UFC/Zuffa, LLC Purchase of Strikeforce Passes the Scrutiny of the Federal Trade Commission!

Zuffa, LLC (Zuffa), the majority owners of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) have escaped from a potential U.S. government strange-hold on their mixed martial arts (MMA) acquisition of competitor Strikeforce (Explosion Entertainment, LLC).

We are not surprised for many reasons.  First, what government agency wants to be on record causing jobs to be down-sized when the U.S. economy is still recovering?  Second, MMA is growing rapidly and there are many arguments for consolidation to strengthen the competition and provide more funding for events.  Just like the National Football League, National Basketball League, and National Hockey League.  In contrast, MMA is a much younger sports than baseball in North America.  Baseball was were held by the U.S. Supreme Court is not even be subject to the anti-trust laws of the United States of America.

Third, there are reports that former Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker and many former Strikeforce fighters praised the acquisition.  The more interesting question is whether Zuffa's imposition of much higher fees for sports sponsorship for products that directly compete with Zuffa's products (clothing and energy drinks) violate competition (anti-trust) law?

UFC President Dana White's possible reaction

Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition has closed their nonpublic investigation to determine whether Zuffa, LLC’s acquisition of Explosion Entertainment, LLC may violate Section 7 of the Clayton Act or Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act.  Now the FTC has announced that the investigation is closed, as detailed in a letter to the New York City-based law firm Axinn-Veltrop-Harkrider, LLP, which had been retained by Zuffa as its representation before the FTC.


UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20580
Office of the Secretary

January 25, 2012
Stephen Axinn, Esq.
Axinn Veltrop, and Harkrider LLP
1330 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036

Re: Acquisition of Explosion Entertainment, LLC (Strikeforce) by Zuffa, LLC (UFC)
FTC File No. 111 0136

Dear Mr. Axinn:
The Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition has been conducting a
nonpublic investigation to determine whether Zuffa, LLC’s acquisition of Explosion
Entertainment, LLC may violate Section 7 of the Clayton Act or Section 5 of the Federal Trade
Commission Act.

Upon further review of this matter, it now appears that no further action is warranted by
the Commission at this time. Accordingly, the investigation has been closed. This action is not
to be construed as a determination that a violation may not have occurred, just as the pendency
of an investigation should not be construed as a determination that a violation has occurred. The
Commission reserves the right to take such further action as the public interest may require.
By direction of the Commission.

Donald S. Clark
Secretary

See http://www.ftc.gov/os/closings/comm/120125zuffa.pdf

Strikeforce Champ Cris Cyborg Loses Title After Testing Positive For Banned Substance

Zuffa President Dana White: Cris Cyborg Stripped of Title, Future of Division in Question. 

 

California State Athletic Commission Suspends License of Fighter Cristiane Justino Santos - a.k.a. Cris Cyborg

Mixed Martial Arts fighter tested positive for anabolic steroid in December 16, 2011 test

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2012

 

The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has suspended the license of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Cristiane Justino Santos, better known in MMA circles as Cris Cyborg, and has fined her $2,500 as the result of a positive test for a banned substance.

Santos' December 16, 2011 drug test came back positive for stanozolol metabolites. CSAC learned of the test results December 23, 2011 and suspended Santos's license, with the suspension applied retroactively to December 16, 2011. In accordance with Rule 368, the result of her last fight between Hiroko Yamanaka will be changed to a "No Decision".

"Our primary concern is for the health and safety of fighters," said CSAC Executive Officer George Dodd. "Anabolic agents and other banned substances put not only the users of those agents at risk, but their opponents as well. The commission simply will not tolerate their use."

The use of certain substances, including anabolic steroids, is prohibited under the Commission's regulations, and CSAC has among the toughest drug testing standards of any Athletic Commission in the country. It is the only commission that requires urine samples to be taken in the presence of a commission representative prior to a bout.

Santos's provision of a urine sample was observed by a CSAC representative and the sample was sent to the World Anti-doping Agency test facility at the University of California, Los Angeles. Santos has the right to appeal the suspension of her license.

By Michael David Smith

Cris Cyborg is no longer the champion of the Strikeforce women's 145-pound division. And there may not even be a Strikeforce women's 145-pound division.

UFC President Dana White confirmed on ESPN 1100 in Las Vegas on Friday night that Cyborg has been stripped of her title because she tested positive for steroids following her most recent fight, a 16-second knockout of Hiroko Yamanaka. And there may not be any more fights in the 145-pound weight class because Cyborg was the 145-pound weight class.

"We were going to hold that division and just do fights with 'Cyborg' whenever there was a new contender," White said, via USA Today. "She's getting stripped of the title. I don't know. We'll see what happens."

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker also issued a statement on the situation.

"Strikeforce has not seen the test results regarding Ms. Santos," Coker said. "However, we have a consistent and strong stance against any use of performance-enhancing drugs. We also have a long history of supporting effective drug testing of athletes by authorized regulatory bodies. Therefore, we will closely monitor the matter and will work with the California State Athletic Commission regarding any information we may be asked to provide. We also recognize that Ms. Santos has administrative process rights under California law and we hope that she is not prejudged before she has the opportunity to exercise such rights."

In the past, when champions have been suspended for positive drug tests, the division carried on without them, usually with a title fight between two top contenders while the previous champion sat out. But the Strikeforce women's 145-pound weight class is fundamentally different. Cyborg dominates her entire weight class in a way that no other champion, male or female, does. There just aren't enough good 145-pound women on the Strikeforce roster for the division to keep going without her.

And so Cyborg's drug test has cost her the belt. And no one else may ever get the belt.

Will Ronda Rousey or Meisha Tate Take Santos' belt?

Cris Cyborg cites dietary aid as cause of positive test for PEDs

8 hours ago |  source: mmaprime.tv 

Cris would like to sincerely apologize to StrikeForce, the Zuffa organization, Hioko Yamanaka and her fans for her failed drug test.
“I am ultimately responsible for everything I put in my body, and at the end of the day, there is no excuse for having a prohibited substance in my system. I do not condone the use of any performance enhancing drugs by myself or any other professional athlete, and willingly accept the penalties and fines that have been handed down to me by the California State Athletic Commission and those of the StrikeForce/Zuffa organization.
“While I was preparing myself for my last fight I was having a difficult time cutting weight and used a dietary supplement that I was assured was safe and not prohibited from use in sports competition. It was never my intention to obtain an unfair advantage over Hiroko, mislead StrikeForce, the Commission or my fans. I train harder than any fighter in MMA and do not need drugs to win in the cage, and I have proven this time and time again! My only mistake is not verifying the diet aid with my doctor beforehand, and understanding that it was not approved for use in the ring.

“Unfortunately in the end I suffer the consequences and must accept the responsibility for my actions.”
“I will do everything I can to show my fans that I can still compete at the professional level without the use of any prohibited substances, and ask God’s forgiveness for my mistake."

Nate Marquardt's Hormone Replacement Therapy Causes Cut From The UFC!

Nate Marquardt blames hormone replacement therapy for UFC on Versus 4 scratch

Comment here and at www.Facebook.com/MMAMaxim on "Nate wants to apologize to his family, friends and fans of the UFC."

 

by Steven Marrocco on Jun 28, 2011 at 1:05 pm ET

Nate Marquardt and Chael Sonnen have much more in common than a fight at UFC 109.

Marquardt revealed today that he, too, suffers from a testosterone deficiency for which he took prescribed testosterone and sought a therapeutic exemption to continue his career.

That exemption, as it turns out, proved to be his undoing at UFC on Versus 4. When Marquardt did not deliver on a promise to produce the exemption for the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission, he was not medically cleared to fight.

Marquardt explained the unfortunate circumstances during Tuesday's edition of "The MMA Hour" on MMAFighting.com. He and his representatives had declined comment until the appearance on the program.

Marquardt said he first noticed a change in his health this past August and received clearance from his primary doctor to undergo hormone replacement therapy. He added that the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, which oversaw his previous bout against Dan Miller at UFC 128, approved his testosterone therapy.

Following Marquardt's removal from this past Sunday's card, PAC Executive Director Greg Sirb told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the fighter had been placed on indefinite medical suspension until he met the state's requirements for licensure. While he declined to discuss the details of the suspension, he added that Marquardt had been given six weeks to resolve the issue which caused it.

"He needs to show us a new report," Sirb said. "When that report comes in and he meets our requirements, which could even be tomorrow, we'll take him off. It could be two months, but it's an indefinite suspension until he submits that report we're looking for."

Prior to today's disclosure, rumors had run wild about the circumstances surrounding Marquart's denial, which prompted UFC president Dana White to permanently fire him from the UFC. Initial speculation pointed to a weight-cutting problem, as it was the fighter's first appearance at welterweight. Then, predictably, talk shifted to possible performance-enhancer use and a possible failed drug test.

Those rumors were shot down when a video shot during Marquardt's weight cut showed him making the 170-pound limit without issue, and Sirb's disclosure that the fighter had not popped positive prior to the event.

Marquardt was replaced just hours before the weigh-ins for UFC on Versus 4 by Charlie Brenneman, who ended up winning a huge upset victory over the highly touted Rick Story.

During the "UFC on Versus 4 Pre-Fight Show," a statement was released by Marquardt and his representatives.

"Nate wants to apologize to his family, friends and fans of the UFC," the statement read. "This outcome was certainly not what he wanted. At this time, Nate wants to be with those closest to him so he can evaluate his situation over the coming days."

Sonnen, who outpointed Marquardt at UFC 109, was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission following his decision loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 117. In an appeal of the suspension, he revealed his use of prescribed testosterone as a treatment for hypogonadism and argued that he had properly disclosed his use to the commission. His suspension was later halved from one year to six months, and he was fined $2,500.

Marquardt was 6-3 as a middleweight before deciding to drop to the welterweight division. 

Hero Subdues Murderer By Watching The UFC! Support the Campaign to Allow Mixed Martial Arts in New York!

UFC President Dana White Thanks Hero!  MMA Fighters Are Not Mere Gladiators Fighting To The Death.  Support the Campaign to Allow Mixed Martial Arts in New York To Honor The Skill And Philosophy of Martial Artists!

MYFOXNY.COM

Over the weekend, Joe Lozito, a father of two young children, came face to face with Maksim Gelman, the Brooklyn man who is accused of going on a 28-hour stabbing and carjacking spree that left four people dead.

Lozito helped subdue Gelman on a subway car and almost died for his heroism; Gelman is accused of repeatedly slashing Lozito with a knife after saying he was going to kill Lozito.

Lozito said he learned the moves he used to take down Gelman by watching Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on television.

On Monday night, Lozito got a great surprise: A meeting with Dana White, the president of the UFC mixed martial arts (MMA) fight competition.  VIP tickets to sit with the UFC President to watch Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs Jon Jones in New Jersey.

Please take a minute out of your day if you live in New York and click here to contact your legislator. Tell them how important it is for MMA to finally be sanctioned in New York.

Subway Hero Meets UFC President: MyFoxNY.com

UFC Fight Night: Tito Ortiz Returns To Take On Lil Nog In Seattle On Sat. March 26

Do you want to see Tito Ortiz Fight Lil Nog After His Not So Stellar Performance Against Matt "the Hammer" Hamill at UFC 123 in Anaheim?

The UFC hits the Key Arena in Seattle on Saturday, March 26 as former champion Tito Ortiz battles Antonio Nogueira, plus Dan Hardy and Anthony Johnson collide! UFC Fight Club Presale starts Thursday, Jan. 27 - join today for first access to tickets!

Matt Hamill beat Ortiz at UFC 121.  Ortiz was his former coach Tito Ortiz on "The Ultimate Fighter" TV Show.  See http://mmafightingwords.blogspot.com/2010/11/deaf-mma-fighter-matt-hamill-inspires.html 

Will Brock Lesnar Return To The WWE And Be Punished By A Lawsuit With The UFC?

Zuffa, LLC is the entity which controls the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is known to require non-competition/ exclusivity clauses preventing their fighters from participating in other athletic events. Thus, UFC Fighters still contracting with Zuffa can be sued for a breach of contract claim for competing in Strikeforce, Dream, Sengoku, and almost certainly even the WWE. 
  
This will be an interesting case if true to see if Zuffa Executives weigh the marketing pull of the WWE fans as worth the exception (waiver) made for Brock Lesnar. Will Lesnar receive preferential treatment? Will this be the impetus for Zuffa executives to allow UFC fighters to demonstrate their skills by competing in other organizations? It was great to see Chuck Liddell represent the UFC and fight Alistair Overeem in the Pride Fighting Championship (Pride FC) in Japan. We highly doubt it because of past comments by UFC President Dana White but we would applaud it loudly.

(Above Discussion by MMAMaxim.com, Los Angeles, California. Dec. 30, 2010)

Brock Lesnar: Vince McMahon Reportedly Still Confident He'll Be at Wrestlemania

By Blake Oestriecher (BleacherReport.com)

Brock Lesnar might be the most wanted man in America right now...in a good way.  According to Dave Meltzer's original report on a possible reunion between Lesnar and the WWE, the company is willing to pay big money for Lesnar to make a brief return to the company, including a match at Wrestlemania 27.

So how much dough are we talking? A reported $2 million. And despite UFC's constant stance that Lesnar is under contract and cannot participate in any WW Event, sources close to WWE boss Vince McMahon report that he is still optimistic about a Lesnar appearance at the company's biggest pay-per-view of the year.

McMahon believes he can work out a deal with UFC that would allow Lesnar to continue fighting while also working with the WWE.

Chael Sonnen Attempts To Vindicate Himself At His Appeal This Thursday

Thursday’s California Circus with Chael Sonnen & Josh Barnett

 

By Zach Arnold FightOpinion | November 30, 2010

All of the hearing details can be found here. 157 pages (with about two being relevant). The meeting will take place on Thursday at 9:30 AM at 2005 Evergreen Street (Hearing Room) in Sacramento.

Who knows how the political winds have changed in California and whether or not this will be a forgiving appeals panel to one Chael Sonnen. What I do know is this — after Thursday’s hearing, we may find out some new angles to usage of [Performance Enhancing Drugs] PEDs in MMA. A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned publicly that I thought it was curious that all of a sudden we are starting to hear reports about fighters allegedly using TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy). TRT is not exactly something that you associate with healthy guys in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Yes, I realize that 2010 became the year that lots of potions and infomercials for “Low T” (testosterone) got pitched to the public to buy the latest and greatest invention to give your sex life a boost and make you more active again like you used to be. However, we’re talking about MMA fighters here who are viewed by many fans as tremendous athletes. (More on a TRT defense here.)

Hormonal replacement therapy and TRT can, in some instances, be credibly explained. In other cases, the usage of such methods should raise a lot of red flags. If guys are hurting their bodies allegedly through bad weight cutting procedures or through the usage of PEDs, then it’s hard to say with a straight face that this is somehow a safe sport. After all, what is the purpose of TRT? It’s used when someone has a damaged endocrine system and has to synthetically boost their testosterone levels in their bodies. For most sports fans, this is not a topic you think much about. For pro-wrestling fans who have witnessed many public scandals involving online pharmacies and mark doctors, TRT is not a new revelation.

Which reminds me of the back-and-forth debate that happened between Josh Gross and Larry Pepe (here, here, and here) in which Larry challenged the idea that so many fighters would be visiting endocrinologists to get drugs to beat tests. A couple of things: a) what if fighters were allowed by the athletic commissions to use TRT or similar treatments and get exempted for it? b) who’s to say that there aren’t plenty of mark doctors out there willing to help certain gyms out with what is needed? We’ve seen plenty of mark doctors across various sports get busted for HGH or steroids to help out certain athletes.

What I think will be most interesting about Thursday’s meeting is not what the outcome of Chael Sonnen’s suspension will be but rather if the current debate on PED usage in MMA somehow gets advanced (if there are new defenses being used or new techniques revealed publicly that were once kept in the shadows). I have low expectations about Thursday’s appeals hearing, but if the hearings are going to serve any purpose then I think we may hear some explanations that could progress the media debate as to what is happening in the business for PED usage.

MMA Management: Heavyweight Josh Barnett Signs with Strikeforce

MMA HEAVYWEIGHT JOSH BARNETT SIGNS WITH STRIKEFORCE



NEW YORK (Sept. 13, 2010) – Two-time champion and top world-ranked heavyweight superstar Josh “The Babyfaced Assassin” Barnett has signed a multi-fight agreement to compete for world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion STRIKEFORCE.







“STRIKEFORCE is the home of the best heavyweight division in the world and I’m proud to be able to call it my home now,” said the 32-year-old Barnett (29-5), an expert in catch wrestling who hails from Seattle, Wash.

“I’m looking forward to competing amongst the greatest fighters in the world and fighting my way to another world title.”

The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Barnett became the youngest UFC champion in history at age 24 when he scored a second-round TKO (4:35) on MMA legend Randy “The Natural” Couture in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 22, 2002.  In his sixth career fight, Barnett submitted wrestling and MMA legend Dan “The Beast” Severn with an armbar in the fourth round (1:21) in Hawaii.

In addition to his achievements in America, Barnett has spent a good portion of his career competing in top tier promotions overseas, including the now defunct PRIDE Fighting Championships in Japan where he notched memorable victories over the likes of Aleksander Emelianenko, Mark Hunt and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.  On Oct. 21, 2006, Barnett took part in PRIDE’s first event on U.S. soil, submitting Pawel Nastula with a toe hold in the second round (3:04) at Las Vegas’s Thomas & Mack Center.

In 2008, Barnett competed in another Japanese promotion, Sengoku.  After submitting (heel hook) Hidehiko Yoshida in Tokyo on March 5, 2008, Barnett returned to action on May 18, 2008, and earned a unanimous decision over top-ranked rival and fellow American Jeff “The Snowman” Monson.

Barnett signed an agreement to compete in Japan’s DREAM promotion earlier this year.  Last March 22, he made his debut with the organization, submitting former K-1 tournament champion and devastating power puncher, “Mighty Mo” Siligia, with a kimura at 4:41 of the first round.

On July 10, Barnett followed up the strong showing with a first-round TKO (punches) over Geronimo dos Santos in the main event of a fight card in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

About STRIKEFORCE
STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its "Shamrock vs. Gracie" event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history.  The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose's HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265.  Since 1995, STRIKEFORCE, sanctioned by ISKA, has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts (MMA) series with "Shamrock vs. Gracie."  In May 2008, West Coast Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose.  In March 2009, STRIKEFORCE signed a multi-year agreement with SHOWTIME® to stage live events on the premium cable television network.  The promotion has since also produced two live, primetime events on the CBS Television Network.

Todd "The Irish Car Bomb" Duffee released by UFC

Sports Illustrated's Joss Gross reports "Sounds like accumulation of things led UFC to release Todd Duffee. Overall attitude probably being at the top...Translation: he pissed somebody off. ... Pretty much."

Which fight competition will he sign with next? We are guessing Strikeforce.

Name	Todd Duffee UFC Record 1-1 with a seven-second knockout of Tim Hague and a weird loss to Mike Russow after repeatedly punching Russsow and tiring himself out without changing his plan of attack. MMA Record (6-1 MMA)
Nickname	The Irish Car Bomb
Association	Xtreme Couture
Weight Class	Heavyweight (253 lbs.)
Height	6' 3" (191 cm)
Style	Boxing
Birth Date	December 6, 1985
Fighting Out Of	Las Vegas, Nevada
Country	USA

TapouT, Silver Star, & Hitman Fight Gear bought by Jamie Salter's Toronto-based Authentic Brands Group

MMA business consolidation is evidence some industry insiders acknowledge MMA is somewhat recession proof.  We were right and did not believe the rumors Warren Buffet would buy TapouT as we posted earlier at http://bit.ly/9Jt93B

 

TapouT Founders Punkass and Scrape claimed that TapouT will still be competiting with Silver Star and Hitman Fight Gear and that their deceased friend and co-founder Charles "Mask" Lewis would have approved of the transaction.

 

Dealmaker Salter Breaks Cage-Fighting Brands Out of Octagon, Into Schools

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-07/dealmaker-salter-breaks-cage-fight-brands-out-of-the-octagon-into-school.html

By Lauren Coleman-Lochner and Jonathan Keehner - Sep 6, 2010 9:01 PM PT Tue Sep 07 04:01:00 GMT 2010

In his last gig, Jamie Salter snapped up Linens ‘n Things Inc., Polaroid Corp. and other household names. With his new acquisition, he’ll peddle cage- fighting T-shirts and “Expression of Combat” school folders.

Salter, 47, has agreed to buy three brands that cater to fans of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the mixed martial arts network that attracts millions of viewers each year to pay- per-view bouts that take place in a cage called the “Octagon.”

Salter’s Toronto-based Authentic Brands Group LLC is betting the three labels -- TapouT, Silver Star Casting Co. and Hitman Fight Gear -- are ripe for expansion as mixed martial arts tightens its grip on the mainstream. J.C. Penney Co., Kohl’s Corp. and Macy’s Inc. already sell some of the gear, and the new owners and founders are looking to add sales both at home and overseas.

“These are some of the most exciting brands I’ve seen in years,” Salter said in a telephone interview. “The popularity of mixed martial arts and the UFC is soaring around the world. The last time I saw a sport with this much potential was 20 years ago with snowboarding.”

Salter wouldn’t say how much his firm paid for the brands.

Grand Terrace, California-based TapouT, the most widely distributed of the three, was founded in 1997 by three mixed martial arts fighters. The company sells a range of merchandise and services, from $24 logo T-Shirts to a $950 bed with its signature cage design. TapouT generated just under $200 million in sales last year, President Dan “Punkass” Caldwell, 39, said in a Sept. 3 telephone interview.

Many Suitors

He says he can’t count how many suitors he turned away before Salter came calling. “We love this brand so much,” Caldwell said, “I have it tattooed on the back of my neck.” He says he agreed to the deal in part because Salter knows the clothing industry and welcomes the founders’ continued involvement.

Amid signs of mixed martial arts’ growing cachet, Under Armour Inc. last year signed a multiyear endorsement deal with fighter Georges St-Pierre. In January, Flash Entertainment, a unit of Mubadala Development Co., Abu Dhabi’s investment arm, announced it had bought a 10 percent stake in Las Vegas-based Zuffa LLC, which owns the UFC and World Extreme Cagefighting.

Ultimate Fighting, which brings together combatants versed in a range of martial arts styles, was once considered so violent that in 1998 Arizona Senator John McCain tried to ban what he called “human cockfighting.” Since then the UFC has added some combat restrictions. Prohibitions on its website include “no knees to the head of a downed opponent” and “no groin or throat strikes.”

‘Street Brawlers’

“People are starting to respect these athletes as athletes and not just street brawlers,” Tim Pogue, Authentic Brands’ chief marketing officer, said in a telephone interview.

Salter’s history with extreme sports dates back to Ride Snowboards, in which he sold shares in 1996. Later, at the Toronto-based private equity shop Hilco Consumer Capital, he helped oversee the acquisition of Sharper Image Corp and brands associated with the estate of Bob Marley.

Earlier this year, Salter left Hilco and started Authentic Brands with backing from Leonard Green, the billionaire investor whose firm owns stakes in Sports Authority Inc. and Whole Foods Market Inc. The mixed martial arts acquisitions are the firm’s first.

Affluent

Mixed martial arts fans are younger and more affluent than the general population, according to Scarborough Sports Marketing, a New York-based consumer researcher. More than 75 percent of MMA fans are male, the firm says.

Because the UFC has “done such an extraordinary job of building their brand, retailers -- and others -- will want a piece of the action, especially as global opportunities increase,” David Carter, principal at the Sports Business Group consulting firm, said in an e-mail.

Last year, TapouT introduced a mid-tier brand, TapouT MPS, to supplement sales to department stores, and is weighing a discount line that could sell at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and other mass chains, Caldwell said. TapouT’s Hitman brand already sells at Sears Holdings Corp.’s Kmart stores. Salter predicts he’ll double revenues in the next two years.

The founders have already branched out, with plans for more TapouT gyms, a new energy drink in Canada and a documentary unit. They’re peddling combat cages similar to those used in bouts to fitness centers and other interested parties, including a Saudi prince who flew them to the Middle East earlier this year, Caldwell said.

Car Accident

Caldwell will remain president, while co-founder Tim “SkySkrape” Katz will stay on as marketing/creative director. (The company’s third founder, Charles “Mask” Lewis, died last year in a car accident.) They’ll now be joined by Luke Burrett, who started rival apparel maker Silver Star Casting Co. in 1993 after detailing cars in Southern California. Burrett, who runs the company with his wife, Charis, a former Playboy model, met Salter at a UFC after-party in Canada earlier this year.

“We’ve been fierce competitors with TapouT, and now that we’re under the same roof we’ll be unstoppable,” Burrett said in a Sept. 3 telephone interview.

Mixed martial arts remain controversial in some quarters. Last month, the Canadian Medical Association called for a ban, following its British counterpart.

Salter says criticism of the sport is overblown.

‘Safer’

“Mixed martial arts are safer than many other contact sports that have been around for decades,” he said. “The UFC has rules in place to protect fighters from injuries that regularly occur in other contact sports.”

Salter says he sees opportunities for growth outside the U.S. in countries like Brazil, whose version of Jiu-jitsu provided inspiration for mixed martial arts in the U.S. The sport also combines elements of boxing and wrestling.

Ira Mayer, publisher of The Licensing Letter, says the recent controversy around the sport won’t hurt the brands’ sales. “Look what’s going on with football,” he said in a telephone interview. “They’re finally acknowledging these guys are getting concussions. Is that going to stop anybody from carrying the merchandise? No.”

Strikeforce Grudge Match! Nick Diaz vs KJ Noons II & Strikeforce Houston replay

NICK DIAZ VS. KJ NOONS II

A grudge match simmering for years finally ignites on October 9^th.

Nick Diaz will put his STRIKEFORCE welterweight title on the line for revenge against KJ Noons.

Click below to watch a recap of the war between Diaz and Noons.

For more video, photos and info on Nick Diaz, KJ Noons, and STRIKEFORCE on SHOWTIME visit sports.sho.com.    

UFC Fan Expo in Boston, MA and UFC Fan Phone Number set up by Dana White

Dana White sets up a fan phone number to talk with fans before UFC 118 in Boston, MA. Dana was happy to have the UFC in Boston where he had grown up. Dana White makes excellent use of social networking platforms like Facebook and Twitter and had earlier inadvertently sent his telephone number over Twitter. Thus, this idea was born. The fan number for this event was (702) 417-6255.

UFC Fan Expo Pictures in Boston, MA. Thanks to Ross Gabrieli for being a true MMA fan and providing these pictures.

UFC 10 Heavy Weight Champsionship Belt at the UFC Fan Expo in Boston, MA, Aug. 28, 2010. We will never see James Toney wear this.

UFC 11 Heavy Weight Champsionship Belt at the UFC Fan Expo in Boston, MA, Aug. 28, 2010.

UFC Champsionship Belt at the UFC Fan Expo in Boston, MA, Aug. 28, 2010. 

Shogun Rua with fan Ross Gabrieli at UFC Fan Expo Boston, MA Aug 28, 2010

The punch that awarded Mauricio"Shogun" Rua the UFC Light-Heavy Weight Championship Belt from Lyoto "the Dragon" Machida at UFC 113.

 Shogun's Record after he won the rematch with Macida: 19-4-0

 

At least Lyoto "the Dragon" Machida was able to slap Brian "Goze" Garcia for wearing a Dutch Jersey instead of a Brazilian one during the World Cup in 2010

.

 

Pride Fighting Championship Belt from 2000 at the UFC Fan Expo in Boston, MA on August 28, 2010

Shogun Rua with his belt at UFC Fan Expo in Boston, August 28, 2010.

10th Win for Shane Carwin: over Neil Wain by TKO (Punches) at UFC 89 - Bisping vs. Leben, on Oct. 18, 2008 in round 1 at 1:31

10th Win for Shane Carwin: over Neil Wain by TKO (Punches) at UFC 89 - Bisping vs. Leben, on Oct. 18, 2008 in round 1 at 1:31

Chael Sonnen alleges Lance Armstrong gave himself cancer by taking performance enhancing drugs

We deleted the previous story posted at

http://www.watchkalibrun.com/2010/8/16/1625269/chael-sonnen-shane-carwin-gave

because it was a parody of Chael Sonnen's potential comments which was not conspiciously marked.  Sonnen's past comments made it seem likely that he said it too.



Reposted from Yahoo Sports:

Wed Aug 04 10:28am PDT

Sonnen stays classy, claims Armstrong gave himself cancer

By Maggie Hendricks

In promoting his UFC 117 title bout with Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen has been the picture of class. He's gone on and on about how Silva has been ducking him, how Silva may be the champion but he's the best — it goes on and on. Until now, his targets have been mostly confined to the world of MMA. That has changed. In an interview with Pro MMA Radio, he found a new target: Tour de France legend and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. Sonnen said:

Take Lance Armstrong. Lance Armstrong did a number of things and he gave himself cancer. He cheated, he did drugs, and he gave himself cancer. Well, instead of saying ‘Hey listen, I cheated and gave myself cancer, don't be like me.' He actually made himself the victim and then went out and profited something like $15 million dollars from this ‘Hey, poor me, let's find a cure for cancer' campaign instead of just coming clean and saying, ‘Look, here's what I did, I screwed myself up, and I hope people learn from my mistakes.' You just watch these guys and can't help but think, God, what a fraud.

It's interesting that in addition to being a wannabe politician, a realtor, a cagefighter, a trash talker and a wrestler, Sonnen has somehow found the time to become an oncologist. Clearly, he's taken the time to learn the intricacies of cancer, tumors and their causes. Sonnen must have taken the time to learn these things before stating something so reckless. Wait, he's not a doctor? And he has no business speaking about such things? So this ridiculous statement, like many of the other things Sonnen has said.

MMA Maxim's views on the matter:

Defamation includes both libel (written word) and slander (spoken words) but have become obscured as new technologies place the spoken word and transform it into a tangible medium.  The importance of this distinction is highly relevant in lawsuits but not to the average listener or reader.  The definition of defamation as stated by the Restatement (Second) of Torts, Section 558 provides:

(a) a false and defamatory statement concerning another;

(b) an unprivileged publication to a third-party;

(c) fault amounting to at least negligence on the part of the publisher; and

(d) either actionability of the statement irrespective of special harm or the existence of special harm caused by publication.

Armstrong is a "public figure" after winning so many bicycle races like the "Tour de France" multiple times.  The test for defamation for "public figures" and if the subject is "newsworthy" is generally harder to prove.  However, we will not be surprised if some defamation lawyers make some serious money with this constant trash talking of criminal allegations.  We wonder what Sonnen will say if he wins his bid to become an elected politician and is shielded by the benefit of the legislature's immunity while in session from defamation claims.  Our view: good if he is accurate for speaking the truth but horribly wrong if inaccurate.

Mark Cuban questions UFC President Dana White about denying Inside MMA press credentials

Jack Bratcher from the esteemed website www.ProMMANow.com reported this story today:

Mark Cuban questions Dana White about denying Inside MMA press credentials

 Aug 10, 2010 |

Who couldn't love these two beacons of fairness?

On the afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 7, just a few hours before the UFC 117 opening bell, HDNet chairman Mark Cuban sent the following tweet to UFC President Dana White:

@danawhite You let half ass media that dont give a shit about MMA cover the UFC, but you wont let Inside MMA w/ Bas, Kenny, Guy in, why?

It’s an honest and I believe sincere question. Those who have covered a UFC event live have undoubtedly noticed some of the most peculiar media outlets granted press credentials. Questions are asked by reporters that clearly indicate they were sent there on assignment because UFC has come to town and they or their publication haven’t the first clue what it’s all about.

It’s understandable why the UFC would grant local newspapers and television stations credentials. It helps educate the people and it also helps sell tickets. However, a lot of these local media publications are there because they have to be and once the UFC has left town, their MMA coverage stops. In fact, they have no real MMA coverage, it’s just UFC coverage.

Cuban’s question seems to be, if you (Dana White) are going to allow these guys who could care less about the sport get credentialed, why not also credential someone totally devoted to the sport like Inside MMA, who is part of a television network who has done so much for MMA, HDNet?
What good reason would the UFC have for denying credentials to the longest running MMA news program on television?

I have personally watched the majority of Inside MMA episodes since their first broadcast in Sept. 2007 and there is no way anyone can say the show is not UFC friendly, or anti-UFC in any way. In fact, they regularly have UFC fighters on the show as guests to talk about their fights.
Now, they did used to remark that Fedor Emelianenko was the number one heavyweight in the world. However, if the UFC denied access to any media outlet who ever made that claim, it’s doubtful anyone would have credentials, save Kevin Iole (that’s a joke – I love Kevin).
Is it because HDNet used to promote fights? That doesn’t seem to make sense. Is it because they broadcast other fight promotions on their television station such as King of the Cage, XFC, Sengoku and Dream? That would seem pretty silly since no one would accuse any of those organizations as being competition for the UFC.

If anything, those organizations are feeder shows and promotions that help provide careers for fighters once they leave the UFC, but it could hardly be said their operations have any negative effect upon what the UFC does at all.

Right or wrong, truthfully or untruthfully, Dana White has long been accused of blacklisting those media outlets that don’t report UFC news the way he thinks it should be reported. It’s situations like this that continue to shed a negative light on the UFC’s relationship with the media.


MMA Maxim's comments on the matter:

We strongly urge Zuffa, LLC to recognize honest balanced reporting (and the freedom of the press) and allow as many media groups as possible to cover their events.

Threats to ban anyone who makes a Fedor shirt and Inside MMA ruins your credibility. We acknowledge Dana White had a dispute with M-1 over Fedor fighting in the UFC and with Mark Cuban's HDNet over Randy Couture.  However, being emotional and threatening anyone who does not follow your will looks pathetic to fans of the UFC. The Gracie family who started the UFC embraced competition to show their jiu-jitsu could be superior for many practitioners. 


Some argue like former UFC champion Matt Hughes, that the Gracies did not always pick the best opponents to represent opposing styles but that is beyond the scope of the present discussion.  Why not challenge the best from other competitions and have the best fighter win with unbiased judging. The fighters from the UFC and WEC should challenge the fighers from Strikeforce, Dream, Sengoku, Bellator, etc. Do you not agree that would sell more tickets and avoid all this costly litigation?  We will discuss the recently filed lawsuits and counterclaims by Zuffa, LLC v. Bellator and Zuffa, LLC v. Ken Pavia soon.

Bas Rutten is a global MMA legend especially for long-term MMA fans like us.  Controlling the content of the reporting to only portray the UFC in the best possible light even if not true will be damaging.  Fans may perceive the UFC to be declining into a fake-ass soap opera called the WWE. That is advertizing not honest balanced reporting.  U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes in a landmark decision stated the truth is only obtained through "a competition of ideas."   We strongly agree and think the actions of Zuffa, LLC's officiers are unwarranted.  Look at the backlash against the Chinese Communist Party’s ban on any media reporting on wrongdoing in Tibet?  If you want to portray the UFC as the best MMA competition and avoid a possible anti-trust lawsuit in the future, (now that Zuffa has their own magazine reporting) stop acting like a near-monopolistic insecure business. Start embracing the collaborative global promotion of the best sport in the world which you keep admitting is growing exponentially.  The sport is inherently interesting.




As a fellow MMA practitioner and/or fan can you help promote this petition to allow MMA as a global sport so we can present it to government officials. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/MMA


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