these two names headlining the card. The problem is, now it demonstrates that only names with selling power can headline a Bellator pay-per-view. Obviously, the cost of these two fighters is extensive and that most of revenue from the PPV was likely going to pay Ortiz’s and Jackson’s checks.

Don’t get me wrong though. Bellator and Viacom loses out on this deal too. It shows that they leaped out into the pay-per-view arena without a lucrative backup plan. Sure, the show is now free on Spike TV but even Invicta FC had a successful first pay-per-view on television. Nothing goes off without a hitch, but believing that the product would still have found some decent results is positive thinking. After all, they already had spent plenty of money on marketing and hype videos. Canceling a week before the event just looks badly unprecedented.

The only upside to this is that Bellator gained some notice with the promos and marketing of the pay-per-view. Hopefully some of those fans will still migrate over to Spike TV to watch the fights for free. So, the likelihood of Bellator gaining new fans is definitely high. Hopefully, for Bellator and Viacom those fans will translate into loyal pay-per-view buying fans in the future. After all, this will likely be Bellator’s most depth filled card on television to date.

Yet, with all the luxurious possibilities that still leaves Tito Ortiz and Rampage Jackson. Ortiz is likely out for a while after suffering a neck injury. Bjorn Rebney mentioned on a press call that they were doing their best to get Jackson a fight in the next couple of weeks. What is more surprising? Bellator Light-Heavyweight Champion Atilla Vegh was told to stay in shape just in case something like this was to fall through. Obviously, Bellator did not go that route for the pay-per-view. Want an interesting thought? Atilla Vegh defends his title against Rampage Jackson before the year is out.

Muhammed Lawal stated that he would have fought Jackson on short notice but Bellator declined the offer to keep his fight intact with Emanuel Newton, it seems strange that they did not bite at that offer. Particularly since Lawal has some clout of his own and this has been a fight fans have wanted to see for some time. Unless the better choice was to get a clear cut #1 contender from Lawal vs. Newton, as Atilla Vegh and Jackson fight. Ortiz was the biggest name for Jackson to fight. With him out, Vegh becomes a better choice as he is at least the champion. Bellator can salvage this whole debacle with Atilla Vegh defending his title against Rampage Jackson, and gaining a contender from the Lawal versus Newton fight.

Well, it is all hopeful matchmaking at this point to make some sense of this whole thing. To quote Lawal, “I think this whole thing is weird.” Bellator took a leap and ultimately fell flat on their face, unless they can turn the corner with some clever matchmaking. They have the opportunity too. They have performed step one nicely. They have given fans Bellator 106 for free on Spike TV. Why not announce Jackson’s next fight by then? It seems like a whole lot of bad has come from this cancellation, but Bellator can make some good out of it with some critical decisions in the coming weeks.

Follow Christopher “sLapDatSuCKa” Jester on Twitter @sLapDatSuCka

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