Politics not usual: UFC campaigns for Reid in Nevada
October 31, 2010
When the mid-term elections are held Tuesday, the UFC will be an interested party when voters hit the polls.
The UFC gave a helping hand to Senator Harry Reid of Nevada as he attempts to defeat challenger Sharron Angle. Reid, a notable UFC fan, has received received help from Dana White, Chuck Liddell, Frank Mir and Randy Couture. Recently, White and Liddell made an appearance with Reid at UNLV. Reid is a fan of the UFC and has even used tickets to sit with him and Dana White at a UFC event as a fundraiser.
UFC fighters were not the only sports figures endorsing Reid. As you may have seen on HBO’s 24/7 Saturday night, you saw Manny Pacquiao take a break from training to make an appearance on behalf of the Democrat from Nevada (according to the show, the appearance was made at the request of Bob Arum).
The Political web site, Politico, wrote about Reid using White, et al. as campaign endorsers.
Reid’s partnership with the UFC comes at a time when Democrats are delivering harsh criticisms of World Wrestling Entertainment under former CEO Linda McMahon, now the Republican Senate nominee in Connecticut.
New York legalization is UFC’s “holy grail,” said Ted Butryn, professor of sports psychology and sociology at San Jose State University who studies the sport. “It makes perfect sense that Dana White would look for powerful friends like Harry Reid.”
Payout Perspective:
White and the UFC are new to political campaigns. However, politicians see the popularity the UFC has with the 18-34 male demographic and hope that its endorsement will help. Conversely, the UFC hopes its involvement in politics will curry favor for its interests (e.g., NY regulation).
It is interesting to note that Republican Randy Couture actively came out to campaign for Reid. His endorsement makes valid sense since Reid’s support could help the expansion of the UFC.
It may be hard to judge to see whether the UFC influence helped or hurt Senator Reid, but the partnership of Reid and the UFC reflects the popularity the UFC has with the 18-34 demographic.
UFC overtakes WWE in PPV buys
October 6, 2010
Barron’s featured former WWE CEO/Senatorial Candidate Linda McMahon and the decline in finances of World Wrestling Entertainment. As McMahon’s political career heats up, the WWE business is cooling.
The article points out that the past three years; WWE popularity has taken a nose dive whereas the UFC has taken over in PPV dominance.
Revenues began to slip at WWE well before Linda [McMahon] left and eventually won the Republican nomination to face Democrat Richard Blumenthal in what looks like a tight contest. In 2009, total sales of $475 million were down 10%. But [WWE] Chief Financial Officer George Barrios proudly notes that profit margins have generally improved since he arrived in 2008. He says WWE earnings should rise when the company finds new performers that connect with its fans. “We are actually pretty happy with the way we’re doing,” says the financial chief.
Payout Perspective:
A reason for the decline in the WWE PPV buys has to do with the poor economy and the frequency of PPVs. Not only does the WWE compete with the UFC for PPV dollars, it is being challenged by rival wrestling organization, TNA, a league that includes Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and Cactus Jack – notable wrestling figures albeit older. As Barrios indicates, the WWE needs to find a new performer to connect with fans. Although John Cena is a viable candidate, he cannot carry both its Raw brand on USA and Smackdown on the SyFy network. If you do tune in, there are many younger wrestlers that have been given the chance to become the next big thing. But, they have not found the popularity or gimmick that will sell them to the fans.
PPV fatigue can be another reason for the WWE decline in numbers. As mentioned, the lack of recognizable stars along with the saturation (WWE has 3 or 4 original programs on per week) on TV plus the tightening of discretionary income may equal the decline of WWE PPV buys.
The UFC rise in popularity the past couple years is another reason for the decline of the WWE PPV numbers. With the slowed economy, many fans are choosing the UFC over the WWE when it comes to spending their discretionary income on PPVs.
It will be interesting to see how the UFC PPV numbers will be for UFC 121 as the UFC seems to be heavily promoting this show hoping for a big gate and PPV buys. Also, after UFC 121, Zuffa will have done 4 live shows in the past 30 days. The lukewarm reviews of UFC 119 were a red flag for many UFC fans that usually made the monthly PPV purchase. Bloody Elbow notes how some have criticized the UFC for possible PPV-fatigue which has shown through lack of production innovation and a failure to stock its monthly cards with marketable stars. Certainly, the WWE decline in PPV buys could happen to the UFC down the road. It will be up to the UFC to see how it can sustain its market of PPV buys.
MMAterial Facts (07/09/10): Australia, Canada, Germany and China Notes
July 9, 2010
- Two-year Vancouver trial MMA period disappoints, fires head of athletic commission
- Ultimate fight: to convince Victoria
- UFC Hires Leadership to Open China Office
- UFC Announces Anti-Piracy Settlements with 500 Businesses and Individuals
- Strikeforce’s Upcoming Schedule; UFC 119, 120, 121 Announcements
Two-year Vancouver trial MMA period could end with only one pro event having been held
Ongoing insurance and indemnity issues surrounding professional mixed martial arts in the city of Vancouver could well see the two-year trial of regulated MMA pass with only a single professional event having been held, according to Vision Vancouver city council member Dr Kerry Jang and licensing staffer Tom Hammel. (Vancouver Sun)
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Vancouver fires head of athletic commission
City council fired the head of the Vancouver Athletic Commission on Thursday after city staff and others complained about his conduct during the recent debate over allowing an Ultimate Fighting Championship event.
Citing a lack of confidence in Mirko Mladenovic, the council appointed Dave Rudberg, a longtime city bureaucrat, to replace him as head of the commission when it reconvenes later this month. (Vancouver Sun)
Ultimate fight: to convince Victoria (Australia)
THE Ultimate Fighting Championship will use Geelong star George Sotiropoulos and the lure of a $15 million tourist injection to convince the Victorian government to allow cage-fighting into Melbourne, after the sport was again rejected by the state.
Having sold out its debut Australian event at the 17,000-capacity Acer Arena in Sydney in February within 90 minutes, the UFC will be returning early next year but wants to infiltrate the Victorian market, with figures suggesting the state harbours the most mixed martial arts fans in the country. (Sydney Morning Herald)
UFC Hires Leadership to Open China Office
The UFC’s global expansion has become a business in and of itself lately, and the next stop for the promotion will be in China.
Just weeks after the UFC opened an office in Canada – with former CFL commissioner Tom Wright leading the charge – the company hired a leader for a new office in China, which should open in the next few weeks. (MMAWeekly) … (MMAPayout Perspective)
UFC Announces Anti-Piracy Settlements with 500 Businesses and Individuals
The organization today announced it has reached “confidential settlements” with more than 500 businesses and individuals as a result of illegal broadcasts and viewing of UFC events…The settlements span over the past two years.
“We are committed to standing toe to toe with anyone trying to illegally broadcast or stream UFC events,” UFC President Dana White stated. “Today’s announcement further drives home the fact that we are fully prepared to pursue any business or individual that steals our programming.” (MMAJunkie) … (MMAPayout Perspective)
Strikeforce’s Upcoming Schedule; UFC 119, 120, 121 Announcements
Strikeforce Houston Card (8/21): “King Mo” Lawal (7-0) vs Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (9-2) [LHW Title] , Tim Kennedy (12-2) vs “Jacare” Souza (12-2) [Vacant MW Title], KJ Noons (9-2) vs Jorge Gurgel (13-6), Bobby Lashley (5-0) vs TBA, POSS: Sergei Kharitonov (16-4) vs Antonio “Big Foot” Silva (14-2) … all announced for the card at the Toyota Center. Erin Toughill (10-2) vs Shana Olsen (4-0) is also now rumored for this event, where the winner would take on “Cyborg” Santos in a future 145 lbs Title bout.
Strikeforce Phoenix (8/13): J. Riggs (32-11) v L. Taylor(6-1), D. Cormier (2-0) v TBA, Women’s 1-Night 135 lbs GP: Maiju Kujala (4-1), Hitomi Akano (15-7), Miesha Tate (9-2), and TBD.
Strikeforce Washington (7/23): Shane Del Rosario (9-0) v Lolohea Mahe (4-1), Sarah Kaufman (11-0) v Roxanne Modafferi (15-5) [135 lbs Title], Mike Kyle (16-7) v Abongo Humphrey (7-1), Corey Devela (9-4) v Bobby Voelker (21-8).
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UFC 119: A rematch between heavyweights Frank Mir (13-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (32-6-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC) headlines September’s UFC 119 event. (MMAJunkie) .. this event is also set to have Ryan Bader vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira as the co-main event, which would be the first time in UFC history to have twins headlining an event.
UFC 120: A middleweight bout between Michael Bisping and Yoshihiro Akiyama will be part of October’s UFC 120 event in London. (MMAJunkie) .. the event is also set to have Dan Hardy vs Carlos Condit as the co-main event, which is scheduled to be televised on Spike TV from London.
UFC 121 : Was originally rumored to be taking place in Germany, is now reported to be on the move by MMAJunkie, likely heading to California. Germany is currently trying to make the UFC reconsider their plans of moving into the country, as was reported back in March when Germany officials banned the UFC from television. The rumored main-event here was Vitor Belfort (19-8) versus the winner of Anderson Silva (26-4)/Chael Sonnen (24-10).
UPDATE: Brock Lesnar vs Cain Velasquez signed for UFC 121 (MMAFighting). Belfort versus either Silva or Sonnen possible as the co-main event.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
- DREAM.15 Official Poster (DREAM Website)
QUICK HITS
- FC: The Uprising Airing Live on Viewers Choice Canada (The Fight Network)
- HDNet to Broadcast ‘HDNet Fights: DREAM 15′ Live (PRESS RELEASE)
- SUFFER Signs Robert Drysdale Endorsement Deal (MarketWatch)
- Strikeforce’s August schedule headlined by ‘King Mo’ title defense (LA Times)
- Sifting through the rubble of the Fedor fallout (Yahoo! Sports)
- STRIKEFORCE Looks to Phoenix’s Dodge Theater for AUG. 13 (ULTMMA)
-
Strikeforce Defy Boycott, Put Card in Arizona (Exile In Fightville)
- German UFC lightweight Dennis Siver hoping for MMA acceptance in home country (MMAJunkie)
- Voting ends Saturday for 2010 ESPY voting, UFC’s St-Pierre and Edgar nominated (MMAJunkie)
- Faber Out of WEC 50, Expected Back in September (Sherdog)
- Riggs-Taylor Heads Up Aug. 13 Strikeforce Challengers (Sherdog)
- Strikeforce Champion’s Clause an Issue in Fedor Talks (MMAFighting)
- Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez Won’t Happen at UFC 119 (MMAFighting)
- CAIN VELASQUEZ WAITING ON A CALL FROM THE UFC (MMAWeekly)
- SYLVIA VS. BUENTELLO IN AUGUST; PULVER RETURNS (MMAWeekly)
- Erin Toughill Likely For August 21st in Houston (MMARising)
- Torres vs. Valencia Slated For Co-Main Event Of WEC 51 (Heavy)
- UFC 121 In The Works For Oct. 23 in Anaheim (Heavy)
TV LISTINGS
- HDNet Fights: XFC: The Next Generation at 9 PM ET on HDNet (07/09/10)
- Fighting Words with Mike Straka (Frank Shamrock) at 1 AM ET on HDNet (07/10/10)
- HDNet Fights: Affliction Day Of Reckoning at 1:30 AM ET on HDNet (07/10/10)
- HDNet Fights: DREAM.15 at 3 AM ET on HDNet (07/10/10)
UPCOMING EVENTS
- HDNet Fights: XFC: The Next Generation at 9 PM ET on HDNet (07/09/10)
- HDNet Fights: DREAM.15 at 3 AM ET on HDNet (07/10/10)
- Strikeforce Challengers: Del Rosario vs Mahe at 10 PM ET/PT on Showtime(07/23/10)
- HDNet Fights: K-1 World Max 2010 Final 10 PM ET on HDNet (07/23/10)
- HDNet Fights: K-1 World GP 2010 at 10 PM ET on HDNet (07/23/10)
- UFC on Versus 2 : Jones vs Matyushenko at 10 PM ET on Versus (08/01/10)
- Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs Taylor 10 PM ET/PT on Showtime (08/13/10)
- HDNet Fights: KOTC: Imminent Danger at 9 PM ET on HDNet (08/13/10)
- UFC 117 : Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen at 10 PM ET on PPV (08/18/10)
- WEC 50: Cruz vs Benavidez at 9 PM ET on Versus (08/18/10)
- Strikeforce: King Mo vs Rafael Feijao at 10 PM ET/PT on Showtime (08/26/10)
- HDNet Fights: Sengoku Raiden Championships 14 on HDNet (08/27/10)
- UFC 118: Edgar vs Penn 2 at 10 PM ET on PPV (08/28/10)
Fedor Loss Not the End of the World
June 28, 2010
He lost. He’s not the invincible machine that everyone thought. He’s human.
Is that not the beauty of this sport? Mixed martial arts has a way of mimicking the trials and tribulations of life in a manner that few sporting events can. The moment that Fedor decided to become more aggressive is the moment that he became perilously vulnerable. How often is that not the case in real life?
Forget the hyperbole you’re hearing. This is not the end of the world. Fedor lost, but losses happen – to everyone – in life and in sport. It’s the ability of someone to bounce back that really matters, and Fedor will have his opportunity.
That is why I’m inclined to think the situation is still very workable for Strikeforce. There was obviously interest in Fedor fighting Overeem, but there’s now probably even greater interest in Fedor fighting Werdum in an immediate rematch. Why? The fans will want to see whether Fedor’s loss was an aberration or a true representation of his fighting ability.
And this is different than a Chuck Liddell fall from grace. It’s not as if Fedor has lost his chin or reflexes – he got caught. That fact may even endear him to fans in a way that a victory over Werdum could not have accomplished. He’s human after all, and that’s something fans can obviously associate with.
Fedor’s return
The question is not, will Fedor be back or will the fans be interested, but what will Strikeforce do to leverage Fedor’s next, and potentially last, fight to improve the organization? The company cannot afford to have this fight accomplish nothing; to have this fight become another one-off that leads to zero gain in terms of awareness, interest, and product consumption. If Strikeforce is going to leverage Fedor in any way, the preparation has to start now.
The first step is to address the Strikeforce roster. The company has been working to sign some really great talent, but none of them have really been given the opportunity to fight on the big stage. If Fedor is gone after this next fight (worst case scenario), then who fills the void? The organization can’t ride UFC and Pride retreads into the limelight.
An obvious solution is to devote more time to showcasing homegrown or emerging talent. The forthcoming middleweight tournament is a perfect avenue to do so, but what beyond that is my question. There needs to be some sort of matchmaking structure and hierarchy that pushes these young guys up the ladder and into more prominent roles within each division.
The other problem is PR. I’ve harped on it before, and I’ll do it again: there’s no consistent information flow between the organization and the fan base. The information gaps might be excusable if Strikeforce were only running four shows a year, but it’s running at least one show per month. Where is the content? This absolutely HAS to change. Strikeforce needs to be communicating with its fans, telling stories and driving interest in its product.
The Challengers Series is just sitting there for all intents and purposes. With the exception of last week, the series has yet to really gain any sort of traction with the fans, the media, or even Strikeforce itself. The organization should be using these monthly events as a way to develop a consistent relationship with the fans.
And if Strikeforce can structure its matchmaking and improve its PR, it may be able to leverage the presence of Fedor, its relationship with Electronic Arts, and the release of its video game to build some awareness and interest in earnest. It’ll be able to use the Fedor fight to shine some light on all of the great things actually going on within the organization. This instead of just having the fight seem like a one-off for fans that won’t pay attention to the organization until the next time Fedor is in the cage.
UFC still lingering
It appeared that all hope of Fedor signing with the UFC had been eliminated after a report surfaced last week alleging that the UFC blocked Tapout from sponsoring the Russian, but this loss does change things slightly. Instead of Fedor not needing the UFC, it’s now the UFC that doesn’t necessarily need Fedor.
The loss won’t change any of the resentment or animosity that has built up between the two factions, but time can heal certain wounds once some of the egos have been removed from the equation. Fedor will still carry a hefty price tag due to his extreme following among the hardcore ranks, but the UFC may still look to sign him once the dust settles in the next few months.
Like I said the other day: nothing in this business is ever quite as it seems.
Fedor Tapout Shirt Nixed
June 26, 2010
Pedro Carassco of BJPenn.com is reporting that Tapout has nixed a potential signature t-shirt deal with Fedor Emelianenko for his fight against Fabricio Werdum allegedly because the UFC threatened the popular MMA clothing line with a lifetime ban from its Octagon if it went through with the deal.
Initially, Fedor Emelianenko, the number one heavyweight fighter in the world, secured a deal to sport the always growing and ever popular “TapOut” clothing line at this weekend’s Strikeforce events.
However, during my time here in San Jose, while spending time with very legitimate sources close to the situation, I was advised that certain parties within the UFC halted TapOuts participation in the event and threatened a UFC lifetime ban, if Emelianenko came out wearing their line.
Payout Perspective:
I want to emphasize that this is still just an allegation. If there’s only one thing you ever learn about the MMA business it’s this: nothing is ever completely as it seems.
However, with that said, I’m inclined to think these allegations are somewhat true based on what we’ve seen from the UFC in previous situations. If you recall, the UFC banned long-time BJ Penn supporter, RVCA, from the octagon last year when it sponsored Fedor against Brett Rogers. RVCA later dropped Fedor and was allowed to return to the octagon.
Thus, it wouldn’t surprise me if the UFC gave Tapout some sort of warning (nor does it surprise me that BJ Penn’s website is the one breaking the story…).
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Why does this make sense for the UFC? I suppose the rationale is two-fold:
1.) Tapout, the world’s premier MMA clothing company, would add credibility to Fedor and Strikeforce through the t-shirt deal.
This is significant when you consider the larger context of the decision. The heavyweight division has always been very important to combat sports, and it bothers the UFC that they do not have the undisputed best heavyweight in the world. The Tapout deal would lend further credibility to Fedor and Strikeforce – although it’s unclear how much – at a time when the UFC is preparing to showcase its own best heavyweights in Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin next week.
Moreover, it’s been widely speculated that a potential Strikeforce PPV hinges on this fight. Here we enter territory where Strikeforce could actually be considered a direct competitor to the UFC.
2.) If Fedor doesn’t want to play ball and make his money in the UFC, then the UFC will make it hard for Fedor to play ball and make his money elsewhere.
This isn’t a move designed to bring Fedor back to the bargaining table. It’s a demonstration of the same “with us or against us” mentality that the company has always demonstrated in its business practices. If Fedor doesn’t want to play ball with the UFC – which assuredly drives Dana and Lorenzo crazy – then the UFC is going to do everything in its power to ensure Fedor cannot associate with anything closely related to the UFC, in order to benefit for himself.
I’m not sure I agree with the logic, but I can see the UFC’s side of the argument. I can also try to put myself in Dana White’s shoes as he’s assuredly endured some frustration in dealing with the numerous talking heads and flip-flopping position of M-1 Global and Fedor Emelianenko.
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There are obviously multiple other perspectives, here.
- The Fedor/Strikeforce contingent is likely angry, because it misses out on sponsorship money, the credibility it would add to the brand, and marketing channels that Tapout has at its disposal.
- Tapout is disappointed, because the t-shirt would have sold well amongst the hardcore crowd. I’m sure, depending on what actually happened (i.e., the nature of the UFC coercion), the company might also feel one half obligated and the other half betrayed. Tapout has stuck with the UFC through thick and thin, but it’s also been a mutually beneficial partnership: Tapout has built its brand largely on the back of the UFC, but has also helped to support the UFC and its fighters in the leaner years.
- The fighters will probably see this as a UFC power move that’s taking money away from one of their own. I can almost guarantee that the decision hasn’t earned the UFC any extra good will amongst the ranks, which is potentially a dangerous long-term consequence of this move.
- The fans are likely to see this entire thing from the perspective of Fedor and Strikeforce. In general, the MMA fan base has traditionally been very pro-fighter and pro-competition. It’s understandable, but sometimes the sentiment, while good intentioned, is misguided and uninformed (e.g., the reaction to disclosed payout releases or the entire fighter pay discussion as a whole).
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What are the long-term consequences of this decision? The UFC may have done more harm than good with this decision:
1.) The absence of the Tapout shirt may deprive Fedor of some money and Strikeforce of some additional publicity, but it’s not going to thwart them from staging a PPV in the Fall (if Fedor wins).
Moreover, the additional press given to both parties as a result of the UFC’s alleged pressure might outweigh whatever press Fedor and Strikeforce might have received from Tapout anyway. The theory here being that fans would have seen Fedor in a Tapout shirt and thought, “oh that’s cool (but not out of the ordinary for an MMA fighter to wear Tapout)” and that would have been the end of it. A few t-shirts sold, some money made, and everyone moves on. Not so…
2.) The UFC’s apparent involvement isn’t going to thrill the fighters. If you’re a fighter, you understand the sacrifices that other fighters need to make in order to earn a living in the sport. When somebody interferes with a fighter’s ability to earn a living, the natural reaction is one of disdain and resentment – regardless of whether the fighter is in your organization or not. Sometimes its a rational reaction, sometimes its not, but it’s a reaction the UFC may feel the brunt of in the future.
Rampage-Rashad Feud Gone Too Far?
May 20, 2010
Damon Martin of MMAWeekly helps to transcribe part of this week’s UFC 114 media conference call with Rashad Evans and Rampage Jackson that, at several points, became quite heated. Martin then poses the following question:
When does trash talk become political talk become social commentary become hate speech? Were Evans and Jackson over the line with the way they went after each other in a public forum?
That’s a question that’s left to be answered by the public, but it would seem that the side show has diluted a great fight into a hate filled, anger ridden, controversy between two fighters who obviously do not like one another.
Payout Perspective:
Sports are a reflection of society – a reflection that can closely mirror many of the challenges that we all face in our daily lives and provide a platform for us to meet and address those challenges.
Thus, I have no issue with Rampage and Rashad’s escalating war of words. This feud, in many ways, embodies the real life tensions that our world faces today: issues of race, socio-demographics, sexual orientation, and sportsmanship (or lack thereof). These are not things to hide from, nor should they be eschewed to some dark corner of the sports world.
This is a fight sport, but it’s more than just a battle inside the cage – it’s an expression and embodiment of the issues above. Better to have those issues out in the open and this conflict channeled properly than to have it fester beneath the surface and explored in a less controlled environment.
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Regardless of what you think about the feud, it’s tough to deny that this will be a boon for UFC business. This fight will sell like gangbusters – impressive considering it’s not a title fight – and the winner of this fight walks away with a new level of popularity that he can take into his title shot to make that a massive event as well.
McGuinty Playing Hardball in Ontario
March 24, 2010
The Canadian Press is reporting that Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is still playing hardball on the issue of MMA, and that the leader of the Ontario Provincial Government still has no plans to regulate the sport in Canada’s largest province.
Earlier, McGuinty told reporters at the legislature that the MMA debate is a “distraction” and allowing the sport just isn’t on his agenda right now.
There are more important issues the governing Liberals must focus on, such as harmonizing sales taxes and developing clean-water technology, McGuinty added.
“If I was to knock on 1,000 Ontario family doors and ask them for their top three concerns, I’d be surprised if anybody said, ‘Well, my top three, one of those is we’ve got to start this new kind of mixed martial arts in Ontario — that’s going to mean a lot for me and my family and our future together,”‘ he said.
“So it’s just not a priority for our families, so it’s not a priority for me.”
Payout Perspective:
Dana White was in Toronto this week to promote UFC 111 north of the border where the event is expected to generate the highest per capita PPV buyrate of anywhere in the world. Naturally, Premier McGuinty was inundated with questions.
I hate to sound like a broken record on this issue, but it’s going to happen. The only question remaining is when; whether it’s this year, next year, or maybe 2012, nobody knows definitively (although I’d give it going to 2012 only a slight chance).
White mentioned there’s no opposition to the sport in Ontario, but I’m not sure that’s what he meant to say – it’s definitely not accurate. There’s very little opposition – most people are in support, because most people understand what the sport is – but there are pockets of resistance throughout the country that voice many of the same arguments we’ve heard from opposition in the US. A more accurate statement is that the opposition isn’t going to pose a problem.
It won’t be long now before the UFC is breaking its own attendance records at the Rogers Centre in Toronto (where the Blue Jays play) by pacing 70,000 screaming fans into the stadium for a GSP fight.
EA MMA Adds Three More
March 23, 2010
EA Sports has announced the addition of three new fighters to what is already a large fight roster for its up-coming EA MMA title set for release sometime in 2010 (the speculation being August 2010).
Dream 13 participants Joachim Hansen and Josh Barnett have signed on with the video game maker, as well as current UFC fighter Vladimir Matyushenko.
Payout Perspective:
The signing of Matyushenko might come as a surprise to some as he currently fights for the UFC; Dana White is on record saying that he would never sign or employ someone affiliated with the EA MMA game.
While Randy Couture, for the longest time, appeared to be the exception to the rule, White and the UFC have slowly backed away from their position in recent months by expressing public interest in current Strikeforce fighters like Gegard Mousasi, Jake Shields, and of course Fedor Emelianenko.
The initial position of the UFC in this matter was flawed and unsustainable in the long-term. There’s an undeniable level of talent in Strikeforce – at least 5-10 guys that would draw interest from the UFC on the open market – and it would have been impossible for the UFC to justify ignoring any of those fighters in the future just because they took an easy (and well-deserved) paycheck.
The UFC prides itself on having the best talent and putting on the best fights, but it simply wouldn’t have been able to continue with that practice under such strict talent requirements.
"Fighting Politics" Bound to Stir Controversy
March 22, 2010
The MMA documentary, Fighting Politics, has just been released on DVD and Blu Ray and essentially covers the life story of Matt Lindland where fighting and politics are concerned. However, the film also delves into the politics of fighting, which is bound to stir up a host of controversy in the MMA community.
Below is a rather benign promo clip featuring current UFC fighter Chael Sonnen:
Payout Perspective:
The basic premise of the documentary seems to be that Matt Lindland is the best middleweight in the world – certainly the best middleweight you’ve never heard of – and that he was unfairly pushed out of the UFC. At least that’s the impression the main trailer gives off on the movie’s website. Judge for yourself.
What’s particularly interesting, and bound to stir up the most controversy, is the number of known UFC “enemies of state” that appear in the movie (most notably in the trailer) speaking negatively about Dana White and his influence on the sport. Loretta Hunt, Josh Gross, and Jeff Sherwood all get their shots in.
No wonder Dana White and Josh Gross were involved in a text message slugfest last night at UFC on Versus. This could get ugly.
Edit: It apparently already has; Zuffa revoked the credentials for Sherdog two hours before the fight.
Republicans Leverage UFC Events to Boost Fundraising
March 4, 2010
Ben Smith of POLITICO reports in an exclusive that the Republican National Committee is using live events like those of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Professional Bull Riding to attract younger donors.
A major Republican donor described the state of the RNC’s relationship with major donors as “disastrous,” with veteran givers beginning to abandon the committee, which is becoming increasingly reliant on small donors.
The party’s average contribution in 2009, according to the document, was just $40, and the shift toward a financial reliance on the grassroots may help explain Steele’s increasingly strident tone toward the Obama Administration.
While the crude portrayal of Obama may be – as Steele ‘s spokesman put it – “unacceptable,” other elements of the presentation may be of equal interest to close political observers.
The RNC plans to raise $8.6 million from major donors alone in 2010, less than 10% of its total 2009 fundraising take, which was primarily from small donors.”
The center of that plan is an extensive, and colorful, schedule of events. Along with traditional fundraisers with conservative luminaries including Weekly Standard Editor Bill Kristol and former presidential candidate Steve Forbes, the party plans to raise $80,000 for a trip to London to meet David Cameron, the British Conservative Party leader, on September 17.
The RNC’s “Young Eagles” – younger major donors and the only group, according to a major donor, continuing to pull its weight financially – are invited to a “professional bull riding event” in October, expected to raise $50,000, and to a no-holds-barred Ultimate Fighting Championship fight in Las Vegas the same month, expected to raise $60,000.
The RNC’s aim, according to one section of the document: “Putting the Fun Back in FUNdraising.”
Payout Perspective:
We try to avoid national politics on the website as best we can, but the explicit mention of the UFC being used as a fundraising tool is certainly interesting. The RNC is using the UFC as a fundraising tool ostensibly because it provides them with an appealing event for young, wealthier individuals – something that might be seen to support some of the more recent MMA demographic studies we’ve seen.
It’s funny how things change, isn’t it? Just a few short years ago, many of these same politicians were more than willing to declare the UFC as foul, barbaric, and inhumane.
FYI: Dana White has been a supporter of the Republican Party in the past: donating to John Ensign in 2005 and most recently Chael Sonnen’s run for office in Oregon. However, the Fertitta’s, Station Casinos, and Zuffa have made several contributions to both major parties over the years.
