Comments on: Mark Davies: The truth about Zuffa’s business acumen

By: Rich Bergeron

Rich Bergeron — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:03:18 +0000

Here’s an example of how the UFC could care less about their fighters. Remember a while back when Xyience announced a brand new contract with the UFC? Next thing you know Harley Davidson replaces them in the middle of the mat. Now, at the time the contract was signed the Fertitta Brothers had a huge ownership interest in Xyience. Also at that time Xyience owed a few hundred thousand to a bunch of its sponsored fighters. But, rather than pay those fighters with Fertitta money, the Fertitta-controlled Xyience paid their own organization sponsorship. There’s more here:

http://www.unlimitedfightnews.com/xyiencewow.htm
http://www.unlimitedfightnews.com/xyience.htm
http://unlimitedfightnews.com/wordpress/?cat=15

By: Peter H.

Peter H. — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:04:12 +0000

A lot of the success of the UFC was due to good business moves, mostly The Ultimate Fighter, but also to the fact that they were really the only game in town. MMA in America has been branded as “Ultimate Fighting” for a reason.

By: The Gadget Link

The Gadget Link — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:41:28 +0000

“samscaff Says: Um, that sounds like a pre-event prediction. Doesnt mean shit.”

Meltzer’s estimation was made AFTER the event. Given a choice between Meltzer’s PPV numbers or Atencio’s PPV numbers, Meltzer would be an obvious choice due to his credibility within MMA & Pro Wrestling circles. Meltzer’s PPV numbers have been pretty accurate in the past.

By: zack

zack — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:17:58 +0000

“What we really need is a Point/Counterpoint debate between 45 and Ivan. It would be hilarious and brilliant all at the same time. Zach, make it happen!”

They can just cuddle and talk about how much they hate Gary Shaw and Kimbo.

By: Ivan Trembow

Ivan Trembow — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:26:58 +0000

This is the last post that I’m making in this thread, as it has grown tiresome and repetitive. First off, I don’t hate the UFC. If I hated everyone that I criticized, then by that logic I would also hate the IFL, EliteXC, and most everyone else associated with the sport. Second of all, I’m not going to get into a long, drawn-out pissing match where I say “Please believe me!” and you say, “No, I still don’t believe you!” If you don’t want to believe what I’m telling you, then by all means don’t. That’s your business.

By: Grape Knee High

Grape Knee High — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:47:05 +0000

What we really need is a Point/Counterpoint debate between 45 and Ivan. It would be hilarious and brilliant all at the same time. Zach, make it happen!

By: cyph

cyph — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:17:02 +0000

Stop rewriting history, Ivan.

That interview shows that it wasn’t Dana’s idea and it was the Fertitta’s. How you go from that to a jump in conclusion that TUF was Spike’s idea is amazing. You have always been one of biggest anti-UFC voice on here. Your hate of the UFC is clouding some of your judgement.

Dana also hated the idea of moving the promotion to LA and other parts of the country. We all know who runs Zuffa behind the scenes, and only now it’s official that one of brothers will run Zuffa, business wise.

Dana != Zuffa.

By: Grape Knee High

Grape Knee High — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:58:55 +0000

I think the article would have sounded a lot more credible without all the half-baked ideas, non-sourced conjecture and outright fallacies.

By: Ivan Trembow

Ivan Trembow — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:13:21 +0000

Hi John, that YouTube interview includes the quote “when I found out we were doing a reality show,” which generally indicates that he didn’t come up with the idea to do a reality show. Beyond that, I can remember interviews on MMAWeekly in which the statement was made that Dana White wanted to do a weekly live event series (in the vein of the old USA Network Tuesday Night Fights series), but Spike wanted to do an MMA reality show (this was after The Contender was already on NBC), and the feeling from Zuffa’s side was that they agreed to do the reality show even though they didn’t like it, simply because it was so important to get a TV deal of some kind to get their proverbial foot in the door.

As it turns out, they’re going to get to realize the “weekly live event series” concept in 2010 when that series launches.

They also have at least one new reality show on the way that will be another “MMA version” of the prototypical reality show formula… filming the home lives and professional lives of celebrities. But on this show, instead of it being an actor or musician, it will be Matt Hughes. No idea when that one is launching, though; I’m not even sure if it’s past the pilot stage at this point.

By: Michaelthebox

Michaelthebox — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:03:05 +0000

This article sucks.

“How long would the UFC have lasted as the pre-eminent force if the most educated fans continued to view them as second best.”

Pretty much all that needs to be pointed out in regards to the author’s flawed view of the MMA promotional game.