Dave Meltzer: Ronda Rousey is the number five PPV draw in UFC
(fightopinion.com)The early estimate for the UFC 157 PPV buy rate is in the 400,000-500,000 range, more or less in the middle of that range. Dave claims UFC budgeted itself for 250,000 PPV buys for the Anaheim Pond event, hoping that Ronda would draw around what the smaller fighters like Jose Aldo & Frankie Edgar draw. Drawing 250,000 PPV buys is fine, 300,000 is good, and 400,000 is very good.
“A big success” even though “it’s still Liz Carmouche in the main event.” Both women made north of $150,000 USD in terms of money from the fight.
When Dave first saw the original PPV barker ad for the UFC 157 show (the now infamous Rousey mean/smile combo ad), he said it hit him that it’s two girls fighting and that it wasn’t going to draw so well. The early ticket sales in Anaheim were around 4,000 sold for $600,000 at the gate. However, unlike normal UFC business trends, the event ended up sold out and had more momentum for the close...
NYBA Phil Baroni - "TRT is bullshit"
(punchdrunkgamer.com)
1. Recently fighters have been given exceptions that allow them to do Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), while other fighters are losing their jobs or getting suspended for medical marijuana. What is your take on the whole situation?
Phil Baroni - “I don’t think that marijuana is a performance enhancing drug at all. But if you can’t stop smoking weed for a month before a fight you got a problem or maybe fighting isn’t that important to you. Don’t get me wrong, it should be legal. I mean TRT is bullshit. It is a legal way to cheat the system and an attempt to prolong your career when you should be retired. Smoking Mary Jane is far less cheating than taking shots of testosterone.”
Former UFC Fighter and Olympic Gold Medalist Kevin Jackson Talks About the IOC’s Decision to Drop Olympic Wrestling
(punchdrunkgamer.com)In my opinion, the IOC can go fuck themselves!
Wrestling was left in a state of shock after the International Olympic Committee made a surprise recommendation on Tuesday morning to drop the sport from the 2020 Games. Contested in the first modern Olympics in 1896 and part of the ancient Games in Olympia, wrestling will now join seven other candidate sports battling for one spot in the games. In this exclusive interview from our partners at Takedown Radio, old school UFC veteran and Gold Medalist in Freestyle wrestling at the 1992 Summer Olympic Games, Kevin Jackson discusses the International Olympic Committee’s decision and the impact it could have on the sport of wrestling.
Rampage Jackson: UFC lies about its pay-per-view numbers
(mmamania.com)Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson was unhappy with the way he was being treated leading up to what may have been his final fight inside the Octagon, a unanimous decision loss to Glover Teixeira at the UFC on FOX 6 event last weekend in Chicago (see it here).
But you knew that.
What you may not have known, are some of the specifics of his complaint against the Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion, which "Rampage" tells MMA HEAT is "taking advantage of its fighters" while "cleaning house" in the pay-per-view sales...
Dana White believes UFC's first trip to Russia could happen in 2013
(mmajunkie.com)The UFC's globetrotting ways are expected to continue in 2013, really to no one's surprise.
And the calendar year could feature the promotion heading to a new market that has produced one of the most highly regarded fighters in history.
UFC President Dana White believes the company will make its way to Russia sometime in 2013 for its first live event there...
Ortiz: 'Going to be tough,' but Santos might make UFC's 135-pound limit
(mmajunkie.com)With his own fighting career over, UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz is instead focused on his management career and first client, who could soon be heading to the UFC's 135-pound women's division.
Ortiz recently signed embattled ex-Strikeforce featherweight champion Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos (10-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who recently served a one-year suspension due to a failed drug test for an anabolic steroid.
However, while the former 145-pound champion initially dismissed the idea of getting down to 135 pounds for a potential superfight with newly crowned UFC champ Ronda Rousey (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), Ortiz breathed some new life into the possibility – but there are conditions...
Anthony Pettis – “No More Mr. Nice Guy, I’m Going to Get My Title Shot”
(mmaweekly.com)Anthony Pettis had to hear the news like everyone else recently that former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez would get the next crack at Benson Henderson and the UFC lightweight title.
Since defeating Henderson in the final WEC fight to close out 2010, Pettis has been waiting for a shot at the belt, only to have delays, rematches and now other opponents step in the way of him receiving his long awaited crack at the title...
Dana White Talks About the End of Strikeforce – “I’m So Glad It’s Over”
(mmaweekly.com)The long, slow painful death of Strikeforce will finally come to an end on Jan. 12, and UFC President Dana White is glad the whole ordeal is coming to a close.
When Zuffa, the parent company of the UFC, first purchased Strikeforce there were high hopes to keep the promotion running as a sister organization with fight cards airing on Showtime, and a completely separate roster of fighters.
Unfortunately a rough relationship with Showtime never got smoother, and Dana White’s hopes to influence and build the promotion just did not come to fruition. Now the former San Jose based promotion will soon land in the organizational graveyard alongside Pride Fighting Championships, and many others that couldn’t survive when push came to shove.
“I’m so glad it’s over,” White said on Thursday about the demise of Strikeforce...
Eddie Alvarez Situation Still Not Settled, Dana White Expects Things to Get “Ugly”
(mmaweekly.com)It appears Eddie Alvarez’s free agency won’t be coming to an end in the near future without a fight happening first but it’s not a battle in the cage.
No, the battle is likely to take place in negotiations because the former Bellator lightweight champion appears locked in a fight between the two suitors who both want to sign him.
Following Alvarez’s last fight, he officially became a free agent after competing under the Bellator banner for the last few years. While the promotion retained a matching period to offer Alvarez equal money to that of any other organization courting his services, they allowed him to seek out the best deal before they decided if they would try to re-sign him or not...
'TUF: Smashes' finalist Colin Fletcher: I am 'Freakshow'
(mmajunkie.com)Here are a few things you might not know about Colin Fletcher. Things you might not absorb if, you know, you're distracted by his exterior.
It wouldn't be the first time it happened to him.
The man nicknamed "Freakshow" did most of his growing up while spinning records as a DJ. He got his start at a nightclub his father owned. He toured all over Britain spinning "funky house" and trance...
Ronda Rousey: I have sex as much as possible pre fight
(mixedmartialarts.com)
UFC women's Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey appeared recently on the JIM Rome show, and discussed the "women weaken legs" rule in fighting.
“For girls it raises your testosterone," explained Rousey. "so I try to have as much sex as possible before I fight actually. Not with like everybody, I don’t put out like a Craigslist ad or anything, but if I got a steady I’m going to be like ‘yo, fight time’s coming up’."
There are limits however.
“You can’t (beep beep) somebody and go fight that day," said Rousey with a laugh.
She concluded by citing studies done that show that male fighters who abstain for months before a fight can actually suffer decreased performance (in fighting).
UFC President Dana White Doesn’t Think a Fighters Union Will Ever Happen
(mmaweekly.com)In any industry that employs a vast number of people – particularly industries where there are wide differences in compensation – there is always talk of whether or not the workers should form a union to protect the interests of the masses when it seems a small group reaps the highest benefits.
Talk of a fighters union has long been on the tongues of many, especially with the exploding success of mixed martial arts across the globe.
It seems little effort has been made over the years to actually form a union for mixed martial arts athletes.
UFC's Dan Hardy plans future training sessions with St-Pierre, targets spring return
(mmajunkie.com)After a four-fight skid that had him thinking about retirement, Dan Hardy's evolution is continuing in the midst of a two-fight resurgence.
The former UFC welterweight title challenger is coming off a stint at Montreal's Tristar Gym to help champion and former nemesis Georges St-Pierre prepare for common opponent Carlos Condit.
And recently, the Brit revealed he is planning to train in the future with St-Pierre and the Tristar crew.
For a few UFC fighters, there are some terrible moments that just won't die
(mmajunkie.com)Former UFC welterweight Frank Trigg has a running joke with Zuffa matchmaker Sean Shelby, who also happens to be heavily involved in putting together the UFC's highlight reels. It's a familiar routine that often plays out via text message right before the UFC runs it's pre-event video package of great moments from fight cards past, all set to The Who's "Baba O'Riley."
"Before it starts I say, 'Sean, are you about to hurt my feelings again?'" Trigg told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).
It's not exactly a serious question, because Trigg already knows the answer. He knows that, just as surely as clips from the classic fight between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar will make it into the highlight reel, so will he. It's just that he'll be on the wrong end of one of those memorable UFC moments. He'll be getting carried across the cage like a bag of fertilizer by former 170-pound champ Matt Hughes. He'll be getting slammed on the mat and then choked into submission at UFC 52, right before Hughes is lifted up in triumph to the sound of soaring guitars and a wailing Pete Townsend.
"I can't even listen to that song anymore," Trigg said. "It was seven years ago."
Varner - "Guillard is a living, breathing human being and he can be beat"
(punchdrunkgamer.com)“Everyone keeps telling me he’s so fast, he’s so powerful, he’s so athletic. Well yeah, but so is Edson Barboza,” Varner says of Guillard. “I compare it a lot to the Edson Barboza fight, another guy who is fast, powerful and athletic. But, (Guillard’s) a living, breathing human being and he can be beat. He’s been beaten before. He’s really tough, I just have to be the best Jamie Varner there’s ever been. My defense has to be on point, I can’t be lazy, I have to be in good shape and I have to bring the fight to him. That’s going to be the biggest thing, not making any mistakes, keeping my chin down, my hands up and watching out for his one big shot happening and being able to catch him with the big shots.”
Cung Le Unsure About His Future: “I Know My Clock Is Ticking”
(mmaweekly.com)Once upon a time, Cung Le said his dream was just to get the chance to compete inside the UFC Octagon.
Now with a 2-1 record including Saturday’s one-punch knockout of former middleweight champion Rich Franklin, Le has done more than just “compete” – he’s winning fights in a big way.
“It’s like a dream, I feel like I’m in a dream right now,” Le said to Fuel TV after the knockout victory.
Explaining the set up for Franklin’s inevitable doom, Le says it all came down to timing, and knowing what his opponent was looking for and how to land the perfect counter strike.
MMA pioneer Dan Severn wants late peer Jeff Blatnick in UFC Hall of Fame
(mmajunkie.com)UFC Hall of Famer Dan Severn will remember friend and 1984 Greco-Roman wrestling American gold medalist Jeff Blatnick for his ability to stretch the imagination.
They'd known each other since the late 1970s because Blatnick's Greco-Roman style had few practice spaces, so he sought out freestyle wrestling haunts that Severn frequented.
They last saw each other Sept. 15, a few months before Blatnick's untimely death.
Cung Le Had to Leave “Super Camp” To Get Personal Attention Needed for UFC Success
(mmaweekly.com)The nature of training is different for every fighter heading into a big bout in the UFC.
One staple throughout MMA in recent years, however, has been the explosion of the “super camp” featuring a number of top fighters all working together under one roof, and one set of coaches to get ready for upcoming competition.
Gyms like Team Greg Jackson, American Top Team, and American Kickboxing Academy have become synonymous with great training and building champions.
Recently, however, more top fighters are shying away from the “super camp” atmosphere because, for all the rave reviews about the great coaching and training, there seems to be something lost when it comes to personal attention when preparing for a fight...
Inaugural World Series of Fighting card deemed a success
(lasvegassun.com)Across the board, there was nothing but high praise for the first World Series of Fighting card.
Fighters were impressed and felt taken care of. Trainers got the same vibe.
The WSOF brought it all — sparkling production values, big names, good fights and a few highlight reels.
For all accounts, it was a smashing success.
"I couldn't ask for a better start," WSOF President Ray Sefo said. "I'm so happy and proud with the turnout. Like I said, there are a lot of great emotions. This is our first event, and, of course, we're going to get better and better and better."
Whether fans give the WSOF the same approval will be decided on future cards, but if Saturday's card is any indication, the more than 5,000 fans who showed up at the PH Live venue at Planet Hollywood have something to look forward to.
Anthony Johnson, who scored a knockout victory against D.J. Linderman in the card's co-main event, praised the company, adding they got close to everything right on the first try.
"I didn't think it would be like this," Johnson said. "Usually, people have a promotion and don't do it right at first. (The WSOF is) on the ball and doing exactly what they should be doing."
Johnson, a former UFC fighter, provided the night's biggest highlight.
After Johnson was poked in the eye, referee Herb Dean didn't give Johnson a chance to recover. Linderman rushed in and got caught by a Johnson straight right hand. Linderman fell face-first onto the canvas as Johnson threw down his mouthpiece in celebration at the 3:58 mark of the first round.
"He got careless and rushed me and left himself open," said Johnson, who has a bad history of getting poked in the eye. "Every time I get hit in the eye, it stuns me, but I work through it."
DREAM hosts Thursday press conference, New Year's Eve event expected in Japan
(mmajunkie.com)Perhaps the DREAM promotion still has some life to it.
Inactive for the past 10 months, the Japanese promotion has announced it's hosting a Thursday press conference.
There, officials are expected to announce an event for New Year's Eve, and DREAM featherweight champion Hiroyuki Takaya, veteran Tatsuya Kawajiri and former title challenger Satoru Kitaoka are scheduled to attend.
The presser takes place in Tokyo at 6 p.m. local time (5 a.m. ET in the U.S.) and streams online. It's open to the public.
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