UFC’s branding & competition
By Zach Arnold | August 22, 2006
By Zach Arnold
Jeff Thaler has thoughts about a recent newspaper article in which UFC’s COO talks about the amount of money that the UFC fighters are paid per-fight. The Miami Herald has more on UFC’s media momentum and branding.
I have seen many sentiments online about UFC facing competition in the near future. So far, the track record of groups running against UFC has been rather unimpressive. The IFL has an interesting concept, but so far the execution has been lacking. The WFA, which has been the group most willing to spend money, lost a lot of $$$ after one show.
To me, the first real test for UFC will be Calvin Ayre, CEO of BoDog.net. Ayre has millions of dollars (literally spare change for him) to spend on MMA. Based on what I have heard so far, Ayre is assembling experienced MMA management into his new company. Ayre’s sheer wealth and potential resources is what makes him a dangerous threat to UFC. It’s what Ayre has and the others don’t have that makes the difference.
Ayre seems determined to get involved in MMA in a big way (including signing a deal with Red Devil). He may be the one person who can provide true competition to UFC.
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Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 9 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
PRIDE 9/10 Saitama card line-up
By Zach Arnold | August 22, 2006
- Yosuke Nishijima vs. Evangelista Cyborg
- Kazuhiro Nakamura vs. Yoshihiro “KISS” Nakao
- Reserve Match: Sergey Kharitonov vs. Emelianenko Alexander
- Open-Weight GP: Vanderlei Silva vs. Mirko Cro Cop
- Open-Weight GP: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Josh Barnett
At the press conference announcing the new fights, Nishijima indicated that he wanted a chance at Mike Tyson.
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Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | 3 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
K-1 9/30 Osaka Castle Hall card line-up
By Zach Arnold | August 22, 2006
K-1 World GP 2006 in Osaka
- Jerome Le Banner vs. Choi Hong-Man
- Peter Aerts vs. Remy Bonjasky
- Semmy Schilt vs. Bjorn Bregy
- Ernesto Hoost vs. Yusuke Fujimoto
- Musashi vs. Chalid “Die Faust” Arrab
Plus: Glaube Feitosa, Ray Sefo, Ruslan Karaev, and others.
Sidenote: Genki Sudo vs. Ian Schaffa was announced for the promotion’s 9/4 Tokyo, Ariake Colosseum show.
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Topics: All Topics, Japan, K-1, Zach Arnold | 7 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Kameda vs. Landaeta II
By Zach Arnold | August 22, 2006
The big announcement today in Japan is that Koki Kameda, who won a very controversial decision over Juan Jose Landaeta of Venezuela (on 8/2 at Yokohama Arena), will have a re-match with Landaeta in October.
Topics: All Topics, Boxing, Japan, Media, Zach Arnold | 1 Comment » | Permalink | Trackback |
Mike Tyson in PRIDE
By Zach Arnold | August 20, 2006
By Zach Arnold
The front page of Yahoo Japan’s HP has the link to a Sports Nippon newspaper report about Mike Tyson participating in PRIDE. Tyson is being marketed to the Japanese as PRIDE’s “big surprise” for their 10/21 Las Vegas event.
Also in the report, Hidehiko Yoshida continued expressing his desire to open up a new Judo school in the United States.
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Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | 16 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
PRIDE 10/21 Las Vegas event
By Zach Arnold | August 20, 2006
By Zach Arnold
The promotion announced Mark Coleman vs. Emelianenko Fedor and Kevin Randleman vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua as two of the matches for their 10/21 Thomas & Mack Center show in Las Vegas, Nevada. What makes the Coleman vs. Fedor announcement interesting is that a few days ago, the promotion indirectly (through Sankei Sports) was floating out the rumor in Japan of Fedor vs. Rulon Gardner.
Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Review Journal has a report confirming that the Chuck Liddell vs. Vanderlei Silva fight will not take place. The paper claims that problems with negotiations with PRIDE’s office led to the breakdown. Also, Seconds Out has more information about Mike Tyson possibly appearing on a PRIDE American show. Tyson can’t appear in Japan due to his felony rapsheet.
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Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | 4 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Holyfield wins in return fight
By Zach Arnold | August 18, 2006
By Zach Arnold
Fox Sports Net had a live telecast of the Evander Holyfield vs. Jeremy Bates fight from Dallas, Texas at the American Airlines Arena on Friday night. Holyfield defeated Jeremy Bates by TKO (referee stoppage) at the end of R2. The crowd was very large at the Arena and strongly supportive of Holyfield, chanting his name very early on in the fight. Whenever Holyfield managed to get a spurt of punches going, the crowd really erupted. Holyfield looked OK — just as you would expect, nothing more or nothing less. Rich Marotta & Sean O’Grady tried their best to put over Holyfield on TV commentary.
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Topics: All Topics, Boxing, Media, Zach Arnold | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Calvin Ayre officially announces MMA entry
By Zach Arnold | August 18, 2006
By Zach Arnold
Last month, we reported an industry rumor online first about Bodog.net owner Calvin Ayre getting involved in the MMA business. Today, a press release was issued on the Casino City Times detailing Ayre’s plans. In short, the first MMA show series taping is underway right now in Costa Rica (where Ayre is located) and the series will air on the Dish Network.
What should catch a lot of attention is that Ayre’s project has scored a deal with Red Devil, the team that Emelianenko Fedor & Emelianenko Alexander belong to. The press release confirms that a PPV will be taking place on November 4th in Los Angeles.
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Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 1 Comment » | Permalink | Trackback |
UFC Fight Night (8/17/2006)
By Zach Arnold | August 17, 2006
By Zach Arnold
Here we go. Full show review.
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Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 6 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
UFN 6 – Analysis
By Stephan | August 15, 2006
As usual I like to review and analyze the line up! This card is particularly good for a free card as you will see. I didnt do the full card, but the most intesting fights imho. So without further due:
Jason Von Flue Vs. Joe Riggs
Riggs has been kind of lackluster since losing (and not qualifying) against Hughes. His win against Diaz was contested, but not very exciting. Von Flue though, does not have much of a chance against Diesel, he may have the odd chance of catching Riggs in a sub as Riggs has shown vulnerability against good sub guys. By no means is Von Flue a GREAT sub guy either, but he has a slim chance of pulling one off. If Riggs is ready and not too affected by losing so much weight again, its a sure win by GNP for Diesel.
Dean Lister Vs. Yuki Sasaki
Dean may be a little disappointed to be on a UFN card as opposed to a UFC main card, to people who had not heard of him, he really impressed at his UFC debut (and was the saving grace of BJJ) at the Gracie vs Hughes card. Yuki has faced some very stiff competition in his career, but alas has loss against all the big names (Ricardo Gracie, David Terrell, Rcordo Almeida). I guess you could say that Dean has also lost against big names as well (Arona, Horn), but he is up and coming, while Sasaki is definitly on his way out. This should be a good technical fight, probably mostly on the ground. Lister by sub.
Josh Koscheck Vs. Jonathan Goulet
Jonathan was very exciting and really impressed against Luke Cummo. I’m looking forward to see how he will matchup against a good wrestler like Koscheck. Josh’s only loss came to Fickett, he was actually winning the fight, but got suprised in a rear naked choke. I’m trying real hard to not let the French in me take over and say Goulet, Goulet! This fight will be a good test for both fighters, we may go the distance here, Koscheck by decision.
Diego Sanchez Vs. Karo Parisyan
Diego has been mouthing off about being the best TUF fighter out there, the last one without a loss. He may have a big mouth, but he is an excellent fighter and BJJ practitioner as well (He did lose in 10 minutes against Marcello Garcia – a pretty amazing feat). BJJ is not all the same as MMA tho, and Karo is no slouch. Very strong and fluid. Karo barely lost to GSP a couple years ago. Karo’s trouble sometimes is his lack of aggressiveness, he will have to be agressive against Diego. Diego will be agressive as usual. But Diego will have to be careful or he will get caught. This should be a great fight, very tough to call. Diego by decision.
Chris Leben Vs. Jorge Santiago
An interesting fight. Chris is coming back from a totally devastating loss to Anderson Silva. He may be in a must win situation or his stock value will diminish dearly. Chris has a lot of heart, but his problem lays in his sloppiness standing up. Leben will have to be sharp here, Santiago is very similar to Anderson Silva, very crisp kickboxing and Muay Thai, and also very good BJJ. The UFC is touting this as Leben 2.0 – The Comeback. But, I am afraid Leben will get caught again by being sloppy, Santiago by TKO.
Topics: All Topics, MMA, Stephan Marceau, UFC | 1 Comment » | Permalink | Trackback |
Heat-up for TUF 4
By Zach Arnold | August 15, 2006
By Zach Arnold
There is a lot of press coverage this week in the media for this Thursday’s season-opening show for The Ultimate Fighter: Season 4. Neil Davidson in the Canadian Press (article here at Canada.com) has an article, along with The Dartmouth Online, the UK’s News & Star, The Boston Herald, and Multichannel News.
Are you excited for the new season? What are your expectations (ratings, performances, etc.)?
Update: Boston Herald writer Mark Perigard gives the season premiere a grade of B+.
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Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 3 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Promoting 101: How to burn a town
By Zach Arnold | August 15, 2006
By Zach Arnold
For the last few days, Erin Bucknell at MMA California has been following the events surrounding a Stockton, California MMA show last Saturday that was supposed to be headlined by Nick Diaz. On Saturday morning, Erin caught a newspaper report about Diaz not having an official weigh-in. Hours later, various MMA sites confirmed the story. Of course, the paying customers who were being told one thing and being delivered another were likely the last to know about the matchmaking problems.
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Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 4 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Inoki has advice for Kameda
By Zach Arnold | August 14, 2006
By Zach Arnold
Antonio Inoki has had a storied career, and some of those highlights include his friendships with dictators. Before you consider that statement harsh, history shows that Mr. Inoki likes to extend himself to various characters — such as the Hussein sons in 1990 in Iraq (when he went there to get Japanese hostages freed), or when he had the idea of fighting Ugandan ruler Idi Amin in a match.
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Topics: All Topics, Boxing, Japan, Media, Zach Arnold | 27 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |