Does this provide validation for the lifetime ban from all Zuffa promotions? I don’t think so.

Similar bans have been doled out to Affliction, Throwdown, and Cage Fighter/MMA Authentics, all have been the result of these companies establishing themselves as direct competitors for business opportunities with the Zuffa or its affiliate companies. You’ve stated BooYaa doesn’t fit the criteria that they have established would result in a ban, is there any direct competition between BooYaa and any of Zuffa’s affiliates that they may see?

Nothing we are doing today is in direct competition with UFC or WEC. First and foremost, BOOYAA is a clothing company and we are at the KOTC events with the fighters and the fans two to four weekends per month for the simple fact we are trying to sell our products. Our position is to continue to grow the sport and our sponsorship model has always revolved around assisting fighters to capture as much sponsorship money as possible.

We’ve heard rumblings that KOTC could possibly emerge as an alternative option for networks still looking to get involved in the business of promoting MMA events, how much of that is factual?

Right now the climate in MMA is at its peak, networks see the value in our sport and it’s ability to reach the coveted 18 to 34 year old market that advertisers actively seek out. The King of the Cage brand is touted by network officers to be one of the most brand able names in our industry. Terry (Trebilcock) and King of the Cage have the ability to identify excellent fighters that are marketable and can be developed to drive viewers to their TV’s and fans to their events.

KOTC C.E.O. Terry Trebilcock has recently been in talks with the management of ProElite in an attempt to acquire EliteXC and its assets which include the contracts of fighters such as Gina Carrano, Jake Shields, and Robbie Lawler, how close are they in terms of an agreement being reached?

I wish I knew. We all know that dialogue continues. I do hope the fighters get to fight sooner than later. There is a pool of great talent that we all look forward to watching. What I can tell you is that KOTC has proven over the last ten years that there recipe works, they continue to identify and build the biggest stars in the industry, most of which constitute a great majority of the industries high-end rosters.

Trebilcock has stated previously that KOTC, Showtime, and CBS have maintained their relationship even after EliteXC filed for bankruptcy and that there is a good chance that they will continue to be in some kind of business relationship throughout the upcoming year, what would that mean for BOOYAA?

It would be huge for us and the fighters we sponsor. Our goal is to continue pursuing A and B level retailers. Working with mainstream media platforms would allow us to penetrate those markets more effectively. BOOYAA is a viral name that has already been embraced and recognized in mainstream sports, television, music and movies, we’re confident that we could help convert mainstream sports fans and consumers into the world of Mixed Martial Arts.


When do you think you can expect to know what the future holds for KOTC and its relationship with BOOYAA?

We should all know something in the next few weeks or so if not sooner.

It’s open and shut, damnit. If you want to work with the UFC’s competitors (or become one, ala Affliction), you no longer work with the UFC. You’re either with them or against them. Tyrannical, arrogant, blunt? Yes. But it’s not gonna change.

So would it be ok to ban Tapout from CBS and Showtime?