Props: ESPN The Magazine
Quoteworthy:
“There’s something no one else has heard. You have no idea some of the stuff that we have planned. I’m going to make an announcement next week that is going to blow people’s minds. That deal is done, but my employees don’t even know yet. I’m renting out a place next Thursday and I’m going to tell them. Then we’ll make the announcement later that day. It’s an indicator of where this business is going over the next five years.”
Any guesses?
266 Comments »
Trackback responses to this post
- The MMA Thread - Page 24 - Ajarn Forum - Living and Teaching In Thailand
- UFC and JAKKS Pacific® forge action figure deal at UFC blog for UFC news, results, videos, rumors, fights, pics and tickets — MMAmania.com
- Report: UFC major announcement set for June 17 at UFC blog for UFC news, results, videos, rumors, fights, pics and tickets — MMAmania.com
Hopefully this is good. Nothing worse than a ” big announcement” that turns out to be a big let down.
I heard they signed a superfight between Prince and Michael Jackson! The undercard is Gary Coleman vs Urkel!
no no no. he just saved a butt load of money changing his car insurance.
Did you guys read the article? Lots of good stuff.
It looks like he mentioned the “big announcement” when he was talking about Chuck’s next opponent. My guess: Chuck vs. Shogun or Machida for the main even of UFC 88 or 89 on ABC.
HDnet was started by Cuban. Maybe the UFC is starting its own channel?
It would be great if they signed a deal with either Fox, or even ESPN.
anything less then a network deal will be a let down!
Ultimate fights nights in Europe is defo going to happen soon!!
This may be the announcment? Or not!
Before he said all that, he stated that Chuck liddell will be headlining the September event in Atlanta Georgia…opponent was not named.
He went on to say that the announcement is much bigger then that.
john. i agree, we already know that they are close to coming to n.y. and msg so that wouldnt be “mind-blowing”. a network deal or a deal with espn or hbo would be huge as well. for it to be mindblowing it would have to be that and maybee something like signing w/ a mojor sporting appareal co. like nike or addidas. how does “nike fight club” sound. and to to top it off they could annunce that randy has seen the errors of his ways and signed to fight big nog. the last one is highly doubtful, but one can only hope.
i dont’ think its going to me a Madison Square Garden announcement. on InsideMMA last week they discussed the NY thing and talked to one of the NY legislators. He said basically that sanctioning in NY is going to happen, but its going to be at least 2 years before its going to be finalized.
HBO wouldn’t cut it now. The need to sign with a major network – ABC, Fox, or NBC. Or ESPN.
IMO, Fox is the only option!
Now that Donald Drump is on board the mma train, he is also trying to help get the sport sanctioned in New York. “The Donald” saidd he is confident that New York will be holding mma events by the end of the year.
Dana has been busting his ass trying to get New York on board, now with Donald joining the fight for New York, it looks like it will happen sooner then later.
ummm the guy who played urkel…..hes like dead dude.
-IT BETTER RIVAL ELITE XC ON CBS-
“ANYTHING LESS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH”
Fedorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
***NEWS flash***
Kimbo vs. Grim likely to take place in October
Paulo Filho vs. Sonnen…SEptember 10
Scott Smith did not break his foot, so he wont miss anytime, we will see him fight Robbie much sooner then we thoughth.
Great news john!
Anytime!
it could be a tv deal or the international version of The Ultimate Fighter. Either that or Zuffa made another purchase.
EliteXC is crap…its UFC 99 with all the hooplah cheerleader fireworks garbage the sport is trying to get rid of. You can bet its a deal with a major network because whatever network it is saw that CBS pulled a big rating out its ass and knows theres money to be made, and on EliteXC, they got more numbers than they should have because EliteXC misled people into thinking they were watching UFC, even on the event they mentioned UFC a dozen times to get the numbers.
network deal?
I think your right!
I sure hope so.
Dana’s sex change? He’s really a woman? HAHA JK.
I REALLY HOPE IT’S A NETWORK DEAL.
Color me intrigued! Hopefully this actually ends up being worth the wait. The last time something was built up this much, it ended up being the announcement that Bud Light was sponsoring the UFC.
I’m guessing it’s a network TV deal or something HBO-related (I think the former is more likely).
With MMALIVE on espn maybe its ESPN that has the deal with the UFC!! Instead of Friday night fights it would be UFC fight Night!
He is going to buy the galaxy and have the first ever sports event on the moon. Or they just signed a deal with HBO, Fox, ABC.
It is always so anticlymactic. Just like the time they said they had the biggest announcement in UFC history and it was just Tito and Shamrock fighting on free TV.
I am sure what ever he is calling mind blowing will not seem that way to the average fan.
I was just thinking it might be that Mir and Big Nog are the coaches for the next season of TUF and that they are training Heavyweights and Lightweights wow. He needs to bring something good or else broadcast it on the Who Gives a S&^$ Network. I waited through that stupid video game awards to hear what I had already found out what a douche.
Arianny Celeste is posing nude?
Please god I hope you’re right
Great. I heard from one of his closest friends that they’ll give the fighters a new Iphone too. The new model! So they can take pics of Arianny.
HELL YEAH!!!!
Delicious
Never saw that one coming… sweet.
If it was a TV deal, it likely would have already been leaked, or at least leaked before the official announcement.
It sounds like a fighter, but who out there is a free agent that could shock the world?
Fedor are you out there?
takanori gomi!!!!
I’m always a sucker for these things, even though in the past, it always ended up being anticlimactic like everyone is saying. I hope this time its different.
He’s going to fight Randy Couture is a sanctioned boxing match to settle all of thier differences?
haha that was funny.
I hope it’s a deal with HBO
Ya, it would be great to pay more money for what we get for free on spike.
Wake up. Network deals suck for the fan.
I know that Kurt Angle back in March leaked out that he will compete against Randy sometime in the fall. He wasn’t allowed to mention with what organization.. I highly doubt Dana hooked this up, unless he, Randy, and the courts have settled..yeah right… Fedor???? Highly doubtful too. He mentioned long term, so it has to be a network deal.
I hope its a deal with ABC/ESPN. That would make my day
This would be my guess, any coincidence the news comes “promts ESPN The Mag”
I think the TV deal is with ESPN!
they are bringin in the featherweight division
dought it, but that would be fing sweet!
maybe some femal fighters
yes im sure it is a network deal which isnt really the best news to an mma fan who like to see good fights
last huge new was the bud sponsor like someone above stated
im sure becasue of how good elite xc did, that another network will pick up on the ufc
i doubt its a fighter since it will show where ufc is going in the next 5 years
Hey Mitt, how do you get your hair to look so bitchin’ all the time?
i second that. By the way, what’s up with the cut of money on the left side??? Talk about trying to mold an image….
Maybe they’re adding a 145 pound division and taking all the WEC guys with them?
I was thinking the same thing… Flyweight and Bantamweight. But I doubt that is it.
Maybe he’s leaving the UFC so all of the big names he hates will come back?
I heard a while back they were working with FOX or something of the like. Hopefully it’s that and, like a bunch of people said, not a snoozer announcement like the bud light thing.
btw, it’s nice to see Mitt Romney visits the site.
ye i doubt thats him
I don’t know. Unless he is SERIOUSLY over-hyping whatever it is, I doubt it is any sort of TV deal. Following EliteXC and Strikeforce having landed their respective deals, I wouldn’t consider UFC on ABC mind-blowing. Even less so is the prospect of a lighter division. The UFC doesn’t lack a pool of fighters with which to put on a show. What they need is more TIME.
Hopefully it really is worth the wait.
What would be good is some cross-promotional action between the UFC and DREAM. The two countries cooperating on something like that would be pretty mind-blowing.
I think someone is feeling the pinch of Donald
I think someone hit the nail on the bald ass head. Good call on that.
dana just aquired the Arianny/Jenna sex tape(set for holiday ‘08 release), dropped bud lite & signed a 5 yr deal with Absolute, introduce the UFC Cable Channel and last but not least- the UFC will be the first advertiser on the moon. Remember now, when dana says “major announcement” prepare to be KTFO.
what i want is more Friday Night Fights.. Free UFC on Spike. and have it traveling. not just in Vegas but have it travel from city to city so the UFC can get it closer to people that cant travel 500 miles to see it. 1 or 2 a month
Dana will anounce he saved 15% off his car insurance
lol
UFC TOURNAMENT?
Would be amazing.
I really hope so. Having a tournament like Dream or getting a network deal like EXC? They are trying to compete so either way wouldn’t be bad.
Dana hates Tournaments, will never happen.
UFC ROYAL RUMBLE?
o hell yea right there… emelenkos vs nogs tag team action boyyyyyyyyyyy.. lol
ha ha ha that would be funny
I personally heard from one of Dana White’s closest friends that they signed a deal with ESPN, there will be no more pay per views all UFC events are gonna be free on ESPN starting with UFC 87.
no bullshit!? better be true.
Yeah “No more PPV’s” my ass. The UFC strives off PPV to pay its fighters. you get 300,000 buys at $45 a pop you are making $13.5 Mill off PPV.
that’s chump change compared to the deal they signed with ESPN.
I’m going to remember this post of yours lol.
Ya, I call shenanigans on this for sure.
il join ya bro
yeah, because suddenly the ufc doesn’t want to make millions from the millions of people who buy the paper views every month, good call
First, if this is true then the revenue would come from ESPN paying UFC for the broadcast rights. ESPN then sells advertising during the programming to recoup their investment. From the UFC’s perspective, this would be much more lucrative than the PPV revenue. Second, they wouldn’t be constrained by a hard 3-hour time limit like they are when they purchase satellite time for a PPV, which means a possibility for more undercard fights. A deal with ESPN would be huge for everyone.
cross promote with Affliction or WEC? UFC Globalization?
zuffa already owns wec
You seem pretty gullible. You bought that ESPN deal too lol Your funny doode
Network Deal
Integration with the WEC – Addition of 145lb class to UFC
Grand Prix’s in all weight classes
Madison square Garden i think…theres been lots of talk cuz my uncle works for the garden..but im not sure
i hope it is MSG cause i would be the first on line
He is going to resign
HAHAHA that made me spit out my food
Guess 1 – Sign w/ABC ESPN. ESPN shows TUF and late night reairs of old fights, ABC airs the NYEve weekend show for the next 5 yrs.
Guess 2 – UFC Grand Prix (Anderson, GSP, BJ get to fight w/out giving up their belts)
I know, these are stretches, but thats what this post by mania was all about anyway right?
I would rather see a Grand Prix for the three divisions and the winner gets to fight Anderson, BJ, and GSP, obviously depending on the division.
The Iceman vs The Huntington Beach Bad Boy 1 last time
but I think its a deal with espn or fox!!!
1.) UFC signed a deal with ESPN
2.) UFC signed Fedor to a life time deal.
3.) UFC signed Kimbo Slice to a 1 fight contract against Chuck Liddell, in a catch weight pit of doom match.
4.) Dana White is retiring
5.) Dana White vs. Gary Shaw
6.) Tito Ortiz died (even though I just saw him tonight)
7.) UFC has signed MMAMANIA to a 5 year deal to provide all new MMA news.
I would be happy with any of those. lol
I’m going to try my hardest not to get too excited about this. Last time Dana said he had a “big announcement” it was a lackluster Budweiser sponsorship blah blah.
Don’t get me wrong, it was a good deal. But it wasn’t up to par with all the hype about the “announcement”.
i think they got sanctioned in NY. I bet he rented Madison Square Garden. That’s just my guess
I could see that.
He did say he was going to rent a place out for the announcement! That is a good call, I think MSG is the deal!
That would be too hard to keep as a secret as it is a law.
Network Deal with FOX……………….
Network deal with Foxnews…
Bill Orielly vs. Sean Hannity
Affliction undercard will be broadcasted on FoxSports Net. I wonder how that will work if UFC strikes a deal with Fox Fox…
I wonder if it will be the weekly live fights i he talked about last year
It has to be more than a simple fight announcement or new sponsor. If he thinks it will be the “where the business is going”. Gotta be a major TV deal.
I hope they got a network deal. That would be pretty cool. they would crush elite xc hahahahaha
Whatever the news is, I don’t know how it will ever top the last BIG news of Budweiser becoming a sponser. That alone secured the future for all those drunk fatasses in the audiences at the UFC pay per views who manage to make total dumbasses of themsleves on camera.
I think i know what it is…
UFC @ Madison Sq Garden event in the works
yeah i said that a few posts ago
Undertaker vs Lesner Ladder Match
Dana’s major announcement is that he’s not really bald.
He takes off the bald cap to reveal a huge 70s still fro.
Guesses:
1) Gary Shaw was killed in his sleep by the ghost of James Thompson’s ear.
2)Tito Ortiz finally realized he’s an idiot and went back to working carnival sideshows as the bearded lady.
3)Dana found out there’s more salt in ham than in turkey.
4)Dana hired Phil Baroni to use his likeness on all official UFC punching bags.
They are going to do co promotions with DREAM.
maybe they bought some company out or something
Dana is GREAT at “overhyping” things… We have all heard him say that before, about great announcements and mind blowing, etc, etc , blah, blah ,blah
Has to be a deal with abc/espn or fox… you know they both want the UFC now
An indication of where the sport is going next five years? Something that affects his employees? I’d say finally cross-promoting. Letting his fighters fight fighters from other organizations.
I think I did hear something about splitting the weight classes between the WEC a while back. WEC supposedly was going to be the smaller guys and UFC would be Welterweight and up? IDK. Could be. But after an exciting Pulver/Faber does UFC really want to do that?
I think the no PPV thing would be the best tho!
Uhh if you didnt notice it, it already is that way.
Uhh no. UFC is only WW and up? I missed that one, bud.
UFC 87 will be the first televised card doen by the UFC on Fox.
sorry done instead of doen.
Mexico
Brazil
Australia
Germany
Rusia
the announcement is he announcing a country?
Yeah, locations where events will be taking place. I’d say it’s a good “indicator of where this business is going over the next five years.”
I know LOL, just being a smart *ss
good guesses but the truth is tito and dana are the same person thats why you dont see them at the same time unless one is pre recorded, dana is going to do a scooby do and take off his mask.. the real suprise is jenna will remove her mask also she is actually ken shamrock keep this to yourself so everyone is surprized
I bet it’s more weight divisions. Or a deal with HBO. Jim Lampley is going to freak and make even more of an ass out of himself if that’s the case. I LOVE IT!!!
5 year plan? My guess is that Dana struck a deal with Steve Jobs/AppleTV to stream live UFC Events in HD, or something along those lines.
Push the envelope with digitial HD distribution.
given that these ‘Announcements’ usually disappoint, i’d suspect he’s going to announce the stadium show in hawaii. his hint that “this is where the sport’s going in the next five years” is to say that they’ve outgrown the hockey arena and are now in the big leagues.
1. They will be adding female fighters to the roster.
2. Fedor and Couture are locked up for a fight.
3. ABC or major network deal.
4. Some outrageous mega-fight.
5. Cross-promotional deal with WEC or EliteXC.
6. They will have a UFC in New York city.
7. They’ve acquired new fighters from other organizations.
umm are you on crack? A cross promotion with EliteXC???? Dana White would NEVER work with Gary Shaw and his crooked ass organization…and as far as WEC goes…Zuffa already owns it so why would that matter? You really should be more informed and read the content on this site once in a while! I am thinking it will be a deal with HBO or another network that will allow UFC to put on the show they want to put on…not like the debacle we saw in the form of EliteXC on CBS
notice how it says an indicator of where the business is going in the next 5 years
probably going to be a network deal with ESPN or Fox.
imo, whichever newtwork it is saw the ratings for ELITE XC on CBS and thought UFC can do wayyyy better.
MMA in the Olympics?
UFC Brazil?
UFC NYC?
Indicator of where the business is going in the next 5 years…
Network TV?
I think they’re going to announce having an event at a certain place.
Either at MSG or at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.
Network deal with fox and UFC 87 will be free on fox why because it has fan favorites and popular fighters such as Brock Lesnar and GSP to make for huge ratings.
Godzilla vs Andy Wang
AWESOME! I think I peed a little!
i’d like to see a co-promotion, WEC champs vs UFC champions. The 2 bigger american promotions going head to head, WEC fighters constantly try to say they are the best. I’d like to see how that would play out, especially razor rob vs penn (penn would murder him).
First off Razor Rob isn’t the champ anymore and second off that would make no sense. WEC is owned by Zuffa (who also owns the UFC) so why would they try to downplay the WEC. The WEC clearly does have the best fighters at 135 and 145 but no one thinks the champs at 155 – 205 would stand a chance against any of the UFC champs. Brian Stann vs Quentin Jackson you really want to pay to see that? I mean Condit and Filho could legitamately compete in the UFC but fights against Silva and GSP would not be too interesting.
Filho would easily be a force in the UFC, which is why I think he’s staying in the WEC, they need those “forces” in that organization or it will just sink.
More than likely its a msg show to be broadcast on espn or fox. probably be a supershow with all titles on the line. maybe champ vs champ wec and ufc.
I think that he really is feeling the Trump pinch (as someone else already said), and whatever the news is, it’s going to be something to smoothen the critics about how he treats fighters. In the public image – true or not – that is the piece that probably bugs him/the UFC the most.
I would love to see Carlos Condit. Ithink he could hang with just about any WW in the world. Sure I think GSP would beat him, but I wouldnt rule out Condit subbing GSP
I would also love to see Torres fight someone like a GSP or Anderson Silva. I dont think there is anyone the WEC can throw at him that will be able to beat him. Even Faber, who is 1 of my favorite fighters, I think that Torres beats him. that Torres kid is no joke and will be champ for years
Torres vs Silva or GSP? That is rediculous. Torres is one of the best pound for pound in the world but he’s 135 pouds GSP would throw him around like a rag doll. Even Penn would have a rediculous size advantage on him. Thats’s like talking about GSP taking on Brock Lesner. Sure GSP has way more skill but that much of size advantage you’re not gonna overcome.
you want to see Torres fight GSP or Anderson Silva? For real? They would both be a lot bigger than him lol
I think he meant Torres beating Faber.
definitely has to be a network deal. also i think they are going to do what other sports do and make the wec their minor leagues. if you do well in the wec you get called up the the big league(ufc). they will have all weight categories in both, right from 135-heavyweight.
The best thing for the UFC would be a deal with HBO. Think about all the best matchups getting the count down shows that Mayweather vs De la Hoya got. One hundred times the people tune in to that than the countdowns that are Spike. If UFC got HBO that would be the best thing to happen to the UFC since they signed with Spike TV. Anything short of HBO or ESPN would be just as disappointing as the huge announcment of Ortiz vs. Shamrock III
yea he mentioned something about a deal in the article so it has to be a network tv deal. but all other bigtime sports (nba,nfl,nhl) have playoffs, difinitive ranking system and stats. hopefully he comes out with rankings or grand prix too so disgruntled UFC fighters won’t get butt-hurt when Dana tells them they’re not the shieet and true champs can emerge without favoritism.
I dont’ think it is fighters cause of the 5 year comment. my thoughts
1 TV deal
2 Cross promotion
OK, you heard it here first so remember this…
…the HBO deal is done.
You can thank me later.
he will annouce tht hes finally coming out of the closet
dana white is going to announce a michael vick signing and his first opponent will be rampage!
A deal with Fox, HBO or ABC?
Wait, no, maybe they gunna go ahead and buy Vinny McMahon out?
Naw, wait, maybe a superfight with Couture vs. Kurt Angle.
Nope. Shit, wait…..Couture is coming back, and Fedor finally fired that finky manger of his and will fight on a network!
Aw. Damn.
UFC is going to use the YAMMA pit and Scott Ferrall
Dana is going to be on Dancing with the Stars or American Idol
GSP4Pres………….
Not that I am that much of a fan of Torres….But there are people in the mma business, fighters and coaches that say that they have never seen a fighter like Torres. They go on to say they seen him take on guys 50-100 lbs heavier easily. Even fight for nearly an hour straight full throttle. Frank Mir has even said that Torres’ peers have said things about Torres that border on mythical. Sure GSP or Silva would probably win, I would love to see Torres take on someone that outweighs him by 50 lbs!!
I’ll give you that he’s good enough that he could take on an average UFC 170 pounder and give him a run for his money, but to put him up against GSP or Silva would be suicide for him. Don’t get me wrong though I’m not hating on Torres at all that last fight was one of the most entertaining fights I’ve ever seen and I think he’s easily a top 10 pounder for pound in the world maybe even top 5 but just saying he’d have no chance vs GSP or Silva just because of how much bigger they are than him.
Giant Silva’s been signed?
HE’S GONNA ALLOW CUNG LE TO COME OVER AND FIGHT ANDERSON SILVA
I don’t know how he would do but I would pay to see that.
he’s announcing it next Thursday
He booked Madison Square Gardens.
Hmmm I haveent heard that one yet .. Sounds Like A really good possibilty. This would be huge.
Clinton for President of UFC.
Either he got a really good TV deal with FOX, OR
He got MMA legalized in New york.
It will be one of these, mark my words
Yea but MMA being legalized would be a really hard secret to keep since the hearings are public.
a reliable source has confirmed that the UFC has lined up the comeback of ex-UFC legend Tito Ortiz. Although he has only been an ex-UFC legend for a very short time, he will be teaming up with recent EliteXC defector Kimbo “The Bearded Street Assassin” Slice in a rare TagTeam “Extravagonzo” (as Dana calls it)to Battle UFC upstarts Weeman And UrbanStreetFighter Vern Troyer, reportedly sporting a very intimidating Goatee, in a real fight, not rigged of course, to prove once and for all, Kimbo Slices TRUE!!! Street!!Cred!!! SAVE KIMBO!!! we must SK!!Go Tito! ur worth so much more than dana says! ps tito grow some Facial Hair f u can and u will be even more scary than KS!
Hes gonna strip Randy of the title, and give it to Harry from the Hendersons (Sorry Noguiera)
I HOPES ITS SOME AVERAGE HEAVYWEIGHTS OH WAIT THEY’RE ALL SIGNED ALREADY AINT THAT A BITCH DANA………..
GICE US ONE AT THE GARDEN SHIT ILL BE GOOD WIT THAT
YEah legal in NY and booked at MSG would be great, but it wouldnt be a MIND blowing announcement!!!!
Statee get legalized every year, NOTHING NEW!!! Everyone that knows anything about it knew that mma was looking to be legalized there(NY). So the MSG booking would NOT be mindblowing
You have to remember that it obviously has some sort of effect on his employees so it wuld be much bigger than just signing a fighter. I think a deal with ESPN is ridiculous and the real news is he has signed me to fight GSP4Prez everytime he posts something that belongs more on Sherdog than here! LOL
I’m sure it’s going to be a network TV deal, and they’ll probably use ultimate fight nights only and have commercials for the UFC PPV events.
I am with you here. I think it will be ABC/ESPN…
madison square gardens with mega fights
They will have some shows in Europe.
I guess Germany and Italy.
And outside Europe it will be Mexico, Brasil and Australia.
That was my guess as well, although I didn’t think Italy when I made my guess. I think it’s a location because I have heard Dana say in the past that he plans on bringing the UFC to those said countrys. I personally think Brazil is a must, and would seel out so fast, especially with an all-Brazilian card, or Brazial vs______ for each fight, that would be cool.
WHAT THE HELL…I have posted twice now and they are not showing up?
This Happens to me all the time on this site.
I know he has denied this before b/c Dana is control freak, but what about taking Zuffa public with IPO.
The announcement will be that UFC signed a deal with ESPN. If you put some facts together, it seems very logical. EliteXC just put on a show with CBS and scored over 6 million viewers with an otherwise “average” fight card. This pretty much served as the “guinea pig” and ESPN liked what they saw, as they had many of their reporters on their shows talking about it the following week. Over the past year or two ESPN has slowly been showing more coverage of MMA (props MMA Live) and with the recent ratings of EliteXC on CBS they now see that it will draw the casual fans as well as hardcore MMA fans. ESPN would not settle for a second-tier org. such as EliteXC and UFC is the only MMA org they would sign to a deal. If you remember, ESPN signed the Arena Football League to a five year deal late in 2006 and the ratings of those programs have been lackluster at best. My point is, that if ESPN is willing to sign Arena Football to a five-year deal, they would be stupid not to sign the UFC to a similar deal, especially given CBS’ recent ratings. With MMA at its peak with the casual fans, this is the perfect time for the “Worldwide Leader in Sports” to cash in. Another note, when was the last time ESPN (who borrows alot of their web content from Sherdog) leaked a “huge” MMA rumor like this. Just my thoughts as to where Dana might be headed with this announcement.
My thoughts exactly…
UFC going to mainland Europe. relaunch of Pride in Japan???
its about the video game! lol .. Anderson Silva vs RJJ in a boxing match inside the octagon!
Hal of me hopes it’s just the video game lol I have been wanting to play that for over a year now.
Phillips Arena, Atlanta GA.
Shogun vs Chuck
first time since 97.
word, i heard this is gonna happen. only a few hours away so i might just have to get tickets. hopefully franklin vs henderson and silva vs okami is also on the card.
Definetely a network deal. He said where mma is going the next 5 years. No cross promotion or fighter signing will influence that. Look at crocop and the others the ufc signed.
I’m guessing an espn deal. Boxing in dead and espn knows mma is where it’s at. They like to be cutting edge even though it would only be cutting edge to the general public, and not the long time mma fans.
I just hope network tv doesn’t turn the ufc into the wwf……..
I still think it is Fox (since they have already been in negotiations), but ESPN would be a good fit as well. Especially since Dana sees MMA more as a sport than a show. Unlike some other sweatsuit wearing chode.
it’s got to be a tv deal. it’s for the next five years. no fighter is going to commit that long, and i don’t think dana would take that much of a chance keeping a fighter on contract for that long. my prediction is that espn takes over spikes duties except the fight nights and nonpaperview matches get shown on abc, since abc is affiliated with espn. i don’t see a co-promotion deal for that long either. and i don’t see ufc signing with hbo simply because it’s a pay channel and they’re wanting the same exposure as elitexc, so naturally they need to be on primetime. My only concern is if it’s like elitexc and it’s all cleaned up and all the sudden steve, herb, and the boys start calling fights way before they should or they let a guy lay down and take elboys for an eternity without him ever doing anything. BUT (to add more debate) I would think that a deal like that would’ve been leaked out. but who knows, i’m leaning towards a tv deal with espn and abc
if it is a network deal! it wont mean nuffin to the uk fans!
Setanta Sports is awesome!
spot on man unless they have more fight nights! and sky get to show em in the uk!
dream on though
It’s definitely a deal with ESPN or Fox for sure. Not too many of the other assumptions would have a five year impact.
Deal w/ FOX
Maybe the DONALD is going to buy the UFC….lol
ufc weekly series with live fights?
UFC against all other mma promotion?
Dana’s growing his hair?
dana white will try to fight in the ufc?
I would like to see the weight divisions fixed up abit more.
But he is renting a place so its gotta be madison square gardens or… Japan big freaking kick off. Fans are bonkers over there and its always packed so maybe thats it.
Hes gonna restart the Pride Label.
I wouldnt mind seeing a country vs country Or team vs team(5 on 5). And one rounders. They could assign points for ways to win by adding totals of each round and dividing by # of rounds. Have 8 teams fight and top 4 teams pointwise move on. Winning the best of 5 might not be good enough.
face it dude, pride is gone. just let it go lol
PRIDE isn’t gone, it’s just shrunk down in size and called itself DREAM lol.
Super Bowl halftime show….one fight….it’s a LOCK
Dana and Chuck are moving to Massachusetts so they can legally marry.
Hahahaha, best one so far!
Maybe this is the Anderson Silva Roy Jones Jr. Fight. Finally happening. But more than Likley it is a network deal. If NY sanctioned fights and a MSG fight was in the works…. that would be public record and we would allready know about it. So sqwash that noise. It has to be a network deal!
I don’t think it’s a network deal. At the end of the article he says
“In the next five years, we’re going to take live events all over the world.”
They’ll prob start having events in Asia and Russia.
Best way to take video all over the world anymore is arguably Itunes and portable media. You think they signed a disty deal with Itunes, or maybe Microsoft/Zune? How’s the online subscriptions via UFC.com working out? Is that successful? Word on the street seems to be it sucks.
Although the UFC does work with Yahoo to offer live online feeds, don’t they? Microsoft has been stalking Yahoo for some time now.
I think Dana is going to announce that the UFC will no longer host lightweight and welterweight fight anymore…..He already hinted that the UFC will become a home for heavyweight, light-heavy, and middle. And the WEC will host all lighter weight fights…..This way Zuffa retains most of there talent and the consumer will get to know a more unified champ…
Wait and see…..but i dont think the UFC is going to get a network deal unless its with HBO or ESPN…Fox looks like it wants nothing to do with MMA…with their news channel continually blasting MMA…
And the MSG deal…..Well id bet trump and affliction will beat the UFC to this one….Trump has major pull in NY, and its not what you know….its who you know.
At this point, anything less than a 5 year network deal with ESPN would be a huge disappointment.
The announcement is that he has signed Kid Yamamotto and that there will be a super fight between The Kid and Faber on a joint UFC/WEC PPV.
He will also announce that UFC will be having a PPV in China around the time of the Olympics or just after the Olympics to signal its truly going global.
he found a lump
Two options:
TV deal with FOX or ABC/ESPN or HBO
The UFC bought a company/promotion or the UFC was bought.
Dana would never sell the UFC. He is too proud (rightfully so) to do that and the UFC has just hit the tip of the iceberg in terms of its potential.
Anderson silva vs roy jones!
they have partnered with playboy for ufc 91 which is headlining anderson silva vs gsp, and the card girls will not be allowed clothes, nor the playmates who will be sitting ringside displaying birthday suits for the loyal fans!!!!
You guys are missing the boat. Dana always says how he wants to go global. It has something to do with shows all over the world and ppv going global. It is not a network deal or the signing of any new fighter.
Someone may have come up with a better scoring system other than the 10pt-must?
some good comments on here fellas! i hope its a tournament or female division. i know he was against them though. i like the comment about yamma pit fighting. lmao!!!
Maybe he is officially declaring MMA dead, since he says he created it.
LOL!!
maybe he’s coming out the closet and declaring his love to chuck!
AWESOME RING IN LOL
LAST TIME HE [DANA AND FERTITAS]SAID THAT WE[UFC] GOT A NEW BEER SPONSER; AND BUDWEISER WAS PUT ON THE MAT FOR PEOPLE TO BLEED ON ,I BELEIVE ITS GOING TO BE A TOURNAMENT TO ALIGN THE PROPER RANKINGS BUT U CANT WITH DIFF ORGANIZATIONS ,OR MAYBE AND INVITATIONAL TOURNEY??
MAYBE WE ARE GONNA SEE KURT ANGLE FINALLY???BOBBY LASHLEY JUST SIGNED OR MAYBE HES GONNA START THE WEEKLY SHOW ON SPIKE ALA WWE AND TNA [2HR SHOWS WEEKLY WITH AN MAIN EVENT EVERY WEEK ]HOPE SO ITS TAKIN TOO LONG FOR SOMEONE TO TAKE MAINSTREAM WEEKLY TV SHOWS CMON DANA MAKE IT HAPPEN ,MAKE SHAW SHUT HIS YAP
I think you were right when spoke of rankings..
I believe that he will anounce a criteria for conquering two belts in two weight classes, for the champs who completely dominate thier division. Or although not likely wouldn’t it be great to have a grand prix of some sort…I mean even if it was by weight class it would still be cool..
i think no question it is a deal with espn..makes the most sense they willk replace friday night fights with ultimate fight nights
VINCE MACMAHON IS BUYING THE UFC
the wec is going to fox to compete with elite on cbs.
I dont think a change of the network would be “mind blowing”, spike is the best for ufc, what would be mind blowing is the introduction of a female devision, or an tournament.
A female division is far from mind blowing. Unless you meant boring.
how about they take the 155’s and 145’s from WEC and add them to UFC!!!
Errr… 145’s and 135’s?…
1)network deal, 2)fedor, 3)signing of new top fighters. please let it be all of the above.
Dana White and Jesse Ventura are launching a third party run for the white House.
affliction+ufc joins togethrto form MML
Mixed Martial League
June 6: Floyd Mayweather Jr. retires from boxing. Coninsidence?
I wouldn’t count on this being a signing of a particular fighter(s). The next five years SHOULDN’T rest on the shoulders of a named fighter or else it will be Kimbo Slice all over again.
hey mania my comments are not showing…Im not trying to get on your case but its been a long time since I’ve posted and just curious to know how long it takes or is it just that you have to approve them and your not logged on at this time..please respond to let me know …thanks.
I official choose to endorse mmamania as my favorite MMA news website
I think its posssible it could be a signing of a fighter. Does anybody else think its odd that the same day Dana says he has a huge announcement, Floyd Mayweather
announces that his retirement? He says his heart is not in it anymore but its most likely that its not as much a challenge for anymore and what would be? Answer: MMA.
I just got a call guys! from a credible source at Zuffa. Here is the big news!
Tito Ortiz is going to sign with UFC for 10 years at $10,000,000 per year.
They are saying that there will be a Ortiz / Shamrock 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19 and the FINAL FIGHT 20. This will finally settle this grudge match.
Wow! I can’t wait!
PPV will be $1,000 so they can cover Tito’s paycheck but this will also include exclusive access to Jena’s website for 5 minutes for each PPV.
And thats not all…
Also, they will start a new REALITY TV show. Tito, Jenna and Dana White…ALL IN THE SAME HOUSE!
It’s a great time for MMA!
waste of your own time man.
GOING PUBLIC
Randy vs. Nog
floyd mayweather just retired.. he is the big announcement that dana white is saying. chuck vs floyd mayweather
that wouldn’t make any sense whatsoever.. Mayweather is what? a featherweight? it would make more sense to have him fight Faber or Pulver. chuck would outweigh him by 60 pounds!
Hulk Hogan is going to take up MMA and debuts against Couture.
rumors of going cable tv.. which one.
ABC
ESPN
FOX
HBO
I Think ESPN.
Instead of Championship bouts being 5 rounds..they fight to death in the Octagon. Blood Sport style and they bring the original Muy Thai Vet Wong Po over….And oh yeah..they legalize dipping your taped up hands in glass before the fight!!! Go Dana!!!!
dana will face off vs randy couture in a future ufc event, however the key is randy wont be getting paid so he will not show up to the weigh ins but spike will tape dana working out very hard for the fight that will never happen!
floyd mayweather signs with UFC it has to be that
Yes, it’s true.
Nothing but a TV deal makes sense. A Mayweather fight doesn’t indicate where the sport wil be going over the next five years. Dana can’t sit back while Elite XC ruins the face of MMA with their stupid CBS deal. Im thinking Dana has been spending alot of time figuring out how to out do Gary Shaw. Hopefully, but not very likely, its FOX so O’Reilly can go F himself.
its prbly and hopefully a deal with espn or fox (espn does have that mma show now sooooo…..)
it not that zuffa made a purchase because he said he made the deal..
and it will be big cause its supposed to “show where this is goin in the next five years”
and their is one other posibility, mayweather has signed, i read it in a couple places (google it) that he signed with the ufc and their is the possiblity it is both mayweather AND an espn deal….
anyone thought that they could be adding a new weight class?
Wanderlei will announce that he will f#%k chuck again.
Title fight during the halftime of the Super Bowl.
Tag Team MMA fights…
Bas vs Pat Smith
UFC announcement will be: Anderson ‘Spider’ Silva vs Chuck ‘The Iceman’ Liddell
Also,
If George St Pierre beats John Fitch, then GSP will fight BJ Penn in December 2008
if it is a network deal i really hope they dont f— it up like elite xc did, with the network not wanting too much gore. dont get me wrong… there is nothing i hate more than going to a fight and hearing that stupid a– knuckle dragger from three rows back yelling “this is BS i wanna see some blood!!!” every time i hear that i want to show him some of his own blood. but blood is a part of the sport and if they wouldnt be able to show a fight like the sean sherk, kenny florian fight i would rather pay to watch it. i just hope they dont have to edit the sport to give it the publicity it needs to grow
The announcement is that two new divisons have been added for midgets and dwarfs.
BJ vs Gomi rematch
or
145s
or
tv deal
or
something boring