UFC targeting Las Vegas for May, July events
This year the UFC will hold its annual events honoring Memorial Day and July 4th in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand. While the organization has not officially announced either show given the amount of time remaining before each holiday, the Nevada State Athletic Commission confirmed the UFC had requested the dates of May 26 and July 7 for events at familiar fight venue. Both events from 2011 were also held... [Read More...]
Federal Trade Commission ends investigation into alleged Zuffa wrongdoing
The UFC notched a major win in the ongoing battle against the Culinary Workers Union this week when the Federal Trade Commission announced it had found no wrongdoing in the case of Zuffa purchasing Strikeforce. The FTC was made aware of the transaction in a letter from the union stating the UFC/Zuffa had violated anti-trust laws by obtaining an unfair grasp on MMA by taking over Strikeforce, seen at... [Read More...]
UFC says decision stands in Erick Silva-Carlo Prater bout, implementing instant replay
The debate surrounding what many felt was an unjust result in a bout between Erick Silva and Carlos Prater last weekend at UFC 142 may rage on after today but internal discussion at UFC headquarters is officially over. Silva-Prater was stopped after Prater absorbed a number of blows to the head, some inadvertently landing on the back of his noggin, and was unable to continue. While many felt Silva... [Read More...]
Zuffa announces implementation of pre-contract screening for PED use
Beginning immediately, Zuffa has put in place a pre-signing screening for performance enhancing drugs that any and all incoming fighters will have to pass before they are signed. The news of this test comes as positive results have come back claiming fighters such as 145-pound champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos and former light heavyweight champ Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal have tested positive.... [Read More...]
UFC fighters come out on the record to discuss pay issue
While ESPN and UFC Executives have been going back and forth over the past week relating to an Outside the Lines feature from the sports’ network focused on fighter-pay in the UFC, some of the voices lost in the debate belong to the men who actually lay it all on the line inside the Octagon. While ESPN’s story featured input from Ken Shamrock and Ricco Rodriguez, neither man has fought under the... [Read More...]
Lorenzo Fertitta fires back at ESPN in video clip
The war between the UFC and sports television giant ESPN looks to be picking up steam following a series of videos released by both organizations. The first shot was fired when ESPN decided to do a documentary-style piece for investigative news-show Outside The Lines on the monopoly that many believe the UFC is creating in the MMA world. Included was a focus on fighter pay ultimately sending UFC President... [Read More...]
Dana White guarantees MMA will be sanctioned in New York this year
One of the UFC’s primary goals in 2012 is to overcome the adversity they’ve faced getting MMA sanctioned in New York and finally put on a show there, likely at Madison Square Garden based on the historical significance and location. And, to hear UFC President Dana White talk about it, the odds appear to be in favor of such a thing occurring at some point sooner than later. White recently discussed... [Read More...]
Strikeforce/UFC Real Time Conference Call Highlights
Last week UFC President Dana White came out to say Strikeforce was sticking around for the foreseeable future after Zuffa came to terms with Showtime on a new deal, also adding some potentially exciting news regarding an investment in maintaining the company’s roster and even booking the occasional crossover fight featuring a UFC competitor. Now White, along with Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker and Showtime... [Read More...]
UFC kicking 2012 off with 24-hour marathon on FUEL TV
The UFC’s run on FUEL TV will kick-start on January 1 with a 24-hour marathon of UFC programming, including the debuts of five shows – UFC Reloaded 1, UFC Bad Blood: Liddell vs. Ortiz, UFC Champion’s Roundtable with Jay Glazer, UFC Unleashed, and UFC Ultimate Knockouts. FUEL TV will also have weigh-ins for UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes, along with pre/post-fight interviews, preliminary cardsm... [Read More...]
UFC planning 2012 takeover of Brazil
The UFC already has one event planned for Brazil in 2012, as UFC 142 will take place on January 14 from Rio de Janeiro. Now, word of a May show in Brazil has been all-but confirmed by UFC president Dana White, who talked about the event at the UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida post-event press conference Saturday night. White didn’t have much to say in regards to where the card might take place, but said... [Read More...]
UFC headed to Land of the Rising Sun in February
After more than a decade away from the fight-friendly confines of the Far East the UFC has announced it will once again journey to Japan as the promotion did for a show in December 2000. According to official statements from UFC President Dana White and Zuffa’s area-head Mark Fischer, the Octagon will show up in the PRIDE/DREAM stomping ground of Saitama Super Arena on February 26 with the intent... [Read More...]
Royce Gracie wants one more crack at Matt Hughes
With the MMA community’s focus planted squarely on Brazil for the UFC’s historic return this weekend to the sport’s birthplace, one of the men who helped bring Mixed Martial Arts to mainstream attention is speaking out in hopes of possibly reeling in the one that got away at some point in the near future. Royce Gracie, who opened the world’s eyes by winning three of the UFC’s first... [Read More...]
Inaugural UFC on FOX event to be one hour
The UFC on FOX debut is quickly approaching and with the new details of the event, it’ll be quickly over. Details came about that the November 12 event on FOX will only last one hour and feature two live fights. That event will still feature a full slate of preliminary fights, which will be streamed on Facebook. Las Vegas Sun first reported the details. The one hour time-slot is due in large... [Read More...]
The Pros and Cons of UFC on FOX
It’s been a long time coming, but the UFC is finally on network television. After teasing us for years with, “major announcements” and then delivering things like, “NEW UFC ACTION FIGURES!” Dana White delivered the major announcement that fight fans have been waiting for. 50% OFF ALL UFC MERCHANDISE! Alright, so maybe the announcement is a little bigger than that. UFC IS NOW ON FOX! Obviously... [Read More...]
32 live events starting in November, new TUF format with live fights, and more from the UFC/FOX presser
When a major network schedules a press conference, they’re either announcing the return of a popular show due to DVD sales or celebrating the acquiring of new programming. MMA fans are hoping for the latter. Fox Broadcasting Company held a press conference today in Los Angeles in cooridnation with the UFC with FOX Sports Media Group Chairman and CEO David Hill, Co-Presidents and COO’s Randy... [Read More...]
UFC and Harley Davidson extend partnership for multiple years
The only motorcycles worthy of being in the octagon will remain there for years to come. UFC and Harley Davidson announced today that they have renewed their partnership, which started in 2008, for multiple years. UFC sent out a press release to celebrate the partnership renewal. Along with Harley Davidson remaining a main sponsor of the UFC, they two announced a “Hometown Throwdown”... [Read More...]
UFC strikes two year deal with FOX Sports Latin America
¡Todo el mundo celebran! (Everyone celebrate!). The worlds premiere MMA organization continues to branch out in the Latin America markets. Today, UFC announced that they have reached a two-year deal with FOX Sports Latin America, starting with this Saturday’s “UFC 133: Evans vs. Ortiz” event. The UFC sent out a press release to celebrate the deal. The deal gives FOX Sports the rights... [Read More...]
Undefeated featherweight Jim Hettes headed to the Octagon
Talented grappler Jim Hettes has inked a deal with the UFC and will look to continue an impressive run of submissions when he debuts later this year at a yet-to-be-named event. Hettes has tapped out all of the opponents he’s beaten thus far since turning pro two years ago. The 24-year old’s signing was revealed through the Facebook page of his manager, Mike Malast, who wrote the contract is expected... [Read More...]
Five round main events set for all future UFC cards, flyweight division coming
In a move likely to deliver more definitive finishes and a greater aura of importance, the UFC has decided to change course and will now book all future headliners as five round fights rather than three as has been the case in the past. However, any main event match-ups currently signed will still take place under the old structure. Dana White revealed the organization’s decision earlier today during... [Read More...]
Zuffa Summit Conference Call Highlights
Zuffa CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and UFC President Dana White are in the process of discussing the company’s new policy in relation to doling out additional insurance to fighters, as well as a handful of other topics, on a conference call in conjunction with today’s summit in Las Vegas. Read below for highlights from the call: - Fertitta said the groundwork was laid three years ago after sitting... [Read More...]
