In July, the UFC officially added Reebok as the company’s exclusive clothier. No longer would contracted fighters wear non-UFC sponsors on their shirts, shorts or hats as “fight kits” would be issued for each fighter. In addition, we said goodbye to fight sponsor banners. The overarching issue was the new pay structure which drew the […]
15 for 15
15 for 15: No. 7 – UFC’s legal battle in New York
The lawsuit filed by the UFC, its contracted fighters and others seeking to overturn the law prohibiting MMA in the state seemingly came to an end in March when Judge Kimba Wood dismissed the remaining claims against the state of New York. However, that was not it for the legal maneuverings for the UFC in […]
15 for 15: No. 8 MMA Free Agency
Free agency in MMA has been a relative unknown for fighters but with the Reebok sponsorship deal plus other organizations willing to pay them more than the UFC’s seemingly lockstep rate, fighters are thinking about testing the waters. Benson Henderson and Aljamain Sterling are the first fighters to take their careers in their own hands […]
15 for 15: No. 9 Nick Diaz vs. NSAC
Nick Diaz returned to the octagon in February 2015 to face Anderson Silva at UFC 183. No one would have thought that each fighter would test positive for banned substances let alone the penalty issued Diaz. Not surprising, but Diaz tested positive for marijuana. Although Diaz’s lawyers pointed out inconsistencies with the testing, the commission […]
15 for 15: No. 10 Bellator’s successful tentpole events
Following up on a successful tentpole event in November 2014, Bellator held a three more tent pole events on SpikeTV. Overall, the events and ratings have been a success. Shamrock-Kimbo, St. Louis, MO, June 2015 – The long-awaited fight that was supposed to take place in EliteXC, but due to a Ken Shamrock injury, Seth […]