USADA has issued a two-year suspension to Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic for the use of human growth hormone prior to his canceled fight with Anthony Hamilton at UFC Fight Night 79. Cro Cop withdrew from the fight and announced his retirement from fighting prior to the news of his failed drug test. Cro Cop is […]
UFC
FTC closes second investigation of Zuffa
The Las Vegas Review Journal reports that the Federal Trade Commission has ended its second investigation of Zuffa without any findings of wrongdoing of the company’s business practices. Although the investigation has ended, the FTC indicated that it reserved the right to investigate the company again if it saw a need. In a letter to Zuffa […]
UFC evolves as media company
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports on the UFC and its operations as a media organization. The write-up reflects the evolution of the UFC’s production to promote itself. The article indicates that the company has 85 full-time employees including 15 at offices overseas that are dedicated to in-house production operations. The UFC saves 35 percent of […]
UFC Fight Night 78 attendance and bonuses
MMA Junkie reports the attendance and bonuses from Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night 78 on FS1. The event drew 10,410 fans at the Monterrey Arena in Monterrey, Mexico. No live gate was announced. The event was lower than the two other events the company held in UFC. Both UFC 180 (21,000) and UFC 188 (21,036) […]
UFC 193 estimated at over 1M PPV buys, second best ever per Fertitta
UFC 193 is on track to be the second-largest PPV in company history according to Lorenzo Fertitta. In speaking with Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports Fertitta indicated that it was currently tracking third but would finish behind only UFC 100. UFC 100 drew 1.6 million viewers in July 2009. Fertitta confirmed that UFC 193 sold […]