Why the UFC Should Credential BloodyElbow.com
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 12:03 PM EDT
in News
139 comments
Our only priority is MMA. And unlike the mainstream traditional press, we aren't facing any staffing issues or financial cut backs:
There was plenty of elbow room cageside at Nationwide Arena with seating configured for 32 folks on the floor instead the customary 40-46 we've seen at past events. There were also plenty of seats to go around during the UFC 96 postfight press conference. UFC president Dana White actually snapped (UFC 96 vlog 5:56 mark) at the prefight presser. He waited for questions and then had to actually ask the media in attendance to speak up.
The local television stations show up to all these events but fewer and fewer newspapers and radio stations are in attendance. WatchKalibRun points out that the Columbus Dispatch basically ignored the event in favor of The Arnold Classic, the state wrestling tournament and Ohio State hoops. That's not a shocker. There is not one single newspaper nationally that travels a reporter to UFC events and when the Octagon comes to town the print coverage is often sporadic.
The media crew that consistently covers the UFC around the country can be counted on two hands. In fact, the UFC has lost at least one good reporter who covered the sport in Mike Chiappetta formerly with NBC.com and it looks like Showdown Joe Ferraro from Rogers SportsNet is only attending roughly 1-of-4 shows.
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and besides
I won’t spoil TUF because I can’t even stand to watch the shit beyond fast forwarding to the fights.
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
by Kid Nate on Mar 11, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And thats exactly why BE won't be credentialed...
Because of you Nate. You need to watch TUF and you need to like it.
by nitro on Mar 11, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i am right there with you nate
watchkalibrun.com
by Zak Woods on Mar 11, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just like I need to piss and then I need to like to drink it.
Rumor: Don’t they mostly credential web sites that take kickbacks? If they do do ya’ll really want credentials?
by natyong on Mar 11, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that the UFC should absolutely credential BE and other sites. They should encourage the coverage of their events. They should provide shows like Inside MMA with clips and damn, how great a guest would Dana and Lorenzo make?
Of course they should protect their product, but they need to start working with some of these outlets like major sports do.
Could you imagine a world where knowledgeable writers cover MMA, instead of basement dwellers looking for a way to the ground floor? UFC dominates the industry, and I think they should really consider making these kind of inroads.
If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.
by BJJDenver on Mar 11, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Even the UFC
still needs help building and pushing the sport. Everyone counts, even the internet sites. They probably get in touch with more people than any other media.
by Wookalarman on Mar 11, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Do they really need another house organ?
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
by aaronb on Mar 11, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Where is logic when you need him?
That's great, but how does it affect Lyoto Machida?
by beery_pbr on Mar 11, 2009 11:36 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
mmalogic
He’s probably filling out his paperwork to be credentialed for UFC 97.
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
by Brett Jones on Mar 11, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was just thinking that
"My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions." --George W. Bush, The Decider, Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007
by lovingmma25 on Mar 11, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Granting blogs access is going to be an interesting thing to watch, not just with the UFC, but with all the major sports in the coming years.
Newspapers are dying, so the sports are going to need someone to cover them to keep people informed. The question then becomes, how do you differentiate between Bloody Elbow, Sherdog, and MMABay. Do they all get credentialed? Do you not credential MMABay because they’re idiots? Can you then take the next step and not credential Sherdog because you don’t like them?
In a way, the, "no one gets credentialed’ policy is almost the most fair. But sports media is changing, and it will be interesting to see where this goes in the next few years.
by Phildo on Mar 11, 2009 11:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If I recall correctly, that’s was basically mmalogic’s argument. It’s a decent point, but I’m still inclined to believe there is some middle ground to be had. There would need to be some sort of criteria established to minimize the fallout from those outlets that aren’t allowed to be credentialed and allow blogs to understand what expectations should be met.
by Cannon Jacques on Mar 11, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that’s my point, eventually there has to be a middle ground, and I think it will be interesting to see what develops from it. I don’t get the point of them issuing credentials and then pulling them whenever something critical gets written. It’s just going to cause more drama that isn’t necessary.
It sucks for BE, who is trying to do it on their own, but maybe the policy of issuing the credentials through more established things, like cbssports/espn, etc. Maybe SBN’s new relationship with Yahoo could lead to something, or maybe SBN will become established enough on it’s own to let the UFC credential you and WKR.
by Phildo on Mar 11, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The thing that is weird is that I got press passes when I wrote for my University Paper, but can’t get them now
watchkalibrun.com
by Zak Woods on Mar 11, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just base it on page views and ‘quality of writing’?
by Gong on Mar 11, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Nominate BE for UFC Credentials!
I’ve been a fan of MMA for years and never committed to a single site until BE. It has by far some of the most down to earth Moderators and usually delightfully entertaining members. I would always surf site to site to get the latest news, but now rely solely on BE for my MMA news. The mobile content also makes it a breeze when i’m on lunch and just want to surf on my phone. Congratulations BE on your nomination and I hope the best for your staff.
all you gotta do is...
by imapimp08 on Mar 11, 2009 12:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think its a really hard thing to do. It opens the flood gates to everyone that has $70 for a domain name and some web space to start a blog and get credentialed. I mean you would have to pick out who gets access and who doesn’t. Blogs already cover the UFC so there is no rush on setting up a blog screening process. For Zuffa, the cost outweight the gain. Then as Phildo points out, how can you pick one over the other.
You first have to admit that Zuffa pays attention to blogs. They do, otherwise nothing like the dana vlog would exist. Then you have to grant access on a case by case basis. Who had a good rep and who does good work. That means following every blog out there to see how they operate and if they would take advantage of the access or they just want to sit ring side.
I just think it is easier to say no blog sites and try to slip some of the better blogers in on other forms of media. i.e. Luke getting in because of his radio work or Mike Coughlin getting in from F4WOnline because they do (did?, not sure if they still do) print the wrestling observer. Not to say that Mike is a blogger like that is an insult, they do online media.
by szucconi on Mar 11, 2009 12:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Traffic...
In 2009 we’re averaging over 1 million page views per month…it’s not hard for someone there doing press relations to take a few minutes and review traffic to sites applying for credentials.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 11, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Traffic is a good indicator, but it is still easier to say “No Blogs” and let it be known. It is not like you will pull a sherdog and stop covering them and ignore the fact that they exist. I think its easy to just get people like luke in on his “one show a week radio program but only if there is no terps game” because he is also a blogger. Luke, do you think you would get in if you had the radio show alone?
by szucconi on Mar 11, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The radio is the ONLY reason I get in. When the UFC has credentialed MMA Nation, they were EXPLICIT in their instructions that nothing was to be used for anything other than WJFK. Now, that’s standard that only the media entity being credentialed gets whatever media is produced, but the emphasis they placed on it was over the top.
My impression is that the UFC doesn’t give a flying fuck about this blog. Will they ever? Hard to say.
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think its a big company secret that they care about blogs. I just think Sherdog (Gross and the TUF results thing) set the cause back by years. One day important site will get in, but if they can ignore sherdog for so long then they can ignore anyone. It might not be a matter of size, but of time.
I mean, where are the people talking about Zuffa has plants on blogs to sway the chatter? And with the vlog being so popular, they have to care about blogs, they are just not ready to grant access.
by szucconi on Mar 11, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thats funny, because
I could have sworn in a couple of Dana’s more recent interviews it seemed like some of his statements were an almost direct answer to things posted on this website.
by Razreshat on Mar 11, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes really...
I noticed that as well.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on Mar 11, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can someone list an example? You guys have my attention.
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I want to say it was in one of the recent readio interviews you guys linked
but I don’t remember the specific topic that I was like “hey, its like he reads BE.”
by Razreshat on Mar 11, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Traffic is not always an indicator...
It would be much more than traffic. Just because a site is popular doesn’t mean they belong at a presser. I wouldn’t want Fightlinker at a presser asking if Dana White can officially change Edith’s name to Horseface. Granted, FL isn’t that high in traffic whatsoever, but you get my point.
Lemme ask this… Isn’t Dann Stupp credentialed at UFC events? Because from what I can tell, BE and MMAJunkie, while not the same, still have many aspects of their reporting that are the same. I don’t understand why he is credentialed while BE isn’t. Because of the Yahoo! Affliiation? Ridiculous.
Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com
by Leland Roling on Mar 11, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe Stupp is credentialed through his gig at the Dayton newspaper and not Junkie.
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why not contact a newspaper...
…and try to get hooked up through that?
by RipeTide on Mar 11, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fightlinker should get the credentials.
The more deserving person is Fightlinker. I’m just saying.
by dignan99 on Mar 11, 2009 12:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Do tell.
Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com
by Chris Nelson on Mar 11, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, please explain. I would like to hear this rationale or the punchline to the joke.
by Cannon Jacques on Mar 11, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
Fightlinker is a great blog. They dont censor comments and readers have right to express themselves.
by junglist1977 on Mar 11, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, we “censor” foul language, but not viewpoints. Hopefully you take that into consideration.
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i’ve seen people commenting get cursed at by BE writers because the reader doesnt agree with the writer. I take it BE writers don’t get censored for foul language?
by junglist1977 on Mar 11, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You aren’t even a very good troll.
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
try saying something like the UFC isnt making as big a deal out of the GSP greasegate situation as it should (suspension?) because they sell GSP t shirts on the site or that the UFC commentary is no better than WWF. That these fights are ending in KOs not because everyone is thinking about bonuses, but because any ground D is better than the zero striking defense most of these fighters have. (you cant block punches with your head)
Or that Lesnar (the best UFC heavyweight) is proof that MMA isnt an art, hardly anyone is a master of anything nor is it conducive to mastering a discipline. Its a lot of jack of all trades guys.
Those are a few contradictions to many of the biased opinions on this site, no media credentials because a media publication with journalistic integrity should consider all points of view.
now watch how hard I get flamed if not banned.
by ryanwk628 on Mar 11, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Contradictions that match up exactly with stories that were on the front page of this website?
The world isn’t out to get you, lay off the drama.
by Phildo on Mar 11, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn, and after you posted a FanShot that could have been answered with a simple Google search and I tried to help you out anyway.
The internet is a cold place.
Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com
by Chris Nelson on Mar 11, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“espn mma” didnt return anything when I did… at least not in english haha. This was before the tickets even went on sale. But thanks again. It was helpful.
by ryanwk628 on Mar 11, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No problem at all dude. I guess the larger point I want to make is that (I believe) everyone on staff here at BE is just trying to help, and to further the sport we all love. No one has any hidden agendas here.
Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com
by Chris Nelson on Mar 11, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The level of censorship around here
Is pretty liberal. I’ve only had one thing I said that I thought was unfair when I got chastized for it
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 12, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i got in trouble for calling matt hughes a dick, was this because it is a fact rather than an opinion?
by MonkeyCHops on Mar 11, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There’s a no name-calling rule here.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Mar 11, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What would you recommend to describe the relative aspects of the character of someone like him?
by MonkeyCHops on Mar 11, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d recommend that you not.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Mar 11, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Give me a break...
When I have to read shit like Notorious… the blog should be lifetime banned from being credentialed ever.
Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com
by Leland Roling on Mar 11, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Our only priority is MMA
This is the problem right here! They want the “mainstream media” so that they can garnish the biggest coverage that they can. They don’t care about the sites that are trying to bring attention to the fans.
by SanDiegoMMA.net on Mar 11, 2009 12:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
UFC
this site is good cuz it is updated frequently and usually has good articles. But I hate that the people running it are so cocky and sometimes dicks. Not everyone is gonna agree with your articles/opinions, there is no reason to become upset by this. And no reason to start talking shit to the readers. Dont let the sucess of this website go to your heads. We are all MMA fans and we all have our own opinions
keep up the good MMA news!
hopefully i wont get banned or censored for expressing my opinions
by junglist1977 on Mar 11, 2009 12:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You’re confusing censorship with the breaking of established rules of behavior. Calling any of us or fellow members “dicks” will get you banned.
by Cannon Jacques on Mar 11, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“Jackals” are too hardcore to NOT say stuff like shit and fuck all the time. You guys are being totally unfair to them!
by smoogy on Mar 11, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know I got threatened with a ban for saying GSP Cheated..(BE writer “Stop saying GSP Cheated or you’re gone” then BE main person “This isn’t your blog, find somewhere else if you can’t follow the rules”…
apparently the rules being that we can’t state facts such as GSP Cheated when even the President of the UFC and the AC say the exact same thing…
just saying, I don’t really care, fun to post my opinion but not like its a NEED and a ban threat I laugh at but BE is a great site, but no blogs should ever get credentials in my opinion (and I write for NFL blogs)…would make the entire system a joke, no matter how good this or that blog really is, even if they are a 100 times better than espn or yahoo, still, no to blogs imo…
by Reaser on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no...
You were going from post to post talking about the greasing thing and being really over the top with it…EVEN IN ARTICLES THAT WEREN’T ABOUT THE SITUATION. That got you your warning.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 12, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know if anyone from the UFC reads this site
But I spend roughly $1,500 a year on UFC products (mostly live show tickets and PPV broadcasts) and have 2-3 friends that go with me to every show we attend.
Bloodyelbow.com is my (and my friends) only source of MMA news. I’ve looked around and this really is the most informative site with the most responsive staff and the most knowledgeable community, but it is very hard for them to deliver the type of coverage that UFC events deserve without the proper credentials to attend the fights.
If you want to increase awareness of your product through media coverage please give BloodyElbow.com the credentials they deserve as a legitimate MMA news outlet.
"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn
by Day Man on Mar 11, 2009 12:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
why BE should be credentialed
I have been a BE fan for about 7 months now since i first heard Luke on Big O and Dukes. since then this has been my number one got too site PERIOD, i have looked around at osme of the other sites mmamania, sherdog ect. they all blow in comparison to BE and the product this site provideds. this site is one of a kind in terms of the community atmosphere and interaction between us lowly message board posters and the writers.
This is where the fans live the ones that buy every PPV. if you are not going to credential BE then i dont know what you are saying to your hardcore fans
by bearcox13 on Mar 11, 2009 12:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Blogs need love too
I wouldn’t mind seeing established sites like BE, Mania, 5ozs, Junkie get press privileges. You have a lot of knowledgeable writers who have a platform to promote your product even further for free to a ton of interested people. What harm could it do?
Granted they’re going to promote your product anyway but why not try to aid them and make their lives easier and stop trying to fight them. Everybody wins.
by Stefan Manojlovic on Mar 11, 2009 12:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That's proof Fightlinker is more deserving...
He actually received the credentialing. I guess we can turn the focus onto BE now.
The UFC’s determination that Fightlinker was worthy of credentialing, and other blogs not worth, comes down to a few logical reasons.
- Fightlinker cares more. He has suffered for this sport in ways others can’t imagine. He lives off of water and dust, just so he can keep producing quality content on a fulltime basis. He does what it takes, and doesn’t live the cushy lifestyle of other known bloggers.
- The UFC loves his unbiased viewpoint, and tell it like it is attitude. He doesn’t give a shit about popularity,but his continues to skyrocket.
- Fightlinkers writing is a masterpiece, similar to the newspaper guy in the movie Slapshot.
- Fightlinker bares witness to the fitness of the modern warrior. Like nobody else.
Top that bitches.
by dignan99 on Mar 11, 2009 12:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s because he has a job with FoxSports. If he didn’t work for Fox he wouldn’t be getting credentialed.
by Chooch on Mar 11, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thats, like, your opinion man. We all have them. I have inside information that says he would have had the credentialing no matter what. He is just that good.
by dignan99 on Mar 11, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ROFL!
I hope this is satirical, dignan.
Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com
by Leland Roling on Mar 11, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, he’s not get credentialed through FL. I guarantee that.
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Har har, I chat with Ryan all the time, it wasn’t through fightlinker.
by Michael Rome on Mar 11, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hahaha...
Hire Kevin Iole and you would probably be credentialed right away.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Mar 11, 2009 1:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You guys definitely deserve to be credentialed, but having writers on this site creating websites called SackMikeGoldberg probably doesn’t help.
by steveoc24 on Mar 11, 2009 1:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Also...begging on the front page probably won't work.
by dignan99 on Mar 11, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Begging? You mean making the case? Show me where I beg. Ever.
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perspective
Look at it from the UFC’s perspective. Blog readers are already hardcore fans, who are in the know, and can get their UFC information in many flavours if they want it. The UFC gains very little from credentialing blogs.
As pointed out already, the UFC wants mainstream press that help expose the sport to the masses. More often than not, mainstream press will just repeat the UFC talking points, and propagate their viewpoints. Bonus for the UFC. Blogs on the other hand aren’t going to act as UFC mouthpieces. Even though there are some knowledgeable reporters who might annoy the UFC brass with questions about rival promotions and Fedor, at least they spread UFC news to the masses.
Blogs on the other hand will provide no new exposure, and open up their pressers to more critical viewpoints. Why would the UFC want to credential blogs again?
by Meeaaat on Mar 11, 2009 1:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
There is no such thing as bad publicity, right?
Blogs can truly create the buzz a lesser fight may need if the powers that be participated more. At least for the 14 or 15 users who read each blog.
Obviously the cream is rising the top in regards to who the UFC is credentialing. The proof is Fightlinker getting credentialed. Maybe if Luke asks real nice, FL might take him as a guest.
by dignan99 on Mar 11, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I already get into events, but thanks.
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is just a UFC talking point. Do people read our metrics and see how many new people come to this site everyday? Blogs cater to the hardcore, but the idea that in the age of SEO that blogs don’t service other sports fan and the MMA-uninitiated is just patently false.
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with you Luke. However, you should be above begging on your front page, and do it behind the scenes.
You’re above begging, especially with the popularity of your site. Own it.
You can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube, so you’ll now always be known as a begging whiner, on the level with Kalib Starnes…at least in my book.
by dignan99 on Mar 11, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You couldn’t control your own trolling, could you? Buh-bye.
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
blogs are a big part of what got me into becoming a huge mma fan
by MonkeyCHops on Mar 11, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would argue that if you’re a new fan searching for UFC information, yes, you might land on a blog, but that’s all the more reason for the UFC to limit the access of bloggers. Why increase the chances that the uninitiated will read critical viewpoints on the latest UFC news when you can instead propagate company talking points through the mainstream press, who will willing eat them up and reprint them? Sure, new fans might stumble onto blogs, but that’s no reason for the UFC to help them along.
by Meeaaat on Mar 11, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve been a big critic of the UFC as have others in the blogosphere. And its true the MSN is less critical, but even those who are keep their credentialing.
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
More often than not though, the mainstream press helps to spread the UFC gospel to the masses. Even in the minority of the cases where a mainstream reporter has a critical streak, they’re still pushing the UFC to a broad base of the uninitiated. The net result is the UFC spreads mostly positive perspectives to the public, with the occasional critical thought.
To credential blogs would lend more critical viewpoints and controversy to the tilt, while providing little new access to the public. Yes, credentialing BE and other blogs would toss a few new voices into the fray, but being knowledgeable MMA fans themselves, bloggers are much more likely to bring up controversy and call the UFC on any bull. The UFC really doesn’t gain much at all. Little new exposure, which is what they really want, and no guarantee of a positive slant. Now, if blogs spouted nothing but sugary goodness about them, they might have a different opinion… but since that’s not going to happen any time soon, neither is the credentialing you seek.
I’m a fan of the site, don’t get me wrong, but from the UFC’s perspective I don’t see any reason for them to do this.
by Meeaaat on Mar 12, 2009 5:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No matter how true...
….having that headline on the same site by the same site in quesion….and it’s NOT THE ONION?
Is cheezzzzzy!!!!
by RipeTide on Mar 11, 2009 1:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Using the word “cheesy” is probably a far worse infraction.
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
CORRECTION SIR
that’s “cheezzzzzy” with many Zs because the best cheese is Z cheese
by RipeTide on Mar 11, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I SHOULD BE GIVEN FREE WRESTLING OBSERVER ONLINE...
….because I’ve been pimping Dave and that newsletter for years to MMA fans and it’s just finally getting the credit it should be.
I WANT IT I WANT IT I WANT IT
by RipeTide on Mar 11, 2009 1:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow. Came under a little fire on this thread. I thought you raised good points. To think, I was supposed to be upset.
Shouldn’t the kids be at school?
by Heenan on Mar 11, 2009 1:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
THEN IT'S TIME TO GO SOLO...
…no more SB Nation. Stop being a blog and start being a site all on it’s own. There isn’t even a MMA or BElbow link on the main SB Nation page.
It’s time to leave the little leagues and fend for yourself if you want to be treated that way.
by RipeTide on Mar 11, 2009 1:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes, there is. In the “General” category of blogs. And that’s changing, too.
And we haven’t even announced our major deal yet.
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
do you guys have a way of knowing...
….how many ppl found the blog through “general”?
by RipeTide on Mar 11, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Spill it!
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Mar 11, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
5 minutes is less than 2 weeks, so do it =D
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Mar 11, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s actually completely backwards.
The best way to get credentialed right now is by being tied to something else.
Fightlinker has fox sports, cage potato is with Break Media, Stupp is with a newspaper, Caplan is with CBS.
by Phildo on Mar 11, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And we’ve got a big surprise coming, too :)
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A partnership with??? What else is left? I will bet we can guess it. ESPN has sherdog. SI?
by szucconi on Mar 11, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am crossing my fingers that it is Don King
by MonkeyCHops on Mar 11, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s actually a new partnership called “Rapper Whatever The Fuck Your Name Is Junior”. The Board of Directors is Arum, King and Shaw. CEO is Skala. It will be $$$$$
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is that like a math problem where you multiply an even number of negatives together to get a positive?
"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn
by Day Man on Mar 11, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
why would you cut out the t shirt guy like that
by MonkeyCHops on Mar 11, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All that needs is T.I. telling everyone he’ll beat their ass and instead hides behind humongous security guards, and Floyd Mayweather running his mouth.
Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com
by Leland Roling on Mar 11, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
since the other blogs on SBN are now with Yahoo! im guessing thats it.
by ryanwk628 on Mar 11, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You purchased WarGods?
"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn
by Day Man on Mar 11, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No...
I purchased WarGods. Me and me alone. I will take WarGods to heights it has never before experienced. Crowds of 250 are on the horizon! I can feel it!
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 11, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
good for you guys. I wish more people would get credentialed. i wasn’t trying to say you guys shouldn’t be credentialed earlier, I was just pointing out why the "no blogs’ policy is sort of ok, until all the newspapers die at least.
by Phildo on Mar 11, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Their is very little not to like about SBN, really.
As long as you have a job or whatever
Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.
by P Brady on Mar 11, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Getting credentialed
heh truth is i’m barely a columnist. Do I write for Fox Sports every day? Yeah. But it’s not like I’m getting to pen anything substantial. Hell, even all my jokes about kidnapping Gina and fighters with more gaping holes than Jenna Jameson get censored :-p
The only reasoning I can think of is that I’m very vocal about being from Montreal, so perhaps that had something to do with it. Truth be told, I don’t even think I’m going to attend the show itself (although I’ll still be pre-boozing with everyone who’s in town). Being there means not being able to update the site properly (since I have ADD) or run a live radio show afterwards.
I love to hate
by fightlinker on Mar 11, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Exaclty, they are using FightLinker to tighten their hold on Canada!
BTW, Canada lost to Italy in the WBC. That was sad. Luckily for Canada, not many people care about baseball.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Mar 11, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what’s baseball? Is it like hockey???
I love to hate
by fightlinker on Mar 11, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No ice and there is less fighting, but the fights themselves are bigger.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Mar 11, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also, you can be very fat and still have a career.
by szucconi on Mar 11, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno
I’ve seen some hockey fights that restart every time they drop the puck… It was 3 full line on line brawls back to back to back, (plus 1 goalie vs goalie scrap)… So thats a good 32 guys ACTUALLY FIGHTING. There was like 4 seconds left in the game before the last puck drop and the refs wanted to just end the game but had to drop the puck. Que 3rd straight line vs line brawl.
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 12, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's how you get credentialed.
You contact every newspaper in your area, offer to write them a post-event wrap for free if they’ll get you credentialed.
They’ll do it, because it’s just a fax for them, and the sample of your writing that you’ll present will be done in a newspaper-style, rather than a blog-like opinion piece.
You cover the event for them under your real name. You cover it for your blog under a nickname, and you keep that nickname to yourself. Once the UFC knows you to be trustworthy, you can blog whatever you want and the world keeps turning.
As to whether blogs should be given press cred or not – they don’t get it for NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA… part of that is because it does cost money to provide space for alterna-press, and part of it is that the press knows what NOT to cover.
PS: I write for a major daily newspaper that is part of a major national chain, and the only time anyone from our company covers a UFC event live is if they get there under their own steam – even though MMA pieces draw more online traffic than anything else at the paper – period. There just isn’t any budget to send folks out to do it live… I can’t even get my boss to cover a $50 PPV fee, in all honesty.
But it’s not just MMA – we don’t even send people out to cover the hometown NHL team when they’re on the road, so UFC has no chance in hell of luring reporters out unless they do what movie studios do and offer to cover expenses.
It’s a small cost, but it buys bulk column inches.
If you see Mark Coleman in person, drop $5 on the floor and watch the fun as he tries in vain to bend down and pick it up.
by Ozzz on Mar 11, 2009 2:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Luke already gets credentialed through his radio program. This is about getting credentialed through the blog itself.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Mar 11, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand.
But others that don’t have radio programs might want to go get one, if they want their free UFC passes.
If you see Mark Coleman in person, drop $5 on the floor and watch the fun as he tries in vain to bend down and pick it up.
by Ozzz on Mar 11, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
…conversation led by fans who are passionate about their favorite teams, leagues or sports.
By empowering fans, SB Nation has become the largest and fastest growing grassroots sports network.
From the look of the SBN front page, one would think this is more of a discussion board than a media outlet.
by ryanwk628 on Mar 11, 2009 2:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps the best way to get credentialed by the UFC is to
get credentialed by smaller shows first. Perhaps even Strikeforce. Build from the bottom up.
by Razreshat on Mar 11, 2009 2:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
A little off subject..
But Luke, do you not podcast MMA Nation anymore? Because it hasn’t updated the past couple weeks, is Landfill just slacking?
by Zack Gobie on Mar 11, 2009 2:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Definitely still doing it. There’s something up and we’re looking into it, but for now just go to WJFK.com to get all of the podcasts.
by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I probably am the exception to the rule but.....
I LOVE MMA.. been a fan since 2001 ….. Get prolly 90% of the UFC PPV each year… I live in Canada…. this is the only website I go to for MMA info and news, Im here 2-3 times a day, so do all my friends. Why hasn’t UFC come on board… it really is their loss .. not ours.
by Sir Will on Mar 11, 2009 3:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
They need to credential me as well…I mean they come to the east coast like once every blue moon…
http://www.mmaforreal.com
by Kelvin Hunt on Mar 11, 2009 4:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s a shame that the UFC won’t give media creds to some of the top MMA blogs. Let’s face it, when a fan of MMA wants to read about the UFC on the net, they do not go to UFC.com, and they don’t go to ESPN.com to read about MMA, they go to one of the popular MMA blogs so they can get objective opinions from people who actually know about MMA.
I’m not saying they should give creds to everyone, but I don’t see why they can’t give serious consideration to some of the most popular blogs. If an MMA blog says or does something totally off the reservation then they can just pull the creds moving forward, no big deal.
by polevaultking on Mar 11, 2009 5:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He needs to credential...
… Josh Gross, Sherdog, and MMAWeekly, in that order, long before he gets to Bloody Elbow. Those guys have been around and covered this thing since damn near the start. They deserve to be let back in.
And before you start, I know why Dana doesn’t like Josh Gross. I don’t care. He’s the best, most knowledgeable journalist covering MMA today.
Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion
by The Kittitas Kid on Mar 11, 2009 5:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And untrustworthy, spoiling the TUF results was a dumb dumb dumb move.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Mar 11, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right,
and Dana himself has never pulled any bullshit, asshole moves.
In real sports, executives don’t get to cover the journalists who cover them. It’s a good thing. It brings objectivity. Otherwise we get “journalists” like Mike Goldberg, Joe Rogan, and Thomas Gerbasi.
An antagonistic relationship with the press is not a bad thing. It keeps everybody honest. When you throw out all the voices of dissent who disagree with you, you get debacles like our just-recently-completed presidential administration.
The UFC needs Josh. Josh needs the UFC.
Credential the man.
Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion
by The Kittitas Kid on Mar 11, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They don’t need Josh, he is not a great reporter in the first place. If a reporter did something to the NFL to hurt them in there pocket and possible send the whole sport in the toilet due to lack of interest then they would get black balled and have to cover the CFL.
by szucconi on Mar 11, 2009 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Josh Is That You?
http://www.mmaforreal.com
by Kelvin Hunt on Mar 11, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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