Whether they know it or not, Affliction is looking at a golden opportunity right now. Women’s MMA was on the rise after EliteXC spent millions hyping Gina Carano and a potential fight between her and Chris Santos. That matchup is still fresh in the minds of 4.5 million viewers who just saw them win a few weeks ago, so the demand is definitely there. If Affliction is smart, they’ll snatch up ALL the women in MMA and make that one of their niche’s instead of letting them scatter to the four winds where they’ll end up in obscurity. The UFC bought the WEC and made it a home for the lighter weights. Affliction should follow suit and make a home for women’s MMA to support their marquee fighters. More on that issue on Wednesday.

I think the UFC has been waiting for the time to strike (pun intended) in the UK and they set themselves up perfectly for this one. Judging by how much attention they have given to all of the non-U.S. markets lately I don't think they are as concerned with whether they can keep the flare of TUF as bright here. I am not saying that they don't want to grow here but if they can keep the U.S. vs. "Any other nation or region" theme going then the true US fans will stay on for that and with each season they will add a significant number of people in the new region. All they need is an Ambassador to each one so that they have a solid headliner for their initial venue(s) to the region. They are taking over the world, no doubt about it.
-Michael Moore

The UFC wants to be global because they think there are markets out there that just need to be tapped into the reap rewards. I think they’re right, but I question how successful the TUF business model will be overseas. It’s true that a record number of applicants showed up at the TUF tryouts in England last week, but that’s a developed, English-speaking nation (duh). Most homes own TVs and don’t need translators. Try that in the Philippines or Mexico-two markets the UFC wants to break into-and they’ll have a different result. But then again Dana White’s philosophy on the sport going global is actually pretty sound. He knows that you don’t need to speak English to watch a fight. Hell, you don’t even need to know what the rules are or that there even are any. If you turn your TV on and two guys are fighting, then who cares what Joe Rogan is saying. It’s a fight and you’re hooked. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world because it doesn’t take anything to play. Makeshift nets and a goats head for a ball will do just fine, so millions of kids grow up playing it in some form or another. White thinks MMA can rival soccer globally for the same reason-you don’t need ANY equipment to get into a fight and millions of kids grow up doing it. He thinks he can translate that youthful angst into dlooars overseas. He may be right.

Kelly Crigger is a freelance MMA writer and author of the book "Title Shot: Into the Shark Tank of Mixed Martial Arts" which you can purchase by clicking here. Contact him through his website at IntoTheSharkTank.com