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Fox Sports: "Zach Arnold's Fight Opinion site is one of the best spots on the Web for thought-provoking MMA pieces."

Fight Opinion Radio

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Fight Opinion Radio discussion: How can UFC be growing so much, yet face so much uncertainty?

Friday, October 10th, 2014

The UFC is supposedly experience a 50% growth in revenue from international TV deals and yet Standard & Poors has just downgraded their debt risk from BB to BB- due to future volatility. What is really going on here? Jeff Thaler & Zach Arnold compare & contrast the headlines regarding UFC’s future on this week’s edition of Fight Opinion Radio.

The state of the MMA union after UFC 178 (w/ audio discussion)

Saturday, September 27th, 2014

Those bullish on a return to momentum in the MMA scene pointed to UFC 178 in Las Vegas as a real launching point for big fights in the next six months. Are those prognosticators correct? Fight Opinion Radio discusses what we’re bullish (and bearish) on in regards to the MMA scene heading into 2015.

Fight Opinion Radio: Will Spike TV’s 2005 MMA marketing playbook win fans over a decade later?

Saturday, September 6th, 2014

Sean Wheelock, voice of Bellator MMA on Spike TV, stopped by to talk about his new book with UFC founder Art Davie and also to talk about Bellator’s new creative direction. Sean thinks the MMA audience can and will grow. Is he right?

Tim Kennedy compares drug usage in today’s MMA scene to the Sosa, McGwire, Bonds MLB era

Sunday, August 17th, 2014

On this edition of Fight Opinion Radio, Tim Kennedy stops by to talk about his plans on getting a UFC Middleweight or Welterweight (you read that right) title shot. Plus, his thoughts about how bad doping is in today’s MMA industry and how he thinks it is similar to the level of doping that happened during the Steroid Era in Major League Baseball. Plus our latest thoughts on the War Machine & Josh Grispi domestic violence allegations and what it says about the sport’s long-term image problems.

An audio guide to the week that was the Federal indictment alleging extortion of California State Athletic Commission

Sunday, August 3rd, 2014

Last week’s revised Federal indictment alleging that individuals wanting to keep the California State Athletic Commission alive were supposedly extorted by California state senator Leland Yee & his fundraising consulting Keith Jackson. The indictment contains explosive charges but you have heard very little comment in combat sports media circles about the case. Jeff Thaler & Zach Arnold sit down to discuss what the Federal indictment is alleging and what it means for the parties named & not named. What’s going to happen to the future of the Athletic Commission?

An uncensored conversation with Josh Gross on Vitor Belfort & doping in MMA after the 2-year Sonnen ban

Friday, July 25th, 2014

When Josh Gross wrote in great painstaking detail about Chael Sonnen’s testosterone use in 2010, he was treated as if he was a pariah in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. The man got the last laugh in the end. Integrity won out. It’s amazing what happens when you tell the truth. Just don’t expect people who are exposed as frauds to be as public in issuing an apology as they are when it comes to mudslinging. Our Fight Opinion Radio interview with Josh Gross this week touches on the two year ban by Nevada against Chael Sonnen and why Vitor Belfort remains one lucky fighter when it comes to escaping harsh punishment. Just how bad is the doping crisis in Mixed Martial Arts?

Fight Opinion Radio: As real as it gets? Decline is a choice & UFC has some tough decisions to make

Saturday, July 12th, 2014

When you’re running 10 shows in 8 weeks like the UFC is this Summer, that’s not simply asking the fans to treat watching your shows like homework: that’s an invitation to tell them to tune out for good. And there is a price to pay for this insanity. The UFC is experiencing the costs right now. The question is whether or not they will humbly & publicly admit the errors of their ways or will they continue to double-down and leave themselves even more vulnerable than they already are. They can draw respectable numbers still for “major” shows like UFC 175 but everything else is in decline. Decline is a choice. The UFC has some tough decisions to make about their future. Can they make the right calls?

Fight Opinion Radio featuring Monte Cox’s words of wisdom on negotiating with the UFC: the good, the bad, and the ugly

Monday, June 23rd, 2014

No one understands the current business climate of Mixed Martial Arts better than Monte Cox. He’s seen it all as a veteran manager of champions in the sport. In a honest & candid interview for Fight Opinion Radio, Monte speaks out about what it takes to negotiate the right kind of deal for a fighter in the UFC and what the company expects. Plus, why has the quality of fighter representation stagnated? Monte shares his thoughts on what many super agents lack in skill and why they often fail to deliver for their clients.

Fight Opinion Radio: Steve Kim on mutual assured destruction between Oscar De La Hoya & Richard Schaefer

Thursday, June 5th, 2014

Steve Kim of MaxBoxing.com joined us on Fight Opinion Radio to talk about the divorce between Oscar De La Hoya & Richard Schaefer and what it means going forward for Golden Boy. Will Oscar DLH go to court to reveal the skeletons in the closet and create a situation for mutual assured destruction? The biggest boxing story yet to come may be taking place outside of the ring.

Fight Opinion Radio: Josh Gross (@yay_yee) on media honesty, MMA drug usage, oversaturation

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

Josh Gross joined us on Fight Opinion Radio for the first time ever in the show’s history and it was a great interview. We had a chance to talk to him about what mainstream media outlets think of the MMA scene and what are some of the roadblocks that writers have to overcome in terms of attitudes & access to do your job in the field. Plus, our simple-to-understand breakdown of recent reporting by Bloody Elbow on Bellator’s alleged contracts of adhesion. Fighters should take note of what we have to say here.

Fight Opinion Radio: Herb Dean answers your questions on MMA officiating & fan criticism

Monday, May 12th, 2014

Famous MMA referee Herb Dean has seen it all. When he isn’t busy working top-level MMA fights, he’s training new officials who will make an impact on the business. There isn’t anyone better to talk to when it comes to addressing fan suggestions & criticisms about the current state of affairs for MMA referees. Herb was gracious & candid in addressing some of the toughest questions we asked.

Fight Opinion Radio: Mauro Ranallo on the art & science of promoting a big Floyd Mayweather fight

Tuesday, May 6th, 2014

No one has a better view of the circus surrounding a Floyd Mayweather fight better than Mauro Ranallo. What is Showtime doing right that others in the combat sports landscape should be paying attention to? Mauro joined us this week on Fight Opinion Radio to break down the science of promoting a Floyd Mayweather fight and how that experience differs from the atmosphere of some of MMA’s biggest fight cards ever.

Fight Opinion Radio: A chat with the uniquely skilled, colorful, and ruthlessly efficient Marina Shafir

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014

Marina Shafir, elite member of The 4 Horsewomen, joins us this week to talk about her journey from judo into Mixed Martial Arts and the stories beyond the generic press clippings regarding her relationship with Ronda Rousey and her individual path in the women’s MMA scene. What will the landscape look like in five years? Will we get to see Marina vs. Cyborg? An excellent interview worthy of your attention this week on the show. Plus: why Ronda Rousey & The 4 Horsewomen are the complete opposite of Jon Jones (in a good way).

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