UFC 136: 5 Ways the UFC Can Draw More Fans to Its Facebook Prelims

This weekend, UFC 136 is going to kick off with some fights on Facebook before it gets to its Spike TV prelims and than the pay-per-view main event.

It's well known that the UFC can't put prelim fights on TV anywhere, but on Spike unless the TV station passes them up first.

So the UFC opted to put them on the Internet via Facebook.  Most of the fights are fun, but because they are lacking marquee names they probably don't do as well as they could.

That is fine, but there are ways that the UFC could help its use of Facebook to make the fights more appealing and get more fans to tune in.

Play Up the International Fighters Who Are on the Undercard

The Internet has made it so that our world is more connected then it ever has been.  

Part of that means that people can interact with others from foreign countries and see things with ease that would have been impossible only a few decades ago.

The UFC could play up that it has its only Chinese fighter in the undercard or that a Croatian is fighting on Facebook.  A little variety never hurt anybody, and it might intrigue fans who thought about otherwise passing it up.

The best part of marketing these fighters is that the hardcore fans who might have heard about them will get to see them in action.

Better still...

Fans from All over the World Can Interact

By putting on fighters from foreign nations, it also attracts fans from those nations as well.

Croatian and Chinese fans might start interacting with American and Canadian fans who are watching.  Anything that helps fans from all over connect because of their love of the sport is always a good thing.  It helps to breed camaraderie and a feeling that the sport is global.

In a sense, the UFC could be part of the technology that is bringing people and sports fans together.

It makes sense as, just like technology, the UFC seems to be on the cutting edge.

Letting Fans Bet on the Fights... Sort of

Letting fans gamble on fights might be irresponsible, but the UFC could create a contest.

Instead of having fans gamble, they could simply have fans guess who will win the fight, what round, and by what means.  Whoever gets it right wins a free t-shirt or some other piece of UFC merchandise.

It wouldn't cost the UFC a lot of money, and fans would love the ability to win something free and bet without the chance of losing something.

And if fans have a vested interest in winning something free, there will be a better chance that they tune in to watch the fight.

Having Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg Quote Fan Comments Between Fights

Fans who post on Facebook are already vocal.  They want their voices to be heard. 

What better way then to let the two main voices of the UFC (aside from Dana White) announce what those fans are thinking?

It would be a little cheesy, but it might get fans to watch and comment just to get a shout out from the UFC announce team.

Rogan and Goldberg could even mention the person's twitter or e-mail if the fan chose to put it in the message.

Fans Can Let the UFC Know Who They Want to See More of

Maybe there is a fighter who stands out this Saturday night on the Facebook prelims.  The best way to see who might get a push is for the UFC to let the fans have a chance at voting for their favorite.

This way, a fighter who might have lost or who is toiling on the undercard might get a shot that he otherwise wouldn't have.

It's the ultimate thing that the UFC could do for fans, which is to give them control.

It's also a great way for the UFC to see who might become an emerging star that connects with fans.

Your Thoughts

What do you think?

What are some ways the UFC can help improve their Facebook fights?

Let your thoughts be known in the comments below.

And as always, thanks for reading.