I’m such a bad, bad father: UFCmania turned one on April 9, 2007, and I just realized it now more than one month later.
That’s probably because this site has grown into a monster in terms of my original intentions for it. My time is spread so thin these days trying to keep up — never in a million years did I think this “hobby” would turn into what it is today.
Back then, I was essentially talking to myself. A few sites — most notably FightOpinion.com — used to link to an occasional article here and there, which was the only real indication that I ever received that people were indeed reading.
To be honest, it was a half-ass effort up until the tail-end of 2006. At that time, I told myself that I was either going to pour myself into this thing and see what happens, or scrap it and stop wasting my time.
I chose the former option, and I must admit that the hard work, early mornings, long nights, and the stress it caused at home about the time I dedicate to the site seem to be paying off — albeit not in the checkbook, but in other areas such as traffic and reader feedback.
Granted, this site does make a little money — you can see the banners and all of the other stuff we have up on the site to optimize it. However, most of that scratch — in fact all of it up until this point — has gone right into maintaining the site and other UFCmania-related expenses.
One day, we might start generating “Boku Bucks,” but right now this is all about delivering the latest UFC news and building something for which we are proud.
And, I think we are getting closer to that goal each day.
If you told me on April 9, 2006, that we’d be where we are at today, including sponsoring a major UFC fighter, I’d get a nice chuckle. Hell, this ship didn’t really even sail until December-ish — and we continue to grow every month since.
Just check out my first post:
“Thank you for visiting the most intense UFC fan site around. Here you can share your thoughts and opinions about the hottest sport in the world and the fighters who spill their blood in the Octagon.”
Man, I had no idea what I was talking about — sometimes I still don’t. But that’s cool because this entire project is a learning process and it keeps getting better and improving as time passes.
It sounds corny as all hell, but it’s true: It wouldn’t be possible without out readers. We do of course get hit with the occasional troll, but for the most part our commenters and community of readers are the shit. And I do my best — I swear — to answer all of your emails and say thanks for the tips.
If I haven’t gotten back to you yet … I will.
Just want to say — AGAIN — thanks maniacs … look forward to another fun year ahead (Or, 11 months if you want to be exact).
47 Comments »
Congrats Mania! Have enjoyed the sight very much
Congrats and what a great resource for UFC Fans!!!
Love the site, congrats on being one!
Ok, ok, for some reason you dont want the numbers to be seen. Happy Birthday UFCMania.
Take a seat on the rocketship and hold on tight!
The Best UFC site on the Web!
Not surprised you forgot with the april 7 fight, gsp losing would be enough to distract anyone. Congrats with the one year anniversary, great site, keep up the good work!
Congrats bro!
Little curious as to the “UFCmania related expenses” (i.e. strippers, booz, etc…)LOL
I’m new to this site but love it. keep up the good work.
Happy be-lated birthday UFCMania.com! Keep up the excellent work.
Congratulations on making it a year! Best of luck to you moving forward, and best of luck to your fighter Jon Fitch… He’s a bad ass!
Yeah hands down this is where I come to get my UFC News.
SO CONGRATS.
To Year Number 2 and Beyond.
Cheers.
congrats.. UFCmania is thee best ufc/mma site, constantly updated and lots of entertaining feedback..
This is the very first site that I go to everyday when I jump on the Net, whether it’s at work or at home. You always have the updated info concerning everything UFC, and most of the posters on this site are very respectful, unlike places like Sherdog. Keep up the great work!
You wouldnt guess this site was so young based on the amount of articles and feedback. Thanks for giving me somewhere to talk about MMA. Most people still dont know enough to carry a conversation on it.
And congrats.
happy belated birthday mania, keep up the good work, love this site…
Happy (belated) Birthday! Keep it up…
i too love this site, it is the best on the net!!!
HEHE!! Happy belated birthday ufcmania…..ur hard work does show, im sure i can speak for everyone…its appreciated!!
Happy birthday! I do love this site, and check it almost everyday. So I basically read everything y’all put together. It’s one stop shopping for me. I RARELY ever go anywhere else to get my UFC news.
Man, do I sound paid off or what?
I check the site everyday, and honestly I’m way more into the sport since I started frequenting this site. Great community (for the most part), and I look forward to watching this site grow…
What?!? No props?
Congrats, man.
Even though I was deliberately and maliciously snubbed, I have to say you’ve come a long way. The site looks awesome and has truly grown into something to be proud of.
When you come right down to it, all of us just grab news from ‘the big three’ and basically echo it. You, my friend, put a unique voice on something that can be had from twenty other places and truly make it you own.
That’s a rare thing indeed…
Congrats again.
Love your website man. Don’t want to sound corny but there’s a donation box to this site, I’d be one of the contributor. Great job!!
Awsome, keep up the good info.
Keep up the great work!
Thanks for all the great responses — what a love fest, you’re making me blush.
As for this:
[quote comment="51956"]Love your website man. Don’t want to sound corny but there’s a donation box to this site, I’d be one of the contributor. Great job!![/quote]
It’s something we’ve been throwing around for some time now –
we just put up a small PayPal button in the right sidebar under the poll.
We didn’t want to seem like beggars, but, if our readers want to help us out, we’re not going to discourage generosity.
I can gurantee with 100 percent confidence that any donations or support will go directly back into the site.
Thanks again for everything, everyone.
Frequent updates, tons of content, great comments, AWESOME SITE. Best UFC site there is.
[quote comment="51955"]What?!? No props?
Congrats, man.
Even though I was deliberately and maliciously snubbed, I have to say you’ve come a long way. The site looks awesome and has truly grown into something to be proud of.
When you come right down to it, all of us just grab news from ‘the big three’ and basically echo it. You, my friend, put a unique voice on something that can be had from twenty other places and truly make it you own.
That’s a rare thing indeed…
Congrats again.[/quote]
Is this the Blair who got into a bad car wreck and used to have his own blog way back when? Man, it’s been awhile if that’s the case. What was the name of your site, Half Guard Pass?
ditto to what everyone else has said! you guys are #1. i always hit your site first and foremost, nothing else is close, not even free porn! …. well then again free porn is a pretty close 2nd.
Congrats on #1…you would never guess only a year with this kind of content.
UFCMania, is there a new filter in place? I have tried to put the links up of the Liddell/pornstar pics ( no nudity, dont get excited those who havent seen them ) and the GnP numbers for the site. I had to put up the link to Bas’ interview twice. Any ideas?
[quote comment="52094"]UFCMania, is there a new filter in place? I have tried to put the links up of the Liddell/pornstar pics ( no nudity, dont get excited those who havent seen them ) and the GnP numbers for the site. I had to put up the link to Bas’ interview twice. Any ideas?[/quote]
Dunno, shouldnt be a problem. Let me see whats up.
This is a really nice site. You’ve managed to attract a decent group of opinionated loud mouth assholes like myself!
*Congrat’s*
Hope you maintain this site the way you do. there are the few who come on here to piss people off with their un-researched bull-crap…but most are good…so ya…
Salute* to UFCMANIA
~See ya~
Congrats Guys,
Keep up the good work.
That would be me. Not quite up an around just yet… but getting there.
Happy 1st.You got the best UFC site on the planet.
Man the site keeps getting better and better. As i type this i’m doing the mexican wave for you lol.
I’ve definately learned alot on this website. Also i was wondering maybe if i donate enough maybe i could get something signed by fitch. i know i sound a little pathetic but hell. HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!!
[quote post="2063"]Hope you maintain this site the way you do. there are the few who come on here to piss people off with their un-researched bull-crap…but most are good…so ya…[/quote]
Exactly, keep it up, don’t fix it less it’s broken, the site is awsome, maintain the way you do.
And yeah there are those “few”. But you can’t get away from that anyway, and for the most part I think it is better than usual here, credit that to good management of the site by UFCMANIA, you don’t put up with that crap, and I like it. Deal with it right away before it becomes a problem.
Happy b-day man. You guys deserve support for all the work you put into keeping the fans as up to date as humanly possible. Great job, great site, thanks. Here’s to hoping for many birth days to come for your baby.
UFCMANIA – QUESTION.
I tried to put my Space site just as Chris Valentine has. My name turned blue when I posted. But when I refreshed the page, my post wasnt there. And it continued to not let me post until I just deleted it and went back to normal. Is there any reason for that?
What’s interesting is the picture that accompanies this post is not that far off from what UFCmania actually looks like in person.
Well actually I’m embellishing…the lady in the picture is far more masculine.
hahah, nice
Got to love yah Jesse,
As for turning one, that is great man. I am unsure of how long I have been her, but it has not been that long. Hell I am trying to get enough comments to get up there on the top list, but these guys are monsters, and seem to love commenting as do I.
Hope this year is good, and I absolutely love the comments on this site. I know allot of people who have talked allot of crap about the other sites.
Later MAnia
Chris Valentine
ps did you get my email?
[quote comment="52415"]Got to love yah Jesse,
As for turning one (MANIA), that is great man. I am unsure of how long I have been her, but it has not been that long. Hell I am trying to get enough comments to get up there on the top list, but these guys are monsters, and seem to love commenting as do I.
Hope this year is good, and I absolutely love the comments on this site. I know allot of people who have talked allot of crap about the other sites.
Later MAnia
Chris Valentine
ps did you get my email?[/quote]
Just needed to be more precise, change in the second paragraph.
Your just too funny not to smoke
Rah UFC Mania this site is hell! Lottsa aussies use this site religously. Let me know if ya heard of XFC here in australia. Only been about 12 events, but its still got some style, Been some good fights. Not as good as UFC though.