Interview of Monte Cox at AdCombat.com

An interview with Monte Cox. A few quotes of him.

Question: What do you think of the viability of pay-per-views outside the UFC at this point?

Monte Cox: I think you have to have big enough names that it works. My company (M-1 Global) has Fedor. He is a big star but we need to match him with another big name for pay-per-view. We wouldn’t take a pay-per-view just on his own. We’re looking at television, not pay-per-view.

Question: Any deal worked out?

Monte Cox: We’ve only been together three months but we’re hoping we’ll have something this month.

Question: Some websites like ProElite.com have streamed undercards or even pay-per-views. Do you have an opinion on that business model?

Monte Cox: I have yet to find one that is clear enough and consistent enough to make it a big deal. I don’t know what the numbers are but normally the people that get it end up being frustrated.

It's really time for M-1 Global to get their TV-deal done. We all remember how much the importance and impact of TV deal on M-1 Global's first real event was previously stressed...

Question: What does the future hold in ’08? What changes do you see coming?

Monte Cox: I think we’ll find MMA on network television. That is going to happen. I think we’ll find another group stepping up maybe not equal to the UFC but in that direction. I think either M-1 Global or Elite or someone will break through and become competitive.

Am I the only one to hear some lack of optimism here?