Forrest Griffin was one of several UFC fighters who attended the debut event for Elite Xtreme Combat (EliteXC) this weekend in Southhaven, Mississippi.
And, rather than promoting his usual sponsor, Xyience, Griffin was sporting a Punishment Athletics shirt.
Team Punishment, of course, is owned and operated by fellow light heavyweight contender Tito Ortiz.
Griffin and Ortiz battled at UFC 59 in April 2006, with Ortiz squeaking out the split decision. The two are also rumored to rematch at UFC 70 on April 21 in Manchester, England.
Considering their past — and potential future — it seems a bit funny.
Is Griffin on the Oriz payroll? Or, is it just another goof?
Who knows.
It’s not that important … it’s just weird.
According to one of our readers, Amy, Griffin was cornering his teammate, Mike Pyle, who is sponsored by Punishment Athletics. And, “as everybody knows cornermen wear the sponsor tees of their fighters.”
I still think it’s weird.
Photo courtesy of Sherdog.com
11 Comments »
Wow, I can’t beleive you guys thought this was enough of a story to write a post on it. It’s pretty simple- Forrest was cornering his teammate, Mike Pyle, who was being sponsored by PA, and as everybody knows cornermen wear the sponsor tees of their fighter. It’s not really all that scandilous.
What might be worth a story, and is very important is the question why the UFC would allow their fighters, and handful of them at that to appear at the EXC show.
Thanks, Amy. Didn’t think it was scandalous at all. “Weird” is the word I think I used. I’ll mention it in the post.
Look at Amy dropping the knowledge-bomb…I wonder if Tito enjoyed seeing Forrest walking around in his label…
hey, Forrest does have one of his sponsors hats on tho, he’s slipping in one of his sugardaddys aswell. I’m still very surprised with the presence of all the UFC guys, you think if the UFC hated EXC as much as they seem to, they’d specifically tell their fighters not to go to their shows.
Amy, I don’t think the UFC can bar them from attending other mma events. Some of the stipulations in some contracts do state not to endorse or accept interviews from other orgs. Remember the Chuck-UWC debacle? the UFC is a little more protective of its big players and I wonder if they will introduce stricter terms on their contracts and how the fighters will react.
Ajadoniz is correct — can’t stop fighters from attending shows. Making appearances, performing interviews, and doing things like that, however, are controlled somewhat. For example, the UFC fighters who attended the Elite event were told not to speak with reporters.
I know Chuck’s a major player, but in my eyes I’d say Forrest and Rashad are definately big players in the UFC, I regard them as UFC posterboys,and Nate Marquardt is aswell, but to a lesser extent. And even though they can’t really stop them, I would think it would be strongly discouraged to appear at a compeititors show. They at least should try to not be photographed inside the oppositions cage, lol.
Griffin is looking for a place to hide if he losses his next UFC fight.
If I recall Zuffa put some venture capital in to help PA get started. I recall Ortiz thanking them at one time.
Ufc should get rid of tito after he looses to forest in april, or make him fight babalu!
forrest cried like a bitch after that upset by jardine. damn never saw that coming