More reaction to Lorenzo Fertitta and his new UFC role
By Zach Arnold | June 19, 2008
Sorry about getting this up late online today, but I have a lot of on my plate (thankfully, all MMA-related). Not a whole lot of news today…
- Total MMA: Big for one’s britches (a must-read article)
- Politicker NV: Lorenzo Fertitta now fighting full-time (interesting insight)
- The Las Vegas Review-Journal: Ultimate challenge for Stations exec
- Fightlinker: Bloggers agree – Lorenzo with the UFC means big things to come
- The New York Daily News: Assembly KOs bill legalizing MMA
- The Associated Press: MMA legislation stalls in New York
- The Glen Falls Post-Star (New York): ‘Ultimate fighting’ bill delayed
- The Albany Times-Union: MMA takes a dive in NY
- The Canadian Press: MMA fighter Jesse Taylor dismissed from reality TV show after drunken escapade
- MMA Junkie: Amir Sadollah vs. C.B. Dollaway to crown TUF 7 champion
- Sherdog: Promoting MMA – an interview with Joseph Cavallaro
- The Fight Network: Chris Horodecki waits on IFL
Topics: IFL, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 18 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Server issues
By Zach Arnold | June 18, 2008
Don’t get me started on the fact that our site was down for most of the day today. Either a server switch is coming or we may create a permanent back-up site so that if one site doesn’t load, the back-up site will.
Topics: Media, Zach Arnold | 6 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Lorenzo Fertitta shifts from the casino to UFC
By Zach Arnold | June 18, 2008
- Kevin Iole – Lorenzo Fertitta steps into co-boss role of UFC with Dana White
- Bloody Elbow: Bad news for Dana and Lorenzo is taking a huge pay cut
- The Las Vegas Sun: Here a Fertitta, there a Fertitta
- Fightlinker: Lorenzo Fertitta comes on board 100%
- MMA Opinion: The Mobster and the Boxer
Dave Meltzer’s thoughts
- There was too much to do business-wise for Dana White in UFC (claims that he spent 2-4 days a month at home in Las Vegas), so this announcement is the ‘happiest he’s been in a long time’ to have Lorenzo coming on-board
- This announcement should put to end any rumors that UFC will be sold any time soon
- Lorenzo’s deal is aggressive international expansion of the company (China, India, and Brazil)
- They are going to become even more aggressive and be really hard on any competitor by serving notice to anyone who is trying to go national in the MMA scene
- There is an 8-year plan to be the #1 sport in the world
- Lorenzo Fertitta’s big role in the company will be on the merchandising side of the equation
- In regards to future television deals for UFC, “They want an NBA deal where they get paid big, big money”
But to say the primary motive for this decision is based on the growth of the company is not telling the whole story. While this isn’t a demotion for White and he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, Fertitta’s involvement still means that a great deal of White’s power has been usurped. Before this announcement, Dana was the most powerful man in MMA. Now, he’s number two.
Having a proven businessman like Fertitta working side by side next to the original MMA gangsta Dana White will mean the UFC will have more executive manpower to put together last-minute promotions to rival any other potential competitors. Good for the UFC, bad for other organizations. See ya Affliction, Darth White has found his Sith Lord and you’re in trouble.
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 18 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Today’s chalkboard (6/18/08)
By Zach Arnold | June 18, 2008
Amateur MMA tournaments are coming to Singapore soon.
The Washington Times has more thoughts on the current landscape in the MMA industry.
The latest update on possible MMA regulation in the state of New York.
Michael Bisping is going to be training with boxer David Haye in Cyprus.
Other headlines:
- The Canadian Press: UFC aims knockout punch at rival Affliction
- Sports Illustrated: Dana White says July 19th is on, and Anderson Silva’s coming
- The Winnipeg Sun: Promoter Tony Condello heating things up on June 27th at Winnipeg Convention Centre with Alberto Crane headlining
- The Brockton Enterprise (MA): Dan Lauzon has his eye on the ultimate prize
- Yahoo Sports: Nick Diaz says his grudge with KJ Noons is real (the comments from Diaz are must-read)
- Press Release: Shawn Tompkins to fight for XFA promotion
Topics: Affliction, Media, MMA, Pro Elite, UFC, UK, Zach Arnold | 11 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Steve Cofield brings the dirt on Andrei Arlovski
By Zach Arnold | June 17, 2008
Hard-hitting journalism at its finest. One question — will Tim Sylvia try to bring a replica WAMMA belt with him on a date with Miss Mikula?
Topics: Affliction, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 3 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
UFC 7/19 Las Vegas card
By Zach Arnold | June 17, 2008
Anderson Silva vs. James Irvin (205 pounds)
Hermes Franca (coming off his steroid suspension) vs. Frankie Edgar
Over at AOL Fanhouse, Michael David Smith is suggesting that Affliction may as well cancel their Anaheim show in light of UFC running against them.
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 59 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Big DEEP event booked
By Zach Arnold | June 17, 2008
August 16th in Okayama at Momotaro Arena. The show will be called “Gladiator” and feature a Japan vs. South Korea 5-versus-5 fight card concept.
Also booked is Minowaman vs. Don Frye and Gary Goodridge vs. Hiromi Amada (K-1 rules).
Topics: Japan, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 4 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Video: Paul Buentello interview
By Zach Arnold | June 17, 2008
Topics: Affliction, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Quotes of the Day – Dave Meltzer on the DREAM 4 show
By Zach Arnold | June 17, 2008
Audio here (22 minute time mark):
“I thought that it was long and not necessarily exciting, uh, a couple of fights were okay, but there was nothing um nothing worth going out of way to see, that’s for sure.”
After praising Jacare vs. Miller…
“Nothing, uh, nothing really, Nothing really stood out. Very missable show.”
Topics: DREAM, Japan, K-1, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 8 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Dana White’s “big announcement”
By Zach Arnold | June 17, 2008
It’s supposed to happen today. This is the post where you can comment on what it ends up being, if interested.
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
There’s as much fighting outside of the cage than in it these days
By Zach Arnold | June 17, 2008
Here is a press release detailing Ricco Rodriguez’s upcoming fight on June 28th in Salt Lake City for the UCE promotion.
Sherdog is reporting that UK star Dan Hardy will make his UFC debut on October 18th in England.
Josh Gross at Sports Illustrated has a preview of the upcoming MMA Summer calendar. I like it.
The Washington Times has an article talking about UFC beating down their competition. I have to give Adam Swift a lot of credit — that guy seemingly always finds a way to get himself quoted in a newspaper article these days.
Today’s headlines.
- The Palo Alto Daily News (CA): Local resident and former MMA star Tim Lajcik achieves film success
- The UNLV Rebel Yell: UNLV boxing coach Chris Ben-Tchavtchavadze makes strides in MMA
- Fightmetric: The Total Performance Report (TPR) for UFC 85
- MMA Junkie: Affliction hoping for big burst on MMA scene
- ESPN’s Page 2: Who says you have to eat meat to be a successful athlete? (an article on our favorite, Mac Danzig)
- US 2008 Presidential Candidate Charles Jay: MMA odds – Ultimate Fighter 7 finale wagering
- Setanta Sports (UK): Rampage says, “I may as well take my belt off and whoop Forrest’s ass.”
- Fightlinker: Drew Fickett vs. Jake Shields conveniently canceled
- MMA Mania: Rob McCullough vs. Donald Cerrone WEC fight in the works
- Marc Staehling (Total MMA): UFC Superfights – no thanks
- MMA Opinion: Fighting outside of the cage
Topics: Affliction, Boxing, Media, MMA, Pro Elite, UFC, UK, WEC, Zach Arnold | 1 Comment » | Permalink | Trackback |
Larry Zbyszko tells it like it is
By Zach Arnold | June 17, 2008
The Living Legend on MMA’s appeal to pro-wrestling fans:
Wrestling is really in a situation where they’re losing a big part of their audience to the Ultimate Fighting. What wrestling is doing – and I’m speaking for the fans – is stupid. Instead of watching wrestling and athletes, all you’re doing for an hour or more out of each two-hour show is watching ridiculous, stupid skits. And most of the stupid skits are about some broad with plastic boobs, and the guys are all becoming morons. It’s just so stupid.
Topics: Media, MMA, Pro-Wrestling, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Video: Sakuraba vs. Manhoef
By Zach Arnold | June 16, 2008
Leland Roling at MMA Analyst loves Melvin Manhoef. This fight video… it just makes me sad.
More videos of DREAM 4 fights can be seen here.
Topics: DREAM, Japan, K-1, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 2 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |