Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker Isn't Phased By Counter-Programming

by Kelvin Hunt on Mar 15, 2009 10:46 PM EDT in News Comment 22 comments

Of course by now everyone knows that Zuffa plans to 'counter-program' Strikeforce's Showtime debut on April 11th with airing UFC 94 on Spike TV. Recently, Strikeforce CEO and founder Scott Coker gave his thoughts on the UFC counter-programming and why it's not a big deal to him:

"I look at it like this: That's been [the UFC's] business model," Coker said. "They're consistent with that counter-programming for their business model. To me, that's a business decision they had to make.

"I don't take it personally at all. Those guys were the industry leaders that led the way. They should have that respect. We're going to go do our thing, and I think we'll do it well."

This is the best response that Coker could have given in regards to the UFC's actions. This is just another clear indication that Coker understands business 101 as well. Unlike many others before him that would have used this instance to speak negatively about or even worse, openly challenge Dana White and the UFC. I think it should also be noted that Bellator FC will be airing their second show on ESPN Deportes on April 11th as well. So in a sense, the UFC is killing two birds with one stone so to speak.

How do you feel about Zuffa's counter-programming actions?

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Comments

Kind of weird since Dana has spoken well of them in the past. I guess it’s like the old phrase “It isn’t personal, just business.”

...some call me "el mexicutioner"...

by _Felix_ on Mar 15, 2009 11:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

smart move by Dana

But the hardcore fans will still be watching Strikeforce.

by steak_knife on Mar 15, 2009 11:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Those that have Showtime….which I don’t :( I’ll find a way to watch it though :)

http://www.mmaforreal.com

by Kelvin Hunt on Mar 16, 2009 8:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have Showtime but hardly watch it, (I only got it for Dexter and Brotherhood) but I will that night. There is no way I will be watching UFC 94 again, althought the Jones/Bonnar fight would be entertaining to see again.

I’m also still contemplating weather to go to Bellator on the 3rd.

...some call me "el mexicutioner"...

by _Felix_ on Mar 16, 2009 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Those that have Showtime….which I don’t

*shakes head in disaproval.

lol

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Mar 16, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Have HDNet though FTW!

http://www.mmaforreal.com

by Kelvin Hunt on Mar 16, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Indeed!

Friday, Sengoku, King Mo FTW baby! Mo Lawal is just a cool cat. He was on Inside MMA Friday and he came across as a real likeable guy.

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Mar 16, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh yea, I forgot that Bellator was going to be in Florida…

http://www.mmaforreal.com

by Kelvin Hunt on Mar 16, 2009 8:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I want to, but everyone I know down here doesn’t watch MMA, and I really dont want to go by myself. The Hard Rock is about 20 minutes from me.

...some call me "el mexicutioner"...

by _Felix_ on Mar 16, 2009 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I feel you…I would goto that jawn though.

http://www.mmaforreal.com

by Kelvin Hunt on Mar 16, 2009 9:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If anything

These reruns UFC airs on Spike confuse the crap outta the casual fans. Its made to look live and a lot of my buddies (who are mostly casual fans) get all confused with who’s the champ at what time and who beat who and “is this a rematch”? lol Just wish they wouldn’t do it. I do understand why they do it but I dont like it. At all. If he could just lay off one promotion it should be SF. To me this doesnt help the sport grow, Dana.

Poll:

Should Zuffa Counter Program other promotions?

Yes – 100%
No – 0%

I have Showtime and I’ll be watching fo sho! Having a party for it too. My friends are like, “Strikeforce”? I said just come its like UFC there will be beer, food and good fights in sweet HD goodness!

xFenixKnightx, helping the sport grow. lol

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Mar 16, 2009 10:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL@ that poll! You wild Fenix! In terms of helping the sport grow….some people would say that UFC 94 would never be on Spike if not for Strikeforce doing this show…what about the million or so that will see UFC 94 that haven’t seen it yet?

http://www.mmaforreal.com

by Kelvin Hunt on Mar 16, 2009 10:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

:)

“what about the million or so that will see UFC 94 that haven’t seen it yet?”

Agreed, but… what about showing it on a weekend when nothing else is on aka a lot of weekends. :P

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Mar 16, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol..

Well, that just wouldn’t be Dana White now would it? :) The guy is a competitor no matter how you want to look at it…and if UFC 94 does particularly well, I’m sure we’ll hear about it from Spike TV.

http://www.mmaforreal.com

by Kelvin Hunt on Mar 16, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I take it back

Dana shouldn’t be showing UFC 94 at all. Top to bottom, the card sucked. A lot of casual fans that I watched it with were bored and disappointed. He should air an Ultimate Knockouts show. Unless he’s trying to trick the uninformed into thinking that it’s a free live event.

by steak_knife on Mar 16, 2009 1:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

“AND HERE WE GO!”

ZZZZzzzzzzzz……..

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Mar 16, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watched Dream 7 Friday night on HDNet, now THAT was one boring show. It made me sad :(

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Mar 16, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

~~Friday~~ Saturday

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Mar 16, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

I was gonna post my thoughts on it…but they were the same as everyone else I spoke too…so I just saved myself some time :).

http://www.mmaforreal.com

by Kelvin Hunt on Mar 16, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Smart move.

Gardner and his EPIC FAIL of a brainfart he made me a depressed panda.

“Hello Japan…GAHHH, uh-oh, can’t…breath…probably…shouldn’t…have..done…that!!!”

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Mar 16, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still can’t believe he was that stupid…lol.

http://www.mmaforreal.com

by Kelvin Hunt on Mar 16, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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