Las Vegas cooling off for UFC is becoming a pattern
By Zach Arnold | January 12, 2010
From MMA Payout regarding the UFC 108 event on January 2nd — 8,004 paid for $1,969,670, 4,373 papered for $1,005,000.
UFC 106 = 6,631 paid/3,898 comped (63% paid, 37% comped)
UFC 108 = 8,004 paid/4,373 comped (65% paid, 35% comped)
UFC 106 = value of each paid ticket was $450, value of each comp ticket was $600
UFC 108 = value of each paid ticket was $246, value of each comp ticket was $230
Let’s flashback to the UFC 106 numbers last November in LV:
What’s striking about that number is that Dana White gave out the 10,529 number at the post-fight press conference and given the $3 million gate, it made some sense that the paid number would be a good portion of the overall attendance figure. However, 6,631 paid for a crowd size of 10,529 is the type of number that should be alarming as far as UFC shows in Las Vegas is concerned.
Even more disheartening about the MMA Junkie report is while the paid gate of $3 million is respectable, the face value of the comps was $2.3 million dollars. Simple math says that the value of each paid ticket was around $450 and the value of each comp ticket was close to $600.
The numbers are alarming for a couple of reasons. Look at the #’s — the value of tickets paid for at UFC 108 nearly matched the value of comp tickets given out in freebies. That’s a very bad equation to have as a promoter in a market. (Click on the Fight Opinion link from November for further meaning of the overall picture in Las Vegas.)
In short, Las Vegas is not only burned out by UFC events but the ability of the market to regenerate itself in interest is going to be challenging. Not insurmountable, but business looks ugly right now in town. And in the numbers up above, I didn’t even include the numbers from the December 5th show where Kimbo Slice vs. Houston Alexander struggled to get 1,300 paid.
You can’t really blame football or other sporting events for taking away market share from UFC. This situation is right on their shoulders and they need to figure out a solution so that 2010 doesn’t continue his ugly pattern. The February event headlined by Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman, however, shouldn’t ease those concerns any time soon.
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 42 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Your “UFC sells out to the Middle East” hyperbolic news post
By Zach Arnold | January 11, 2010
Just the articles:
- The Las Vegas Review-Journal: UFC sells 10 percent to Mideast company, Fertittas say sale is all about expansion
- TSN (Canada): Royal family members showed up at UFC 103 Dallas event, purchased a month afterwards
- Marketwatch: The sale will dilute all existing owners proportionately
- Steve Cofield: Flash Entertainment now ahead of Dana White in pecking order
- USA Today: All about China & India
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 31 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
UFC Fight Night 20 in Virginia (1/11 Patriot Center)
By Zach Arnold | January 11, 2010
Television: Spike TV
Dark matches
- Middleweights (185 pounds): Nick Catone vs. Jesse Forbes
- Middleweights (185 pounds): Gerald Harris vs. Mike Massenzio
- Lightweights (155 pounds): Kyle Bradley vs. Rafael Dos Anjos
- Welterweights (170 pounds): Mike Guymon vs. Rory MacDonald
- Lightweights (155 pounds): Thiago Tavares vs. Nik Lentz
- Welterweights (170 pounds): Rick Story vs. Jesse Lennox
- Middleweights (185 pounds): Chris Leben vs. Jay Silva
Main card
- Welterweights (170 pounds): Amir Sadollah vs. Brad Blackburn
- Middleweights (185 pounds): Tom Lawlor vs. Aaron Simpson
- Lightweights (155 pounds): Efrain Escudero vs. Evan Dunham
- Lightweights (155 pounds): Gray Maynard vs. Nate Diaz
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 29 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
WEC 1/10 Sacramento (Arco Arena)
By Zach Arnold | January 10, 2010
Dark matches
- Bantamweights (135 pounds): Coty Wheeler vs. Will Campuzano
- Featherweights (145 pounds): Mark Hominick vs. Bryan Caraway
- Bantamweights (135 pounds): Charlie Valencia vs. Akitoshi Tamura
- Lightweights (155 pounds): Dave Jansen vs. Kamal Shalorus
Main card
- Featherweights (145 pounds): Mackens Semerzier vs. Deividas Taurosevicius
- Featherweights (145 pounds): Mike Brown vs. Anthony Morrison
- Featherweights (145 pounds): Urijah Faber vs. Raphael Assuncao
- WEC Lightweight Title match (155 pounds): Jamie Varner vs. Ben Henderson
Media heat-up
The public relations blitz for this Sunday’s WEC event started on Thursday in Sacramento. Expect a very enthusiastic crowd at Arco Arena. The Sacramento Bee has the ultimate Urijah Faber babyface article, including details on what rehabilitation was like for the injuries he suffered in the Mike Brown match last year. This article details what Faber’s 2010 schedule looks like, including his desire to fight at both Bantamweight (135 pounds) and Lightweight (155 pounds).
All of the local press for the show has been about Faber. Reed Harris did a local interview with News10 in Sacramento stating that Faber will get a Featherweight title shot against Jose Aldo if he is able to beat Raphael Assuncao on Sunday.
The Arizona Republic has a short article previewing Jamie Varner vs. Ben Henderson. MMA Junkie has a report stating that WEC will run in Calgary this Summer. The Miami Herald has an article about Mike Brown on the comeback trail.
Topics: Media, MMA, WEC, Zach Arnold | 50 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Former pro-wrestler and MMA fighter Tony Halme dead
By Zach Arnold | January 10, 2010
The headline that many are using is that he was Randy Couture’s first MMA opponent, but most people who recognize the name remember him as Ludvig Borga in WWE in the 90s. Before his stint in WWE, he wrestled under his real name in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. No foul play suspected in his death.
Topics: Media, MMA, Pro-Wrestling, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
UFC ace Quinton “Rampage” Jackson comments on getting 3 years probation
By Zach Arnold | January 9, 2010
Comments courtesy of video from The Orange County Register:
“I’m confident I’ll never see [that judge] in that courtroom again.”
“I didn’t know that the police was chasing me, you know, I didn’t think that my truck had my picture on the side.”
“People kind of thought that I did it on purpose and you know you see cases on TV people act like they’re crazy so they get off cases, anything could have happened. I was thinking about that in the beginning you know but I tried to stay positive and not worry about anything. Everything came through and I’m still on three years probation and you know like I said in the beginning, I said whatever they give me because you know I was wrong for what I did but you know I didn’t want to be like… I didn’t want to go to prison and stuff like that.”
“That’s the most depressed I’ve ever been in my life. It’s so unhealthy to be depressed. No matter what happens like anything, people that wrong you or anything that makes people depressed it’s not worth it to stay in that state of mind so if anything you can do to snap you out of that state of mind, anything you can do just try to do it and concentrate on something positive.”
“I could have really hurt somebody and hurt myself as well.”
“I have kids to look out for and I do want to be a positive role model.”
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 10 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
(Paying) Job Opening: MMAHQ.com
By Zach Arnold | January 9, 2010
From the classifieds
We’re looking for a freelance MMA writer to blog on MMAHQ.com. Not fight recaps, payouts and simple facts that everyone else reports. We’re looking for a writer with strong stories and editorials. If this is you, email [email protected] writing samples and pay rate. You can still blog where you currently do, but the articles for MMAHQ.com must be unique.
Topics: Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Media reports allege Team Pacquiao supposedly asked about possible drug test failures
By Zach Arnold | January 8, 2010
Tim Smith in the New York Daily News and Teddy Atlas on ESPN tonight raised the following — Team Pacquiao allegedly asked the following to Mayweather’s camp a couple of weeks ago:
- What would the penalty be for a failed drug test?
- Would the failed drug test remain a secret?
Bob Arum, of course, denies that the questions were asked. He’s furious and denies the validity of the report.
The information in that NY Daily News article was denied in furious fashion by Arum and Pacquiao’s Team. The negotiations were never the same after that article came out. That particular article was included in Pacquiao’s defamation suit against the Mayweathers and Golden Boy.
Now that Atlas has gone on record and stuck his neck out regarding the validity of the alleged questions, will Team Pacquiao include him in their defamation lawsuit?
Topics: Boxing, Media, Zach Arnold | 41 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Esquire magazine has a unique profile of Dana White
By Zach Arnold | January 8, 2010
Esquire has a very long profile article on Dana White. Nothing really bad is said about White, but some of the quotes of the people he is surrounded by just make you shake your head. I cannot imagine any other sports commissioner/President who would allow themselves to be portrayed in this manner in such a public fashion.
“I fuckin’ lost ten pounds after I went in that porta-potty yesterday,” White says, recalling the portable facility he visited behind the big top after his talk with the fighters. “I seriously thought I was gonna puke.”
“You have to wonder,” says Raymond, the artsy-philosophical one in the bunch, “who takes a shit in a porta-potty?”
“I have no problem dumping in a porta-potty,” Moorzo says unequivocally in his thick Southie drawl.
“After that $1,200 room-service bill, do you doubt it?” White asks.
“I’ve gone home with dye stained on my underwear from backsplash,” Moorzo offers.
White makes a disgusted face.
“TMI, dude,” Raymond says.
“Depth charge!” Moorzo calls.
“Never mind lunch,” White groans, only half joking. “Let’s go straight to the venue.”
I did find it interesting that the article claims White’s net worth is $200 million USD, including his 10% ownership in UFC. Plus The Zuffa Myth is back and better than ever:
Lorenzo Fertitta had recently stepped down as the vice-chairman of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Using Fertitta’s contacts and general know-how, the partners set about changing the rules of UFC fighting (e.g., time limits and rounds), cleaning it up, making it more palatable in statehouses around the nation.
The Esquire article certainly does add some… color… to how UFC management works and operates.
Not much time left for Matt Hughes as an active fighter
A profile article on him details all.
MMA Odds details the Top 10 MMA web sites
Lions Den notice on Bob Shamrock’s health
Not good: Bob Shamrock has only a few days to a few weeks left plz pray that he goes without much pain he will be missed by many. We love you Bob
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 12 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Sengoku demands punishment for Aoki
By Zach Arnold | January 7, 2010
A formal letter was sent out to determine what punishment K-1/DREAM would impose on Shin’ya Aoki for his taunting after breaking the humerus bone of Mizuto Hirota. The letter said that they want a punishment so severe that a similar type incident won’t occur in the future.
Regarding the future of Sengoku, the promotion plans to have 6 or 7 events in the Kanto (Tokyo) area in 2010. The first big show will happen on 3/7 in Tokyo at Ryogoku Kokugikan. According to the promotion, there isn’t a strong tie currently with the Yoshida dojo (Yoshida, Nakamura, etc.) but that they are open to negotiations. This should be no surprise given that Kokuho, the boss of J-ROCK (who managed Yoshida’s career in PRIDE), left Sengoku as the company’s top boss.
Satoshi Ishii reportedly wants to have his second MMA fight soon.
Topics: Japan, Media, MMA, Sengoku, Zach Arnold | 17 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Mediation fails in setting up Pacquiao/Mayweather fight
By Zach Arnold | January 6, 2010
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reports that it is likely we will see Manny Pacquiao vs. Yuri Foreman on March 20th in Las Vegas.
Mayweather will fight the week before (on 3/13) in Las Vegas against an opponent to be determined.
The Sporting News has more details on the failed negotiations. The LA Times reports that blood testing was a sticking point.
Topics: Boxing, Media, Zach Arnold | 37 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
James Toney shows up at UFC 108, wants to fight for UFC
By Zach Arnold | January 6, 2010
Yes, the same James Toney who failed a steroid test for horse steroids, showed up in Las Vegas to make his intentions clear. Toney really believes he has a shot.
Toney has been following UFC management around to try to get a booking. Last December when UFC had their event in Memphis at the FedEx Forum, Toney claimed he would look for White and meet up with him.
Update (1/5): The Sweet Science has further details on the meeting between White and Toney. White sounds like a man who wants to do this. He should not fall into The Toney Trap.
Update (1/6): I don’t care if it’s real or fake, amusing:
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 38 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Bellator prepares for upcoming season starting in March/April 2010
By Zach Arnold | January 5, 2010
The organization is getting ready for their multi-pronged television plan where their will be programming on Fox Sports Net, NBC, and Telemundo. This replaces their deal from last season on ESPN Deportes.
Bjorn Rebney, Bellator CEO, said the following yesterday publicly:
“Coming up next 145 lbs. We have four signed fighters so far who are a combined 38-2. First one will be announced tomorrow.”
In addition to the Featherweight division, the company will have tournaments to determine #1 challengers across multiple weight classes. In a recent interview on the Versus web site, Rebney laid out the company’s upcoming plans.
“There’s a long road for us to go on and the next 10 months with 24 events on FSN and NBC and Telemundo are going to tell a lot about how our tournament format plays out and where we’re going to next. My hope is it goes to great places.”
He defended the company’s use of a tournament format.
“Absolutely. You know, I think that’s… that was what was in my head five years ago. I used to watch the fighting sports and I used to say what it needs is objectivity, it needs a fighting organization where guys control their own destiny and that’s what I wanted to put into motion. That’s what makes us different from the UFC, Strikeforce, and WEC. It’s not fighters walking out of the mouth of the dragon or girls dancing on the pole or anything kind of a team concept. It’s exactly the same thing you see in all your favorite organizations but it’s up to the fighters.”
Expectations in 2010: “Spectacular match-ups, probably across, not probably, for sure across all weight divisions, very-evenly matched, a lot of great fighters. I don’t know if you’ve seen what’s been going on with our Welterweight division but Jacob McClintock, Ben Askren, Dan Hornbuckle, Jim Wallhead, we’re trying to put in the best of the best fighters out there in the world and put them all together and let them go at it. So, I mean, great fights every single night for 12 straight weeks and a #1 ranked challenger at the very end of the bout.”
Topics: Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 19 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |