What's UFC's Big Announcement? - The Unofficial Opie and Anthony Message Board

Edible Napalm · 06-11-2008, 06:46 AM

http://sports.ign.com/articles/880/880621p1.html

Quote:

The UFC's planned a big announcement for this week that, according to president Dana White, will shock the industry. To further the point, White's rented out a location in New York to tell all his employees about said announcement, which could be a red herring, but likely is a true representation of the magnitude of this potential announcement, one that White's said is both "out of left field" and "will change the industry for the next five years".

Of course, there's been heaping amounts of speculation regarding what the announcement will be. We have a poll on the front page of IGN Sports with a mix of realistic suggestions and comical ones (unless you consider Chuck Liddell shaving his mohawk to be serious business), but it's worth seriously analyzing the possibilities and what they might be. We'll name the rumors and put odds on each actually being the big news.

Floyd Mayweather Signing With UFC: This rumor currently leads our poll, and it's easy to understand why. The former boxing champion already diversified his brand by signing with WWE for a match and appearing on "Dancing With The Stars", so he's comfortable going outside of boxing. Mayweather is famously all about the money, and the rumors have pegged him receiving a huge purse and potential stake in the company were he to join UFC. Furthermore, he recently retired in a sudden, unexpected fashion, only months before a huge money fight with Oscar de la Hoya.

It's that fact which makes us believe that Mayweather's not the story. Sure, UFC wouldn't have wanted him to fight de la Hoya if the possibility was that he'd lose, but Mayweather wasn't likely to give up a purse and pay-per-view bonus of $30+ million only to fight in a new sport. Furthermore, who would he fight in UFC that would make a big money fight? That's a topic for another article altogether, but Mayweather would likely have to bulk up to 155 to fight BJ Penn, and even that doesn't seem like a huge money fight. The possibility is there, but we're not biting on it being the announcement. (In addition, shortly after this article was posted, White said on CNBC that the announcement was not a deal with Mayweather.)Odds: 20:1

UFC Linking Up With WWE: Arguably the most shocking of all the rumors would see WWE buying or establishing some sort of partnership with UFC, a move WWE could see as more enticing in lieu of actually competing against the company for pay-per-view dollars. It would seem impossible, though, that such a huge deal could come out of nowhere. (White also confirmed that this was not the announcement.) Odds: 200:1

UFC Becoming Licensed In New York/Announcing Show in New York: In addition, it's not entirely clear whether UFC would be able to run a show at Madison Square Garden because of WWE's exclusive deal with the arena that keeps other wrestling companies out -- whether UFC would be subject to that is still up for debate and dependent upon the wording of the WWE's deal.

The UFC hired away influential Nevada State Athletic Commission head Marc Ratner to lobby for MMA (and with it, UFC) to be legalized in new states, and New York was likely the first commission that the UFC targeted. Running New York (specifically Madison Square Garden) gives the company a level of legitimacy and respect amongst "old media" that it craves. Considering that the announcement will be made in New York (granted, it's where the company is headquartered), the odds are that this is the favorite. Odds: 4:1

A Change In Rounds: A smaller announcement that's been rumored is a move to five-round fights for regular fights and seven rounds for title fights. The argument against this is simple: Kalib Starnes. Odds: 175:1

A New TV Show: Although the UFC already has The Ultimate Fighter and UFC Unleashed on Spike, there's always going to be speculation that UFC seeks a network deal to supplement that coverage. When you factor in the success of EliteXC's show on CBS, the situation is as ripe as it's ever been for UFC to get a huge television deal. That could be a major network station or a pay station like HBO -- either way, although Dana's denied that it's a network deal, we think he could be lying. Odds: 18:1

The Signing of Fedor Emelianenko: There's been little talk regarding the signing of Fedor since he was released from his M-1 contract. He's currently contracted to fight Tim Sylvia at the debut Affliction show, but he's still a free agent and could theoretically sign with the company. We think that if that was going to happen, it'll happen after Fedor beats Sylvia, not before. Odds: 33:1

mendozathejew · 06-11-2008, 06:51 AM

yesterday dana white already shot down most of these rumors

Quote:

The hottest of the rumors, and those that were posed to the UFC president on CNBC, include speculation that the promotion has signed recently retired boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather, Jr.; that they will enter into a partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment and Vince McMahon; that a new television deal with either FOX, ABC, or ESPN is on the table; or that the company will announce it is going public. All of which White responded to with a definite, and at times chuckling, “No.”

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/......57&zoneid=2

rjm_27 · 06-11-2008, 09:31 AM

Check UFC's site.

UFC Gets Major Boost with Industry-Shaking Merchandise Deals

**sniper** · 06-11-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjm_27

Check UFC's site.

UFC Gets Major Boost with Industry-Shaking Merchandise Deals

That was yesterday's announcement on CNBC, there's another scheduled for Thursday.

mr. sin · 06-11-2008, 11:19 AM

hmm

ufc buys ifl

ufc and affliction team up

ufc tagteam fights??? hahahahaha

ThatsNotFunny · 06-11-2008, 01:00 PM

Maybe I misheard, but I could've sworn that Op announced something about the UFC being bought out...anybody else hear that?

**sniper** · 06-11-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatsNotFunny

Maybe I misheard, but I could've sworn that Op announced something about the UFC being bought out...anybody else hear that?

That's the rumor that Dana White, with Vince McMahon's financial backing bought the UFC from Zuffa.

TheTruth · 06-11-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatsNotFunny

Maybe I misheard, but I could've sworn that Op announced something about the UFC being bought out...anybody else hear that?

Yeah because someone called in with a spy report saying a rumor post on sherdog was a fact.

Eagle.007 · 06-11-2008, 03:06 PM

This has now been pushed back to next Tuesday. I think it is that Dana has decided to get hair plugs. That would change everything.

Cromwell · 06-11-2008, 03:53 PM

Did you know that Dana keeps nunchucks by his bedside?

(Just adding more meaningless trivia . . . )

d0uche_n0zzle · 06-11-2008, 04:03 PM

Great way to become an instant felon for defending yourself.

**Papagolash** · 06-11-2008, 04:04 PM

Maybe it's moving a ppv or having a show (heard it'd be Brock Lesnars fight) on live free basic tv during the night of the Affliction PPV.

mendozathejew · 06-11-2008, 04:32 PM

dana has a habit of saying there will be a huge announcement, when it comes out it isnt huge at all. maybe this one will be different

Gotti420 · 06-11-2008, 06:05 PM

Don't know if this is true or not, but if it is I don't think it qualifies as a major announcement.

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/06/...ation-delayed/

**sniper** · 06-11-2008, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gotti420

Don't know if this is true or not, but if it is I don't think it qualifies as a major announcement.

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/06/...ation-delayed/

I hope that's wrong, there's a few inconsistencies in that article, and Dana announced his intentions to get MMA legalized in NY and MA back in January.

Plunkies · 06-12-2008, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edible Napalm

The argument against this is simple: Kalib Starnes.

That fight was hysterical.

Yaaaaay! Booooo!! Yaaaaay! Booooo!!

TheTruth · 06-12-2008, 10:20 AM

It's going to be that the UFC has gotten New York to sanction MMA.

mr. sin · 06-12-2008, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheTruth

It's going to be that the UFC has gotten New York to sanction MMA.

orly

http://www.wackbag.com/showthread.php?t=92008

CJJames · 06-18-2008, 04:17 PM

On the show today, Dana White said that at noon (PST) he would make a UFC announcment. Here is what it was:

Jun. 18, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Lorenzo Fertitta stepping down as president of Stations
Station Casinos co-owner and executive Lorenzo Fertitta is stepping down as president of the gaming company to become chairman and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the gaming company announced today.

Fertitta will remain vice chairman of the locals gaming company. Station Casinos Chairman and CEO Frank Fertitta III will assume the role of president.

Current UFC President Dana White will remain in his current role.

The mixed martial arts fighting league was bought by the Fertittas and White in January 2001. At that time, the league was allowed in five states.

Today, it is sanctioned in 36 states and available on television in 170 countries around the world, according to the Fertittas.

link: http://www.lvrj.com/breaking_news/20444129.html

mr. sin · 06-19-2008, 12:33 PM

waste of announcement

Eagle.007 · 06-19-2008, 05:07 PM

It really is a big deal for the sport, but it doesn't change anything for the average fan, at least not in the immediate time period. Lorenzo knows far more about business than Dana and will be a better ambassador of the sport. Dana would have acted (language etc) the same way yesterday if they were on CBS, that is a problem. Lorenzo even looks more intelligent.

The other part of this is the continued expansion of the UFC. They could have had a big hold of Japan after they bought PRIDE but instead killed it and all momentum they could have. I've been hearing for months that they were looking to hold an event in Germany. England is beginning to embrace them. Rumblings about Brazil have begun. Dana has NO IDEA how big soccer is but they could easily be bigger worldwide than the NFL.

NeonTaster · 06-19-2008, 05:35 PM

This only seems like a bust because of the wild speculation that preceded it. It actually is a big deal for the company itself.

Deh Internetz strikes again...

mendozathejew · 06-19-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle.007

The other part of this is the continued expansion of the UFC. They could have had a big hold of Japan after they bought PRIDE but instead killed it and all momentum they could have. I've been hearing for months that they were looking to hold an event in Germany. England is beginning to embrace them. Rumblings about Brazil have begun. Dana has NO IDEA how big soccer is but they could easily be bigger worldwide than the NFL.

they are planning a show in the phillipines. the expansion in the UK was a financial bust. Brazil is a good idea but I think they are too ambitious with this