5 Reasons UFC 147 Should Be a Free Card

Given the suddenly watered-down feel to UFC 147, Dana White and Co. should really consider doing something unprecedented and make the scheduled pay-per-view a free event.

This isn't a complaint that we aren't offered enough fights for free—with the advent of Facebook fights and free cards appearing on both FX and Fuel TV quite often, the UFC definitely doesn't owe the fans anymore free fights than we already get.

However, there are some great reasons as to why UFC 147 would be better served as a free fight card for fans to enjoy without laying down their hard-earned cash.

Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen Rematch Moved

At one point, it looked like UFC 147 may be the biggest event of the year. A card featuring the biggest rematch in the history of the business between middleweight champion Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen would have scored huge numbers in terms of Pay-Per-View buy-rates.

The greatest UFC champion of all time defending his belt against his most competitive rival could have sold a huge amount of pay-per-views if it was the only fight on the card. Ever since Sonnen gave Silva the greatest challenge he has ever faced in his career, fans have clamored to see the rematch.

Unfortunately, fans will have to wait a few more weeks to see the highly-anticipated rematch as the fight was moved to UFC 148 in Las Vegas due to concern over travel accommodations being impacted by a meeting of the UN on that same weekend.

Without one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the year, the card received its first major downgrade.

Vitor Belfort out Against Wanderlei Silva

Softening the blow of losing the Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen rematch was the fact that Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva were promoted to main event status as the two reignited their old rivalry after a stint as opposing coaches on TUF: Brazil.

Now it appears that the meeting of these two Brazilian fan favorites is off as Vitor Belfort suffered a broken hand and has pulled out of the fight. The mad dash for a replacement opponent is under way but it's unlikely that they will find another opponent that will create the buzz that Belfort vs. Silva would have created—especially given Belfort's celebrity status in Brazil.

Without Belfort vs. Silva, the UFC 147 fight card is once again left without a bonafide main event to carry good pay-per-view numbers.

TUF Finales Aren't Pay-Per-View Worthy

With The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil wrapping up, the show's finale figures to play a large role in filling out a card that is pretty empty for an event less than a month away.

While TUF finales usually offer an entertaining night of fights, it's the show that creates the interest because fans have spent the last 10 or more weeks following their journey through the house and we feel invested in them.

The first international edition of the show has only been made available to Americans through online streaming, and given the domestic version of the show's struggle to garner ratings, it stands to reason the Brazilian version hasn't been very popular in the States either.

While witnessing some of the best Brazilian prospects in the sport is sure to offer some entertainment, they simply don't have the cache to carry a pay-per-view event.

The Timing Is Not Great

Charging the same price for UFC 147 as you would for UFC 146 and UFC 148 is akin to charging the same price for a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, a Baconator and a Triple Cheeseburger.

One card is significantly less beefy than the other.

UFC 146 featured an all-heavyweight card that gave fans a night full of exciting finishes that culminated in a dominant title defense. The card delivered on all accounts and was well worth the price of admission.

UFC 148 could be the most hyped card of the year and features a middleweight championship bout, an interim bantamweight championship match and some of the most recognizable veterans in the history of the organization such as Forrest Griffin, Rich Franklin and Tito Ortiz. Long story short, it is well worth the price.

For the same price as the card before and after it, UFC 147 offers one legend facing a yet-to-be-named opponent in Wanderlei Silva and a decent heavyweight collision in Fabricio Werdum and Mike Russow. It's hard to justify the card being worth the cost.

Wanderlei's Appeal to the Mainstream Audience Is Ideal for National TV

If the UFC decides to move the card to free television, all is not lost. Wanderlei Silva is the perfect star to showcase on television; his ultra-aggressive style has always made him a fan favorite and he is never engaged in a boring fight.

The UFC has made a conscious effort to put good fights on TV and quite simply—you can't go wrong with Wanderlei. Whomever they decide to replace Vitor Belfort with isn't likely to sell a bunch of pay-per-views, but the fight could create a good buzz on television and the UFC could use that to pump even more promotion into the mammoth UFC 148 card that will define the summer.

By moving UFC 147 to free television, the organization can salvage what's left of the event.