When the cat’s away, mice will play.
Marlon Sims and Noah Thomas — the two contestants kicked off The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 reality series because of an unsanctioned backyard brawl — will not fight at the TUF 5 Finale on June 23 despite a press release issued last week that said the match up was booked.
That’s the word from Steve Seivert over at the Houston Chronicle who recently spoke with UFC President Dana White about the puzzling decision to reward the fighters with another chance in the Octagon in front of a massive television audience.
Here’s the snip from White:
“They’re not fighting on the finale. Not only are they not fighting in the finale, they’ll never fight in the UFC. Spike wanted that fight. It ain’t gonna happen. No (expletive) way is that fight going to happen. Those guys will never fight in the UFC – ever.”
Apparently, White said it was a “mistake” and that he didn’t find out about the news until “yesterday” because of a hectic travel schedule (although the release was issued more than one week ago).
Uh-huh.
I’ll let Seivert take this one:
“Hmm. Let me get this straight. The president of the UFC — a self-professed control freak — didn’t sign off on the announcement and didn’t actually find out about the fight until yesterday. The skeptic in me is having a hard time swallowing that one. White is the UFC. He knows when his fighters blow their noses. In front of the cameras, he was livid about what went down. He lit into Sims and Thomas on the TUF episode that featured the backyard fight between the two lightweights. And, you’re telling me no one consulted the head of the organization and the executive producer of the show about bringing these two guys back?”
Internet boards and forums exploded with outrage and condemnation when the bout was announced. Perhaps the UFC didn’t anticipate all the negative feedback and backlash from the fans.
Or, it really was just one “unfortunate” mistake and Spike television decided to play UFC matchmaker for the day without the consent or knowledge of the UFC.
As Seivert says, I’ll let you decide. I’m probably in enough trouble.
34 Comments »
So UFC fans knew that this fight was officially signed, but Dana White didn’t. I find this rather hard to believe. I think that Dana and Spike wanted the two backyard brawlers to fight at the finale. But once all the negativity started pooring in, he decided against having the two hooligans fight again in the octagon. Very bizzar happenings…
Yea, it is funny how Dana always has an excuse for things isn’t it? I doubt he didn’t know about this. I’m personally happy they aren’t fighting, never seem good enough for the UFC anyways, especially Thomas.
Those loosers shouldn’t be rewarded anyways. The weren’t even top 2 in the show.
I’m glad, giving that turd Marlon anymore tv time makes the baby jesus cry.
Oh, and nice backpeddle Daner! Don’t trip over yourself! Not know about it? Psshhht.
Good call to kick them off the show..and to keep them out of the UFC, Marlon and Noah..keep your day jobs.
That fight was all about getting people to tune in. No more, no less. They would not ever been added to a PPV event undercard, just the Spike Finale. It would have enticed some of the fringe mma watchers to tune in w/ their buddies to talk about the backyard brawl and that they get to fight it out in the ring now.
Dana wanted it, Spike wanted it, everyone but the legitimate fans that want to see this sport become “mainstream” wanted this fight for ratings and entertainment purposes. When the UFC witnessed the outrage by us, he put the breaks on and went into damage control. Pretty amazing after he gave them the on-air lashing about disrespecting what everyone is trying to accomplish w/ mma’s perception to the public.
This is now officially the worst season of TUF ever. They could do 100 seasons of TUF and not get a worse show. That makes four of the original 16 fighters (25 percent for non-math majors) who will never set foot in the octagon. The decision to permanently ban all of these idiots came a week late, but at least the UFC got it right.
Glad this mess is finally taken care of.
The fight was never signed, it was a rumor and a bad one at that, I’m glad he’s not tolerating this BS, good riddance to these two jackovs.
who the hell wants to see those two bums fight anyway, that would be a waste of a fight we could all see for free, i’m sure dana does stuff like that all the time where he releases stuff to see what the fans reaction would be and then goes back and makes a final decision, regardless this would have been a dumb idea, noah thomas was the worst fighter on the show, weems probably would have beat him and nobody liked marlon sims, who cares about the backyard brawl…
Ah, they wont fight in the UFC, but the WEC would gladly take them!
I am so glad this is not true, two bucks says Dana made the match then decided he looked like a hypocrite.
[quote comment="75084"]who the hell wants to see those two bums fight anyway, that would be a waste of a fight we could all see for free, i’m sure dana does stuff like that all the time where he releases stuff to see what the fans reaction would be and then goes back and makes a final decision, regardless this would have been a dumb idea, noah thomas was the worst fighter on the show, weems probably would have beat him and nobody liked marlon sims, who cares about the backyard brawl…[/quote]
my point exactly, nobody wants to see the worst fighters fight just because they have a grudge, Even though we all know how much Dana likes there to be some kind of fued going into the fights.
Dana gets crucified by you guys. People must see him in an Ivory Tower or something. Damned if you do damned if you don’t huh. Wonder if he reads some of these blasts?
Come on, dude, 20 fighters living in the same house with no TV and little contact with the outside world, you gotta expect this was gonna happen at some point. Leben sliced open his hand after punching through a door, and he still got to fight. Marlon Sims is a douchebag, for sure, but two guys fighting in that situation A. isn’t that big a deal and B. shouldn’t bar them from EVER fighting in the UFC.
[quote post="2346"]Marlon Sims is a douchebag, for sure, but two guys fighting in that situation A. isn’t that big a deal and B. shouldn’t bar them from EVER fighting in the UFC.[/quote]
Yes it is a big deal. It validates what people say about MMA being a blood sport, or not even being a sport at all. Those two, whether they know it or not, are representatives of the sport. What they do, inside the ring or outside, is being watched and scrutinized. They used poor judgment and their punishment is fitting. Crap like this has no place in organized sports. If I had it my way, they would never fight in the USA again under ANY organization. Period.
Rofl, this is like the days of our lives.
Dana brings in another ring girl cause he had to replace the one that left after he gave her herpes.
[quote comment="75197"][quote post="2346"]Marlon Sims is a douchebag, for sure, but two guys fighting in that situation A. isn’t that big a deal and B. shouldn’t bar them from EVER fighting in the UFC.[/quote]
Yes it is a big deal. It validates what people say about MMA being a blood sport, or not even being a sport at all. Those two, whether they know it or not, are representatives of the sport. What they do, inside the ring or outside, is being watched and scrutinized. They used poor judgment and their punishment is fitting. Crap like this has no place in organized sports. If I had it my way, they would never fight in the USA again under ANY organization. Period.[/quote]
I would have to agree, if they dont understand the situation the sport is in being scrutinized by the media for being human cock fighting, they are too thick headed to represent the biggest mma promotion in the world. these guys are being nationally televised at a time when the sport is pushing out into the real world of sports, I mean it’s finally being shown on espn for christ sakes. guys like the comb over headed caveman are searching for guys like these two to use to discredit our sport, and it makes me sick that these two are so oblivious.
Im totally with you guys (like TOTALLY) with the notion they should be barred from the UFC. Its really ridiculous that they did what they did and disgraced the sport, and the organization like how they did. If they were already slated to fight at the finale, why didnt they just wait? Neither of them have the kinda respect that fighters need to show each other (sounds like Tito?)
The backyard fight should have never been aired. Dana could have just called the teams together (sans culprits) in the gym or the house and enforced the “no fight” policy. Regardless of the ban, neither one of these bums would have fought in the UFC anyway.
[quote comment="75221"]Rofl, this is like the days of our lives.
Dana brings in another ring girl cause he had to replace the one that left after he gave her herpes.[/quote]
Did he tell her his name was Ron Mexico?
GO DANA!!!!
[quote comment="75231"][quote comment="75197"][quote post="2346"]Marlon Sims is a douchebag, for sure, but two guys fighting in that situation A. isn’t that big a deal and B. shouldn’t bar them from EVER fighting in the UFC.[/quote]
Yes it is a big deal. It validates what people say about MMA being a blood sport, or not even being a sport at all. Those two, whether they know it or not, are representatives of the sport. What they do, inside the ring or outside, is being watched and scrutinized. They used poor judgment and their punishment is fitting. Crap like this has no place in organized sports. If I had it my way, they would never fight in the USA again under ANY organization. Period.[/quote]
I would have to agree, if they dont understand the situation the sport is in being scrutinized by the media for being human cock fighting, they are too thick headed to represent the biggest mma promotion in the world. these guys are being nationally televised at a time when the sport is pushing out into the real world of sports, I mean it’s finally being shown on espn for christ sakes. guys like the comb over headed caveman are searching for guys like these two to use to discredit our sport, and it makes me sick that these two are so oblivious.[/quote]
I agree. It’s gonna make all the people think that is what MMA is about, learn mma and go fight in the street. This fight would not have been good for the sport, it would have been a terrible example.
Both idiots glad to hear that these guys aren’t gonna get paid for fighting. First off they both suck,second very disrespectful to the sport. The MMA game prides itself on a fighting sport that shows class between fighters. Sure theres feuds and drama between guys and camps but it should never go down in any place other than the cage
I would not know what to think really. I think it is pretty odd that he did not know about something that Spike was Broadcasting. I guess in my own opinion I would think there is something behind the scenes going on that “we” the fans will never know about.
Later
Chris Valentine
[quote comment="75465"]I would not know what to think really. I think it is pretty odd that he did not know about something that Spike was Broadcasting. I guess in my own opinion I would think there is something behind the scenes going on that “we” the fans will never know about.
Later
Chris Valentine[/quote]
Agree. No other logical explanation.
I love Dana White! He is brilliant, honest, loyal and courageous. And I am not saying this because they told Fitch to lose the Ufcmania sponsership because of what a bunch of assholes like myself said about the loverly and charming Dana White.
Oh and handsome too.
I was actully looking forward to seeing these two fight. but hey cant say we’re real;ly missing anything.
Oh… topic? Oh yeah. They ultimately made the right decision not to let those two guys fight- ever- in the UFC. I thought the original speech was right on the money. You can’t have guys fighting in the house. They can act like idiots and pee on each others headgear but actual fighting crosses the line. That, the dude that jumped the fence to get a piece in TUF3 and big old fat Gaybe not making weight. That last one is the supreme, cardinal sin.
Who would have thought that a bunch of neanderthals like us actually have morals.
Thats why they keep saying this sport is so unpredictable. One second, all of the fans are retarded and the next, BOOM, we dont want two thugs to get paid to continue their brawl.
I’m confused…this season was done taping months ago….before UFC 69…I was at that fight and went to the autograph signing and Noah Thomas was signing autographs with Joe Lauzon….if Dana is so mad at this guy, why would he let him sign autographs at a UFC event????
[quote comment="75047"]That fight was all about getting people to tune in. No more, no less. They would not ever been added to a PPV event undercard, just the Spike Finale. It would have enticed some of the fringe mma watchers to tune in w/ their buddies to talk about the backyard brawl and that they get to fight it out in the ring now.
Dana wanted it, Spike wanted it, everyone but the legitimate fans that want to see this sport become “mainstream” wanted this fight for ratings and entertainment purposes. When the UFC witnessed the outrage by us, he put the breaks on and went into damage control. Pretty amazing after he gave them the on-air lashing about disrespecting what everyone is trying to accomplish w/ mma’s perception to the public.[/quote]
Do you really see Dana it’s good to be White sitting there waiting to decide what to do by what we say? Oh their outraged I better save my ass! HaHaHa You go well with this haze. Good for laughs
[quote comment="75611"][quote comment="75047"]That fight was all about getting people to tune in. No more, no less. They would not ever been added to a PPV event undercard, just the Spike Finale. It would have enticed some of the fringe mma watchers to tune in w/ their buddies to talk about the backyard brawl and that they get to fight it out in the ring now.
Dana wanted it, Spike wanted it, everyone but the legitimate fans that want to see this sport become “mainstream” wanted this fight for ratings and entertainment purposes. When the UFC witnessed the outrage by us, he put the breaks on and went into damage control. Pretty amazing after he gave them the on-air lashing about disrespecting what everyone is trying to accomplish w/ mma’s perception to the public.[/quote]
Do you really see Dana it’s good to be White sitting there waiting to decide what to do by what we say? Oh their outraged I better save my ass! HaHaHa You go well with this haze. Good for laughs[/quote]
If Dana is such a great businessman, which he is, then like any other great business person, they will put feeders out, listen to their customers, listen to their associates to get a feel of what they are hearing.
You dont think the UFC brass told him he would like a total and complete hipocrite if he paid those two guys to represent the UFC after laying into their ass on T.V.? Dana wont compomise his enterprise for a few fringe viewers.
Obviously someone here is not a business person.
the spurs suck
Yeah muto come teach me about business, your right I’m not too savvy. My question is was this ever confirmed on UFC.com? Otherwise it was really just a rumor that someone decided to call ‘news’. Since it is their company I thought it was only official after they said it was so. I know you read it on a site so it’s the truth.