Comments on: Can UFC Mag Be Respectable?

By: curtis

curtis — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:41:11 +0000

It is an extension of the UFC to do nothing more than hype fights and increase the number of PPV buys…

By: VEe

VEe — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:13:27 +0000

I kind of think that it would be obvious that the magazine would just cover strictly UFC fighters and events. I really doubt they’re going to hype up Affliction, Strikeforce, Dream or Bellator Fighting. But other than that, I really don’t think the magazine is going to be that much different from the other MMA rags outside of UFC-centered content. The first issue isn’t that much different from the other mags AND they did feature Dana on the cover in the past.

“They are creating an extension to their brand that helps get out the message they want.” Yeah, no doubt.

By: Matt C.

Matt C. — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:14:20 +0000

To me Bill said it exactly right. It’s not an MMA magazine it’s a UFC magazine. They are creating an extension to their brand that helps get out the message they want. I have no problem with them creating a magazine and then doing what they want with it.

Besides just like all media for the most part in this day and age journalistic quality and factual reporting takes a backseat. Nowadays ratings, demographics, and the ability to sell advertising to make money dictates how any kind of news gets reported on.

By: ironman

ironman — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:53:08 +0000

Vee, I’ve got a copy of the magazine sitting on my table. My problem is, is this mag going to be used to say the kind of ridiculous things that a promoter would say, or is to going to be used to offer fans insider knowledge into the UFC. Somehow, I think the former is more likely than the latter.

Bill, I agree.

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:53:53 +0000

Is it legitimate… yes. But it is limited in its scope. First the magazine is not an MMA magazine but a UFC magazine. Its like a Microsoft publication, it will give you everything Microsoft, but no Apple so it cannot be considered a computer magazine in its overall coverage. It will be lacking in its scope and coverage of fighters outside of the UFC, which will probably be non-existent or bias.

As far as Dana on the cover, Josh you are right 100%! Here is the most talked about and promoted UFC, let alone MMA event ever, and none of the fighters are on the cover? And to make matters worse it is not only Dana, but Dana in a fighters stance! This when guys like Frank Mir made $80,000 to beat Brock Lesnar? Or when you have guys making $8,000 for a fight? At least they could’ve had a picture of Royce Gracie and say Brock Lesnar or someone on the cover together.

And in more disturbing news (especially for Garrett) there are only 3 ring girls (plus Rachelle Lee)! Maybe they’ll search for new talent! Garrett could be the product tester!

By: VEe

VEe — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:35:14 +0000

Notwithstanding the cover . . . the magazine is just as legitimate as any other MMA or sports magazine. Of course I’m not claiming that it is on par with SI or ESPN writing or journalistic credibility but I don’t see why it can’t be respected, notwithstanding the UFC President.

SI and ESPN often shoot themselves in the foot when it comes certain biases but that doesn’t surprise me. It’s going to be a long while before the MMA coverage is better than half-assed by all print media. Many journalist whether they write for Yahoo! Sports, SI, Sherdog or even Bloody Elbow allow some of their biases to color their editorial opinions and it oftem shows.

. . . I happen to like magazines, it is not bad, purchasing one issue is not going to hurt you.

By: ironman

ironman — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:16:22 +0000

ESPN, SI, Ring and Fight are all, to the best of my knowledge, autonomous (WWE isn’t, but since it covers a staged sport anyway, the building of heroes and heels isn’t as relevant).

I explained my three criteria for magazines.

The legitimacy issue is an issue of whether I can read a magazine and look for insight instead of an advertisement for the upcoming pay-per-view.

That’s what SI does, and why it’s the leading sports magazine, and what it’s considered legitimate by its readership and the sporting community (though, much of their coverage of MMA has been half-assed, but that’s another issue).

White being on the cover is not a shock, but the fact that they’re giving him a cover on the brink of UFC 100 seems silly.

By: VEe

VEe — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:55:38 +0000

The blogs reporting MMA is not something to brag about. Outside of presenting the UFC brand in a favorable light, I don’t really see what you mean by saying the magazine should “honestly cover the organization its dealing with.”

I’m also thinking about other sports magazines like ESPN, SI, Ring, WWE and FIGHT! What makes them a positive or negative force for the respective niche sports or sports coverage? What makes them legitimate or not?
Overall I just don’t see a problem with the UFC rag outside of the cover. White has been on the cover of a number of magazine already so the decision was not that bad.