“I feel great about it [being on the Fight Pass prelims]. After they broke down everything to me, the plan and the things that they want to do with the platform, it just made sense. When you assess the key demographic target that they’re trying to appeal to, you can see that better platform to tailor to their needs is Fight Pass. I’m excited to be a part of it. The one thing I’d like to see, and I spoke to Eric Winter [Senior VP & GM of Fight Pass] about this, if there’s a way that they can incorporate bar owners being able to display the Fight Pass prelims at the bars and restaurants. That would be a huge thing. Now that MMA has become legalized in NY. I can get a fight right before the big NY card, get people familiarized with my face, especially being the hometown kid, and I’d be able to maybe pick up a few outside sponsors from around the way. That was my whole thinking behind that. And you know what? If I’m going to get the same media attention being the featured bout on the prelims as I would if I were on the main card portion, it works out as a win-win for me. Either way, people all over the world are going to be able to watch me, so I’m very excited about it.“
-Aljamain Sterling talks about his spot on UFC Fight Pass on tonight’s UFC Fight Night 88 card in an interview with the “Three Amigos Podcast” (via BloodyElbow.com).
Penick’s Analysis: The problem with the bars and restaurants idea is a lot of fans aren’t out at those bars for the early prelims on fight night. Sterling’s getting a lot of attention and a bigger push than just about anyone else on the card, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s fighting at 6:30PM ET when the main event isn’t on until 11:30PM ET. Not every fan tunes in for the entire fight card, and many don’t tune in until the main card at the earliest. Some may tune in just for him tonight, and it might be easier if it were available in bars, but at the same time it could be something fans watch on a mobile device or at home before heading out later in the night as well.
[Photo (c) Bill Streicher via USA Today Sports]
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