Post subject: UFC to hold press conference on July 31 to announce "a lot o
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 6:15 am
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Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 12:53 pm Posts: 13420 Location: In front of you
UFC to hold press conference on July 31 to announce "a lot of crazy things"
The UFC is on the verge of some major announcements.
During a guest spot today on the ESPN 1100 Radiothon, a 24-hour fundraiser for The Caring Place cancer charity, UFC president Dana White said the organization will soon hold a major press conference, tentatively planned for July 31.
He referenced the media event when asked about reports of Affliction halting operations and becoming a UFC sponsor, the possibility of the UFC acquiring Affliction contracts, whether or not Fedor Emelianenko could be signed to the UFC, and whether a rumored deal with ESPN could come to fruition.
"We're working on some big things," White said without going into specifics. "It's going to be a lot of crazy things. … There will be a laundry list of things addressed."
On the show, White also confirmed that ESPN executive John Skipper, widely regarded as the "No. 2 guy" at the sports-media powerhouse, was in attendance at UFC 100.
Sources have told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that discussions have taken place regarding the possibility of ESPN airing live UFC shows at some point, though nothing appears definitive and official confirmation has been impossible to get. On the radio spot, White simply referred to the increased coverage ESPN can bring to its existing events, which air on pay-per-view and Spike TV.
"He got it," White said of Skipper's UFC 100 trip. "He saw the people. He saw the energy. All the things you get from the UFC live event, he felt, and that's why we're starting to get more coverage on ESPN."
As for Emelianenko, who was slated to fight at the Aug. 1 "Affliction: Trilogy" event before its cancellation earlier today, White said he's definitely interested in the fighter.
"My job is to put on the best fights with the best fighters and give fight fans the fights they want to see," White said. "What I think … doesn't matter. I've been trying to get this guy in the UFC. I want it because you (fans) want it."
Additionally, if Emelianenko is signed, expect him in a championship bout immediately.
"He'll fight for the title first," White said.
Finally, as for Affliction, White remained tight-lipped and wouldn't confirm today's earlier report that the UFC would again allow the company to sponsor fighters (with the organization ceasing the promotion of MMA events).
However, he dropped a big hint.
"These guys are good at making clothes," he said. "They're not in the fight business. We are."
Stay tuned to MMAjunkie.com for more on the latest UFC and Affliction news, and coverage of next week's press conference.
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Post subject: Re: UFC to hold press conference on July 31 to announce "a lot o
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:23 pm
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Joined: Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:23 pm Posts: 228
Somehow, I don't see Fedor coming to the UFC.
However, I predict the announcements will include Affliction becoming a sponser, a deal with ESPN, the return of Tito Ortiz and possibly something regarding a future show in another Country.
Post subject: Re: UFC to hold press conference on July 31 to announce "a lot o
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:16 pm
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2009 12:13 am Posts: 57
I agree with most of what you said Larmore except I'm optimistic Fedor gets signed. It'll mean a lot to MMA as a sport- unifying leagues- to have Fedor come over and fight in the UFC. It's one big step closer to improving league overlap of fighters. I think Dana would be naive if he didn't think the UFC can go worldwide without making contract deals with other fight leagues. So hopefully they'll announce something with Fedor, or at least some kind of contract transfer Affliction.
Post subject: Re: UFC to hold press conference on July 31 to announce "a lot o
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:28 pm
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Joined: Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:23 pm Posts: 228
Considering reports that suggest Fedor is talking with and would rather go to StrikeForce, color me pessimistic. If Fedor picks StrikeForce and/or Japan over UFC, then he loses a lot of credibility; there is absolutely no reason why he shouldn't fight on the biggest platform in the world.
If he chooses to continue being a big fish in a tiny pond, that will speak volumes.
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