So you thought last week’s Fight Night 60 was a weak card? Coming up this Sunday live from Brazil, is another abomination of an UFC card, also known as Fight Night 61: Bigfoot vs Mir. I really don’t remember what the original line-up for this event was supposed to look like before the injuries got throught with it… and I can’t even be bothered to look it up. Whatever it was, the final line-up only has two fights that I am even remotely interested in.
Main Event: [#6 HW] Antonio Silva vs [#55 HW] Frank Mir
Worth: $5
Why: This fight is kind of like a horrific car crash. You know you should just keep driving and keep your eyes on the road, but you can’t help rubber-necking to catch a glimpse of the carnage. Mir is a shot fighter, who hasn’t fought in over a year and hasn’t won a fight in 3 years. Not only did he lose his last four fights, he presented zero threat to any of those opponents. There was a point in time when I would have been excited to see Frank getting his face bashed in, but at this point I am more concerned about his health. Mir’s pre-fight statements that his future in the sport depends not on whether he wins or loses this fight but rather on his overall performance does not inspire any confidence either – it’s as if he is already resigned to lose. His opponent ‘Bigfoot’ Silva has been hot-or-cold through most of his career, and may also be a bit chinny; but while Mir has decent KO power, his robotic striking is unlikely to present a serious threat to Silva. Frank’s only hope to finish up his career on a win is if Bigfoot decides to test his grappling mettle and takes the fight it to the ground. More likely, this will end with fifth consecutive loss and forced retirement for Mir.
Fight: [#9 LW] Edson Barboza vs [#13 LW] Michael Johnson
Worth: $10
Why: This should be the real main event of the card, as it’s a very relevant fight between two highly ranked young prospects in the UFC’s deepest division. Alas, due to name recognition these guys have to play second fiddle to a couple of mostly washed-up heavyweights. The winner of this fight will solidify their spot in the Top 10, and move a step closer to title contention in the ultra-competitive lightweight talent pool.
Fox Sports 1 Card Worth: $15
Event Price: $5 (see how I came up with this valuation)
Net Value: $10.00
Fight Pass Prelims Worth: $0
Fight Pass Year-to-Date Cost: $19.98
Fight Pass Year-to-Date Value: $-14.98
Fox Sports 1 YTD Worth: $54.50
Fox Sports 1 YTD Valuation: $21
Net Value: $33.50