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UFC News (Exclusive): Latest out of Saudi Arabia regarding UFC 112 hype, reaction to new Anderson Silva opponentn, B.J. Penn bootlegging, TV ads, billboards
MMATorch correspondent Ian Saul sent the following additional notes regarding anticipation for UFC 112 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
- Strangely, Abu Dhabi is not over run by UFC although it is a major topic of conversation in the hotels where the Ex-pats go to drink with a large amount of the hotel bars showing old UFC events on their screens.
- There are a few billboards up in the city with the majority being around the venue of the show, but the billboards are advertising the PPV rather than the event itself. The advertisement on the UFC side could do with some improving where as both in Saudi and Abu Dhabi the television companies seem to be spending a lot more on the advertisement.
- The TV advertisement of the event is constant in both KSA and Abu Dhabi with multiple channels having repeated adverts around the clock
- In Saudi, the main topic of conversation surounding the even is the excitement of the live big screen showings at the various work camps and the open-to-the-public nature of them. The main companies are seeing this as a really good opportunity to make links with the local community. My own company is flying in six company directors to observe what is seen as a "winning hearts and minds" exercise.
- The other thing that has been very noticeable is the proliferation of bootlegging. "The Prodigy" shirts have suddenly become the cool thing to wear by men in their 20s (although comedically we have seen people with t-shirts of the band "the prodigy" who's music is banned in the KSA). The t-shirts are simply black with the nickname in white lettering on the back and they are everywhere!
- There is disappointment with Anderson Silva's opponent as people are saying they don't think that Damien Miai has earned the opportunity and they think it will be a less exciting fight.
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