MMA Payout’s No. 5 story of 2012 is the return of Georges St. Pierre. After an 18 month absence, GSP returned to the UFC and defeated Carlos Condit to unify the UFC welterweight title. After receiving news of the PPV buys, Dana White indicated at the UFC on Fox 5 press conference that GSP “delivered” […]
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Top 10 of 2012: No 6 Nike sponsors Silva, Jones and dos Santos
MMA Payout’s No. 6 business story of 2012 is the Nike sponsorship of UFC fighters. Anderson Silva, Jon Jones and Junior dos Santos are all sponsored by the sportswear company. Jon Jones received a global sponsorship with the company which may include a signature clothing line. Jones wore a “Bones Knows” t-shirt wherever he went […]
Top 10 of 2012: No. 7 the UFC-Fox relationship
MMA Payout’s No. 7 business story of 2012 is the first full year of the UFC-Fox relationship. In late 2011, the UFC signed a 7 year deal with Fox leaving longtime network Spike TV. While there was great anticipation for the UFC on Fox networks, the ratings have been less than anticipated. Despite a huge […]
Top 10 of 2012: No. 8 Zuffa continues international expansion
The number 8 business story of 2012 is the continued international expansion of the UFC. This year saw the launch of international TUFs, an Indian television deal and its first event in China. The first international TUF was in Brazil and involved Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva as coaches. The show ran on Globo television […]
Top 10 of 2012: No. 9 TUF moves to Fridays on FX; poor ratings move it to Tuesdays for 2013
With the UFC-Fox relationship, much anticipation came with The Ultimate Fighter moving to the FX Network. Despite a Friday night time slot, Dana White was bullish on the move. Via MMA Fighting: When signing the [FOX] deal more than a year ago, UFC President Dana White talked about drawing 3 million viewers weekly for TUF […]