After making significant strides in the MMA promotional world that is under a strangle-hold by Dana White and his UFC brand, Bellator looked to cement its franchise as a premier product with its first official pay-per-view (PPV) event. The card's success originally banked yesteryear MMA legends Tito Ortiz and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson meeting rising Bellator staples Alexander Shlemenko and Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal, supporting an anticipated prizefight between Chandler and Alvarez. Jackson v. "King Mo" was upgraded to the main event after the rubber match between Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler had to be scratched due to a last-minute injury to Alvarez. This was a colossal blow to the PPV potential as the Alvarez v. Chandler championship bout was a highly anticipated war of attrition; these men had engaged in two brutal affairs with each having claimed a victory. The third match was to settle it between the two warriors, and MMA fans around the world were looking forward to the projected carnage.
While definitely a risky move to continue the event as a PPV (considering what has been lost), it was not surprising when the Bellator brain trust chose to move forward. This inaugural event is actually the second attempt at a PPV show. The first, scheduled for this past November, had to be downgraded due to injury: Jackson was slated to face Ortiz but Tito had to pullout leading the card back to the Spike Television Network. Being subjected to a second failed endeavor did not appear to be an option for a promotional company that feels it is on the verge of worldwide acclaim.
With Chandler left to face a lesser opponent, Jackson v. Lawal has the daunting task of drawing fans to open their wallets and shell out PPV dollars. The way the contest has been marketed, it really outlines the fact that outside of a "grudge" match, this fight has little in the way of value in the Bellator rankings and the MMA world at large. Still, Jackson possesses a name, and fans looking for a trip down memory lane might respond out of loyalty to see their man claim victory one more time before he calls it a career.
The fight itself is has all the markers of one that will be fought in spurts. "Rampage" is long in the tooth with over 45 combats in a career spanning over 15 years. Although the former UFC titlist made his bones by beating several legends of the sport in thrilling fashion, the fact remains that Jackson is 35 years old, so his fury can only be sustained for a few seconds at a time. There is little question that "Rampage" will have moments of chaos but they will be few and far between. Basically, if the fight wears on, Jackson is likely to wear out.
As for "King Mo," the former Strikeforce belt holder has never defeated anyone of the caliber of a prime Jackson; his drawing power is exceedingly questionable, if not absent all together. Still, Lawal has clearly shown and voiced that he despises Jackson, so one must believe that "King Mo" will be gunning for blood and do his best to end things quickly. This could translate to a fire fight and early, but ultimately short-lived, action.
The bottom line is that Bellator will have to live with whatever numbers arise from this version of the proposed original. It is difficult to see huge numbers but there is a chance that Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's name might still hold enough cache to salvage this from being a total loss for the company. The saga continues for the Bellator franchise.
Sergio L. Martinez
www.convictedartist.com
