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Thursday trash talk: WAMMA gets major media coverage
By Zach Arnold | November 14, 2007
UFC officially announced today the signing of Sokoudjou. He will face Ryoto Machida at UFC 79.
The state of Kentucky has now passed legislation to regulate amateur MMA.
USA Today has two high-profile MMA articles in its newspaper today. The first is about UFC 78 and the second is about the WAMMA. AM New York claims that a billionaire lawyer who sued tobacco companies is pumping the money behind WAMMA. The laughable part about the AM article is that WAMMA claims that they will not do drug testing for MMA fights, but rather leave that to the athletic commissions.
Joe Hall on WAMMA’s financial model:
WAMMA will not promote fights. Rather, the sanctioning body hopes its rankings will be embraced by fans, fighters and media to the point that when WAMMA suggests a match, promoters will make it.
That is when WAMMA, a for-profit corporation, would make money through the sponsors it brings to the table. A promotion would still host the fight, Szady explained, but WAMMA, for instance, could have a sponsor advertised on the ring canvas.
Szady also plans on world championship belts with a sponsor’s name on it for each division. He offered a few hypothetical examples, saying the top two fighters in a weight class could meet for the WAMMA-Budweiser title, the WAMMA-Toyota title or the WAMMA-Hooter’s title.
All that you need to know about the formation of the WAMMA sanctioning body – Lou DiBella was in attendance. Yes, that Lou DiBella, who got crushed on ESPN’s SportsCenter program by Joe Rogan in a boxing vs. MMA debate during the heat-up for Liddell vs. Jackson last May. The IFL also attended the press conference in New York for the launch of this sanctioning body. Notice that UFC (which has a show in Newark on Saturday) and EXC (Shaw is in the Tri-State area a lot) did not appear at the presser. MMA Analyst has two articles (here and here) about the WAMMA.
More UFC 78 coverage here, here, here, and here. Here are the odds for UFC 78 fights.
Sports Navigator in Japan is reporting that Roger Gracie, Shiko Yamashita, and Ryotaro Endo will be part of the Super Challenge Grappling event on 12/8 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Some IFL news for you… the company filed a notification of inability to file a timely 10Q report with the SEC (this means that they delaying on reporting the 3rd quarter financials). The IFL claims that they will issue earnings news on Tuesday 11/20 via a conference call (with the 10Q being filed on 11/19). The audio of that conference call will be available here.
Trying to find Quinton Jackson.
There is a new site called DVD Fight Club.
Brad Pickett is out of the Cage Rage 24 event due to a broken arm.
Houston Alexander is really getting a lot of media attention.
How Jason “Mayhem” Miller ended up with thw HDNet Fights promotion.
A profile article on Paul Buentello. Plus, an interview with Luke Stewart.
Nathan Marquardt vs. Thales Leites set for UFC 81.
Sokoudjou is coming to Houston.
The latest MMA HQ Top 10 user-generated rankings.
Donruss is launching an MMA trading card set.
Topics: HDNet, IFL, Media, MMA, UFC, UK, Zach Arnold | 26 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Sweeeeet stories. Ty ZachArnold.
Everybody MUST take a look at the Mike Pyle video. And please, NO SPOILERS 🙂
The Sokoudjou signing is good for the card. It really brings depth to UFC 79. I’m still not completely convinced on this guy, but if he can beat Machida, I will have no choice but to be impressed with him.
As of right now, even according to Sherdog’s Rankings, the UFC has the Top 8 Light Heavyweights in the world. And to me, Ortiz & Evans should both be ranked ahead of Little Nog. Realisticly, they have 13 of the Top 15 Light Heavyweights. That is fantastic for fans who want to see the best Light Heavyweights fight each other.
So basically everyone else does all of the work and then they send a check (or give a sponsor spot) to WAMMA? I need a gig like that.
Yeah, what is the deal with WAMMA? I mean, it’s odd that we are all EXACTLY right in saying that WAMMA is in it for nothing but the money. It sounds like they don’t have to do shit.
Is somebody going to be crowned the Affliction Heavyweight Champion? Is that how sponsors will work?
Gotta wonder how much of a coincidence it is that Soko ended up coming full cirle in his negotiations. First they were offended by UFC’s offer, then came very close to signing a far better EXC deal, then was all but ready to debut for a nice load of money in Hero’s, and whaddya know, they reject that deal too and end up signing with Zuffa after all. The big question is, who played who, and what is that salary listing going to look like come new years. Perhaps Lindland’s limbo also smartened Sokoudjou up a bit on the money versus competition argument. You also have to wonder if this signing totally seals Henderson’s future at 185.
To be honest, Souko still has some steps to prove himself. Glover basically just threw bombs and caught him. It’ll be interesting to see Souko against some of the strikers in that division.
[…] ups to my bloggo boys at FightOpinion for this picture, it’s right […]
Cigar cards. AWESOME.
I’m actually in total agreement with Dana White in his views on WAMMA:
“But UFC President Dana White wasted no time blasting WAMMA, saying the for-profit sanctioning body “is exactly what this sport doesn’t need. They’re just another group of guys looking to make some money and get a piece of the pie.””
I would be inclined to keep an open mind if they at least said they were trying to handle drug testing and unify it on a state-to-state basis, but they’re not even doing that. They don’t have any liability in terms of the production, and they have no responsibility to the fighters in terms of drug testing or medical testing. It seems like they just put their name on top of everything and take a payday via sponsorships.
Also, what’s with the sponsorships on the belts? These guys just seem like they’re trying to develop a revenue stream while doing the least possible work they can- like a parasite. Maybe they should consider getting into direct marketing.
Love the MMAopinion.com article. Pretty much summed up views on Rampage too. Probably the most marketable star we have seen so far in mma, and the UFC is doing nothing to push him.
someone explain how Evans should be ranked ahead of Nogueira. Nogueira stopped Henderson.
How exactly is the UFC suppose to push him? Do an All Access special on him? He was already featured before on Rogan’s Inside show. Should they make him a coach in the Ultimate Fighter? Season is still in progress. The main ways to “push” a fighter is to give him fights and title shots. Last time I checked, Rampage is the champ and dethroned the most popular MMA fighter in North America. That’s the biggest push any fighter can get.
Its not like Dana White has reporters on speed dial and simply needs to call them and say “wanna do a story on Rampage?” Reporters and talk shows make media requests to the UFC and if they aren’t interested in featuring Rampage, there’s isn’t much that UFC can do. Its also up to Rampage to make himself available, which I think he does because he was featured on TMZ several times and in magazines.
Stop perpetuating this myth that the UFC has some magic wand and can make any fighter it wants into a superstar. If it were that simple, the UFC would love nothing more than every single fighter under contract to be superstars.
Uuuuh … they could be hooking him up with interviews, show appearances etc etc etc. The UFC does have massive connections … getting rampage in an issue of GQ or Maxim or any of those other magazines is as easy as saying “Hey, wanna do this?” Never mind the fact that Spike TV spreads for the UFC all the time … any show they do could have Rampage make an appearance.
someone explain how Evans should be ranked ahead of Nogueira. Nogueira stopped Henderson.
Because in the two and a half years or so since then he has only fought three times and lost two of those.
Anyone heard if Henderson has signed a contract extension, by the way? Last I knew he was still on his Pride deal.
“Its not like Dana White has reporters on speed dial and simply needs to call them and say “wanna do a story on Rampage?” ”
Kevin Iole, anyone?
I think Rampage did make appearances on some of the Spike Awards shows and in Maxim (let’s keep in mind you need to be chick to be on the cover). And the notion that getting on a magazine cover of a major magazine like GQ is “easy” is preposterous. Editors don’t make choices based on what CEOs and presidents of other companies want. They make choices based on what will sell magazines. If they thought Rampage would increase sales, they would beating down his door. Last time I checked, Rampage isn’t a household name that would boost any magazine’s sales rates.
“And to me, Ortiz & Evans should both be ranked ahead of Little Nog. Realisticly, they have 13 of the Top 15 Light Heavyweights. That is fantastic for fans who want to see the best Light Heavyweights fight each other.”
Why?
Ortiz has gotten his doors blow off by Liddell (2x), got embarrassed by Griffin (but got a nice gift to set up Ortiz-Liddell II) and eked out a decision w/ Evans…oh and he beat up Ken Shamrock 3 times.
Evans couldn’t even get past Ortiz.
I’m not saying Nog is undeniably better – but those two don’t exactly bring resumes or performances that give any argument for why they should be ranked ahead of him.
“someone explain how Evans should be ranked ahead of Nogueira. Nogueira stopped Henderson.”
The Henderson fight was back in 2005. Since then, Nogueira has won one fight and lost two, including a loss to a relative unknown, and hasn’t fought since his last loss. Evans is undefeated, despite the controversy involving his Draw with Tito. Evans is also in the UFC, where he is seen by more people.
Not saying that’s why, but it could be.
You’re way off on this, Fightlinker. Stardom isn’t created that easily, and the UFC has been doing a ton to push Rampage. There is an extreme limit to how much marketability can be created without seeing a fighter fight a ton, and coach on TUF. Pretty much every major star the UFC has has a) been in the UFC for ages and b) been a coach on TUF.
Dude we broke that Brad Pickett story way before MMAWeekly
shame on you
http://www.fightersonlymagazine.co.uk/news/viewarticle.php?id=331&offset=3
http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=5069&zoneid=13
“I think Rampage did make appearances on some of the Spike Awards shows and in Maxim (let’s keep in mind you need to be chick to be on the cover). And the notion that getting on a magazine cover of a major magazine like GQ is “easy” is preposterous. Editors don’t make choices based on what CEOs and presidents of other companies want. They make choices based on what will sell magazines. If they thought Rampage would increase sales, they would beating down his door. Last time I checked, Rampage isn’t a household name that would boost any magazine’s sales rates”
I have a friend who is a publicist, has only been for a few years, and you would be surprised how much media coverage you can get with a little bit of effort and somewhat who is half ass entertaining. Media, much like a lot of things, has a lot to do with who you know. UFC, as they stand right now, know a few people (I think Yahoo does a few stories on the UFC, I may stand to be corrected) who would push Rampage stories and interviews.
Now you may be right, the UFC may not be mainstream enough to have a array of outlets talking to them. But on the outlets they do have, they need to push Rampage hard, and I don’t think Jim Rome or others would have turn down a Rampage interview if asked. He is funny, he can be articulate when he has too, and most of all, he has now become a really good athlete. Here, just look at these interviews, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTkNdevZCcI and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37nykC8ePwA&feature=related . You can’t tell me that Rampage doesn’t bring a smile to your face and makes you laugh. He is great, and the type of athlete the UFC needs to sustain their growth.
And on the whole casual fans don’t know Rampage a ton because he has not fought much in the UFC, why doesn’t the UFC create a kick ass video highlight of Rampage then. Throw in a few slams, KO of Chuck, a few funny lines, and release it to a ton of websites, and I think a few of them will pick it up and run with it.
Why would they want people to get excited about Rampage right *now*? He won’t fight until UFC 81 at the soonest, but most likely it won’t be until UFC 82. They want to promote the fighters involved with UFC 78, 79, and 80, not build up hype for a guy on the sidelines for the next few months. Besides, it’s really hard to get casual fans excited for a fighter that isn’t fighting in the immediate future.
Wait until Rampage’s fight is about a 6 weeks away, and then we’ll see what kind of media blitz UFC puts out. I got a feeling it’ll be huge.
I’m a marketing guy myself and I’ve been around the PR biz for a long time. There’s a formula like you said, but its not always textbook (there’s also a lot of bad marketing out there). Just because x, y, z are in place doesn’t mean that someone like Rampage should automatically get his own sneaker (which last time I checked isn’t Rampage getting his own shoe?). Even if a fighter does become a coach on TUF, that doesn’t automatically equal superstardom. The fighter has to have the “it” factor and its something that UFC cannot manufactuer or push. Randy and Chuck have “it” and it was just a matter of giving them that large audience. I always laugh at how Tito says Chuck doesn’t poor interviews considering Chuck is so much a bigger star and more beloved than Tito ever was. Its not just about knowing how to talk and smile.
So the million dollar question is does Rampage have “it”? On paper it seems like he does. He’s getting the shoe deals, the celeb appearances and the sponsorships that he never got in Japan that he longed for. I think in many ways he already is a star and its only a matter of time before he’s more well known, but I don’t think its something that needs to be rushed or forced down people’s throats. Many people forget that “The Rock” was booed when he first came into the WWF. Everyone assume that he was the the next big thing as well. The Octagon is the biggest platform there is and the UFC is better served by giving him the best match ups possible.
Rampage’s early fights were in KOTC. KOTC has recently released a compilation disk of these fights.
I’m not sure how much of this is the responsibility of UFC and how much is the responsibility of Rampage’s own publicist (and I’m guessing he probably doesn’t have one).
I think Rampage, even though he’s a very personable guy, also likes to keep a somewhat low profile when he’s training. He goes up there to Big Bear and just does his thing, which is a big part of his improvement as a fighter.