UPDATE: Spike TV Press Release: "Fight for the Troops" NOT at Fort Bragg

by Luke Thomas on Oct 3, 2008 4:30 PM EDT in News Comment 12 comments

While some considered it a non-story that UFC President Dana White would announce that "Fight for the Troops" would be held at U.S. Army base Fort Bragg without getting confirmation from the Army, the plot now thickens. Spike TV has a press release that says the UFC's December 10th event "Fight for the Troops" will not be held on Fort Bragg:

Spike TV will telecast "UFC Fight For The Troops" live from the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, NC on Wednesday, December 10 from 9:00 PM – Midnight, ET. The event will feature a full UFC fight card as well as celebrity appearances and an all-star lineup of UFC fighters. A phone bank in Los Angeles will also be created where donors can interact with the celebrities and UFC fighters answering phones. Further details on appearances and event information will be released soon.

The UFC will not return my emails, so I can't confirm anything until I have word from any of their representative, but it appears awfully strange that the UFC and Spike TV aren't on the same page regarding where this event is to be held (the UFC press release still says the event will be at Fort Bragg).

Stay tuned for updates.

UPDATE: I spoke with David Schwarz, Vice President of Communications at Spike TV this afternoon. He confirms that "Fight for the Troops" will NOT be at Fort Bragg. He confirms the event will be at the Crown Coliseum and that the troops from Bragg will be bused there to fill the stands. Good move on the UFC's part.

Here's where the story gets interesting: Schwarz says the switch from Bragg to the local venue out in town was due to capacity. I'm paraphrasing here, but he claims there wasn't a venue that had enough space for the UFC's tastes. I'm not sure how large a venue has to be for a venture like UFC Fight Night, but Spike's story is that nothing shady went on. They simply decided to switch to a larger venue to make room for a larger show and accomodate everyone.

As for my original reporting, I obviously need to follow up with the officials at Bragg, but the information from Army officials at Bragg that I have is markedly different. I was told that the Department of the Army hadn't signed off on it yet and that while the official request had been made, nothing had been approved. Schwartz contends than the Army signed off on the original release with Fort Bragg mentioned as the location, so needless to say this is all very confusing.

So, I will do my part and follow up with the officials at Bragg, but once again, UFC "Fight for the Troops" will no longer be held at Fort Bragg.

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I live 40 mins from Ft. Bragg/F’Ville…the Crown Coliseum is the largest venue in the entire area near the military base…and with the way MMA is growing here(the Carolina Crown MMA event is expecting a TON of people next week)…they may see it as an opportunity to make money or test the market as to how a show would do here(like in Omaha)….just my two cents…but it is crazy that they are not on the same page in terms of announcing where the fights will be

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Oct 3, 2008 11:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

LUKE.

good call. i just wonder why the army wouldnt let them have it at Ft.Bragg. it’s for a good cause. shame on Ft. Bragg imo. it sounds like moving it to the crown colliseum will just be more free seats for the troops.

by bdw on Oct 3, 2008 11:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Could be

All I know is until I hear from the UFC, I won’t really know what’s going on. I’m going to try to reach the folks at the Crown Coliseum.

by Luke Thomas on Oct 3, 2008 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You've got to me smiling right now...

I remember how insane this thread got.

by steveoc24 on Oct 3, 2008 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well..like I said…the coliseum is the largest venue near the base…however, it’s interesting to note they need more space(are civilians going to be able to attend?) because A LOT of troops stationed in Ft. Bragg are/were deployed last time I was down there.

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Oct 3, 2008 4:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dude

I have no idea. There are so many questions now. Far fewer answers. I’m going to see what I can find.

by Luke Thomas on Oct 3, 2008 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think this is a better idea myself….. the Crown is much larger as Kelvin said, meaning they can accommodate troops from other bases in the region like Camp Lejeune, Fort Bragg, Cherry Point, Pope AFB, and Seymour Johnson AFB.

They can also sell some tickets to the general public, allowing them to generate revenue that they can then donate to the cause if they see fit…

Hey Luke, you gonna be attending this show?

Mike Goldberg on robnashville:
"His analysis is so analytical"

by robnashville on Oct 3, 2008 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's not get ahead of ourselves

There was no indication from Spike they were working with other services or other nearby bases on this at all. Let’s not pat them on the back about this until we know the facts.

Alas, I’d like to attend the how, but I don’t know if I can get credentialed even with CBS radio. I can’t imagine the UFC is particularly happy with me given that they won’t even return my emails.

by Luke Thomas on Oct 3, 2008 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

just throwing those out as ideas, cool if it happens..if they just limit to ft bragg that is cool..certainly just doing the event is more than they had to do…i give them a pat on the back for their efforts, whatever form they take….. i live in the area like kelvin, and there are a multitude of bases around, especially in the eastern part of the state….

Mike Goldberg on robnashville:
"His analysis is so analytical"

by robnashville on Oct 3, 2008 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For those saying this will allow other bases

I don’t think you have any IDEA how big Bragg is. Its the world’s largest military installation. Home to the 82nd Airborne division, 18th Airborne Corps, 3rd AND 7th Special Forces Groups, people that don’t exist, JSOC, USASOC, all the people involved in the Special Warfare Training Group, and THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of support personnel.

Almost 10% of the active Army population is on that post. There won’t be room for anyone else lol. I had to look it up but the post is home to 43,000 active duty army personel. Alot may be deployed but its not 90% of post. Just letting you know before you start making plans to drive up there from Lejeune.

by skwirrl on Oct 3, 2008 8:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

On a more positive note… Maybe Tim Kennedy gets announced in the UFC’s 185 lb division in a fight against Karo? Assuming he hasn’t gotten as far away from Bragg as he possibly could since he got out.

by skwirrl on Oct 3, 2008 8:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs