UFC Buys Strikeforce: The Case of the Curious Announcement
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 13, 2011 4:02 PM EDT
in UFC Editorial
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A sport's spiritual home says a lot about it, explains its temperament, the entire vibe of the game. Springfield, Massachusetts, the home of James Naismith's basketball was a hub of the industrial revolution, a place where the first ever gas powered automobile was invented and offered for sale. Baller enough to be the home of Rolls Royce in North America. A fitting home for an inventive and powerfully urban game.
Canton, Ohio, where the Pro Football Hall of Fame broke ground at an old car dealership, is as gritty as the men who made football in America. Football is a miserable game, full of breaking bones, blood, and perpetual pain. What better spiritual homeland than Canton, a place Forbes Magazine called one of the most miserable cities in America?
For mixed martial arts, Las Vegas is the anchorage of spirit as Henry James put it. The glitz and glitter of the strip whitewash a multitude of sins. The lions and sharks, the dancing girls, the giant fountains spewing water in tune to the amazement of Iowans out for a good time - they all mask the truth about Las Vegas. While you are distracted by the bright lights, they are reaching into your pocket and taking everything they can. No one can claim to be unaware. The government makes the casinos tell tourists exactly how they are going to be fleeced, even making them explain the odds. But some people, well, they want to believe.
Yesterday Dana White told the world that Zuffa had purchased their top competitor, Strikeforce. He claimed to Ariel Helwani that the motivation, however, wasn't to remove a fast growing rival:
"As we continue to grow and expand into all these other countries...we need more fights. We need more fights, more fights, and let's face the facts...as we continue to go into these other countries, as we continue to grow and expand the business - I've been saying this for a year and a half. We need more fighters."
Yahoo's Kevin Iole got the same spiel:
White said the UFC needed the fighters, which was Zuffa’s impetus for the deal. He said it plans to increase the number of shows it runs and said it’s conceivable it could, down the road, have more than one show running in different countries on the same night.
While both men dutifully wrote down what the Zuffa President said, the kind of stenography that is the backbone of modern journalism, the recent past calls that conclusion, that bizarre spin, into question. The UFC, the promotion White claims made this deal because they needed fighters, has been marauding through their lighter weight divisions, cutting multiple fighters after each show.
The common consensus was that the UFC had too many fighters. At least that was last week's consensus. This week the MMA media has new marching orders. Truth is less important than a good story well told. These, as they say, are the times.
More on the curious nature of the announcement after the jump.
Dana White sits slumped in his chair, wearing a Mike Tyson t-shirt and answering the carefully crafted questions of Ariel Helwani from MMAFighting.com. Helwani, wearing a red flannel shirt, is there to help Dana get his message out. This is a press release in video form. On the coffee table sits E. Casey Lyndon, a videographer with allelbows.com. The site does some phenomenal work - but this video won't be on the reel. It's an awkward two shot that doesn't flatter either White or Helwani. It looks like something you might see on a cable access show or a small market local newscast, the kind of interview you get when a harried shooter didn't have a chance to set up his tripod before they got started.
For a sport so desperate to put its best foot forward, to prove it belongs in the same sentence with the titans of the industry like the NFL and the NBA, this is a curious choice. They say you dress for the job you want, not the job you have. The UFC wants to be a big player in the sports world. So why is it releasing major news on what is by most estimates only the fourth biggest website in the niche MMA genre?
Perception is reality. To a mainstream audience, major sports are covered by ESPN and in their local paper. They don't make big announcements on genre websites. And moves like this can damage their chances with an outlet like ESPN going forward. Sources say that officials with ESPN were furious that they weren't given this story. It would have been featured on SportsCenter, White front and center in a professional interview. Instead, we got the standard guerrilla style low budget MMA Fighting interview. Now some ESPN insiders are questioning the value of covering the UFC at all on their programming.
When I read Helwani's announcement on Twitter, I looked to UFC.com for answers. There was no story. Even now the only link on their official site connects directly to White's interview with the MMA Fighting team. It's certainly a very curious move for a company still seeking mainstream approval. It's not like White to yield control to anyone - lack of any UFC coverage of the event means he must feel he has control of the narrative with Helwani and MMA Fighting - a kind of control he'll never have with ESPN.
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Ariel Helwani has been the best MMA reporter on the scene, but he seems intimidated around Dana White and i don’t think it does him any favours.
by sheikybaby on Mar 13, 2011 3:49 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Ariel Helwani isn’t a reporter. He’s an “insider.” Not the same thing.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 13, 2011 3:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 2 recs
Yes, because ESPN standard fare of former players and coaches interviewing their old buddies is some hard hitting reporter shit. What questions would you have liked him to ask that he didn’t?
by carpediem on Mar 13, 2011 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 19 recs
I think Snow is jealous of the scoop and pissed that he lost his own insider gig with Strikeforce.
by Confucius on Mar 13, 2011 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 10 recs
No, it’s simply true. Ariel is an interviewer. He doesn’t do “reporting.” It’s not a shot at him. It’s simple truth. I like Ariel, I’ve had many pleasant interactions with the guy, but I don’t consider him a “reporter”
Just like those former players and coaches that carpediem mentioned are not reporters.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 13, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
that's a far more apt description than 'insider',
and it’s very accurate. it may not have been Snowden’s intent, but that sounded like he was putting him down for a second.
by Victor Rodriguez on Mar 13, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
We don’t do a lot. Now and again, like this piece.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 13, 2011 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I think they are part of the same phylum.
BOOSH
by Farthammer on Mar 14, 2011 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Also, your ESPN sources think this news would have been major enough for prominent usage on sports center. But since they weren’t given the scoop on this story, they don’t think the sport is even worth covering? That makes no sense!!! If that actually think that way, are those the people you wan to trust the future of the sport with?
by carpediem on Mar 13, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
It doesn't matter
It doesn’t really matter if it makes sense. The point is that, allegedly, they were pissed off because of White’s actions. The fact that they would be overreacting does not make it unfoolish of White to leave them out in the cold.
The people in question, I take it, are people who are used to covering mainstream and established sports that are run by people who wear suits, have formal business backgrounds and are familiar with, and abide by the customs of established sports media. Trespassing against these norms is, presumably, very annoying for such people. They probably have a hard time accepting that, on the one hand, they are supposed to give MMA respect and recognition and give them a seat at the big boys’ table, while, on the other hand, the people at the top don’t behave, don’t follow the accepted norms of conduct, and don’t do what’s accepted as reasonable and respectful.
by Philosophy Pro on Mar 13, 2011 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I with Dana would have sat down with ESPN in the cage where he could reveal his “Decision” (ala Lebron James) for a hard hitting interview. Thats the shit MMA needs to hit the main stream!!!!
by carpediem on Mar 13, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
That seems rather…diminishing. A reporter reports news. And that’s what happened in his interview w/ Dana White where they broke the news of the acquisition of Strikeforce.
by Hardcase on Mar 13, 2011 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why the compains?
DW stays true the grass root and the fast internet news. I don’t think ESPN would have make a big deal over it.I love Bloody Elbow for the opinions and fast news stories but most of the guys are more more like columnists not necessarily unbiased reporters Ariel is a reporter.
no disrespect for Ariel
but you can hardly call him unbiased — he works for Versus which airs UFC programming.
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by Nate Wilcox on Mar 13, 2011 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Absolutely unbiased
I thought his coverage of SF before the purchase will really cause him problems with DW, He interviewed Coker all the time on his show had tones of SF fighters covered and had tones of videos from SF shows and pissed off DW claiming that Fedor was the P4P best fighter on the VS show. He just has a smart way of asking the tough questions without insulting anybody unlike Cofield which is very argumentative.
by Coeman on Mar 13, 2011 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
son
if you think someone who is actually employed by the entity they cover is absolutely unbiased, I really can’t help you.
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by Nate Wilcox on Mar 13, 2011 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
OK dad,
You have a point Absolutely might be a bit too strong I don’t really know what’s in the guy’s head but judging his record I can confidently say relatively unbiased don’t ignore what he’s done before.
by Coeman on Mar 13, 2011 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I'm gonna rec cause you called Nate dad
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by Matthew Roth on Mar 14, 2011 2:35 AM EDT up reply actions
You are fighting a losing battle, Nate.
Most people consider Helwani the best reporter out there and forget who signs his pay checks.
I think that it is interesting that when you read, say, the WSJ, when they mention ANYTHING having to do with News Corp. they mention that News Corp. is essentially their employer.
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Twitter @LiverKick
It's not a battle
I don’t consider Ariel the best reporter i just feel he does the best interviews. Just like on TV you got guys that are just great in extracting information from the people they interview it’s a combination of personality and talent and Ariel has that. I feel the guys at BE are doing a fantastic job in analyzing and different angles of opinions on every MMA story that’s why I spend more time on BE then MMAFighting. But the interviews Ariel is doing are great and at the moment after watching many guys interview DW from Heavy and other website including Kevin Iole Ariel is by far doing a much superior job.
The UFC doesn't own Versus
Versus airs like 3-4 UFC events a year. Helwani is then automatically biased because he works for this network? They air a lot more hockey and college football than UFC events. Is everyone on Versus biased when they cover hockey? The UFC airs on ESPN UK. Again, biased reporters? When the NFL is not locked out, they air Monday Night Football on ESPN. Are ESPN reporters biased when speaking with or interviewing NFL players or personnel? I could go on…
Reporting from inside a padded cage at MMAmadman.com.
Of course ESPN covers the NFL with kid gloves because they are broadcast partners. You get harder hitting coverage on the NFL’s own network!
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 14, 2011 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Well Said
ESPN would have been the better forum to release such news. Scratch their back, they scratch yours.
The official press conference isn’t until Monday though. Still taking in all the possibilities. Too bad nothing will really happen until 2012
by silent.bisonte33 on Mar 13, 2011 3:50 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Playing devil's advocate..
..perhaps Ariel had confirmed from someone else the deal was going through, then took it to Dana who agreed to confirm if he’d hold the announcement until it was signed.
I agree it would make sense to give someone like ESPN the scoop, but you can’t always plan these things.
Koscheck has frosted tips.
If that's the case, then I dunno.
But my greater point is, when it comes to journalism, sometimes how you want the message to get out, and how it happens to do so, are very different.
And in this case, you have a ton of big players who hate Dana who might have been privy to the info and a risk of spilling before the deal was set.
Koscheck has frosted tips.
Added to which:
First rule of PR is you never EVER spill anything on a Friday afternoon or weekend if you want press coverage.
The only thing that drops at that time is things you have to release but want limited coverage on (IE: bad news).
Which only serves to boost the theory that this wasn’t DW’s idea.
Koscheck has frosted tips.
by Ozzz on Mar 13, 2011 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I have been told how they came to be there in Vegas. It wasn’t the scenario you suggest.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 13, 2011 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Then dish, dude
If I wanted to be blue-balled, I’d call up the girl I was spitting game on last night rather than come here
The only good bug is a dead bug!
by Anthony Pace on Mar 13, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Jeez, it isn't hard.
Think about the sporting world, a major sport with turmoil
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Mmhm.
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I can confirm this
there are government agencies famous for their Friday afternoon news dumps. Bonus points when they’re on the Friday afternoon before a holiday weekend. If you don’t want to talk about something, Friday afternoon is when you release it.
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by Dave Strummer on Mar 14, 2011 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions
What I don't get is..
…why don’t you reporter up and ask Helwani how that interview came to be and why he thinks he was chosen. Getting an answer from White would also be nice…but in spite of being as rock solid in your belief in your inside knowledge as evidenced in this post, for some reason you can’t or won’t do that. That goes out to the entire staff, btw, not just you.
To save me some time on 25% of all threads, here's the universal answer to the Fedor-debate: Fedor is the most accomplished MMA fighter ever. That is a fact. If he still is the best fighter at this point in time is up for debate.
by KGNLuc on Mar 13, 2011 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Trust me. MMA Fighting is not doing anything the UFC does not want them to do.
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by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 13, 2011 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
It is weird....
That Dana chose this platform to what I believe is the biggest mma story since the pride buyout. This is a huge deal to the sport, it’s fans and the fighters involved. I’m still in shock….
by frizzkills on Mar 13, 2011 3:54 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 3 recs
I agree completely
I was completely shocked by this, but confused by the lack of what would seem to me to be a “real” announcement. I watched the Helwani video couldn’t stop thinking about how Dana White is just sitting there with some stupid T-shirt on and Helwani has his flanel shirt. The whole thing was really weird.
Well said: “you dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” This seems to really get at at least part of the oddity here.
by Philosophy Pro on Mar 13, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I mean, why the hell would you be so casual about this?! Is white trying to make a point about how Strikeforce was never really a big thing, so he didn’t want to act like it was a big deal that they just bought Strikeforce? Or, did it come off that way unintentionally because that is genuinely his attitude?
This also makes me wonder what the majority owners of Zuffa are thinking. Do they pay no attention to these matters? Wouldn’t Abu Dabi want White to make an official announcement and wear a damn suit, for the love of God? Where are the Fertittas in all this?
by Philosophy Pro on Mar 13, 2011 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
It can be seen two ways IMO
Yes, if it is a small niche sports site, Dana can have more control of what is put out there than with the big companies like ESPN since credentialing is heavily controlled so they won’t ask him really tough questions. Even though Helwani is a good interviewer.
or
It can be looked at as a sign of loyalty the UFC has with the sites that have kept running their news non-stop even when it wasn’t making much money and wasn’t as big as it is now.
The second one may seem a bit ridiculous since Dana has said he doesn’t like the internet (twitter doesn’t count dammit) but it certainly can be spun that way.
It can be spun that way, but judging by Dana’s attitude and actions towards Sherdog I doubt loyalty to the small niche websites had much to do with it.
I don’t know, this just seemed really rushed to me. I almost think it was about to be leaked so Dana called Helwani, told him to get the the UFC office ASAP and this was the result.
Good article though, as usual.
"A champion is someone who gets up when he can't." - Jack Dempsey
by Jack.Barrington on Mar 13, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Dana wasn't ready to say anything...
other than “We Own Strikeforce.”
I believe he just wanted to get a one-up on the press to sort of control the slow spill of weekend news.
I doubt he has an idea yet as of what to do with the company.
by Unabomberman on Mar 13, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks JS
for pointing this out… so used to Helwani breaking UFC news that I forgot how weirdly parochial it is for this to come out ‘exclusively’ with MMA Fighting.
Had a quick look over there and perhaps I’m misjudging but there seems to be a serious lack of anything like an objective questioning of the effects of the buyout, maybe a couple of sentences here and there about fighter options limiting.
I’m happy that BE collectively isn’t so slack and fawning that nothing but Zuffa propaganda is the order of the day (no offence Subo).
'if you don't have humility as a fighter, fighting will bring humility to you...'
by rohedron on Mar 13, 2011 4:07 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Press release via thrid party MMA video interview
… sent out on a mid Saturday afternoon as well.
How about a formal press conference on Monday with assembled media to ask pertinent questions?
Naw just MMA media-UFC public relations business as usual instead
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Ouch at Helwani...
But that’s kinda true, Ariel is not exactly the most free roaming of reporters as he never strays from Zuffa’s line. Anyone remember the Crocop fiasco?
“Cro Cop was punking all of us. I hope Cro Cop goes on a three fight losing streak and gets the hell out of MMA. He’s a disgrace…He can’t even beat Mostapha Al-Turk without poking him in the eye.”
Everytime I warm up to Ariel again I remember that thing. A guy’s entitled to his oppinion but that wasn’t too journalistic of him.
He’s a cool, knowledgeable fan with a press pass, I guess.
by Unabomberman on Mar 13, 2011 4:15 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Iole buried Cro-Cop too.
It was really sad, and this is one of my fears about the buyout. There will be no media but co-opted media.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Mar 13, 2011 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
ABSOLUTELY
pertinent fear….
'if you don't have humility as a fighter, fighting will bring humility to you...'
Nah...
The internet’s killed that, in a way. Officially the media will be co-opted but with the advent of the next generation social networks everything will go out the window for them. Herding people in there is like herding cats: not gonna happen.
Zuffa may try to push an image about the sport and the organization but the Hive is way too fidgety, even today, now imagine how it will be in ten years.
by Unabomberman on Mar 13, 2011 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
hear what you're saying
guess the concern is that fighters will be penalised for speaking to ‘non authorised’ media, access to events and conferences will be curtailed, access to Zuffa leadership etc.
we may then be left with leaks, second hand stories and no uncomfortable ‘truth to power’ style questions etc, or is this unrealistic in the media multiverse?
'if you don't have humility as a fighter, fighting will bring humility to you...'
thinking about it
it hasn’t stopped Gross, Hunt etc
'if you don't have humility as a fighter, fighting will bring humility to you...'
The only thing I can say to that is that everyone today has a camera and a microphone in their cellphones. That number will only keep growing exponentially in the following years, and everything will be recorded and broadcast worldwide, and no human being—meaning athlete—no matter how hard he/she tries can contain him/herself 24/7 can fight that. Sooner or later unfiltered news will make their way through the net and there is not a thing anyone can do about it.
Now, add to all that mess the fact that if teh sports keep growing, the bigger cats in the sporting journalism business will want a piece of the pie for themselves, coupled with the simple fact that where there are numbers there is business, so there is only so long before the powers that be have to stop playing blind.
by Unabomberman on Mar 13, 2011 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Is there a link to that? I remember Iole’s hack coverage of the Cro Cop fiasco (and I wrote about it extensively at SMG), but don’t remember Ariel being involved.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
Sauce: http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2009/6/14/908915/quote-of-the-day-ariel-helwani
Hope that’s helpful.
by Unabomberman on Mar 13, 2011 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice write up
This is what I was thinking, as I watched the piece yesterday afternoon. Dana is known for his “Major Announcements”, that disappoint on a regular basis, and this isn’t one of them? It looked like he woke up, called Helwani and said “get over here in 10 minutes and bring a camera”. This announcement deserved a bigger audience, and a full up press conference. Hell they could have done a big press conference on Friday before the PPV, or Sunday morning after the PPV when all the MMA media would have been in one place. I personally think this is bigger than the Pride deal, just because they actually have control of the fighters to some extent coming out of this deal.
by dpk875 on Mar 13, 2011 4:15 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
UFC have stood by the stance that they do not need ESPN, HBO or anyone to grow their Brand.
This is a perfect example of just that. Why should Zuffa be forced to give ESPN anything? They chose to make the announcement with Ariel by design. They wanted to get the buzz out to hard core fans first. ESPN will announce this to fence sitters and occasional fans. Dana has said many times, the internet is the future of the UFC.
If Russia attacked Turkey from the rear, Do you think Greece would help?
by whardiek on Mar 13, 2011 4:17 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
He also could’ve called a press conference for a big announcement and have everyone covering it. There would’ve been a bigger chance that the story was leaked but the coverage would’ve been huge
Monday is a press conference.
If Russia attacked Turkey from the rear, Do you think Greece would help?
Yeah but the information is already out, it won’t have the same impact as an announcement made with all the press there
That rarely happens in any sport
Someone almost always finds out the news ahead of time.
by Beau Dure on Mar 13, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree
but MMA is not like any other sport, the MMA media is not as strong as their NFL/MLB/NBA counterparts, the history isnt there yet …..
I think the majority of the MMA media was surprised by this announcement and no gave a hint that they were close to breaking this story.
For perspective does anyone remember who broke the news on Zuffa purchasing Pride or the WEC? The UFC-WEC merger?
The UFC released all these stories when they wanted to
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yeah, that's weird
it’s like NOBODY saw this coming. at least not now, and certainly not like this.
by Victor Rodriguez on Mar 13, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Many people saw it coming, they werent able to confirm it though.
Actually a case of journalism gone right.
If Russia attacked Turkey from the rear, Do you think Greece would help?
Plenty of people knew about the Jon Jones title shot story prior to his fight with Bader, but no one reported it.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
it was called a press conference.
I saw an article on 411mania.com. Sorry Im not able to put a link on this. I havent figured it out yet.
If Russia attacked Turkey from the rear, Do you think Greece would help?
you are right about that.
But I meant ESPN in America. But, you got me, I actually watch every PPV on ESPN UK.
If Russia attacked Turkey from the rear, Do you think Greece would help?
ESPN in America
only dedicates less than an hour a week on MMA. they carry almost because they have to here and do so at arm’s length.
by Victor Rodriguez on Mar 13, 2011 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Unless UFC are waiting for the ESPN deal to end
And see if they’ll bid against Sky Sports for coverage.
This just seems like Smoke and Mirrors by Dana…
Why would I seriously believe you needed to buy another Competitor to get “MORE” fighters… Especially when “more” is the mostly the same Fighters they, the UFC, released to begin with, Or didn’t want to work with to sign…
The lives of all of us have been moulded largely by induction through suggestion.
just to refute one point, more fighters means, more marketable fighters and better matchups for expansion cutting. Marcus davis and joe stevenson, won’t compare to diaz and overeem
by Joshro on Mar 13, 2011 4:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I’d venture a guess that this whole thing was rushed, and White wanted to maintain some level of control over the message. We’ve seen an absolute deluge of speculation regarding what Zuffa is going to do with Strikeforce and why. No doubt, it would have been wilder if the UFC had waited to do a heavily orchestrated media event, saying almost nothing in the interim.
I can’t believe that this has much bearing on how ESPN will cover the UFC. The amount and type of coverage they provide should be dictated primarily by what viewers want to see. If it’s not, well, it should be.
It will have no bearing at all on ESPN.
No matter how snippy it might have made someone to not get the scoop.
I was at a live local show yesterday, and the number of mainstream media covering the promotion has at least doubled in the last year. Press row is squeezed to the limits.
Those who ignore MMA now do so at their peril.
Koscheck has frosted tips.
Hmmm...
So why is it releasing major news on what is by most estimates only the fourth biggest website in the niche MMA genre?
In my opinion…because as of right now it’s business as usual.
Don't let my support confuse you, I am in fact a fan of the Giants.
by tito (eight and oh) on Mar 13, 2011 4:33 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs
MMAFighing isn’t the biggest website, but it’s in the mix.
by smoogy2 on Mar 13, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 14 recs
I don't always pay attention to snarky sarcasm in comment sections
but when I do, I prefer smoogy.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Mar 13, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Wait a minute...
Is pdl the Dos Equis guy? Must say, it would explain a lot of things. Like my man crush on them both.
by Forbidden Psychological Technology on Mar 13, 2011 5:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Very usual in it's business is Strikeforce, isn't that right Joe?
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Mar 13, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
CRAAAAZY USUAL!
If Derek Jeter clubbed a baby seal on earth day while wearing a mink coat and crocodile skin boots while burning tires on an iceberg, the reaction would be "Its OK Derek, you’re a Yankee." -First mammal to wear pants
by Tonley on Mar 13, 2011 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
IT’S USUALNESS IS CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED.
by Forbidden Psychological Technology on Mar 13, 2011 5:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
ITS USUALNESS IS OFF THE CHARTS
"If I had a dollar for every brain you don't have, I'd have one dollar." - Squidward Tentacles
no ....no its not....
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by the-gentle-way on Mar 13, 2011 6:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’ve dealt with a lot of sports, and leaks are part of the game. Anyone think it’s coincidence that TV networks that spend a lot of money on broadcasting rights also tend to get the news before other outlets?
(That’s probably all I can say.)
This wasn’t a leak though. This was an announcement. It’d be one thing to give MMA Fighting the first interview with Dana after the news came out. But this wasn’t that
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by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 13, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ariel Helwani is the greatest reporter in the sport right now. Yeah, Snowden is obviously jealous that nobody takes him serious with articles like “GSP vs. Anderson Silva is Bad for the Sport” and “I have a fanboy crush on Mauro, ditch those clueless imbeciles Goldberg and Rogan.”
For a “journalist” that hasn’t broken a single story, you Sir, are quite a confident in yourself.
by Dr. Feelgood on Mar 13, 2011 4:38 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
The merit of a good journalist is not measured by amount of fight announcements you break….
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by ultmma on Mar 13, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Snowden is not a journalist, he is just a blogger, who does that for fun. I doubt anyone, outside BloodyElbow, quote him at all.
by Dr. Feelgood on Mar 13, 2011 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
You gotta admit though
The guy can stir the pot
Don't let my support confuse you, I am in fact a fan of the Giants.
by tito (eight and oh) on Mar 13, 2011 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
incorrect
I read an article on BadLeftHook that quoted him.
"Vikings fucked Vikings for generation after generation and their warrior bloodlines were passed on, and this motherfucker living in the woods in Minnesota got the best of the best."
by Chronic on Mar 13, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Total MMA is pretty much an essential at this point, I feel. He abridges a few books better than their original format and distills articles I’ve never read in magazines that may have never existed comprehensively… and that’s an obtuse, asshole compliment.
If you thought you knew everything, that first book will blow some of your thoughts back a step or two. Awesome stuff.
You need to respect the baby... 'cause life is precious... and God... and the Bible.
by timetraveltome on Mar 14, 2011 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Snowden has written not one, but two of the best books on the history of the sport.
Total MMA
and
The MMA Encyclopedia
No offense to Ariel but I’ll be pretty astonished the day he writes a book.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Nate Wilcox on Mar 13, 2011 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Wow, that’s…something.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 13, 2011 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t have any problem with Ariel Helwani or Jay Glazer or others who do what they do. But Beau is right. I didn’t start writing about MMA to be a PR machine. My goal, always, is to learn more about how things happen and why. My goal will never be to pursue breaking news.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 13, 2011 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Right. Some people have a job responsibility to get the latest info — if they’re able to ask intelligent questions like Ariel does, so much the better. Some are looking for how things happen and why — that’s a very good way of putting it.
In soccer, I’ve seen cases of people beating themselves silly to get a piece of information 30 minutes before it goes public. What purpose does that serve? What sort of relationship has been built to get that information early, and what’s tacitly expected in return?
This is one of many reasons why multiple voices are good.
Snowden is the Skip Bayless of MMA Journalism.
by Chaeloween on Mar 13, 2011 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Skip Bayless wrote two of the best books available about an individual sport? Huh…go figure.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 13, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I sincerely hope you’re not including his completely irresponsible Cowboys books in that list, which included the high class journalism of “outing” Troy Aikman. Who wasn’t homosexual. And shouldn’t have been outed even if he was.
Skip Bayless is a grease stain on the boots of journalism. He writes (well, wrote, now blathers on First Take) just to make people irate. He knows essentially nothing about sports, except how to take an opinion, frame it in the most offensive way imaginable, and go from there.
So sticking your head up your own ass is a sport? That’s the only scenario I can imagine Skip being qualified to write about twice.
Or did I miss the point again?
by Forbidden Psychological Technology on Mar 13, 2011 5:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Virtually no news is broken on this site. Most of us like it that way.
by smoogy2 on Mar 13, 2011 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Exactly
This is basically an op-ed and analysis site, not a site with insider or quid pro quo guys fighting to be the one leaked on (or to) when a story is coming out.
"Sometimes I wonder if the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." -Mark Twain
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
by The American Ronin on Mar 14, 2011 2:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Ariel is a reporter. You guys are bloggers.
A reporter report the news, facts, he doesn’t give his opinion like bloggers/editorial do.
And when bloggers start attacking real reporters for being an “insiders” it is plainly pathetic.
by Dr. Feelgood on Mar 13, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
wow! really?
you are a bit annoyed or, um, annoying
"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 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
what is so admirable about being a “real reporter”? Just repeating what someone else says is not that difficult.
by Bakuto on Mar 13, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You are perpetually cranky
Pick a more appropriate screen name. Like Dr. Feelcranky.
by Forbidden Psychological Technology on Mar 13, 2011 5:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 2 recs
I think it is pretty clear that Zuffa doesn't want this to be a big story
The type of interview, timing of the announcement, Dana’s “this isn’t a big deal” demeanor all points to this.
Whether its to keep the spotlight on Jones vs Rua, or just to avoid monopoly accusations, Dana didn’t want this to be a big deal.
by Stiff Jab on Mar 13, 2011 5:01 PM EDT reply actions 7 recs
I think Ariel asked plenty of the right questions
“What happens to XYZ” is what everyone wants to know. Even then Dana was giving BS.
The obvious ‘tough’ question would be well ’if ur cutting fighters already why buy a whole promotion?" which would be met with BS as well.
Why would Dana go on ESPN to give Strikeforce more brand recognition than its ever had? The last thing Dana needs is huge Strikeforce ratings. When he goes to kill off the brand, he doesn’t want to piss off average joe fans. If he creates more brand awareness for Strikeforce, and then Coker gets lucky and for whatever reason SF happens tp put on a slew of big fights after being covered on ESPN and promoted by the UFC, then people will start to yammer when UFC inevitably swallows up SF. Love him or hate him (and a lot of you hate him), Dana White knows what he’s doing.
Moisture is the essence of wetness.
by troy145 on Mar 13, 2011 5:06 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 3 recs
Why would Dana go on ESPN to give Strikeforce more brand recognition than its ever had? The last thing Dana needs is huge Strikeforce ratings. When he goes to kill off the brand, he doesn’t want to piss off average joe fans.
Were there suddenly money in keeping a second tier organization around, they’d keep it around.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 13, 2011 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Short term money doesn’t necessarily tie in to long term goals. Its easier not to rock the boat.
Moisture is the essence of wetness.
by troy145 on Mar 13, 2011 5:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
and to add
Maybe SF goes out and shits the bed. Dana doesn’t want to hype that either. Basically, if he made a big announcement out of it, then he throws at least a bigger part of his lot in withSF than is probably necessary. Its easier to maneuver with less weight on your back.
Moisture is the essence of wetness.
by troy145 on Mar 13, 2011 5:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Actually, you’ve pretty accurately described the problem facing Zuffa with Strikeforce on Showtime, if they decide they want to dissolve the brand and the TV relationship.
I don't care why they did it or how they've chosen to spin it, or the method of announcement
Maybe they were scared sh!tless of StrikeForce’s growth, so what? That’s completely irrelevant. Zuffa bought StrikeForce, Zuffa owns StrikeForce, potential compeition between the two is done, threat eliminated.
CPG
Alistair Overeem - StrikeForce HeavyWeight Champion, K-1 2010 World Grand Prix Champion, DREAM Interim HeavyWeight Champion
by Chris Groves on Mar 13, 2011 5:11 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
^^^This
I like the non-mainstream angle the UFC takes. The publicist-written speeches coaches and players spit out generally lack substance. At least here, it feels more personal. Just my opinion.
Also, I understand the argument against monopolies, but really, if anyone were to establish one, I’d rather it be Zuffa. Who would you guys suggest? $kala?
by INGO B on Mar 13, 2011 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Snowden's view seems to be from a very traditional perspective on journalism
I tend to draw the opposite conclusions and see the UFC’s decision to release a casual internet video announcement as a sign of their social media savvy. Nobody waits for deadlines anymore to talk about what’s happening in the world. If you are running a business that is in the public eye, you’d better better be ready to make announcements at the drop of a hat, or someone will beat you to it.
Matt Janecek
MBA Candidate 2011
An MBA on MMA:
mba-mma.blogspot.com
by mjanecek on Mar 13, 2011 5:14 PM EDT reply actions 14 recs
Josh Gross
Is calling bull on Snowden’s accusations in so many words. If people with ESPN are pissed, it’s not people within the MMA department.
by Gitaroo_Dude on Mar 13, 2011 5:23 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
It’s on his Twitter.
Someone asked him about Snowden’s article, and Gross replied “If they are, I’m unaware.”
I find it hard to believe ESPN’s lead MMA guy would be unaware of any residual anger over what happened yesterday.
by Gitaroo_Dude on Mar 13, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions
People within the MMA department have little say in the type of decisions Snowden is talking about.
by smoogy2 on Mar 13, 2011 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You really think the suits within ESPN are fuming over this when there’s going to be an official press conference tomorrow in San Jose?
Don’t see it. Not to mention I find it hard to believe that Snowden would be that much more informed than Gross on this.
by Gitaroo_Dude on Mar 13, 2011 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
ESPN coverage would great and all
but Ariel Helwani is more presentable than Josh Gross.
by BrothaDarkness on Mar 13, 2011 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Did ESPN even know that Zuffa didn't own Strikeforce to start with?
Decent article overall but I do have a hard time buying that ESPN is all worked up over this or that they would of put this on SportsCenter. ESPN barely covers the sport at all now and when they do they don’t even always get the basics right. Now you are trying to tell me that they would of put Dana White front and center on SportsCenter for an interview about on MMA company buying another MMA company? Its freaking Bracketology weekend, ESPN isn’t going to blow more than 5 seconds of SportsCenter on MMA when college basketball tournaments are going on. Telling me that ESPN is wondering whether they should cover MMA at all now is a complete and utter joke as they barely cover it now. When ESPN actually gives two shits about MMA fights it will be a great day but I doubt that they will ever get that bothered over the story of a MMA company buying a smaller MMA company.
by who me on Mar 13, 2011 5:33 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
This is used too often to make a point I think is really overstated
These graphics are probably put together by some tech scrub who doesn’t know the difference between MMA and Boxing.
The only good bug is a dead bug!
by Anthony Pace on Mar 13, 2011 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
The picture wasn’t the point it was just an attempt at humor after the post(did you read the post or just see the picture and reply to that?). You think that kind of tech scrub screw up would of aired if it was about NCAA basketball or the NFL? Apparently even the editors in charge of making sure things are correct don’t know the difference between MMA and Boxing too.
My point was that saying that ESPN felt slighted that they weren’t given the big scoop on business news from a sport they barely cover and don’t seem to really care much about is a bit absurd. Duke was playing North Carolina in basketball this weekend and March Madness brackets are being created, but the big sports story of the weekend was that a Las Vegas prize fighting company bought a San Jose based prize fighting company with 10 employees? Seriously? ESPN wasn’t going to feature an interview with Dana White on SportsCenter about this.
I read the post and I agreed with you, so I didn't comment on it
Just addressing what I’ve always assumed about that picture (just an assumption, brah)
The only good bug is a dead bug!
by Anthony Pace on Mar 13, 2011 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I always just assumed the picture was funny. It does make a good visible example about where MMA stands as far as ESPN goes though, they didn’t even bother to proofread their graphics and credited a direct competitor for the footage(and called it a PPV too but that’s a much lessor error). I doubt anyone at ESPN even got in trouble for such a screw up.
As others have pointed out in their way, I think the timing (a weekend, and bracket weekend at that) and the means used to break it both point to trying to keep this as much on the down low as possible, all things considered.
"Sometimes I wonder if the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." -Mark Twain
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
by The American Ronin on Mar 14, 2011 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Quite possibly, it also may have something to do with the NFL lockout, it was an odd announcement in a lot of ways. My only beef was with the idea that ESPN is bent out of shape about not getting to feature an interview with Dana White on SportsCenter in order to make this announcement. They aren’t second guessing covering MMA due to this, they barely cover MMA to start with.
Makes perfect sense to me
I’m not why so many people are missing the point of this announcement that seems pretty obvious to me. This announcement wasn’t made on ESPN because I really think Dana White would prefer that the fewest number of people actually know that this purchase went down. All of his talk about, “business as usual,” is him saying, “move along, kids, there’s nothing to see here.” And the thing is, there really isn’t. At least right now. It seems pretty clear that Strikeforce will be shut down after the Showtime contract expires. For the time being, though, they are going to try and run it as a profitable business until the contract is done. Doing a lot of hand having about this purchase isn’t going to do anything to help the UFC brand in the short-term because fans won’t see much change. It can, however, do more harm than good if people start to think of Strikeforce as the UFC. Dana certainly doesn’t want anyone thinking the Showtime announce team is part of the UFC. He certainly doesn’t want the taint of failed drug tests and unlicensed fighters spilling over to the UFC brand. He doesn’t want people to think that the UFC is co-promoting with M1-Global. So, what better way to get the message out with the least amount of splash, then to have a favored reported help them deliver the low-key press release as if this was a typical Saturday afternoon. I don’t doubt the UFC’s ability to make a big splash and get their message across when that is really what they want to do. This just wasn’t one of those times.
Yeah
Now that people have been pointing it out, I’m becoming more and more convinced that the UFC was intentionally trying to bury this story. Whether it’s for this reason or that, that seems to be the best explanation of this whole business. They wanted this hushed up and ignored.
by Philosophy Pro on Mar 13, 2011 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Football anyone?
People forget that the CBA and the countdown to decertification was dominating the headlines on Friday. Doing a formal press conference or something similar on Friday was unlikely – as was waiting until Monday, hoping the news didn’t leak.
The line “They say you dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” seems rather odd in this context. It seems to imply that there is one way to be professional or for the UFC to become ‘successful’. DW is not Roger Goodell or David Stern – he has his own style and for better or worse, I don’t see him changing.
The use of new media has been a dominant way that the UFC communicates to fans and controls their message. If anything, it appears rather sophisticated than amateurish.
by TheMadness on Mar 13, 2011 5:41 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Just wanted to say that this article has one of the best intros I have ever read on an MMA site. I really enjoyed the comparison of sports to their home cities……….. For what it’s worth
by RoB_ex on Mar 13, 2011 5:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Totally agree...
I mean… .a Henry James quote in a sports article? It makes me wonder how many English majors are on 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
Thanks. I wrote the first part and then didn’t know exactly what to do with it. Glad to find it a home!
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 13, 2011 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Questions needing pursuing.
I don’t have a beef with Ariel, he does serve a kind of mainstream purpose, but I was annoyed that he didn’t pursue the most disingenuous thing that White said which concerned contract re-ups and negotiations. You don’t have to have an MBA to see that Coker and White (et al) will not be on level playing fields when it comes time to making bids for fighters whose SF contracts are up. Even M-1 would have to go with the UFC contract since they are working for Zuffa anyway… they might as well go where the money is.
And is White really going to allow Coker to act independently? If Strikeforce wants to sign… I don’t know, Hector Lombard to a contract and the UFC wants him under their banner, how are we to believe that there won’t be serious pressure put on Coker and company to back off?
These are dark, ugly areas that I would have liked seen explored by Ariel but I simply don’t think he is the man for the job.
"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
He enjoys the perks too much: it's called access.
MMA journalism has the exact same problem as mainstream news journalism. The only exception with MMA is that, in comparison, it is so small that its one glaring fault is personified in just one guy, as friendly and as knowledgeable as he is. Is he a schill? Dunno, up to you to decide.
by Unabomberman on Mar 13, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It was explored
Dana explained that he may not have liked a lot of the ways the Strikeforce operated… but he never has had a bad thing to say about Coker. He said He has great respect for Coker… that says that he respects what he does… so all this paranoia about hanging Coker out to flap in the wind in unfounded.
by Venomouschic46 on Mar 13, 2011 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Not really...
He’s had plenty of bad things to say about Coker before, just not personally. But he’s gone off the rails in criticizing their events, how they’re handled, and how their business partners handle their own stuff.
That’s just Dana being Dana. For all we know he respects the guy, but he’s brash as can be and always leads with his mouth. To say he’s never said anything bad against Coker is highly revisionist.
by Unabomberman on Mar 13, 2011 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions
For All we know?? Did you even watch the interview?
The words came out of Dana’s mouth. You are the one revising the story
by Venomouschic46 on Mar 13, 2011 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions
And the idea that THIS will be the straw that breaks teh camels back withESPN is laughable. When UFC has a big enough draw, and ESPN can gain monetarily from covering it – they will. Its dollars and cents. Theres very little principle in big business.
Moisture is the essence of wetness.
ESPN is not exactly the reliable mma source
Have you seen their inaugural p4p rankings? They are a joke. Only UFC fighters on it.
They came to the party late… and most fans wouldn’t care what network broadcasts an MMA event..So Espn can sit in the dark for all I care.
by Venomouschic46 on Mar 13, 2011 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not sure I would have a non-UFC fighter on my top ten p4p. Does that discredit my integrity?
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
by Mike Fagan on Mar 13, 2011 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
I'm really digging Snowden's posts lately.
I’m a long time baseball fan. I love the tradition, the leisurely pace, the good-ol’-boy conservatism, and as annoying as it seems to most – its puritanical streak. I don’t really think all those attributes are great in and of themselves, but baseball’s personality is an Americana rock; there is a comfort in it because it sort of represents my nostalgic side. I’m not as big a fan of basketball or football, but I really appreciate their ability to let us escape and indulge in a certain part of our psyche and experience the culture of a place.
MMA needs to find itself, I think. There is really no spectacle like an MMA match. My attention span has been destroyed by the internet and the pace of life, but I can be absolutely gripped for 20 – 30 minutes watching two guys fight in a cage. Sonnen/Silva – and I’m sure some of you can relate – put me into another world where I had literally no idea what was physically going on around me. I agree with Dana that it could, in theory, be the biggest sport on Earth, because it isn’t about aspects of civilization like those other sports, it’s about our reptilian brain – a foundational piece of what everyone is.
So I think the sport needs to drop the skull-barfing dragon shirt attitude, the “Las Vegas” superficiality. That’s Dana; and to me, it just clashes with what fighting is in relation to humanity. I think that his openness and casual otherness have gone a long way to helping MMA’s popularity grow, but I really don’t think he is the guy to bring it out of niche and into universality. (It will never be “mainstream” because it occupies an aesthetic that lies below modern ideas of propriety. When are we going to have the president invite Jon Jones to the White house to publicly congratulate him for shattering some dude’s orbital?)
tl,dr: Dana sux yalls b nuthuggers lolz
by Manzanillos Cup on Mar 13, 2011 6:06 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Yes.
My extremely conspiratorial side has me thinking that if Coker sticks around in the long run, the Fertitas will rather have him break deals instead of Dana b/c as you can see very well, his limitations have started to show with glaring regularity.
The Fertitas and Dana belong to wholly different social classes, and while Dana has ingratiated himself he’s likely, and ultimately, still an uneducated clerk to them. I may be wholly off base here but I can’t shake the feeling that at the first chance he does something royally stupid that hurts th ebusiness they’ll leave him to hang in their stead.
by Unabomberman on Mar 13, 2011 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Have you read Snowden's book?
The Fertittas are not the upperclass stiffs you might think. Actually, they are the children of a gangster. They were more or less raised to be casino gangsters like their old man. Not only that, but, if I recall correctly, their old man was actually muscle rather a boss.
Maybe Snowden himself can help us out??
by Philosophy Pro on Mar 13, 2011 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes the UFC needs to stop pandering to their base and change their focus away from the fans they have to try and appeal to people who probably won’t care for the sport anyway. Whether we like the dragon shirt wearing crowd that enjoys Dana’s attitude and candor or not they are the one’s supporting this sport. It’s like saying that NASCAR needs to stop trying to appeal to white southerners, it’s not going to happen. It’s never going to be a mainstream sport because it’s professional prize fighting, this is a very brutal sport by nature it’s not going to appeal to the general public. Still there is nothing wrong with being in the niche of young males, it’s a huge and valuable niche to hit.
Not what I was saying at all.
I’m not advocating the marginalization of their base; I’d like to see the sport start to move beyond (not so much away from) the Call of Duty and Axe Body Spray set. And I disagree with you on the appeal to the general public – I think MMA has the potential to be huge without being “mainstream”.
by Manzanillos Cup on Mar 13, 2011 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
18 to 36 year old males is the base and that is the group that should be targeted (I should point out that I am not part of that demographic myself). Dana doesn’t have to act like the NFL commissioner because for the most part 18 to 36 year olds just don’t care about the stuffy suit crowd to start with (the NFL commissioner may not use dirty words but just how “trusted” is he right now). They are hip and edgy and in touch with the internet and social networking revolutions and that speaks to a lot of people. It’s not a traditional sport with a traditional sport appeal and it’s edginess is a big part of that. Heck not being “mainstream” seems to be part of it’s appeal.
I’m not part of the standard MMA targeted fanbase but that’s ok because as long as guys with skeletons in top hats on their shirts keep dropping money into the sport the more MMA I get to enjoy.
Right, I get ya.
I don’t really disagree with using a pragmatic approach as a stepping stone – they’ve pulled themselves out of obscurity and started making some money. But I see a lot of disingenuousness in the way Dana and the UFC switch between their “JUST BLEED” hat and their “It’s a sport with nuance and technique!” hat. There’s a certain amount of hypocrisy and message tailoring that happens in all sports (and businesses); but to me MMA represents something ancient and pure – something that shouldn’t have to compromise or misrepresent itself to succeed.
by Manzanillos Cup on Mar 13, 2011 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions
This is purely a case of Sour Grapes
You call Ariel an “insider” yet if you have ever watched his Fanhouse interviews… you would see that he has interviewed EVERYBODY in the mma world… one of his best being with Josh Barnett. What you fail to realize is that most fans who discuss mma on a daily business have already made up their own minds about who is a reliable source and who just jumped on the bandwagon because of the growing popularity of the sport.
If this “scoop” was going to go to anybody… it should have gone to Ariel … as he asked so many questions that the interview got extended beyond either of their expectations… Most of the other so called reporters would have stumbled over the same monotonous points and we wouldn’t have gotten even half the information that we have today.
You displayed your green- eyed monster as soon as you started critiquing what they were wearing and blathering about the site being a "fourth rate’ site…. Catty ! Face it the mma fans do respect Ariel.. and he is more well known than you are.
by Venomouschic46 on Mar 13, 2011 6:20 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
That is not the issue.
The issue was that all his questions bordered on being stenographical soft balls. He could’ve asked “What will happen with the org when the contracts eventually expire?” or “If you do fold Strikeforce into the UFC, what will happen with the female fighters? Where do they go?” or even a simple non rethorical “Why should the public believe you that everything will be Business as Usual given your previous comments about Strikeforce, Showtime sports, and what eventually happened with both the WEC and PRIDE—the latter being described as being in horrible shape, but juts after it was bought?”
See? Not that hard.
by Unabomberman on Mar 13, 2011 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
The diffrence..
Between a reporter and a columnist. Ariel is a reporter who did a great job getting as much information as he could from DW. You have to be smart to get the answers to the questions you want to be answered there has to level of respect and Ariel basically asked the questions you did in essence and we got the answers. I really like the columnists at BE but that is what they are they have their opinions and they bring it up in each story that comes out it is not reporting. BE is more like the TMZ of the MMA sites and that is great.
good observation
Snowden called Ariel and “insider” earlier in these comments and it seems like another bitter snipe. Ariel actually goes out and meets with these people and posts full interviews rather than what BE does.
by Venomouschic46 on Mar 13, 2011 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions
So when we interview fighters
it’s not really happening?
When they’re on the podcast? Not happening?
When they’re on MMA Nation radio? didn’t happen?
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Nate Wilcox on Mar 13, 2011 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
ariel does something completely different than you
ariel gets to interview the key people involved in the biggest MMA stories on the regular. he posts a slew of new interviews on youtube after (nearly) every event. he does the MMA hour on weekdays.
you can’t compare BE’s interviews to ariel’s…. not fair.
The issue is why Ariel gets DW
To give him the scoop. Because he has IT. His interviews are sharp and to the point, that’s the difference between a great interviewer and a journalists like yourselves and that is not to say you guys are not good at what you’re doing I love BE but you are not as good and I listen to you guys all the time. Even Kevin Iole who’s is an amazing journalist doesn’t get these interviews why? because he is not as good as Ariel. Focus on the great staff that you’re doing.I think Luke Thomas will be there pretty soon.
It is hard
You go in hot like that and you’re never going back to their office for an exclusive ever again.
If Mr. Snowden was in there, I doubt he goes that route. In fact, it would take scores of the “right” kind of interview just to make it there. This is why BE positions itself the way it does. That’s not a bad thing.
But overall this piece was awful persnickety. Should we countdown to do an “SVSE is snickering” piece?
Did you not read Snowdens own Comments
This was a press release. Considering it happened on a Saturday Afternoon in an obviously unstaged setting… its not as if Ariel had time to prepare a long list of questions. and Hindsight is 20/20 .Yet he did a pretty damn good job of getting the “what you need to know right now” details out. He even managed to get out the personal relationships of Dana vs. Showtime and M1 Global as well as some of the fighters now working for Strikeforce… no other reporter would have made him feel that comfortable to admit all the people who don’t like him or the fact that he’d be better off not to attend Strikeforce events. Ariel can be trusted to give an non biased unedited version…. unlike many others
The reporters who attend the Press Conference on Monday will now have plenty of time to prepare questions based on what was already said… they have the privilege of preparing their questions well in advance and addressing all the paranoia and speculation that has come since this announcement.
by Venomouschic46 on Mar 13, 2011 6:40 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Well said sir...
"Sometimes I wonder if the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." -Mark Twain
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
by The American Ronin on Mar 14, 2011 2:33 AM EDT up reply actions
how the hell did BE manage to get on the front page of one of the most popular newsites in UK with this story???
'if you don't have humility as a fighter, fighting will bring humility to you...'
Because
Bloody Elbow freakin rules
Legendary lay-up Jordan with the right-left switch.
Hang time, Hand glide, Stir fried, Chinky-eyed, Shanghai
by AndersonSativa on Mar 13, 2011 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
It's really not that hard to get on their
Some of my primers have popped up there.
Contributor at cagepages.com Come check us out.
Head Kick Legend
by Neil Manich on Mar 13, 2011 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Damn, it must be REALLY easy then! : )
Still a Beer Monster.
http://www.instrength.com
by Tim Burke on Mar 13, 2011 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That's what I'm saying.
Look how I spelled there.
Contributor at cagepages.com Come check us out.
Head Kick Legend
Black hat techniques?
"Sometimes I wonder if the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." -Mark Twain
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
by The American Ronin on Mar 14, 2011 2:34 AM EDT up reply actions
So what?
who really cares that Dana throw Ariel a bone once in a while. Ariel doesnt crap all over the UFC like some other interviewers or reporters or whaterever you want to call them. The same people that are crapping on Ariel for getting this story are the same anti-UFC, fedor is superman, STRIKEFORCE has the best heavyweight guys type of people. I mean why give it to ESPN? its not like the kick off the cage made the number 1 highlight or silvas kick to the face ko made it either. No some dude dunking a ball was number 1. Why give it to ESPN when they already do give a crap…. why even make a big deal over this, after all its just STIKEFORCE ;)
by Joselana on Mar 13, 2011 10:46 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Looks like I missed quite a cat fight today...
I have no issue with examining the method of this huge story’s delivery and holding it up to the ethics of journalism; but then how is the UFC or Dana White to blame for rumblings that ESPN was so insulted that they are considering instituting a news blackout on an entire sport? That’s the most concerning journalistic practice that I just read about, yet it was treated as evidence that the UFC is shady…depending on how good the source was for that information, either ESPN should be getting slammed in this piece, or the information should not have been used.
by John Danaher's Hair on Mar 13, 2011 11:49 PM EDT reply actions
It's huge news to us, but not so much to the mainstream sports world
A) There’s a difference between the UFC fighters who are being weeded out for losing in prelims or losing multiple fights in a row, and acquiring name Strikeforce fighters who can headline or co-headline events. When White says they need more fighters, I assume he means marketable fighters who they can build more events around. B) It’s not all that curious they announced it the way they did because clearly the UFC does not have long term plans for Strikeforce, other than allowing fighter and television contracts to run out. By informally announcing the acquisition, it doesn’t give undue credibility to the Strikeforce brand. Just like the PRIDE purchase, it’s the fighters and the stock footage the UFC was after, not the Strikeforce brand. In interviews, White has never referred to Strikeforce as anything more than a feeder B-league promotion. Just another name on the tombstone White keeps with all the orgs they’ve killed.
Reporting from inside a padded cage at MMAmadman.com.
The two parts of this article seem kind o disjointed. The first part suggests that the official rationale for purchasing Strikeforce (to acquire more fighters for international expansion) isn’t the real one; the second chides UFC for not playing the conventional sports media game.
I’m a lot more curious about the first part. Why did Zuffa buy Strikeforce now? There’s an intimation that it was because SF was growing and succeeding; but if that’s the case, why was their former parent company looking to sell? (That’s meant as an actual question, not a bit of rhetorical point-scoring, BTW.)
Seems like a combo of both
SF was getting into pay per view, but not making much (or even losing) money currently. Zuffa realized they could be bought and rather than let another company be a #2 promotion, they arrived at a price that worked for them.
Buying SF never really seemed like it was in their plans as eventually there are more fighters but no big hints toward more cards, so I’m hoping this turns into a bigger tv deal.
Don't get what the big deal is...
ESPN’s MMA coverage tends to be pretty bad. Every SportsCenter segment on MMA comes across as kind of an awkward novelty thing.
I’d much rather watch a Helwani interview (no matter who signs his pay checks, the guy does a good job with both fighters and White) than watch ESPN send out a functionally retarded guy like Franklin Mcneil for a super awkward interview.
It’s not difficult to imagine that Dana probably wanted someone to ask some poignant questions and get the gist of what is going on out there, and watch it spread like wildfire, rather than some idiot ESPN guy with a blank look in his face basically going “uuhh, what’s your favourite color?”.
It doesn't matter how many people I've killed, what's important is how I get along with those that are still alive.
by Peter Nathaniel Fury on Mar 14, 2011 10:02 AM EDT reply actions
I can’t do what Ariel does. I listen to my interview replays, and my questions tend to be along the lines of “You’ve been training in Brazil, soccer blaupunkt teakettle (unintelligible) your experience on The Ultimate Fighter?”
by Beau Dure on Mar 14, 2011 11:17 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
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