Fighters in EA MMA Banned from UFC?
by themachiavellian on Jun 30, 2009 10:25 PM EDT
82 comments
From MMA Scraps:
This disheartening bit of news first came from Golden Boy at the UG
I hear that all mma managers were informed that if any of their clients not currently under contract with the UFC..... sign to be a part of the EA game.......the will forever be banned for fighting in the UFC.
Sounds like a simple rumor right? Albeit from a pretty reputable source, but then later in the forum post, MMA Uber agent Ken Pavia of MMAAgents.com says this.
It's true. And they told me want the word out.
Even if this is true (which it appears to be), no other credible info has surfaced. Who's behind it? Will it be enforced? What should up-and-comer fighters do - take money to be in EA MMA, or hold out for an invite from the UFC? If Fedor appears in it, would Dana & Co. still pursue him? This ukase could easily sink the rival game if too many people are scared away from agreeing to be in it.
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Already a fanshot, but this deserves more discussion.
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2009/6/30/931156/from-golden-boy-on-the-ug-i-hear
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 30, 2009 10:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I see the situation w/ Jon Fitch and AKA happening here...
Dana White is just blowing smoke, he says this now but if some of these fighters really make huge waves… he’ll want them regardless. There maybe some substance to this being true for a little bit, but say Allistair Overeem agrees to be in the game and then knocks out Fedor afterwards….. Dana White will still want him.
Fedor goes without saying…
What the fuck is a "robster craw"?
by Gunslinger20 on Jun 30, 2009 10:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. They won’t not sign a guy who will make them money. Still, it could potentially hurt mid-range fighters if Zuffa is intent on trying to control the market this way.
by Andy R on Jul 1, 2009 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let’s hope Jake Shields makes the wise decision and withholds his likeness from the game.
by subo on Jul 1, 2009 12:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
LOL…
Its gotta suck to tell fighters to pass up on money and not sign with EA because you MAY have a chance in the UFC and if you do make it, lets hope you don’t get cut after the first few fights.
Just like they did with the IFL, they are just trying to strong arm people. They will still take great fighters so I recommend that all fighters sign with EA anyways. If you are worth it, the UFC will sign you anyways. Its still pretty f’ed up though.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 1, 2009 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey man, just because you get cut in your first few fights doesn’t mean you won’t be in the UFC game. Just ask Cro Cop and Werdum :-D
by subo on Jul 1, 2009 2:20 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Who says they are not getting paid?
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Jul 1, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who says they are getting paid, and if so, how much?
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 1, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The contracts they signed. You assume they are not getting paid, I assume they are getting paid, neither of us know for sure.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Jul 1, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m a generally a supporter of the UFC, but prima facie, this is shit.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jul 1, 2009 12:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Did you just say ‘prima facie?" Please tell me you’re a lawyer or a student otherwise there is no justification for using that kinda language!!!!! :P
by GeeDub on Jul 1, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure there is:
*Debater
*Avid fan of Law and Order
*Wants to look like a know it all jerk
All justified reasons.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
by AJB on Jul 1, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Number three is really the only one that applies.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jul 1, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I thought that was the case ab initio :P
by GeeDub on Jul 1, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
If this is true
then it’s a bunch of horse shit. And dirty as fuck on the UFC’s part.
Seriously, unless they start playing less dirty, then some Org (probably like Strikeforce) will pick up all the talent outside of the UFC, and eventually become just as good.
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Jul 1, 2009 2:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
In the grand MMA landscape, the talent in the UFC > the talent outside the UFC.
It’s going to take more than this to fuck that dynamic up.
by subo on Jul 1, 2009 2:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Updated: Our inside source with negotiations between the UFC and Hayabusa reports that Hayabusa is now back in the good graces of the UFC. "They were never 100% banned, but they worked out whatever needed to be discussed," was the word coming back on talks between the two. The two parties seem to have to some understanding on terms to avoid the expulsion, with the threat of banishment being used as tactic in negotiations. So Hayabusa is good to go for UFC 100.
by who me on Jul 1, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I read that already. MMAPayout was working on that earlier. It brings them back, after probably cutting a check or something, but everything else is still pretty much the same.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 1, 2009 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wonder how dirty mmapayout feels by helping the UFC with negotiations.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Jul 2, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
People don’t like hearing this but playing dirty is what works. Strikeforce isn’t going to just swoop in and sign everyone and save the world because that’s just not how it works. These guys are fighters not video game stars they aren’t going to give up the chance to fight at the top just to be in a video game. Consolidation of the fight world will eventually lead to a union (which is a mixed bag) because there is really only two ways to fight things like this, government regulation or fighter organization.
by who me on Jul 1, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here is how I see it… guys like Fedor, Alistair Overeem, Jake Shields, and Nick Diaz for example have nothing to lose and should ignore this threat. These type of fighters that can get on a roll and the UFC will sign them anyway if they really want to… this threat is empty to them because they’ll make money no matter what.
Take guys like Brett Rogers, Gilbert Yvel, or Paul Buentello for example. They should look at what EA is going to give them for their likenesses being in the game. If these three guys were to make it into the UFC, given their skills and their physical abilities… what kind of career could they possibly have in the UFC at this point. The UFC could very well sign these guys and what would happen? They wouldn’t be contenders. They could make the main card but probably would fight on undercards. They’d probably get 3 to 4 fights and unless they do something absolutely amazing, they’d get dropped and an up and coming fighter would replace them on the roster. They’d get maybe 8k to 15k, depending on their performances per fight…. they should take that into consideration and see what kind of deal EA would give them. Do they get a one time payment or do they get a percentage of sales? Their likenesses being in the game would put them out there and people would know who they are and that could potentially lead to more fights or appearances in other orgs. These guys need to market themselves and putting them in this game will do that…. they should enjoy being big fishes in small ponds and make their money off of it and not be delusional to think that they could be the next Brock Lesnar or Randy Couture…
Just my thoughts..
What the fuck is a "robster craw"?
by Gunslinger20 on Jul 1, 2009 3:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
actually Zuffa doesnt need anyone of those fighters. They need Zuffa more even if they have no interest in fighting for Zuffa.
If Zuffa is not on the bidding table this means the fighters position for negotiating is greatly weakened and that Strikeforce or any other org doesn’t have to bid as high for the fighter.
So what this does is pushes EA licensing fee’s to a premium which should benefit those fighters because the fighter will not just sign for a few grand seeing as it is now an asset to retain those rights.
EA will have to pay more than the value those video game rights the fighter now has.
by mmalogic on Jul 1, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Zuffa signing a fighter who is signed with EA would be like Zuffa signing a fighter to a non-exclusive contract and co-promoting with another organization.
by mmalogic on Jul 1, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Probably until the UFC license comes up for bidding again.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Jul 1, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is the EA contract for life? Because if it isn’t, then your analogy doesn’t apply.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jul 1, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Except that Randy Couture is under contract with EA right now.
by Zack Gobie on Jul 2, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe Frank Trigg is as well.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 2, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its not for life… but it does apply because after the fighter gets promoted by Zuffa, EA can then renegotiate the license again based on Zuffa’s promotional efforts not to mention the benifits they receive while they already have the license while the fighter is in a Zuffa promotion.
Why would Zuffa build someone else’s video game?
This has nothing to do with Zuffa fighters because EA cant sign any of them. This is about non-zuffa fighters. This is simply a courtesy notice to let them know that Zuffa will not be on the bidding table if they’re an EA fighter – that’s all.
Zuffa has the right to protect itself just like a fighter does. If EA can sell a game without Zuffa fighters kudos for them… if they cant then that shows all the value is in Zuffa’s promotional and distribution channels. If Zuffa allows another business to profit from the millions of dollars that Zuffa spends for promotion that amounts to letting someone steal from you.
by mmalogic on Jul 1, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
reply fail… above post is in response to rundownloser.
by mmalogic on Jul 1, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not entirely sure if I follow. How is EA benefiting if fighter X no longer has a deal with them?
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jul 1, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Off the top of my head, they could market “legends” of the sport in a game.
...Behold, a pale horse. The man that sat upon it was Wieters, and hell followed with him.
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
by Brett Jones on Jul 1, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still don’t get it. If EA doesn’t have a fighter in their series anymore, because said fighter’s contract expired and they then went to Zuffa, how does EA benefit? That fighter is no longer in their roster.
Goddamnit, I feel like such an idiot.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jul 1, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK… now I see the disconnect.
If a fighter is not signed with EA at the time of possible contract negotiations Zuffa will negotiate
But this is very unlikely to be the case… you see in order to negotiate with Zuffa not only do you need to be free and clear from all previous fight contracts but now you need to be free and clear from the EA contract as well – if you signed one.
The “banned for life” is not accurate, but It is the reality that the chances of you being a free agent and your EA license expiring and Zuffa actually being interested in signing you is an improbability.
The reality is EA is not looking to sign up and coming fighters… they are looking to sign fighters who are somewhat established and would otherwise be looking to get into the UFC. Like a Jake Shields. If Jake Shields signs with EA, Zuffa will not and cannot bid for his services when his last 2 fights are up as lifetime video game rights is standard now to get into Zuffa. Do you think Shields will wait 2 years until EA’s license expires for his likeness?
This is the improbability. If a fighter signs with EA the chance of him fighting in a Zuffa org is nil.
It’s improbable because the chance of a fighters promotional contract and EA contract expiring at the same time as Zuffa being interested in signing the fighter is nil.
by mmalogic on Jul 1, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Okay, that clears it up a lot. Thanks.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jul 1, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is simply a courtesy notice to let them know that Zuffa will not be on the bidding table if they’re an EA fighter – that’s all.
Zuffa has the right to protect itself just like a fighter does.
I hear that all mma managers were informed that if any of their clients not currently under contract with the UFC….. sign to be a part of the EA game…….the will forever be banned for fighting in the UFC.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 1, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which part of that second blockquote do you disagree with?
by subo on Jul 1, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The word “protect” has many meanings in business.
What I quoted is self explanatory.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 2, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The third block quote doesn't stand here
If what I understand mmalogic has said; that if the EA likeness rights contract of a fighter expires when the UFC wants to sign them, it will not be an issue.
I can’t see EA signing short term likeness deals though.
mmalogic: what would happen if the contract of a fighter was, for example, to appear in ‘MMA 2009’ or some such game by EA, and then once that game is released they are free and clear. i.e. Jake Shields signs with EA for an upcoming release while he has 2 fights left on a contract, once said title is released and he finishes his fights (for arguments sake lets say this happens within a 6 month timeframe) and he no longer has his image rights tied to future EA games, would the UFC consider him unencumbered?
by Well Read Idiot on Jul 3, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sounds about right...
if you were a rising rap star in the 90s dont go do a bunch of feature work with 2pac/deathrow and then expect to be welcomed/signed by badboy.
by dt3 on Jul 1, 2009 12:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dont you remember the song “Runnin” by 2Pac and Biggie??!!! Thats a UFC/Affliction co-promo right there!!!
by GeeDub on Jul 1, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if you were a rising rap star in the 90s dont go do a bunch of feature work with 2pac/deathrow and then expect to be welcomed/signed by badboy.
Faith Evans disagrees.
Also, wouldn’t it make more sense for your analogy to reverse the labels, so that Suge Knight and Death Row were equated with Dana White and the UFC?
by madiq on Jul 1, 2009 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope any fighters that are thinkin of signing with EA talk a long hard look before doing so, sure there will be exceptions to the rule there always are but they should know better than to try and call Zuffa’s bluff things don’t end well for people who do.
by Raker on Jul 1, 2009 5:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is a chess play…
Current Zuffa fighters have all signed lifetime video game rights and this is standard for every new signing. So EA cant touch any of them now or after Zuffa promotes them.
All they have now are ex UFC fighters and other fighters who have been successful in other orgs.
With this courtesy notice the value of a non-zuffa fighters video game likeness has gone up tremendously because losing the biggest promotion at the bidding table diminishes a fighters leverage greatly when negotiating for a fight contract so they can demand more money from AE…
example: When Jake shields contract is up later this year and Zuffa is not an option what leverage does he have in negotiating with strikeforce? same with alistair, Thompson, etc…
So their video game image rights are now at a premium. they can either ask for way more money to make it worth it or opt not to take it.
Either EA will pay good money subsidizing payroll for strikeforce and other orgs for fighters nobody knows or EA wont get shit.
At the end of the day: “EA YOU LOSE”… Like I said before, don’t be surprised if this ends up becoming a WEC game.
by mmalogic on Jul 1, 2009 6:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
EA Sports + NFL License + Fight Night + Skate = EA Wins
This is like a side project for them, whereas this is keeping THQ alive…LOL.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 1, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ur a moron… nobody’s talking about EA’s NFL License + this or that.
EA has just been checkmated in the MMA space.
by mmalogic on Jul 1, 2009 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Quit it with the chess analogies.
BOOSH
by Farthammer on Jul 1, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, the UFC sunk EA’s battleship in the Bay of MMA.
by subo on Jul 1, 2009 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Boosh
That’s what I want to see.
BOOSH
by Farthammer on Jul 2, 2009 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Boosh from Frisky Dingo, right? Awesome show.
by subo on Jul 2, 2009 6:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“EA YOU LOSE”
LOL, I am sure they are trembling.
Who this hurts, are the guys at EA Tiburon, who wanted to make an MMA game because they themselves train and love the sport. They relentlessly pleaded with upper management to get the game into development, and are just doing it for the love and joy of MMA. Yes, checkmate indeed. Checkmate to their love and support of MMA. Sorry EA Tiburon team, shutdown your development stations, cross out your development schedule, throw away those TSP reports and software cycle charts for EA MMA. We will start working on Madden 2011 on Monday. = _(
=D
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 1, 2009 8:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Or get cracking on the modeling for Urijah Faber’s chin.
by subo on Jul 1, 2009 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll buy the game regardless...
EA doesn’t need to put a whole crap load of big name fighters in there to get my interest at least…. if the game looks good and plays well… I’ll buy it regardless just because I’m a fan of MMA/boxing games. I seriously hope EA doesn’t bag this whole idea just because of Dana’s stance on it. The fighters have to do what they have to do, but if EA can put out a game that looks like Fight Night Round 4…. that game will be amazing no matter who is in it.
What the fuck is a "robster craw"?
by Gunslinger20 on Jul 1, 2009 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
EA will probably do the game regardless, focusing on the engine and gameplay, in order to make a play for the UFC license when it comes up for bidding again.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Jul 2, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, reply to Subo.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Money-issues-heating-up-with-Faber-and-WEC?urn=mma,174088
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 1, 2009 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“I definitely don’t think it’s a fair scale,” Faber told RawVegas’ Dave Farra. “They say that WEC is a different company than UFC.”
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 1, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry if I’m not sold on a rumor that relies on an anonymous message board poster and Ken Pavia as the two sources. Now, the anonymous message board posters have occasionally been shown to be reliable, but Ken Pavia? Really?
by Chromium on Jul 2, 2009 1:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ken Pavia is the reason why I refuse to pay to be on the UG.
What the fuck is a "robster craw"?
by Gunslinger20 on Jul 2, 2009 3:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"I definitely don’t think it’s a fair scale," Faber told RawVegas’ Dave Farra. "They say that WEC is a different company than UFC."
Well then I guess Faber can have his last fight in the WEC and go to Japan or Bellator and make huge money as long as that last. Urijah needs to look at what happened to AA and Sylvia you keep talking about money all the time make sure that when you get it you don’t lose you’re chance at having a great mma career.
by Raker on Jul 2, 2009 4:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Brown was doing the same. Apparently, these great FW’s are at the prime of their exposure, but aren’t getting much money and they only have a few years left in MMA. It is definitely a big concern for them.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 2, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So man up, hit the weight room, and move up to LW in the UFC.
Brown is gigantic FW. If he wants to get paid, he can move up and fight LWs. Faber is in a little tougher spot, as he barely cracks the 155 mark even when he is not preparing for a fight.
Frankie Edgar is no bigger than Mike Brown and could easily cut FW too, but he is smart enough to realize the pay is better in the Zuffa company that is operating in the black.
by Steve4192 on Jul 2, 2009 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
UFC doesn’t want Brown, Faber, and Torres to move up to LW to get more money in the UFC. That would kill the WEC.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 4, 2009 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
MMAPayout and Vancouver Sun Are Now Reporting:
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 2, 2009 3:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm, that seems overly opinionated against the UFC, even for that place.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Jul 2, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not Really
A lot of people have this opinion. Here is the Vancouver Sun link:
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/reportedly+charging+companies+right+sponsor+fighters/1749841/story.html
This link should tell you something, from TVS:
According to the site, which claims to have confirmed the information with several fighter managers, all of whom wish to remain anonymous for fear of retribution…
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 2, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
From a previous article linked further down
I’m starting to wonder if everyone fucking with the UFC isn’t akin to the villagers killing the golden goose. Sure, the goose is a prick. But it still lays golden fucking eggs.
by subo on Jul 2, 2009 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seems like MMALOGIC has been trying to convey his point on the UG, to no avail.
He is getting hammered over there. Even fighter/lawyer Nick Thompson was getting on him.
http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/?go=forum_framed.frame&forum=1&thread=1482515&page=1&pc=3
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 4, 2009 2:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Having the UG against you = you’re probably right
by subo on Jul 4, 2009 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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