Posted by MMA Curmudgeon on 20th November 2008
I hope those fictional royalties from a theoretical video game really pay off for Mr. Fitch. They’d have to be significant to make his decision to refuse to sign his latest UFC contract make a lick of sense. Let’s make it clear what is really happening here (online talk of “monopolies” and a “fighter’s union” muddy the waters). Fitch has decided that he will leave his high paying job, in the midst of one of our nation’s greatest economic down periods, because of the possibility he will miss out on a few extra checks for his likeness.
Here’s a hint: if you are not in the UFC, no one cares about you. You don’t have to worry about turning down future video game and endorsement opportunities–because there aren’t any meaningful opportunities for you. What makes this even more non-sensical: Zuffa isn’t even asking for exclusive rights. Fighters are still able to pursue endorsement deals on their own. They just want to be able to market UFC fighters in ways that create long term value for the company and the fighters.
As usual, the MMA media has decided that Zuffa/UFC are the bad guys. Ivan Trembow is just representative of the hand-wringing and boo-hooing all over the internet:
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Posted in Jon Fitch, MMA Curmudgeon | 13 Comments »
Posted by Alan Conceicao on 19th November 2008
News is out all over the net that Jon Fitch (and others) have been released from their UFC contract for not signing over the rights to their identities to the UFC. The reaction, judging by posts on various message boards, is one of shock and horror. Believe it or not, people are aghast that a fight promoter is operating like a fight promoter.
Logically, this might lead to some sort of fallout, but it probably won’t, since those most likely to have their complaints heard are already solidly in the back pocket of Zuffa (see: Iole, Kevin). In fact, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see articles in the coming days from a variety of sources detailing the selfish motives of such disrespective employees when it comes to an offer to make them money forever. Times are tough - Why shouldn’t they want money from their identity in a UFC video game?
While I was never a great fan of Jon Fitch, nor did I believe he was capable of beating GSP this past summer, he’s clearly a top 10 fighter significantly better than the overwhelming majority of bodies laying around in the UFC. That we’re losing him over blatant greed is truly an unfortunate news story, but its also one that should hardly be a heart stopper to anyone really paying attention.
edit: It only gets better. Apparently Cain Velasquez is likely to go too and Koscheck’s last bout will be at UFC’s Fight For The Troops. He was only saved due to coming in last minute to fight Alves.
Posted in Alan Conceicao, UFC | 3 Comments »
Posted by Alan Conceicao on 16th November 2008
There’s a lot of hyperbole this morning about the title win last night at UFC 91. Is it a paradigm shift in the UFC heavyweight division? Can we safely say that Brock has become the “next big thing”? How many questions do we still have to ask?
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Posted in Alan Conceicao, Brock Lesnar, UFC | No Comments »
Posted by Lee Casebolt on 14th November 2008
Let’s be honest here. Saturday’s UFC (I don’t bother to count them anymore) is pretty much a one fight card. I mean, all due respect to Tamden McCrory, no one’s tuning in to watch him and Dustin Hazelett, however good their matchup might be. Demian Maia might be a top up and coming middleweight, but his bout with Nate Quarry is a keeping-busy fight. And why are Jorge Gurgel and Aaron Riley even on a UFC card? Did we go back in time five years and no one tell me?
No, if you’re shelling out the bucks to see this show, you’re there for one reason and one reason only – to see if Brock Lesnar really is the next big thing in MMA, or if Randy Couture can pull off yet another miracle win over what appears to be a physically superior opponent. On one side, you’ve got (comparative) youth, size, speed, and power. On the other, experience, savvy, and legendary conditioning. So how does tomorrow’s main event go? Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Brock Lesnar, Lee Casebolt, Randy Couture, UFC | 3 Comments »
Posted by Kendall Shields on 13th November 2008
This week with improved hygiene! By which I mean no one consumes urine. Enjoy.
Posted in TUF, UFC | 3 Comments »
Posted by Tommy Hackett on 7th November 2008
This isn’t what I have in mind when I hear Shonie Carter’s nom de guerre “Mr. International.” But…
Two days ago, the veteran MMA welter, well known for his offbeat personality, posted asking for help at the Underground Forum:
Ok last time I was in california when it all starterd, but this time I have really messed up! I was out one night pARTYING IT UP AND BEFORE I knew it, I am on a private jet. I laughed at first and passed out on the plane. I woke up in istanbul, turkey. The reason I know because I am looking at the Black sea! WTF! I got a ride to bulgarian/ turkish border looking for American Embassy. Does anybody have any ideas on how to get back? The onetime I leave my friggin passport at home I need the damned thing!
The thread is here.
My first reaction to this kind of thing is that it’s got to be fake, but this is Shonie Carter we’re talking about, so nothing would surprise me. For what it’s worth, the site’s owner says the posts are indeed coming from Bulgaria.
So, Total-MMA readers, if you’re in Bulgaria and have some pull, or if you’re in the US and would be kind enough to feed Mr. Carter’s pythons and tarantuals in his absence, by all means, please help a brother out.
Posted in MMA, Tommy Hackett, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Posted by Kendall Shields on 6th November 2008
Enjoy bodily fluids week on The Ultimate Fighter.
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Posted by Alan Conceicao on 6th November 2008
Since day one of the WEC purchase and subsequent Versus TV deal, its been clear that the focus of the promotion has been centered around the one fighter that Zuffa felt was both marketable and dominant. Urijah Faber was well known due to his success on the west coast in promotions such as Gladiator Challenge and King of the Cage, and up till tonight, it seemed that the faith of Zuffa in him was more than justified. Faber regularly came up in P4P discussions and was at least partially responsible for the biggest rating ever pulled by the organization.
Another man brought in from the onset was an undefeated middleweight considered by some the true linear middleweight champion of the world. Paulo Filho’s outstanding physical strength and submission game had earned him a perfect record and wins over a number of name middleweight contenders. It had always been assumed that Filho’s entrance in the WEC was due to a friendship he had with UFC middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva and a subsequent refusal to fight him. Would he ever be willing to take on the challenge, he and the middleweight division would almost certainly be integrated with the UFC’s, and Filho might be the only survival of such a culling.
Coming into tonight, the combined 37-1 records of the two men were among the most impressive in the sport and largely representative of a future in which fighters are carefully handled and brought success. Now that the cameras are off, nothing is so sure anymore. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
Posted by Dave Walsh on 3rd November 2008
Well, part of being a fan of MMA and following the careers of certain fighters, or even entire organizations is the understanding that you are going to be continually let down. In recent memory, some of the biggest let downs have been a sober, getting his life back together Evan Tanner going out into the desert without ample supplies and dying alone, baking under a 115 degree sun. It has made the rounds today that Chris Leben has tested positive for steroids. The reaction is that he has been suspended for 9 months and 1/3 of his purse has been witheld from him.
While not surprising in any way (a fighter, on drugs!), it is disappointing. Leben is a guy that has always talked about how he is a “New Chris Leben” and training harder than he ever has before, having his life in order and so on. Granted, Leben’s biggest problem area has always been alcohol, but regardless, testing positive for Stanozolol is not a step any fighter wants to make in their career.
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Posted in Chris Leben, Dave Walsh, Drug Testing, UFC | 7 Comments »
Posted by Dave Walsh on 2nd November 2008
We’re back! Alan and myself discuss the death of EliteXC, Anderson “The Dragon” Silva, dos Santos in hockey brawls, Eric Pele, the possibility of Urijah Faber using a superkick at the upcoming WEC, it is exactly what you expect from us. That means it is awesome.
Total MMA Radio Post-UFC 90 [36:09m]:
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Posted in Alan Conceicao, Dave Walsh, Podcast | No Comments »
