Updated: UWF and Cinco De Mayo

The UWF announced this event on their official Facebook page. Looks like they are going to do a tournament of sorts, not sure how well they’ll be able to pull off a tournament. I think Bellator has been the only organization in the post-PRIDE era that has been really great at pulling off tournaments and being successful. Over in Japan, DREAM has had some good tournaments too, their initial lightweight tournament was fantastic stuff but they’ve been struggling these last few years.

But the bigger issue here is that UWF has decided to hold this event on Cinco De Mayo. That’s a terrible decision on so many levels. All of the sporting and entertainment events that are going to take place on Cinco De Mayo are going to totally over shadow this minor regional MMA event. The best boxer of the modern era, Floyd Mayweather Jr., is going to be fighting against Miguel Cotto on that very night. On the undercard to that fight, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (already one of the biggest stars in boxing) is fighting Shane Mosley. Those two fights alone would be enough to have a combat sports fan want to stay at home, go to a friends house or go to a bar to watch the fights.

But when you add the fact that UFC on FOX 3 is take place that exact same night, it makes this decision to watch it on TV a no brainer. Nate Diaz, a legitimate top ten fighter who just destroyed Donald Cerrone, is going to be fighting against another top ten fighter in Jim Miller. Both fighters are actual “elite MMA fighters” because of their skills and resume. That fight is going to be five rounds and could be a potential title eliminator if Nate Diaz wins. Then you have another fight, Johny Hendricks fighting against Josh Koscheck in a bout that has serious consequences in the 170 lbs division. You want one more reason? Rousimar Palhares! This scary leglock artist is going to fight against Alan Belcher in a fight that is probably going to be awesome.

So really, a good amount of MMA and boxing fans already have their evenings set for Cinco De Mayo. We are barely in February, imagine how much hype HBO’s 24/7 and UFC are going to give for both their events. By the time we reach May, every boxing and MMA fan in South Texas will be watching one or the other, or both on TV, without even realizing that a UWF event is taking place. It would be wise if UWF moved their event to another date, or else they’ll be putting on an event to a large audience of empty chairs.

Update: I just got word from the UWF that they have realized that Cinco De Mayo would not be the best day for them considering the level of competition that they are against. They have now decided to have the event on May 4th, 2012. I applaud their decision, I feel they made the right move.