Comments on: Lorenzo Fertitta shifts from the casino to UFC

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:15:29 +0000

Brandt — Well, their mafia past is somewhat well documented, but people tremble in fear to bring it up as, well, Zuffa’s lawyers have been known to use intimidation tactics.

Rome — Sigh. Mikey, Mikey, Mikey. It is moderate news. It means some things could change in the way they promote shows, things might get more aggressive, it means fighter relations might change… But in the long run, I am thinking it might actually be a really bad idea. Meltzer is partially right, is I think a bit more fair to say. If Lorenzo has half a brain he’d stick on the path Dana has taken and not deviate too much, if he gets too cocky and tries to over-reach, well, they might be in trouble.

By: John

John — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:05:44 +0000

Thanks for the explanations, Jeremy (not that Jeremy) and The Gaijin. It feels better knowing they only want to crush their opponents’ souls, and not sue them.

By: The Gaijin

The Gaijin — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:49:14 +0000

John,

\”Serving notice\” as in, we\’re going to be playing hardball and nip all these promotions who might pose a threat to them in the bud. Basically, \”Go ahead and try to compete with us. We will use our marketshare and status to crush your soul.\”

Not \”serve notice\” as in \”see you in court.\”

By: Jeremy (not that Jeremy)

Jeremy (not that Jeremy) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:57:05 +0000

Still a month to July 19th. Compared to some Japanese promotions, they’re giving the fighters and public twice as much notice

By: IceMuncher

IceMuncher — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:36:58 +0000

Hmmm, speaking of that, does anyone else think that Fight Night 14 was Lorenzo’s idea?

Dana had a long time before now to put a card up on July 19th, but he didn’t. Now, within the same week that they announce Lorenzo is full-time, they decided to cut the knees out of Affliction with a hastily assembled card.

Now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure it’s right. Lorenzo’s putting the hit on his competition. Old habits die hard.

By: D. Capitated

D. Capitated — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:31:12 +0000

Will they aim to be number one sport in the world (in eight years) just by targeting India & China?

They have to target pretty much everywhere and they’re going to have to spend enormous sums of money, because right now their presence outside the US is anything but challenging the status quo. Even then, the likelihood that they’re going to walk into China or India (much less Germany or even the US’ neighbors to the south) and make a huge splash without having a notable world class fighter of Indian or Chinese origin is incredibly hopeful.

By: Jeremy (not that Jeremy)

Jeremy (not that Jeremy) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:37:06 +0000

Serving notice in this case means counter programming, not serving subpoenas and claims.

I.e. Fight Night 14.

By: Matthew Watt

Matthew Watt — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 07:21:40 +0000

“Those variable-year plans don’t work. Someone hasn’t studied Soviet history. Hopefully there will be no quotas to fulfill.”

Anyone who has read a business strategy knows that to be succesful you always have year plans. Variablities come into play in that all plans are at whim to marketplan volatility. Year plans and strategies in a business setting and comparing it to the 5 year Soviet Plans is like comparing a nice home cooked meal to getting bitten by a spider. There is next to no connection at all.

By: John

John — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:56:25 +0000

“They are going to become even more aggressive and be really hard on any competitor by serving notice to anyone who is trying to go national in the MMA scene”

They’re going to what?! I’m sorry, did I understand this sentence correctly? What exactly are they going to sue other promotions for? For existing? Someone please explain.

By: Mike Rome

Mike Rome — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:40:06 +0000

They didn’t fail because they were variable year plans, they failed because they were plans for a centralized economy.

Anyway, it’s a big deal. Meltzer really has the right perspective on it.