UFC on FOX: Why UFC on FOX Will over-Shadow Pacquiao vs Marquez

UFC on FOX is the sporting event on November 12th, not Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Marquez.

Pacquiao vs. Marquez may garner millions of pay-per-view buys, and perform better on pay-per-view than many of the UFC's cards in 2011, but it means little in the grand scheme of combat sports.

Pacquiao, being one of the most talked about boxers in the world today, will gain the sport of boxing some interest for a little bit and talk of Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather will circulate.

There will be some buzz for a while. However, when people realize that Pacquiao vs. Mayweather isn't happening (and that even if it did happen, boxing would still die), boxing will again fade from public interest.

Compare this to the UFC on FOX.

Yes, it's only one fight, and yes, it's 'afraid' of going head-to-head with the Pacquiao-Marquez fight but its long term implications are far more important than anything boxing can produce in its current state.

UFC on FOX will present the UFC product to millions upon millions of fans for the very first time. The UFC fanbase will dramatically increase in size overnight as a result.

Can Pacquiao-Marquez boast the same?

Of course not.

Pacquiao-Marquez will just appease the graying boxing fanbase and do nothing to bring new life into the decaying sport.

UFC on FOX is an event that will be talked about at water-coolers around the world on Monday morning but not only that. It'll be one of the most important milestones in the history of combat sports while Pacquiao-Marquez will go down in history as just another boxing match.