Fedor UFC rumours...AGAIN
Interesting article on CBS Sportsline talking about potential Fedor to the UFC rumours (AGAIN!) post Afflcition 3.
Some of the points make sense but I sure ain't getting my hopes up they've been crushed too many times.
Lorenzo Fertitta reiterated his desire to sign Fedor in an interview with Tatame in early March. An encouraging sign, perhaps Fedor's management will be warm to him as opposed to dealing with Dana White.
Who knows!!
After Barnett fight, will Fedor jump to UFC?
Last week, Affliction and M-1 Global issued a string of press releases alerting the media to a pair of press conferences -- one to be held Wednesday in New York, and another on Thursday in Los Angeles -- "to announce 'Trilogy,' Fedor Emelianenko vs. Josh Barnett , on August 1 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA; Live on Pay-Per-View."That quote is taken directly from one of the press releases, which begs the question: What's left to announce?
Beans-spilling press releases aside, the story here is that Emelianenko vs. Barnett is finally going to happen, not that Affliction is flying people all over the country to reveal that which has already been revealed.
Barnett (24-5-0) has been the second-best heavyweight on the Affliction roster since virtually day one. But due to a number of circumstances -- Tim Sylvia being available to fight Fedor last summer, Andrei Arlovski getting the honors for Affliction 2 -- he has never fought "The Last Emperor." Not even in Pride, where both men enjoyed lots of career success. At last, Barnett will get his shot at the man widely considered the best heavyweight MMA fighter on this planet. For Fedor Emelianenko (30-1-0, 1 NC), Barnett not only represents the stiffest challenge possible among guys he hasn't fought yet, but he also may be his final worthwhile opponent outside of the UFC roster. Simply put: If Emelianenko beats Barnett on Aug. 1, there will be no more credible opponents for him in any promotion other than the UFC. And that's where things get truly interesting. Consider the following:
1) After Affliction's second PPV in January, speculation swirled that the company would only promote one more show -- tentatively scheduled for the summer, as "Affliction: Trilogy" is -- before bowing out of the MMA promotion business for good. But in a recent interview with MMA FanHouse's Ariel Helwani, Affliction COO Michael Cohen not only insisted that Affliction: Trilogy would not be the last event, but he promised a fourth, fifth and sixth show.
The trouble is, Emelianenko vs. Barnett is believed to be the last remaining fight on Emelianenko's Affliction contract. If that's the case, and if Emelianenko ends up running the table on Affliction's main event-worthy heavyweights, would it be financially viable for Affliction to re-up Emelianenko if the quality of his PPV opponents will go south? Spending big for a superstar fighter is only worthwhile if the profit outweighs the expenditure, and all indications are that Affliction hasn't yet figured out how to come out of its investments with a profit.
2) If Affliction does try to re-sign Emelianenko, there's a good chance it would be for a lot less money. In this economy, the decision may not even be up to Affliction anymore. They could be willing to pay him $1 million per fight -- hypothetically, of course -- but if they can't secure the financing to pull it off, will they be willing to pay Fedor out of pocket? If the UFC can match or beat Affliction's financial offer to Emelianenko, then the only remaining roadblock to him signing with the UFC would be the exclusivity issue. Which remains a potential deal-breaker for sure, but with Emelianenko running out of options and the UFC still wanting to book him, one or both sides could budge on their demands enough to meet somewhere close to the middle. The state of the MMA business and the world economy in general means that an Emelianenko-UFC negotiation might go a little differently today than it did in 2007 or 2008.
3) While it would take several major pieces falling into place for it to happen, an Emelianenko deal with the UFC might not be as far-fetched as some think. In a February interview with DreamFighters.com , Fedor said "Me and my management hope to get a chance to talk to Dana White in person in June to discuss a possible fight between me and Brock [Lesnar] ." Sure enough, on Sunday -- the last day of May -- Dana White was Twittering about having a "HUGE" meeting in Los Angeles the next day. "Insane for UFC fans if we get this done," he tweeted.
Then, in a video blog posted on YouTube on Tuesday, White mentioned the Kimbo Slice participation on The Ultimate Fighter , and followed up with this:
"Lorenzo [Fertitta] and I had a killer, killer meeting in Los Angeles today, and I was hoping I would be able to tell you about it today, but the way deals go, they take time," White said in the video. "So I can't tell you today, but I can tell you it was a great meeting and I'm feeling very confident that we're gonna get this deal done, and it's gonna literally change the UFC forever."
We know Emelianenko is in the U.S. this week. Could it be?
Wait -- let me rephrase that.
Who else could it possibly be?
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Yup Again...
Although Dana said he had a great meeting in LA, Fedor was not in LA at the time, and is in New York right now. There was already a rumor that Fedor would meet with Dana and the UFC in June already.
All speculation again. Last time it was a Toy Deal with Jakks, or UFC Undisputed 2010 recently, so, we will see. Roy Jones in TUF? =)
I’m assuming the LA meeting was to bring the UFC to Los Angeles as has been the rumor for some time. I’m kind of hoping it’s something bigger. He did mention it would "change MMA forever", so I’m hoping for more.
Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com
by Leland Roling on Jun 3, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
He did mention it would “change MMA forever”, so I’m hoping for more.
The problem is that’s just how Dana talks. How many huge announcements have turned out to be nothing more than TUF coaching announcements or action figure lines? It’s hard to get to excited about Dana’s announcements until I hear something of substance.
Just about everyone
When is the last time Dana’s made a huge announcement that was any kind of news? Anything that is news is broke before Dana calls the press conference.
This is true. But without any idea of what it could be, I tend to think its something they can keep a lid on, like signing Gina.
You pick the two times he hasn’t delivered and flog them. I’m simply too lazy right now to pull up the 100 things other organizations have promised and never delivered on.
by Derek Suboticki on Jun 3, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
The difference is other organizations make big promises and don’t deliver. Dana claims to make a huge announcement and it’s Chuck action figure doll.
Which would you rather have running your business?
by Derek Suboticki on Jun 3, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
It depends at what forum he is speaking. On the vblogs, he doesn’t get amped about much. When he make a minor announcement to a larger audience he pumps it up a bit more. To people who follow the sport more closely he tones down the TUF coach announcements, but when he is on spike talking to people who have no idea, then he says its going to be big.
Yeah thats what I think. Thats probably why she hasn’t finalized the Strikeforce Cyborg fight.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, growing up as a child Kimbo Slice was never given any bread with his meals. This is why he insists people give him his bread."
by xFenixKnightx on Jun 3, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Kim Couture just had an interview and said she was fighting in September since Gina was fighting in August against Cyborg, so, that is why I am skeptical on this.
Signs extension with Jakks and THQ??
Hahaha…
Explosive Middleweight and Next Anderson Silva revealed!
=)
Melvin Manhoef… he’s been mounted with a titanium chin.
Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com
by Leland Roling on Jun 3, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe, maybe not, and I don’t know if that would change MMA forever, but then again, Dana tends to go extreme.
Zuffa getting behind women in MMA would have the impact (adjusted for exaggeration) that Dana is speaking of. A regular signing of a big star wouldn’t. I think Tito will be signed to fight when he is healed up, but that is not going to have the same impact. Could be a TV deal too, but if rumors of that haven’t been being thrown around then they run a tight ship.
it's gonna literally change the UFC forever.
not wec
by banter on Jun 3, 2009 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
LA meeting had nothing to do with Fedor…
It’s up to Finkie if fedor fights in the UFC not zuffa. Will fedor be in the UFC? the probability is high:
- There’s no one else out there to bankroll finkie…
- The only org where it makes the most financial sense to pay Fedor is the UFC… quite frankly there’s and argument where the UFC would benefit more without signing him but that’s for another time.
- no more dumb money or free money out there.
- Russia’s economy is in the shitter…
- Finkie is too hungry to allow his meal ticket to retire.
In conclusion, I would bet on Fedor fighting in the UFC.
All valid points that anyone following this knows. The money outside the UFC is running out for Fedor. Will he take less to fight elsewhere with less restrictions and more perks for M-1? maybe. But what the hell is Dana talking about in the blog? thats what we want to know.
Since he was in LA
….I would venture a guess that this has something to do with a media contract. I do like the Carano idea and that would have more of an impact on the sport.
I am sure Sengoku and DREAM don’t mind throwing money around for Fedor.
After all, Ishii vs Fedor is bound to happen in the future.
Attencio tried to get Dream to subsidize his third show so he wouldnt have to do it and dream didn’t want any part it.
DREAM just probably believes they can sign Fedor on his own after his contract with Affliction is over. Not wanting to work with Affliction doesn’t really mean they won’t throw money at M-1 and Fedor. There is always Sengoku also, who just signed Ishii.
'It’s not like financial sense is always practiced.'
Not in the world of UFC competitors, at least.
by Derek Suboticki on Jun 3, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup, that PRIDE buyout sure was financially sound.
=)
Everyone screws up, the real question is if you have enough money so your screw ups won’t look like screw ups.
It’s not like Zuffa started out with a billion dollars to lose, they earned the money that they lost on PRIDE through smart business. Like you said, everyone screws up, but when Zuffa screwed up they could afford to do it because of how they built the UFC, when Elite screwed up they were doomed because they screwed up in the beginning, the middle, and the end.
Depending on a revenue stream that is heavily influnced by public opinion in Japan and being in bed or at least involved with the Yakuza…yeah, those are sound financial decisions.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
Tied to the Yakuza does not equal belly up because of fedor.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 4, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
How is this news? Fedor’s camp mentioned a June meeting with UFC way back in February. Problem for UFC is it’s never sounded like Fedor wants to sign with the promotion. He just wants beat down Brock in a one fight deal and leave.
I also doubt that money and opponents are getting that scarce. He can go back to Japan and even return for a fight with Overheem in Strikeforce if they so choose to spend the money.
I, for one...
wouldn’t mind a Fedor/ Arlovski rematch. If Arlovski gets through Rogers (which he should), and then maybe Overeem for the Strikeforce belt.
If Affliction folds/ runs out of HW’s to give Fedor, I think the only viable options are 1) UFC, 2) Strikeforce (Arlovski, Overeem, Rogers if he beats Arlovski, or 3) WVR/ Dream (probably Sengoku because they have Ishii and Roger, as well as Pee Wee Herman; but Dream could potentially set up Fedor/ Overeem, or even a Fedor/ Crocop rematch if Mirko’s UFC contract is non- exclusive, not to mention that Dream probably pays more $).
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Jun 3, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly.
Not to say that the UFC wouldn’t be the best option for Fedor, but if the UFC and him ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT come to terms, then I wouldn’t mind him in SF fighting guys like Werdum, Arlovski, Overeem, Roger, etc.
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Jun 3, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Sarcasm...?
I can’t tell, so assuming you’re being serious…
I think Fedor and Strikeforce could work something out. SF has always been willing to co- promote, and if they worked with M-1, I could see Strikeforce getting Fedor on their roster, while M-1 pays Fedor the fat check he wants.
It would also be a huge leg up for Strikeforce, which would then arguably have a HW divisionon par to the UFC, with: Fedor, Werdum, Overeem, Arlovski, as well as Rogers, Roger Gracie, possibly Buentello, etc. Fedor/ Overeem for the HW belt could easily headline the first CBS card.
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Jun 3, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions
M1 paying the fat check?
Affliction pays M1 and then M1 pays Fedor. M1 is no way paying fedor 2m per fight.
So far strikeforce has been very smart with their money – the likelihood of SF paying M1’s asking price is almost nil. This is the reason why SF has stayed in business this long and will most likely continue to be in this business long term.
If they do break the bank it will probably be on Tito. So far it hasnt happened with Kimbo and it doesnt look like they are budging on Gina (who strategically would be more beneficial to strikeforce than Fedor).
Barnett is the last top ten HW left for Fedor to fight that’s not in the UFC. Monson, Kharitonov or Overeem would be wastes of time.
Come on, Fedor. Prove it in the Octagon.
I agree about Sergei...
at least for now, since he doesn’t seem to take training (or at least dieting) seriously anymore.
However, Overeem is top 10, and looks like a fucking monster right now. And Monson is borderline top 10 right now, all he needs is 1 more solid win; he’s always been a very solid fighter.
I too would like to see Fedor in the UFC, but he really doesn’t NEED to prove anything in the Octagon. Anything outside of Barnett and either Overeem or Monson would just be icing on the cake. I’d say that even based on his merits at this exact moment, that he’s the most accomplished fighter in the history of the sport.
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Jun 3, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
If Fedor beats Barnett and retires, and Lesnar or Carwin can win two or three straight, there is serious debate by the middle of next year over who the true #1 HW is. I think the metarankings will bear this out.
by Derek Suboticki on Jun 3, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Fedor just said he’s not retiring. Dude is 33 and at the top of his game. Why would he when there is tons of cash to be made these days? He’ll be fighting in the UFC but not as soon as some think.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, growing up as a child Kimbo Slice was never given any bread with his meals. This is why he insists people give him his bread."
by xFenixKnightx on Jun 3, 2009 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe #1 HW
at the time. As for best HW ever, Lesnar would have to do WAY more than win 2-3 straight fights in the UFC to exceed Fedor’s legacy.
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Jun 3, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions
it will be a long time before anyone can say they are the best heavyweight ever except Fedor.
When Fedor beats Barnett – He will have beaten every top heavyweight of that era (2007 and back).
He doesnt need to beat the top heavyweights of this era to stake that claim of being the best HW to date…
by mmalogic on Jun 3, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Word.
And if he does continue to keep beating elite HW’s from the new generation, then that just goes to show you how fucking good he is. Also, if he eventually gets beat by one of the new HW’s, it doesn’t take anything away from how great he is/ was.
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Jun 3, 2009 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Monson is. I question Kharitonov, but would watch the fight. Overeem needs more fights at HW before i consider the fight interesting, but I do think it would be interesting and would watch it.
I used to LOVE Kharitonov
But he looked bad against Monson. Truthfully, Monson could pull an Arona and make for a very dangerous fight for Fedor.
by Derek Suboticki on Jun 3, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Arona isn’t 4’11". I think Monson is just to short for HW. He is a guy that has great skill and cleans up lower HW’s, but will never break through to the top of the div. His skills and size just can’t match up with other guys skills and size. Even if his skills are great, and they are, He has a lot of reach to make up for.
It's not that he's too short...
it’s that his standup isn’t good enough to compensate for his height. He’s a buff mother fucker, but that strength doesn’t really translate to his striking all that well; it’s more grappling- oriented strength.
But he is a fucking bull, and really can pose problems for almost any HW out there.
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Jun 3, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Hahaha...
Overeem is a waste of time? Hahaha…
People are forgetting about Werdum as well, who already beat Overeem.
If you really think Werdum/Fedor would a) sell, b) be competitive and/or c) ever happen, I’m at a loss for words.
by Derek Suboticki on Jun 3, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Not sell, I said competitive.
Werdum was one fight away from subbing Lesnar.
Darn you Dos Santos!
=)
Or from doing his usual thing of...
UH OH! A DANGEROUS GUY! TIME FOR PALM STRIKES!
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/
by Brent Brookhouse on Jun 3, 2009 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Come on! He learned how to strike after the Arlovski fight.
Ask Gonzaga and Vera =)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 4, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I am going to go with the “huge” announcement having something to do with Gina and women’s MMA. Fedor signing doesnt change the history of MMA or the UFC, the guy has a few years left in him at best.
I think you meant Randy only has 1 year left in him, and Nog is already going down hill.
Fedor still has a lot of years left in him.
I hate to rain on everyone's parade,
Sure enough, on Sunday — the last day of May — Dana White was Twittering about having a “HUGE” meeting in Los Angeles the next day. “Insane for UFC fans if we get this done,” he tweeted.
You guys are speculating on something that has already come to pass. If you actually look at Dana’s twitter he says:
Tomorrow start a big month for me. Fly to LA in the am for a HUGE meeting. Insane for UFC fans if we get this done and I start filmn tuf 10
The meeting was the Kimbo meeting.
Kimbo is a pimple on a pigs ass compared to this.
by mmalogic on Jun 3, 2009 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Tell that to the ratings on the first episode of TUF10. You guys might not believe me but that doesn’t really mean anything. Dana might not be an english professor but he certainly knows not to put to conflicting ideas in the same sentence: “Insane for UFC fans if we get this done and I start filmn tuf 10.”
I can see where you're coming from.
That actually makes alot of sense.
Honestly, I think alot of the time, Dana just talks out of his ass. Whatever happened to the “MW signing that would blow our collective minds”? Whatever happened to Fedor “definitely coming to the UFC by the end of ’08”?
It’s not that I hate the guy, but I don’t necessarily think that he tells the truth 100% of the time.
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Jun 3, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions
That MW was Roy Jones. But he was just fishing for numbers. Dana thought he was for real. I don’t think Dana straight up lies, he may speak to soon and be overconfident about things, but I would rather him be open and wrong sometimes then not give out any info at all. then what would I do all day at work?
Source? Or gut feeling?
Not accusing you or anything, but I was just curious as to whether or not that’s founded.
Because that very well could be true.
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Jun 3, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions
szucconi is just regergatating whatever mmalogic said.
Here are things Dana has said:
1) Explosive MW = nope
2) Next Anderson Silva = nope
3) Change MMA Forever = Bud Light Deal
4) Change MMA Landscape = Jakks Toy Deal
5) Mind Blowing Announcement = Undisputed 2010
6) Change The MMA Landscape 4 Ever Part 2 = ?
=)
Given that you traffic rather heavily in rumors and speculation, a fair number of which don’t pan out, I figured that you’d be a little more sympathetic to DW on that point. ;-)
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jun 3, 2009 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
No your just some guy on the internet twisting things around to support your own personal opinions and biases.
Exactly, no one should care what I write. Everyone should care what Dana says. You made my point, thanks.
The man tends to deliver – it’s why he is where he is, running the most wildly successful MMA promotion in the history of the world.
by Derek Suboticki on Jun 3, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
why did you have to bring logic into this?
by bignerd on Jun 3, 2009 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Way to twist things around to fit your silly little viewpoint. Of course the Bud Light Deal was 100 times more important to the sport than signing Fedor would ever be, regardless of everyone’s mancrush on Fedor he is still just another fighter, Budwieser is one of the biggest sports sponsoring companies in the world with massive mainstream appeal. See that’s the problem with all this speculation what is important to internet MMA fans isn’t neccesarrily important to the sport, you named one of the top mainstream sponsors, a mainstream toy deal to put UFC merchandise in stores around the country and a video game that sold 2 million copies in the first month, in a business sense those announcements are astounding.
by who me on Jun 3, 2009 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That doesn’t mean he’s not 100% right.
by Derek Suboticki on Jun 3, 2009 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s not heavy it’s just what it is. Instead of discussing what may or may not be going on it’s just ranting on Dana White.
No, we already discussed it, and theres not much to it.
mmalogic already shot down all the fanboy ideas, so we are having fun with it.
You’ve been here a month longer than him.
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
Huh?
No, we were talking about discussing the announcement in this post with the likes of mmalogic. Not how long we have been in BE.
=)
Oh, ha. That makes more sense because I read your comment and thought, “I’m pretty sure you guys showed up around the same time.” Carry on. Don’t mind me.
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 Jun 3, 2009 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Isnt it amazing that no one is mentioning the uncanny correlation between the Budweiser partnership and the increase in UFC ppv buys :)
Budweiser is the number 1 sports marketer in the world and that announcement was bullshit.
The fanboys can only contemplate if Fedors left nut is smaller than his right.
See, the problem is that these huge announcements = $$$ for UFC and Zuffa, but the consumer, the fan boy fan who wants to visibly see something awesome, won’t. So these announcements that are great for corporate don’t live up the the fan boy dream.
The fan boy dream = the UFC running elite mixed martial arts competition.
Whatever massively beneficial alliances or new methods of marketing lead to that destination, I’m all for it. If Dana was going to Donald Trump begging for money, you’d mock him, but when Affliction does it, it’s a ‘smart business move meant to keep them around for the long run.’ It’s just so transparent after a while, bud.
by Derek Suboticki on Jun 3, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well a lot of them weren’t really meant for the fanboys anyway, hell the middleweight teaser wasn’t an anouncement at all it was a off hand comment to Keven Iole while talking about a entirely different subject yet everyone built it up like White was plainng some big anouncement for them. Same with the Lorenzo annoucement, that wasn’t a big announcement for the intermet fan boys it was a big announcement for the Zuffa staff, even after White explained that people still ragged on it which is really silly.
by who me on Jun 3, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yup, most big announcements are for Zuffa, which is why it is funny when the fan boys start speculating.
The huge news could really be this:
Zuffa, LLC today named sports industry veteran Bryan Johnston as Chief Marketing Officer for the Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization. In this executive position, Johnston will establish and oversee the global marketing strategies and merchandise initiatives for UFC and World Extreme Cagefighting brands.
but the fan boy will be like, WTF? That is a big deal to Zuffa, but to the fan boy, they will be left in disappointment again. I completely agree with you, though.
Was I disappointed by the Fertitta announcement? Yes. Has Zuffa kicked ass since then? Yes.
by Derek Suboticki on Jun 3, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions
This guy doesn’t know anything. EVERYONE knows his right nut is the smaller of the two.
by ronniebonnie on Jun 3, 2009 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Huge News Is Obviously This
Zuffa, LLC today named sports industry veteran Bryan Johnston as Chief Marketing Officer for the Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization. In this executive position, Johnston will establish and oversee the global marketing strategies and merchandise initiatives for UFC and World Extreme Cagefighting brands.
=)
No, it wasn’t the Kimbo meeting, that deal was already done and it was signed in Miami with Kimbo’s manager, Icey Mike. If you watched his video blog he said that he wanted to announce the deal but couldn’t yet because all the details weren’t finised yet.
maybe
going public? imagine the news of being able to purchase Zuffa stock – that’s big
"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
dunno
just adding a different opinion
"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
That would also be an absolutely terrible idea. Companies only go public if they have to.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
I know and understand all that, but I am just thinking about how much I’d love to buy some Zuffa stock – can I dream a little?
"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
Are there any plans for taking Zuffa — the parent company of UFC — public?
Never. Never, ever, ever. At least not while I’m here. Because I don’t want to deal with [the hassles]. I have enough [hassles] to deal with every day, running this company. I don’t need a bunch of idiots out in Wall Street — who have no idea what they’re talking about and don’t know anything about this business — telling me how to run it.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/boxing/bal-whiteqa122,0,3575746.story
Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding!!!!
I say HBO!
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, growing up as a child Kimbo Slice was never given any bread with his meals. This is why he insists people give him his bread."
by xFenixKnightx on Jun 3, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions
CBS has a deal. ABC/ESPN think they are family programming and don’t like Dana. NBC would be the only option.
You’re probably right about CBS because of their deal with Strikeforce but I’m not sure ABC wouldn’t be interested if they think it would make money.
Then that only leaves one person!
ALEKSANDER!!!!!!! FUCK YEAH!
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, growing up as a child Kimbo Slice was never given any bread with his meals. This is why he insists people give him his bread."
by xFenixKnightx on Jun 3, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Dana wouldn’t hype that as a MEGATON announcement…would he?
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, growing up as a child Kimbo Slice was never given any bread with his meals. This is why he insists people give him his bread."
by xFenixKnightx on Jun 3, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Hughs vs Trigg III or White vs Atencio
History shows we have set the bar low for these announcements.
Good one! Kimbo TV! LMFAO!
For real though Fedor needs to get in the octogon and show what he can do in the cage. I just hope he aint like Mirko who can only fight in a ring. I doubt Fedor will be a dud like Cro Cop was in UFC. Don’t twist my words to mean he was a dud period…just in the octogon.
Fedor doesn't need to get in the Octagon.
But it would be freaking cool if he did, i’ve got to admit.
And for the record, Fedor has already said that he trains with elbows and a cage, so I doubt he’d come in as unprepared as Mirko did.
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Jun 3, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions
He said he couldn’t announce it yet in the same video after they just showed Kimbo, why would he say he couldn’t announce it yet if they had already yelled it from the rooftops to everyone who would listen, including in the very same Vblog?
Alot of shit is happening.
Everyone is dying to know one specific item…. here’s the important thing:
Zuffa utterly kicked ass in 2008.
Zuffa will utterly tear ass in 2009.
I’d rather have a TV deal than Fedor.
by Derek Suboticki on Jun 3, 2009 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
So you'd rather have
monetary success for the UFC, instead of some of the most intriguing HW matchups of all time? From my perspective, that means that you either A) Are a Zuffa fanboy, or B) Would rather be vindicated for your fanhood of the sport, by having it become extremely popular, as opposed to seeing classic fights between the exciting new wave of HW’s, and the most dominant champ the 205+ division has ever had.
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Jun 4, 2009 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions
What’s Headquartered in LA for Dana and Lorenzo to have a meeting with? Affliction MMA, Tapout, NBC studios, ABC programming offices, FOX channel programming offices, a number of movie studios, the new ESPN LA office/studio. Trying to think of anything else in that area that would make for a big meeting, you would think if it was with some group like SpikeTV they would of just had them fly into Vegas for a meeting instead of everyone going to LA(Spike’s home office is in NYC).
If the UFC did something like WWE films for MMA fighters that would be a pretty huge (and a bit silly) announcement. Of course Chuck Liddell and acting would be a stretch, maybe a Rampage a Wanderlei buddy cop movie.
Egads. I saw enough of his acting in the Entourage episode where he wasn’t even very convincing playing himself.
He’s pretty bad too (cheesy :D ). I didn’t make it through half of The Crow: Wicked Prayer although it wasn’t just Tito stinking the place up in that one.
It's really so bad it's entertaining
Sad part is UFC plastered it’s name all over this movie. You wonder why UFC is so hesitant with whom they make deals with it’s probably from the experience of this movie.

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