2017 saw the return of Georges St Pierre as he faced Michael Bisping at UFC 217 in New York this November. GSP’s return came with much fanfare, but his future with the company remains uncertain. The matchup with Bisping appeared handpicked by GSP for his return. It was scheduled for July’s UFC International Fight Week […]
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MPO Year in Review: No. 5 Mark Hunt sues the UFC, Dana White and Brock Lesnar
In January, Mark Hunt filed a lawsuit against Zuffa, Dana White and Brock Lesnar from his loss at UFC 200 to the returning WWE star and subsequent revelation that Lesnar tested positive for a banned substance on the UFC anti-doping policy. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Nevada, was unique as it included allegations […]
MPO Year in Review: No. 6 Down year for UFC PPVs
It was a disappointing year for UFC PPVs as 4 UFC PPVs did not surpass 200,000 PPV buys. The absence of Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey and lack of another UFC star to appeal to the mainstream hurt this year’s events. UFC 208: 200,000 UFC 209: 300,000 UFC 210: 300,000 UFC 211: 300,000 UFC 212: 167,000 […]
MPO Year in Review: No. 7 UFC secures new sponsors
The UFC brought in new sponsors for the company in 2017. The sponsors reflect a new era brought in by WME-IMG. One of the most notable departures from the sponsor list is Bud Light leaving the Octagon as the UFC forged a deal with multi-million dollar deal with Modelo Especial starting in 2018. In addition, […]
MPO Year in Review: No. 8 Bellator among the parties pulled into UFC Antitrust Lawsuit
Bellator MMA found itself a part of the UFC Antitrust lawsuit as the two companies were opposing sides in a discovery dispute. Bellator sued the UFC in Los Angeles, but the Court determined that the dispute should occur in the Vegas court handling the case between former fighters and the UFC. Prior to the filing […]