New person to head-up NY state athletic commission
By Zach Arnold | July 26, 2008
More information available in this AP story. Further details here, here, and here.
What does it mean for the future of boxing and MMA in the state of New York? Eddie Goldman has some commentary on the story.
Topics: Boxing, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Elite XC 7/26 Stockton, California
By Zach Arnold | July 26, 2008
Reports: MMA Weekly | MMA Mania | Bloody Elbow | MMA Junkie | Total MMA | Sherdog | Observer
Get on the Cyborg bandwagon already.
Topics: Media, MMA, Pro Elite, Zach Arnold | 26 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
TapouT is now a sponsor of Kimbo Slice
By Zach Arnold | July 25, 2008
Press release
KIMBO AND TAPOUT PARTNER TO CREATE EXCLUSIVE APPAREL LINE
Grand Terrace, CA (July 28, 2008) – TapouT, the premier mixed martial arts apparel, gear and lifestyle brand, announced today that the company will sponsor MMA superstar Kimbo Slice and create a joint apparel line under the TapouT brand. TapouT will be Kimbo’s exclusive apparel sponsor.
“Kimbo is the real deal,” said Mask, TapouT Founder. “He is the ultimate underdog who kept his nose to the grindstone and rose up to become one of the most well-known MMA fighters out there. Kimbo is tough, but full of heart, and we’re excited to take him from the cage to the clothing.”
“I want to thank the whole TapouT FAM for taking an interest in me and team Kimbo,” said Kimbo Slice. Also thank you guys for allowing us to be a part of your FAM… and the tightest gear out there. Hey man, my team is psyched, team Kimbo is psyched.”
Further details on the Kimbo/TapouT apparel line will be announced in the coming months.
About TapouT
An independently operated and owned mixed martial arts lifestyle company, TapouT boasts a sought-after apparel line for MMA enthusiasts, sponsors the best MMA Fighters (Chuck Liddell, Anderson Silva, etc.) and stars in a hit TV reality show “TapouT,” which kicks off season two on July 30 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on VERSUS (and launched July 24 on VERSUS ON DEMAND). TapouT is also the exclusive apparel sponsor for Spike TV’s “The Ultimate Fighter” through 2011.
TapouT’s passion for the sport has turned into a full-on underground culture, as the TapouT crew, Mask, Punkass and Skyskrape, extend the growing popularity of MMA through their presence at the most extreme events, supporting fighters and offering the hottest, edgiest apparel for men and women. Their distinctive logo graces everything from hats, tees and car windows, to their special limited edition 2007 Toyota Tundra TapouT truck. The TapouT logo has become so noteworthy that its most devoted fans are tattooing it on their bodies, demonstrating the ultimate in commitment.
Topics: Media, MMA, Pro Elite, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Not much mainstream media coverage for EXC Stockton event
By Zach Arnold | July 25, 2008
Tito Ortiz has been generating good press in the Phoenix media market for an upcoming blood drive this weekend in the area.
Writing the obituary on the IFL.
- The Seattle PI: Elite XC is ready for round two
- The Oklahoman: Frank Shamrock steps behind the mic for Elite XC
- icLiverpool (UK): Cage Gladiators roll into town in city’s biggest cage fighting showcase
- The Edinburgh Evening News (UK): James Mair has a hold on the fight game
- The Sun (UK): Brock Lesnar says ‘this fight is do or die’
- KELO Land (SD): Brock Lesnar says ‘there’s a lot to learn in this sport’
- The Times Herald-Record (NY): In MMA cage, Brian Stann builds ferocious reputation
- The Times Herald-Record (NY): Rory Singer says UFC-style mayhem is not for everyone
- Ben Fowlkes (SI): If Affliction wants to hang around, it may need a math lesson
Topics: Affliction, IFL, Media, MMA, Pro Elite, UFC, UK, WEC, Zach Arnold | 6 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
In the mail today…
By Zach Arnold | July 24, 2008
… Becoming the Natural: My Life In and Out of the Cage, by Randy Couture w/ Loretta Hunt.
If any publishers or merchandisers are interested in adding me to mailing lists to check out products in advance, use the contact form to get a hold of me.
Topics: Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Fight Opinion Radio special: Jeremy Lappen (EXC)
By Zach Arnold | July 24, 2008
Jeremy Lappen, one of the big bosses of Elite XC, joined us on the program this week to talk about this Saturday’s Elite XC event at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, CA. Check out the event’s fight card by going to EliteXC.com. You can purchase tickets for this Saturday’s event on TicketMaster.
This special edition of Fight Opinion Radio is now online and available to download. Download this week’s show here.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: Fight Opinion Radio, Jeff Thaler, Media, MMA, podcasts, Pro Elite, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
GSP on Fitch: “I’m better than he is”
By Zach Arnold | July 24, 2008
Georges St. Pierre seems very confident that he will beat Jon Fitch in August. ‘I’m better than he is.’
AOL Fanhouse has a preview of this weekend’s EXC show on CBS.
Today, we have a motley selection of articles. No real theme or direction, just some news items to read.
- The Arizona Republic: Tito Ortiz will host “Ultimate Blood Drive II” this Saturday in Phoenix at the Metrocenter
- MMA Payout: Zuffa’s finances – cash-strong and cocksure, but consistent?
- The Liverpool Echo (UK): Paul Kelly set to star at UFC 89
- The Oklahoman: Oklahoma City fans prove strength of local MMA market
- Sherdog: CBS title bout Saturday, Bar exam Monday for Nick Thompson
- 2 The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA): Affliction vs. UFC – a split decision
- The Northern Light (Canada): Former Petit-Rocher resident Denis Lagace preparing for MMA debut
- The Lancashire Telegraph (UK): Chris Leben’s mission to beat Michael Bisping
- The Orange County Register: Joe Rogan experiences fatherhood, Zen, ultimate fighting
- The Loughborough Echo (UK): ‘Judo Jimmy’ Wallhead hopes for US cage stardom
- Hall of Fame Magazine: Assessing the Affliction
- USA Today: Elite XC returns to CBS with re-match
- The Washington Post: All the world’s a cage
- KARE 11 (Minnesota): Brock Lesnar ready, willing to work for his shot at UFC title
Topics: Affliction, Canada, Media, MMA, Pro Elite, UFC, UK, Zach Arnold | 16 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Interview notes with Jeremy Lappen
By Zach Arnold | July 23, 2008
We will have the audio posted on the site later of an interview we conducted last night with Jeremy Lappen. With that said, a few items from the interview that were addressed:
– In regards to whether or not Elite XC will be on Fox Sports Net, it seems more positive than negative at this point that some sort of relationship will be worked out.
– Right now, ticket sales for this Saturday’s EXC event in Stockton are about 50% in advance. The building seats a little over 9,000, and the walk-up is expected to be good for the show.
– There’s no real decision regarding who the ‘front man’ will be for EXC with Gary Shaw taking on the role as consultant.
– There would be interest in whoever the Elite XC heavyweight champion ends up being in regards to fighting heavyweight champions from other promotions. (Justin Eilers recently did an interview here regarding his upcoming match against Antonio “Big Foot” Silva.)
– Mr. Lappen believes that the way Elite XC will be able to generate revenue in the future on PPV is by building up new stars on free-to-air television. Without that television exposure, it’s tough to be successful on PPV.
– He stated that Nick Diaz has been good to work with and used the word ‘professional’ to describe his behavior. Mr. Lappen stated that Nick Diaz is great because fans either love him or hate him, which is good. If a fighter can’t generate any emotional attachment from an audience, that’s a kiss of career death.
Topics: Media, MMA, Pro Elite, Zach Arnold | 6 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
The Affliction web traffic boom
By Zach Arnold | July 23, 2008
Our traffic numbers on the site increased 50% over the course of the weekend of July 19th (18th Fri, 19th Sat, 20th Sunday).
Well, at least we know the hardcore MMA fans online were excited.
To put the traffic #’s into context… usually in the Summer months, traffic takes a real nosedive (especially because the primary audience for MMA is in the 18-34 year old age range, meaning a lot of university students, etc.) However, because the MMA season has been so active this Summer, traffic has not taken a nosedive at all. With the increased activity due to Affliction, the numbers for this past weekend were as good if not better than during peak MMA season.
Topics: Affliction, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 13 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
UFC scores huge rating for Silva/Irvin
By Zach Arnold | July 22, 2008
2.1 cable rating, which is tremendous.
Check out the CompuStrike stats for the 7/19 event.
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 20 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Did Spike TV buy positive UFC coverage from The Big Lead?
By Zach Arnold | July 22, 2008
Read Steve Cofield for more details.
For those who don’t follow general mainstream sports blogs in the States, TBL is a popular web site that made a name for itself by having interviews with sportswriters Jason Whitlock and Tony Kornheiser.
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 2 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
EXC 8/16 Fresno, California
By Zach Arnold | July 21, 2008
Debi Purcell announced that she has been booked on this show. She is looking for sponsors, so if you are interested you can get a hold of her camp at [email protected].
Topics: Media, MMA, Pro Elite, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Ole Miss BJJ school
By Zach Arnold | July 21, 2008
Recently, they released an update discussing what is currently happening at their training facility (BJJ & submission wrestling). The school is located in Oxford, MS. at the University of Mississippi. If you want to sign up and join their school, the fee is $10 USD/month. The instructors are Neil Tabor and Corey Abdeen.
For more information, you can contact them at [email protected].
Topics: Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |