Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
UFC 114 is benefiting from one of the most resonant trash talking campaigns in history, as the friction between headliners Quinton Jackson and Rashad Evans continues to draw high television ratings and rudimentary conference calls spark headlines about everything from past fights to race relations.
The second installment of Spike TV’s “Primetime” documentary series on the fight drew 875,000 average viewers for its first airing. It’s a drop from the record rating for last week’s premiere, but still in the all-time top tier of ratings for UFC hype specials.
The special showed Evans doing high-intensity circuit workouts and training in Denver with Shane Carwin and Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal. Scenes of trainer Trevor Wittman’s daughter running around the gym segued into Evans having a video conference with his children in Chicago. Evans sent Jackson a Snuggie in the mail, presumably for him to wear after he gets knocked out cold. Jackson arrived in Las Vegas and trained at Striking Unlimited, growling and hollering during pad work.
The program aired after the UFC held its standard media conference call featuring both main eventers, which turned into a highly entertaining, stream-of-consciousness series of insults. Evans accused Jackson of perpetuating black stereotypes by pretending he didn’t understand “big words”; ESPN reporter Franklin McNeil had used the words “detriment” and “advantageous” in an earlier question to Jackson. Rampage ribbed Evans on his sexuality on several occasions, riffing on his tight fight shorts and nipple-pinching pre-fight ritual.
UFC 114, to be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is close to sold out. The MGM opened a closed circuit screening party for spectators who couldn’t score tickets. The UFC will also host its second Fan Expo the weekend of the event. A grappling tournament held in conjunction with the event will feature Takanori Gomi vs. Shane Roller, Shayna Baszler vs. Penny Thomas, Bill Cooper vs. Hermes Franca, Fredson Paixao vs. Caol Uno and Jeff Glover vs. Javier Vazquez.
The UFC announced this week it will stage a similar convention in Boston when it makes its first stop in the city for UFC 118 on Aug. 28.