Clinch Gear and RVCA banned by UFC

by Warhand on Nov 17, 2009 5:43 PM EST

This from FightersOnlyMagazine:

RVCA and Clinch Gear have become the two latest additions to the UFC’s sponsorship blacklist, it was confirmed today. The bannings were the subject of much discussion among industry insiders at the weekend’s UFC 105 event, but were not confirmed until today.

RVCA has attracted the ire of the UFC by sponsoring Fedor Emelianenko for his fight with Brett Rogers on the recent Strikeforce/CBS show. As a long-time sponsor of lightweight champion BJ Penn, the brand is a familiar one with UFC fans.

Clinch Gear has been banned from the Octagon for obvious reasons. The brand is Dan Henderson’s own clothing line and as the UFC and he are no longer seeing eye to eye, the label is not welcome in the cage. Relations between UFC president Dana White and Henderson have apparently been cordial during negotiations but this latest move may upset the former Pride double-champion.

The UFC and a Zuffa have a history of banning certain brands from sponsoring athletes in the UFC and WEC cages. And earlier this year, an arbitrary sponsorship tax was also introduced with the aim of filtering out the small-scale companies that were finding their way into main-card sponsorship slots.

Once again the message is sent from the UFC to everyone. If you're not on the bus you'll be under the bus.

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Comments

If you're not on the bus you'll be under it.

by MMA_Messiah on Nov 17, 2009 6:03 PM EST reply actions

Thanks for posting this 12 hours ago MMASuPreMaCy!

by CSKit on Nov 17, 2009 6:14 PM EST reply actions

wait…

by CSKit on Nov 17, 2009 6:25 PM EST up reply actions

=)

Thanks.

Good to see at least one website confirming it. I wonder if anyone else will be reporting on it. Huge implications with Hendo, and RVCA sponsored fighters like BJ and Vitor.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 17, 2009 7:07 PM EST up reply actions

And earlier this year, an arbitrary sponsorship tax was also introduced with the aim of filtering out the small-scale companies that were finding their way into main-card sponsorship slots.

I don’t think the author understands the meaning of the word ‘arbitrary’.

by Steve4192 on Nov 17, 2009 7:36 PM EST reply actions