Other Promotions React to UFC Purchase of Strikeforce
by Nate Wilcox on Mar 13, 2011 12:05 PM EDT
in UFC Analysis
Email
Print
Now that Zuffa, the parent company of UFC, has purchased Strikeforce, their biggest competitor, the MMA landscape is utterly transformed. With Japan's two major promotions, Dream and Sengoku, both reeling and likely done, that leaves the UFC alone as the world's undisputed champion MMA promotion.
Two of the largest surviving independent promotions are Bellator, which just started airing fights on MTV2, and M-1 Global which co-promotes with Strikeforce and airs fights on Showtime.
Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney spoke to MMA Junkie and claimed there is no possibility of his promotion ever selling out to Zuffa:
So there's no scenario in which he could see the UFC or another big spender buying out Bellator?
"No," Rebney told MMAjunkie.com prior to Saturday's Bellator 36 event on MTV2. "My answer to that is based on our entire philosophy. It's one where fighters control their own destiny. The organization that puts the cage down and puts up the lights, and puts all the cameras together and puts on the show on MTV, has the same exact philosophy of the fighters who step into the cage.
"I am a big fan of controlling one's own destiny. It's what got me to this point. ... It's that type of control of controlling your destiny that is everything our organization is about. It's our very, very core."
M-1 Global exec Evgeni Kogan spoke to MMA Weekly:
"Fedor's contract is with Showtime Networks Inc. and we're excited to be working with such a premium North American outlet," Kogan said.
M-1 Global, which also promotes events, recently signed a new TV deal with Showtime as well. They debut on the network on March 25.
Kogan pointed out that the new deal between Zuffa and Strikeforce effects nothing in their own deal with Showtime.
"The purchase of Strikeforce doesn't affect M-1 at all," Kogan stated. "Our TV deal is with Showtime and we're happy. It's business as usual for M-1 Global as we close into our March 25 event."
I have to admit I love the irony of Kogan spouting the same "business as usual" line that Dana White made famous in his interview yesterday with Ariel Helwani and that Strikeforce spokesman Mike Afromowitz used with the Associated Press.
94 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
could someone explain to me the M-1, Showtime, Strikeforce working relationship.
I mean like I’m a 6 year old. Kogan hurts my Brain
"There are no atheists in foxholes" isn't an argument against atheism, it's an argument against foxholes. ~James Morrow
"There is a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot."-Steven Wright
by F'n Clownshoes on Mar 13, 2011 12:04 PM EDT reply actions
In Soviet Russia, contract signs YOU!
Getting bent out of shape over a fight promoter lying is like getting upset that a hooker won't kiss you. It betrays a deep lack of understanding of the nature of the profession.
by Stanlee on Mar 13, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Hey buddy
Do me a favor and STFU. I’m trying to work here.
by Forbidden Psychological Technology on Mar 13, 2011 1:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 8 recs
M-1 has contract w/ showtime
M-1 also co-promotes any SF event Fedor fights on.
Now that Zuffa owns Strikeforce, and things are “business as usual”, M-1 is still Coker’s headache to deal with. Fedor has expressed interest in dropping to 205 for a shot against Hendo, and i’d love to see him do it. Hopefully after 2 straight dominant losses, they don’t feel the need to go into extensive negotiations, and just settle with what they already have.
http://www.headkicklegend.com/
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Mar 13, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
UFC did not kill Strikeforce
M1 did
"Turn yourself not away from three best things: Good Thought, Good Word, and Good Deed" - Zoroaster
catch me if you can @ MMA Answers
when you lie down with dogs...
people still blame the UFC for “killing” Pride… because the shenanigans with the yakuza and their TV contract had nothing to do with the company needing saving.
Getting bent out of shape over a fight promoter lying is like getting upset that a hooker won't kiss you. It betrays a deep lack of understanding of the nature of the profession.
it's not a blame game
they did kill Pride, they bought it with the intentions of killing it, now, it’s also true that Pride was going under anyhow with cancer, but UFC pulled the trigger and took them out of misery.
yo no quiero hacer mas nada
I’d say its more like a scavenger picking them over while they’re still squirming… but that’s a bit morbid for a Sunday afternoon.
Getting bent out of shape over a fight promoter lying is like getting upset that a hooker won't kiss you. It betrays a deep lack of understanding of the nature of the profession.
to be fair
there were other interested buyers besides Zuffa, most likely buyers who were going to try to continue Pride.
yo no quiero hacer mas nada
M-1 certainly made their life harder
But Coker was smart in cashing in his chips. Who knows how things would be different if M1 & Fedor were easy to deal with.
http://www.headkicklegend.com/
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Mar 13, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
My answer to that is based on our entire philosophy. It’s one where fighters control their own destiny.
Oh yeah, that’s why their champions are stuck fighting UFC rejects in non-title fights instead of truly testing themselves against the world’s best!
…our entire philosophy. It’s one where fighters control their own destiny.
Which is why he also keeps them in champ clauses so he doesn’t run the risk of fighters…you know…having them control their own destiny.
WHAT!?
You have got to be kidding me
Jules: Normally, both your asses would be dead as fucking fried chicken, but you happen to pull this shit while I'm in a transitional period so I don't wanna kill you, I wanna help you. But I can't give you this case, it don't belong to me. Besides, I've already been through too much shit this morning over this case to hand it over to your dumb ass.
by RJshock 305 on Mar 13, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
It's not a watertight source,
but this is what I was thinking about. I couldn’t find anything else on it, though; maybe someone here knows more than I do?
Saving everyone a click
I have seen a contract in recent weeks that asked the fighter to sign away the rights to his name, likeness, nickname, etc. The promotion will file a USPTO (Trademark) against the name. They also want your URL, and merchandising rights without compensation.
Wow!
Might as well sign your life away then. What are you when you dont even have rights to your own name?
Jules: Normally, both your asses would be dead as fucking fried chicken, but you happen to pull this shit while I'm in a transitional period so I don't wanna kill you, I wanna help you. But I can't give you this case, it don't belong to me. Besides, I've already been through too much shit this morning over this case to hand it over to your dumb ass.
by RJshock 305 on Mar 13, 2011 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Editor, HeadKickLegend.com
Contributor for CagesideSeats.com and Bloody Elbow Radio
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Mar 13, 2011 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions
That's horrible
I’ve never been fond of the things we’ve heard of Bellator’s contracts.
And as they showed with Herman, they’re definitely not too shy to lawyer up.
http://www.headkicklegend.com/
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Mar 14, 2011 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions
So does Zuffa.
The latest update of EA MMA erased any created characters with “Wanderlei”, “Silva”, “Lesnar”, and tons of others. It also took out the pre-set fighting style “elusive striker”.
I believe that’s an exclusive lifetime right to your likeness for video games. That’s fairly extreme, but it sounds like Bellator’s going a step further.
As an aside, Zuffa also holds a trademark on the word "submission".
http://modules.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=misc.terms
Zuffa, LLC licenses the distribution of its fight show DVDs through Studioworks Entertainment, a Ventura Distribution company. "Ultimate Fighting Championship," "Ultimate Fighting," "UFC," "The Ultimate Fighter," "Submission," "As Real As It Gets", “The Octagon” and the eight-sided cage design are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC or other respective owners.
Ha!
That last part about “elusive striker” is ridiculous.
http://www.headkicklegend.com/
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Mar 13, 2011 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
They had a stance...
Called “generic elusive striker.” Read: very obviously Machida’s stance. They also had once called “generic Hawaiian prodigy.” Guess who?
Oh man
That’s rich.
http://www.headkicklegend.com/
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Mar 13, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m surprised we’ve seen so little reporting on the reactions of those this move affects most -the fighters. Even if it has to be off the record, I’d like to know their and their managers’ takes.
by John Nash on Mar 13, 2011 12:26 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Honestly, this purchase makes it even more difficult for fighters to speak candidly about the MMA business. There’s only one show in town now and the man running that show is well known for holding grudges.
by simpsycho on Mar 13, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Oh, I agree. Which I why I mentioned “off the record”.
by John Nash on Mar 13, 2011 1:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh, I know many aren’t happy. But it’s strange that the MMA media seems to view their pov as an afterthought. I mean, we all can imagine it’s horrible being in a natural disaster but reporters still get first hand accounts from those affected most by it.
by John Nash on Mar 13, 2011 1:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
…I wouldn’t compare the Zuffa purchase of Strikeforce to the Japanese earthquake/tsunami.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Editor, HeadKickLegend.com
Contributor for CagesideSeats.com and Bloody Elbow Radio
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Mar 13, 2011 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Rebney is the equivalent of a carnival barker, or a little yappy dog.
by dribblebib on Mar 13, 2011 12:30 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Oh please.
My answer to that is based on our entire philosophy. It’s one where fighters control their own destiny
You don’t have tournament brackets. so YOU control their destiny.
what do you mean they dont have brackets?
u saying a match maker pairs the winners after each tourney round?
I kinda dig it;
makes for good matchups.
You’re absolutely right, though. The lack of brackets does put their future opponents into Rebney’s hands.
http://www.headkicklegend.com/
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Mar 13, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah,
I’m not saying it’s bad. I’m just saying the “we don’t control anything” line is all just promotional speak.
by Anton Tabuena on Mar 14, 2011 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Not really
Take the welterweight tournament in Bellator right now. Say Hieron wins by beating Good. Good beat Hawn and Lozano. Hawn beat Wallhead. Hieron will also have to beat Weedman, who beat Hornbuckle. Hieron also beat Lapsley. This shows Hieron would be better than Good, Hawn, Lozano, Wallhead, Weedman, Hornbuckle, and Lapsley. That makes him the best fighter in the tournament, and he proved it. If he loses because of the match the matchmaker gives him, then he wouldn’t be the best. This all makes it so the best fighter wins and earns his title shot, it doesn’t go to a less proven, or less deserving challenger, a la Shields.
every man has his price
When zuffa is ready to deal rebney will change his tune as the giant katamari ball that is zuffa continues to stampede over the mma landscape with no end in sight.
People do not like to think. If one thinks, one must reach conclusions. Conclusions are not always pleasant.
- Helen Keller
by The Blackula on Mar 13, 2011 12:35 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
i dont think thats gonna happen
i think they’re just gonna wait for bellator to go belly up then acquire the contracts of alvarez, lombard, konrad and the few other fighters they want
"I have smoked weed with alot of UFC champions" - Joe Rogan
"Você ta fudido. Se vai levar muita porrada, ta ligado?" - Anderson Silva
Rebney is the last person I would want to deal with or help/bail out he makes Dana White look like Donny Osmond.
by Hioki's Hamster on Mar 13, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Fedor's contract is with showtime?
M-1 knew about this all along then. Hence the restructuring after his initial contract. They knew Strikeforce was going to sell to some one else.
by silent.bisonte33 on Mar 13, 2011 12:43 PM EDT reply actions
Get three coffins ready.
"[UFC]’s a great rush, eh? It makes your sphincter get real tight." - Harold Howard
by lowellthehammer on Mar 13, 2011 12:45 PM EDT reply actions
Haven't finished it yet but I know the scene you're talking about.
"[UFC]’s a great rush, eh? It makes your sphincter get real tight." - Harold Howard
by lowellthehammer on Mar 13, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Dude, watch Yojimbo.
Eastwood is great, but the original (in this case) is better. A Fistful of Dollars is a remake of Yojimbo, the same way The Magnificent Seven is a remake of Seven Samurai, so it’s the exact same scene but more dramatic since it’s swordfight instead of gunfight.
God I wish Mifune and Eastwood had been in a movie together.
Yojimbo is an adaptation of a Dashell Hammett novel "Red Harvest"
So you have a Western, shot in Italy, based on a Samurai tale, based on a detective novel…
@scb0212
The Machiavellian.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Mar 13, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
As I said (or implicated), I'm in the process.
I actually haven’t seen the Eastwood film and am only partway through Yojimbo. Lemme guess; you’ve got Netflix too?
"[UFC]’s a great rush, eh? It makes your sphincter get real tight." - Harold Howard
by lowellthehammer on Mar 13, 2011 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Fantastic service, I'm a big fan.
My instant queue stretches for virtual miles upon virtual miles. Too broke for the DVDs any more though.
"[UFC]’s a great rush, eh? It makes your sphincter get real tight." - Harold Howard
by lowellthehammer on Mar 13, 2011 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Rebney needs to get off his high horse bout fighters control there own destiny in Bellator
you signed Marlon Sandro yet you aren’t going to giveh im a fight with Warren right away? cmon that would be awesome
Twitter @MaZZM
http://mazznettt.blogspot.com/
It is Sandros destiny to regret signing w/ Rebney...
i get the Jose teammate shtick and quasi-respect Marlon for avoiding the question of will you fight Jose, but damn Gina, he just shot himself right in da foot.
"There are no atheists in foxholes" isn't an argument against atheism, it's an argument against foxholes. ~James Morrow
"There is a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot."-Steven Wright
by F'n Clownshoes on Mar 13, 2011 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I love Sandro but he just got dominated by Hioki they need to build him up.
by Hioki's Hamster on Mar 13, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Not really.
Nobody saw the Hioki fight. The audience on MTV2 likely knows jack about Sandro or Hioki.
"[UFC]’s a great rush, eh? It makes your sphincter get real tight." - Harold Howard
by lowellthehammer on Mar 13, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
the MTV2 audience knows nothing about Askren, Lombard, or Warren....just sayin'
"There are no atheists in foxholes" isn't an argument against atheism, it's an argument against foxholes. ~James Morrow
"There is a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot."-Steven Wright
by F'n Clownshoes on Mar 13, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
But Bellator has footage of those fighters.
"[UFC]’s a great rush, eh? It makes your sphincter get real tight." - Harold Howard
by lowellthehammer on Mar 13, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
So the audience no jack about Sandro so why give him Warren the current champion off the bat ?
by Hioki's Hamster on Mar 13, 2011 1:12 PM EDT reply actions
cause the audience doesn't know Warren either...
so at least give them the 2 best fighters in the Division under the Bellator banner.
"There are no atheists in foxholes" isn't an argument against atheism, it's an argument against foxholes. ~James Morrow
"There is a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot."-Steven Wright
Hey Bjorn
I’d believe you if you didn’t have a champions clause in place stopping the top fighters from ever leaving thereby putting a permanent ceiling on their careers and preventing them from ever achieving the top accolades and a legacy in the sport. Also UFC probably aren’t interested in a promotion they’re currently in a legal battle with of alleged stealing of ‘trade secrets’.
Comprehensive List of Non-Zuffa Top 25 Fighters
Heavyweight:
Pedro Rizzo
Cole Conrad
Light Heavyweight:
N/A
Middleweight:
Hector Lombard
Mamid Khalidov
Thales Leites
Welterweight:
Jay Hieron
Ben Askren
Lightweight:
Eddie Alvarez
Shinya Aoki
Tatsuya Kawajiri
Satoru Kitaoka
Featherweight:
Hatsu Hioki
Marlon Sando
Hiroyuki Takaya
Bibando Fernandes
Joe Warren
Kazuyuki Miyata
Masanori Kanehara
Yoshiro Maeda
Yuji Hoshino
Deividas Taurosevicius
Joachim Hansen
Koichiro Matsumoto
Bantamweight:
Masakatsu Ueda
Masakazu Imanari
Shuichiro Katsumura
Zach Makovsky
Akitoshi Tamura
Takafumi Otsuka
Jimmie Rivera
Darren Uyenoyama
Abel Cullum
Keep Firing, Assholes!
Time to put some meat in your pain sandwich.
I counted it up yesterday and it’s something like 17%-ish not under Zuffa control. That’s pretty incredible. It’s gotta be the largest percentage of talent under one company’s control in the history of the sport.
Hardcore MMA fan since UFC 99
by ChiCubs23 on Mar 13, 2011 1:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Wow
That definitely puts things into perspective.
http://www.headkicklegend.com/
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Mar 13, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Lindland KOs
himself putting on cardigans so I can’t count that win.
...?
Rizzo didn’t KO Lindland…
http://www.headkicklegend.com/
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Mar 13, 2011 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
In defense of BFC (if not necessarily Bjorn)
Hi All! This is my first… but it’s an honor to contribute. I’ve been around a lot of MMA sites and this is by far the best community.
I do feel I need to defend Bellator’s business model if not it’s disingenuous “philosophy.” The tournament gimmick does offer week-to-week interest and though many of the fighters are at the lower rungs of “elite,” they do fight each other, which makes for exciting fights. BFC 35 was honestly one of the best free-cable shows I have ever seen with at least two fight-of-the-year contenders, Spiritwolf/Jara
and McCoulagh/Patricky Freire, (yes, I know the former is from the previous week but the only showed it last night)
I think the Zuffa is doing the smart thing from a business standpoint, and frankly, I don’t think Coker had it in him to grow SF beyond the model of “The Big Event” 2 – 3 times a year. It does not seem a place for fighters to develop but rather a place to go if you’ve been around awhile and the UFC isn’t viable for you. (With the exception of Cung Li, what other major fighter has really come from SF?)
The consolidation also means that we will see Fedor PRIDE fights on The Best of PRIDE finally!
I do hope Zuffa lets the BFC do its thing for a few seasons, of, if it does buy them out, it will treat the brand like it treated the WEC.
Okay, a little long-winded, but this is a huge story and I’m pretty excited to be here!
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."
Mohandas Gandhi
"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights."
Muhammad Ali
"If MMA is like dog fighting, those are some pretty fucking smart dogs."
"I don’t want to lick any butt."
GSP
by jackbox on Mar 13, 2011 2:10 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
"Everybody has a price" - The Million Dollar Man: Ted Dibiasi
If the price was right Bellator would belong to Zuffa, Money talks, but they haven’t made enough headway to get on the Zuffa acquisition radar yet. As long as they hold back guys like Eddie Alvarez, I doubt they will. Alvarez just saw his only chance at being considered the best LW in the world go away, because the fight with Melendez won’t happen now. Other fighters are going to see this, and stay away from getting locked into a Bellator contract. What they are going to end up with is some decent prospects, and a mix of UFC washouts, but the elite talent will move to Zuffa.
This is honestly the best news M-1 could have had in a long time. Once the Showtime/Strikeforce relationship ends Showtime will throw all it’s weight behind M-1 the way it did with Strikeforce. I’m sure many of Strikeforces top fighters aren’t happy about the ZUFFA purchase and will stay loyal to Showtime.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bloody Elbow
Related FanShots on Bloody Elbow
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
MMA Rankings
