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.
Yes, I think we all figured Dana would bluff on this one. I’m disappointed in the Josh Barnett signing. EA should hold themselves up to a better standard then to allow a 3 time steroid abuser in their game. I know they are trying to open up to the Japanese market but they could do that other ways.
I agree @ steroid comment. It seems like getting caught using steroids has minimal consequences. Repeat failures should carry a harsh stigma, and be career-ending(push culprits to work behind the scenes).