UFC 102 Press Conference: Notes and Video
by Eugene Schelfaut on Aug 27, 2009 4:52 PM EDT
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Watch the press conference video here (or here) and hopefully in the extended entry starting at 4pm ET, of course feeling free to live blog your reactions in the comments section of this post.
Notable exchange:
Question: "What about more weight classes?"
Dana White: "If we do any more weight classes, it's going to be lower. Adding lighter weight classes."
Question: "What are the chances of that happening? And how soon if it does happen?"
White: "Very good and probably very soon. We are doing like three fights a month next year."
-- Video is up and in extended entry. Tweet updates from Kevin Iole:
Dana White: These guys are in the mix (to fight the Lesnar-Carwin winner).
Dana White: Nogueira in best shape I've ever seen. He actually looks like Little Nog.
White on Maia-Marquardt fight: Trying to figure out if it's a title eliminator myself. I'll decide after what I see on Saturday.
White: I don't think Couture will be too excited to get Nogueira on the ground.
Nogueira: I'm lean, faster and have good motivation to train when fighting someone so good.
White said UFC 103 in Dallas is sold out.
White said let's just say we've gotten it done and we're going to Vancouver. He didn't say when
White hints that WEC and UFC may merge, but wouldn't answer directly.
Photo from CombatLifestyle. For more photos from this gallery click here.
HT: UFC.com
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Kevin Iole twittering it
@KevinI Dana White: Nogueira in best shape I’ve ever seen. He actually looks like Little Nog.
Thanks for the heads-up.
Twitter: @EugeneSchelfaut
by Eugene Schelfaut on Aug 27, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m about done refreshing. The video will be posted later.
Twitter: @EugeneSchelfaut
by Eugene Schelfaut on Aug 27, 2009 4:16 PM EDT reply actions
@KevinI: Dana White: These guys are in the mix (to fight the Lesnar-Carwin winner).
Twitter: @EugeneSchelfaut
by Eugene Schelfaut on Aug 27, 2009 4:19 PM EDT reply actions
I have zero desire to see that fight.
Dont get down on Forrest, no one has moves like Anderson Silva.
Or if Carwin pulls a miracle, someone to tide him over until the inevitable rematch.
Dont get down on Forrest, no one has moves like Anderson Silva.
Subject: Network Outage
We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with streaming the UFC 102 Pre-Fight Press Conference. We are working to get the press conference up as soon as possible.
I STILL poop rainbows.
@KevinI: White hints that WEC and UFC may merge, but wouldn’t answer directly.
Twitter: @EugeneSchelfaut
by Eugene Schelfaut on Aug 27, 2009 4:36 PM EDT reply actions
Interesting about Vancouver, considering there’s been nothing said about it lately on a governmental level.
http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com
Mayor Robertson said they would use a UFC event next year as a test event with the Vancouver Athletic Commission overseeing things if they couldn’t work out Provincial or National oversight by then. (link)
I heard rumours of a Canada Day event, which would be awesome. But it’s nice to hear confirmation from Dana about an event period.
Big Nog?
Dana White: Nogueira in best shape I’ve ever seen. He actually looks like Little Nog.
The ol’ switcheroo!
...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 Aug 27, 2009 5:33 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
There is a nice divit in Big Nog’s back that makes the switch impossible.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Have you ever seen The Prestiege?
...Behold, a pale horse. The man that sat upon it was Wieters, and hell followed with him.
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
I own it on DVD. Great movie. Wow, that would be some true devotion to MMA.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I love that movie… Hehe
I'm the kind of girl who loves to watch a GOOD fight!
--------
Join the DC Area UFC Meetup Group
http://www.meetup.com/DCUFCGroup
by funnytiger on Aug 27, 2009 11:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Does this mean
He overtrained?
"I will do nothing lightly. When I walk, I will walk heavily. When I fight, I will fight with conviction. When I speak, I will speak strongly. When I love, I will love with everything"
Press conference video is up.
Twitter: @EugeneSchelfaut
by Eugene Schelfaut on Aug 27, 2009 5:34 PM EDT reply actions
3 fights a month next year say WHAAAAAAAAT? I likey.
"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate
I fell phophetic...
I said a few weeks ago that I could see the UFC doing 3 shows a month if they bring the WEC into the fold.
by Screwface on Aug 27, 2009 6:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It’s a combination of two things:
1. Being able to put on more main event fights.
2. Increase the payscale of the lighter fighters so they can’t be poached by Strikeforce.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions
No Deal Between ESPN and UFC Still
http://mma.fanhouse.com/2009/08/27/espn-executive-ufc-100-was-great-but-no-deal-is-imminent/
But what about televising live fights? Skipper said it’s not likely to happen any time soon. ESPN already has a fairly full plate of sports programming, Skipper said, meaning ESPN would only want the absolute best UFC fights. And it’s hard to see how ESPN would benefit from taking its best fights off pay-per-view, where fights can generate upwards of $25 million in revenue.
Skipper also didn’t sound particularly interested in having MMA outside the UFC, saying, “We’ve talked to other MMA leagues, but UFC is by far the best.”
Ultimately, Skipper says he liked what he saw at UFC 100 but that MMA fans who thought Skipper’s presence at UFC 100 signaled a future deal between ESPN and the UFC shouldn’t get too excited.
“Nothing is imminent,” Skipper said. “I came away with a good impression, but don’t get your hopes up.”
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder how they are planning on doing 3 fights a month, unless Spike is doing one every 2 weeks.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Well if he says they are adding lower weight classes then that pretty much means they are bringing in the WEC guys right? That would be the only way they’d have enough fighters. And 3 fight cards a month seems like a bit much to me but I guess, maybe, one fight night a month, one free numbered overseas card a month and one PPV event?
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
I love MMA and the UFC but I dont want it watered down. We’ll see how they handle it. As long as the quality is there then I’m all for it.
Be a man, not a child-Phil Anselmo
They’re talking about adding weight classes, not about signing more fighters to the ones they already have.
I realize that, these extras shows a month aren’t going to just feature the new weight classes. Call me crazy but I like that fact that I have to wait all month to see UFC cards. I feel like its xmas once a month. I dont mind how they do it right now. However, if they can do it right, I’m not opposed to more shows.
Be a man, not a child-Phil Anselmo
Welcome to BE...
Feel free to actually say something that is worth reading.Thx.
Be a man, not a child-Phil Anselmo
completely agree with this. i like the short “downtime” between events. if they try to do them too frequently, there won’t be as much build up and anticipation for them. can’t imagine a countdown show airing every two weeks. but like you said… more power to em if they can do it right.
Exactly...
I knew I wasn’t the only one who likes the anticipation. Haha
Be a man, not a child-Phil Anselmo
USA Tuesday Night Fights went on for years. There is always the potential to do more, up to 1 per week really. As long as it is done right that is.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I think if they bring in the WEC guys they’d have enough fighters to do it, logistically it would be a lot more work but I don’t think the quality would suffer.
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
Makes me wonder who else they would have commentating, I can’t see goldie and joe doing all these shows.
Be a man, not a child-Phil Anselmo
Well if the ufc is in fact taking the WEC into it’s ranks…
Probably Frank Mir and the other dude. Also, I agree with the anticipation between events, but if there are lower calibur fights on free tv, the anticipation for the big PPV fights will be there, garuntee it.
"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate
by Kaleb Kelchner on Aug 27, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Good point, I guess smaller fights never get the build up anyways…
Be a man, not a child-Phil Anselmo
Kinda like how nobody gets “pumped” for a UFC Fight Night, but the fights are still worth watching and enjoyable.
"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate
by Kaleb Kelchner on Aug 27, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions
No it doesnt hurt them
But the UFC isn’t like other sports. Not a good comparison to me.
Be a man, not a child-Phil Anselmo
You're right...
MMA and boxing are really the only two year-round sports. There is the chance of it getting watered down, but if they were truly concerned with it, they wouldn’t run UFC Unleashed for 18 hours a week on Spike.
by Screwface on Aug 27, 2009 8:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
That isn’t bad news for the UFC. They still have SpikeTV. It’s bad news for Bellator.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought it was kinda bad news for both.
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I actually, I already had a hunch Bellator wasn’t getting on ESPN or ESPN 2.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Bellator would be much better if they didn’t keep their champions under those types of contracts. They need to let them move on. If they functioned more as a full time feeder system, it would be great if they did a weekly show on ESPN. As it stands right now, I wouldn’t want to see it because their best would be stuck there.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions
They will let their champions fight now.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
If they ran a weekly show on ESPN, they would not let their fighters (and champions) compete in other organizations. It’s as simple as that. The only reason they are even mentioning it is because they have no good TV deal announced still.
Even then, they have yet to allow one of their champions do it. And their other season has been finished for a few months now.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Of course, since it got delayed, though according to them, they are happy with whatever TV deal they signed.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Dana Hints About A TV Deal
When asked by MMAjunkie.com whether the event would fall to Spike TV or pay per view, White’s response was simple.
“Neither,” White said. “Wait and see boys.”
Maybe ESPN deal fell through.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
About 2 weeks ago a UFC guy emailed me and said “ESPN is dead. Think Fox is the leader.”
We’ll see. So hard to know who is and isn’t in the loop at Zuffa.
by Michael Rome on Aug 27, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
FOX is a big deal if promoted right. It’s the right channel for the UFC. I’ve always been surprised that they weren’t mentioned more in the past. ABC is backed by Disney, and MMA seems a little too “different” for those folks. And CBS is the old people’s channel.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, Dana just said no to HBO and is now trying to make Showtime their enemy and not Strikeforce. Sigh, the drama.
"I’m not anti-Strikeforce, I don’t dislike those guys," said White following the press conference. "I dislike Showtime, that’s who I dislike. I think they’re di-ks, I don’t like them. I don’t like their attitude; they think they are better than they really are. They’ve been second-rate at boxing, they’ve been second-rate at programming and now they think they are great at mixed martial arts and my fight is with them, not with Strikeforce."
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions
He is right. They have always been second rate compared to HBO. They have never built up a star in boxing. I find it hard to believe they are capable of doing it in MMA.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Except we live in the now, and Showtime is on the rise in boxing against HBO and programming, Dexter, Weeds, Californication, etc. Showcasing MMA has been a huge plus for them.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it was posted here a few weeks ago by somebody who researched it. HBO gets like $6.50 a subscription… And Showtime gets like $1.50. They just can’t compete money wise. They can’t compete with HBO in boxing because there is too much money there (and Golden Boy). And they can’t compete in MMA because there is too much money in the UFC.
I don’t think they will get out of the MMA business. I just don’t think they have the ability to make stars. Their open workout with Fedor was a distaster. It was poorly run. They can’t market properly. I don’t see this changing.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, they are still the leaders, but, HBO doesn’t like the idea that Showtime is having success now and taking some of their market.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
What market have they taken? What is the last successful Boxing PPV they have put on?
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Their subscription base is increasing. That is what matters to them, and boxing fans are HYPED for the MW GP they are putting on. Not much to be hyped about in HBO land until Pac-Man fights again, and maybe PBF.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s increasing because people are getting it free as part of the cable companies trying to lurer them in.
And the only people excited about the Middleweight Tournament are hardcore boxing fans. I know casual boxing fans who enjoy HBO Boxing who have no clue it is even happening. While it is great for boxing, there are no huge stars in that group of fighters.
With HBO, they have Pacman, Mayweather, Cotto, Klitschko, and others. They have all the big named boxers.
You show your true devotion to hyping up anything that is against the UFC with this discussion. The facts are there. HBO Boxing is the place to be for big time boxing.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Once again, you argue a moot point. I said gaining and you keep arguing how HBO > Showtime. I already know what you are saying, but I am also saying that HBO is now worried about Showtime.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Which is true...
HBO got complacent with the Sopranos, Sex and the blah blah blah… So they focised less on their programming and more on advertising. Well those shows had their run and now they are getting beat by Showtime on the quality of their programming.
Showtime doesn’t have enough money to ever be a threat to HBO. It’s as simple as that. They have about 25% of the money coming in from subscribers (and less of them too). It’s nearly impossible to change that within even a 10 year time period. TV contracts only come up once every few years. Showtime would have to have double the number of subscribers to even be a true threat to HBO.
Here is simple math for you:
HBO: 40,000,000 X $6.00 = $240 Million
Showtime: 25,000,000 X $1.50 = $37.5 Million
$37.5 Million X 12 Months = $450 Million
What Showtime makes in a year, HBO makes in 2 months. Any questions?
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, these are the same points you have brought up before, but like public perception, things are not static, and they know when their competitors are making a move.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
No kidding things aren’t static. But there is such a huge gap in revenues that it is impossible to overcome this in even a decade.
And once again, Showtime has done thing that real hardcore boxing fans like. Just like Strikeforce does things that real hardcore fans like. Neither have any appeal. And that isn’t going to change.
And speaking of static…. As long as HBO has Golden Boy, things will stay extremely static. They have all the power in boxing. And that is not going to change.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Except even Golden Boy will be struggling soon if they can’t find stars other than Pac Man.
Hopkis, DLH, Hatton, etc are all retired. Pac Man is only superstar. No more Mexican stars to draw the latino public.
I am a boxing fan, so, I know that GB will be hurting next year if they strictly stick to boxing. Pac-Man vs Mayweather and maybe Mosely and a few more are the only big fights left.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Supremacy has his agenda but he also has his points.
The fact is boxing is lacking stars. Name potential boxing stars under 25.
Then name potential boxing stars under 30.
When we’re talking about guys who’re going to draw millions of eyeballs the list isn’t that long.
You’re calculation re: subscriber fees above is correct but moot. You might as well say, in 1995 how could Apple compete with MS. There was no competition. MS had all the dosh, they were a million times richer. Apple came back with the iMac, iPod and now iPhone. Quality products. MS is still relying on windows and office.
Similarly, HBO had the most awesome shows for the past decade. Sex and the City, Sopranos etc. Now the only good show that they have is Entourage.
Whereas Showtime is doing a lot better than they were say, 5 years ago.
by rainmaker6 on Aug 27, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It was a disaster only because TONS of people and media showed up. That is a success. I don’t think anyone was planning for that big of a crowd.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
It was more regular people causing the issues.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
And the point is, they don’t know how to run things properly.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Though ran poorly, it was still a success.
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions
http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/white-competition-coming-for-showtime-19339
"They sucked at boxing, they got their a— kicked by HBO always at boxing yet they tried to stay in it," said White. "They got their a— kicked by HBO in programming, but they’re still around and they’re going to get their a— kicked in mixed martial arts too, just not by HBO."
I swear Dana reads BE. I was just talking how great a deal with FSN would be for Bellator.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Showtime is the enemy. They are the ones who want to get into MMA.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
I could have told you that last year.
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t even know there is a deal. Just rumors right now.
by Michael Rome on Aug 27, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Fox is not a great channel though, and here is why. If there is ever a live MMA event, it will get bumped until 2 AM since FSN’s #1 priority are the local market teams. Affliction and the IFL had huge problems because of it.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Fox and Fox Sports are different.
It can’t be on Fox Sports because if it’s on basic cable it has to be on Spike. Talking with ESPN was ok, because all sports on ABC are done by ESPN.
The UFC currently airs live and taped programming on Spike TV, but the deal is non-exclusive for live events, including on other cable networks.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, but FSN wouldn't do a whole lot to draw.
FOX as in, FOX; House, American Idol, Family Guy, is where I think they are discussing.
Yeah, I am just pointing out that they can technically do it with other channels as well.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 27, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions
By my count...
If they merge the UFC & WEC, and add a 125 lb weight class, they can easily have 24 title fights per year (8 weight classes x 3 title fights per). Based on those numbers, they could realistically have two UFC numbered cards each month, with each headlined by a championship fight, along with free monthly Fight Nights. Seems like overkill, but it would make it real tough for Strikeforce to ever gain any real traction.
Probably closer to 20 title fights. Between injuries and scheduling, only about half the champions are likely to fight 3 times in a year.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I was going to say the same thing.
I think it would also partially kill some of the luster a title fight holds.
I could see them doing BIG cards with 2+ title fights rather than every #’d event having a title bout.
What I think it allows them to do is put bigger title fights on PPV, and lesser PPV fights on free TV.
For example, right now they are forced to basically put 95% of their title fights on PPV. They just need those main events. With 8 weight divisions, they can now pick and choose which title fights go on PPV.
We might get Anderson Silva vs. Patrick Cote on FOX. And Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson 2 would go on PPV. It gives them much more flexibility.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions
GSP vs. Swick isn’t much better either. But you get the point at least. It just gives them the flexibility. It gives MMA fans more free title fights. No way they are doing 20 title fights over 12 PPV’s. Doesn’t make sense.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 27, 2009 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions
As opposed to Strikeforce who is lucky to have their champs fight once a year.
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by ufc4 on Aug 27, 2009 9:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Why would it hurt MMA though?
Is it that hard to be hyped up for multiple events?
by Danny Dangerously on Aug 27, 2009 8:33 PM EDT reply actions
Nog
looks in better shape than his last fight
Dont get down on Forrest, no one has moves like Anderson Silva.
Nog looks like he is ready… Hell yea!
I'm the kind of girl who loves to watch a GOOD fight!
--------
Join the DC Area UFC Meetup Group
http://www.meetup.com/DCUFCGroup
by funnytiger on Aug 27, 2009 11:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
RE: Vancouver
June 2010, right up the back of Montreal in late April.
From the mouths of three different UFC execs today.
B.C. government is behind it, so is local council/mayor. It’s all but a done deal.
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 Aug 28, 2009 1:48 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Right… after… I… move. So frustrated. Happy for Vancouver, but still frustrated.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
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