While Eugene's touring Italy, Alexei Auld is back to grill me and special guest Luke Thomas of MMA Fighting and Sirius XM with some PR stumpers from the world of combat sports.
Today's puzzlers include:
- You're Sage Northcutt. You learned a harsh lesson this weekend about the dangers of trusting your boss with your brand. Three fights in four months. A replacement fight with eight days notice at a different weight class. Fighters questioning your heart and rejoicing in your downfall. But you dusted yourself off. Shot a cute video. Blamed strep throat. Told Ariel Helwani that you'll be training full-time at Tristar: All of the hallmarks of a nineteen year old showing the world that he hasn't lost his smile. I can't ask you to become wiser than your years...naturally. So, if you, like similarly young and naive Billy Batson, stumbled into the Rock of Eternity, said the word SHAZAM and were granted the wisdom of Solomon (AKA the ‘S' in SHAZAM), how would you protect your brand from Sokoudjoudification?
- You're Bellator. After former UFC Champion and international star Benson Henderson announced signing with your company, he not only told ESPN's Brett Okamoto that the infamous Reebok deal was a huge factor in his decision to sign with Bellator, he used the dreaded "U" word: "Bellator is open to a fighters union -- fighters binding together to see what's in our best interest." Is it in your best interest to parrot these points in a PR push or do you continue to allow the UFC and its former fighters to do the work for you.
- You're UFC. This weekend, your fighters rejoiced at the derailing of yet another UFC hype-train. The third in the last two and a half months. In fact, the only hype-train that isn't in the shop or in need of major repair is so far off the tracks, you seem to want it crashing too. Should you have done a better job hiding your fair-haired favoritism or is their crash and burn better for your brand as an ultimate fighting meritocracy?
- You're Dr. AnnMaria De Mars. You told Submission Radio that you predicted your daughter Ronda would lose to Holly Holm because she "trained with an idiot" known as Edmond Tarverdyan. You also claimed that, as a former World Champion, you know what it takes to win, and are concerned that if Ronda doesn't change camps, she'll be beaten again by Holly Holm. With Tardverdyan receiving a three month suspension by the California State Athletic Commission, your wish of fate intervening doesn't seem likely. Is there anything productive you can accomplish via public comments?
- REGULAR FEATURE CURVEBALL (KEEPING IT UNDER WRAPS)
- TEACHABLE MOMENT: You're a moderate Republican. Iowa spoke. Of the three frontrunners, two are from the Tea Party and one is from your own private hell. Doesn't matter whether or not you saw this coming when your party courted with lunatic fringe, because the baby is coming on July 18-21, 2016 (AKA the Republican National Convention). You don't want to be a deadbeat dad and shack up with Hillary. And as for a Weekend at Bernie's? Out of the question. What PR moves can you make to ensure that this bastard child, who will bear your name, will not undermine your legacy?
- REGULAR FEATURE: Now it's time for EUGENE'S LOST BATTALION/PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH
All about Alexei Auld: He's on Twitter: @alexeiauld He's got a web site: alexeiauld.com. He's written books: Tonto Canto Pocahontas and Billionaire Secrets of a Wanglorious Bastard.
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