MMA Fans

[Pad]

In my efforts to avoid hearing results from all the cards over the UFC 200 weekend, I completely missed hearing about the news that the UFC had been sold for $4bn.

The Fertita bros are gone, but Dana White will remain. Not sure what to make or it all.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has been sold to WME-IMG for $4bn.

The talent and sports agency WME-IMG confirmed the deal to purchase the mixed martial arts organisation.

A statement from the agency read: "WME-IMG, which has a proven track record of building leading sports brands, will focus on accelerating the sport's popularity and presence around the world.”

UFC chairman and co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta will step down from his position but both he and fellow co-owner and brother Frank will retain a minority interest in the organisation.

WME-IMG co-CEOs Ariel Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell said in a statement: "We've been fortunate over the years to represent UFC and a number of its remarkable athletes.

"It's been exciting to watch the organization's incredible growth over the last decade under the leadership of the Fertitta brothers, Dana White and their dedicated team. We're now committed to pursuing new opportunities for UFC and its talented athletes to ensure the sport's continued growth and success on a global scale."

The sale sees the end of a successful era and 15-year ownership under the Fertitta brothers, alongside friend and UFC president White, who will continue his role following the deal.

The casino entrepreneurs, under their sports promotion company Zuffa, purchased the mixed martial arts organisation for just $2m in 2001 before helping the sport grow into a global phenomenon in the world of combat sports.

The UFC, founded in 1993, is now the world-leading MMA organisation, with coverage seen in more than 150 countries and White believes the sport can reach the next level under the agency group.

"No other sport compares to UFC," White said.

"Our goal has always been to put on the biggest and the best fights for our fans, and to make this the biggest sport in the world. I'm looking forward to working with WME-IMG to continue to take this sport to the next level."

Lorenzo Fertitta added: "We're confident that the new ownership team of WME-IMG, with whom we've built a strong relationship over the last several years, is committed to accelerating UFC's global growth. Most importantly, our new owners share the same vision and passion for this organization and its athletes."

[Booster Gold]

Thing is none of the posters here know anything about Brock's Lesnar's test results. It is of course natural to assume PEDs because it's Lesnar but it could be asthma medicine for all we know or nothing at all. Let's not jump to conclusions until all the facts are known. Honestly, I don't give a crap either way.

If Lesnar is indeed found guilty, then it might be a good idea for UFC to start a seperate Juice Monkey division so Lesnar and the rest of the freaks can unleash their inner "Bane" and bash each others faces for our entertainment.

[talltrekkie]

http://mmafighting.com/2016/7/16...before-ufc-200

Brock had passed multiple tests prior to the failed one, that makes it easier to believe the fail is a false positive. Since there were multiple passes, it's more difficult to view them ALL as false negatives.

As pointed out, we don't know what he tested positive on, and possibly never will. Considering he hadn't been under USADA testing until last month and then was possibly only going to be until UFC 200, Brock said afterwards that he was going to remain on UFC's active roster, Brock might have been fast and loose with looking at what was in the stuff he takes. As Jon Jones shows, even the full-time fighters do that at times(I think that was his excuse at least).

Bottom line is we have to wait and see if the B sample is clean, along with the other tests taken after 6/28. IF everything else is clean, maybe Brock comes back for another fight or 2; most likely to headline some random card and draw in buys, I'd keep him out of the title picture personally. And if the B and/or other tests fail...call up Vince and tell him he's WWE's problem now(more like still, but that's another thread).

[Pad]

Originally Posted by Booster Gold

Thing is none of the posters here know anything about Brock's Lesnar's test results. It is of course natural to assume PEDs because it's Lesnar but it could be asthma medicine for all we know or nothing at all. Let's not jump to conclusions until all the facts are known. Honestly, I don't give a crap either way.

If Lesnar is indeed found guilty, then it might be a good idea for UFC to start a seperate Juice Monkey division so Lesnar and the rest of the freaks can unleash their inner "Bane" and bash each others faces for our entertainment.

Yep - you're right. Nobody has been found guilty yet, which is why both Jon Jones and Lesnar are still listed in the rankings on the UFC website.

Personally I find it hard not to jump to conclusions. I just find it almost impossible to believe that a physique like Lesnars can be achieved naturally. So even if he's not found guilty in this instance, I'll still be thinking it hasn't been long since he's been on the juice. It's a known fact that use of PEDs and steroids in particular provide benefits long, long after an athelete stops using. So it was still probably an unfair fight regardless of the test results.

There's quite a few fighters that have that "chemical" look about them. Tyron Woodley and Rumble Johnson spring to mind - though at a stretch I think their physiques might be achievable with a lot of hard lifting.

Anyway, all will be revealed in due course.

[Pad]

Originally Posted by talltrekkie

http://mmafighting.com/2016/7/16...before-ufc-200

Brock had passed multiple tests prior to the failed one, that makes it easier to believe the fail is a false positive. Since there were multiple passes, it's more difficult to view them ALL as false negatives.

As pointed out, we don't know what he tested positive on, and possibly never will. Considering he hadn't been under USADA testing until last month and then was possibly only going to be until UFC 200, Brock said afterwards that he was going to remain on UFC's active roster, Brock might have been fast and loose with looking at what was in the stuff he takes. As Jon Jones shows, even the full-time fighters do that at times(I think that was his excuse at least).

Bottom line is we have to wait and see if the B sample is clean, along with the other tests taken after 6/28. IF everything else is clean, maybe Brock comes back for another fight or 2; most likely to headline some random card and draw in buys, I'd keep him out of the title picture personally. And if the B and/or other tests fail...call up Vince and tell him he's WWE's problem now(more like still, but that's another thread).

Hehe!! That made me laugh.

But on that subject - correct me if I'm wrong - but isn't the WWE an entertainment organisation, and because of that it doesn't have to comply with any athletic commissions, hence drugs wouldn't be a problem for Vince.

[talltrekkie]

There was a story about how Brock had escaped any medical suspension after UFC 200, I suspect if he had gotten like a 60 day no contact from it that would have caused problems for WWE since suplexing the shit out of somebody requires you hitting the mat yourself.

Otherwise, WWE did successfully get classified as entertainment, I think that was in the fallout from the early 90s when Vince was accused of being a steroid distributor and he testified in Congress about fixed results. But they do have their own 'Talent Wellness' program, I believe they look for big name steroids, hard drugs, weed and amphetamines. It's a 3 strike system, suspensions of 30 and 60 days at the first 2 violations and there's way to expunge a strike via therapy/counseling, 3rd strike is termination.

Usually WWE is discreet about positives, mainly because it's lower tier dudes who get busted and they can just not be on TV for a month or 2 no big deal. Recently Roman Reigns got hit while being champion and is nearing the end of his 30 days. Of course since it's entertainment, he dropped the belt and THEN the test result was announced.

I suspect WWE will wait for the B sample and then react, partly to be fair to the process and partly because they rarely ever do anything proactively. It'd be a first violation for Brock and if they started the count soon enough he could be out the 30 and still have the match at Summerslam. Which is what I think they'll do, it shows they're serious about the testing to the general public even if it is a limp wristed slap compared to what he could get from UFC. Maybe there will even be some bogus 'million dollar fine' or something, again for the good PR spin.

[Pad]

I've had the luxury of being able to watch all UFC events on BT Sport (including PPV events) on my TV for the last couple of years. I've just found out that my cable supplier has dropped BT Sport along with a number of other sports channels.

So I thought OK - I'll sign up for UFC Fightpass and find a way to stream it to my TV. Well I just looked at Fightpass and found the following message with regards to UFC 202

Due to broadcast restrictions, this video is not available within a UFC® FIGHT PASS™ subscription or as a pay-per-view in your region. Please check your local TV listings for viewing information.

WTF!!!! I can't even get it as PPV!!!!

So, as of 31st July no more legal UFC for me. I'm going to be stuck scrounging around for downloads and then burning them to Bluray.

Worse things happen at sea - but fuck it - I'm annoyed.

[talltrekkie]

http://mmamania.com/2016/7/19/12...or-ufc-200-mma

He's toast. T-O-A-S-T.

[Justshare]

Originally Posted by talltrekkie

http://mmamania.com/2016/7/19/12...or-ufc-200-mma

He's toast. T-O-A-S-T.

Yeah! He's toast. I'm imagining him right now, crying over his 8 figures payday, with one more incoming in August.

Lesnar must be a sad panda right now.

He is brilliant. And I can bet his contract had little something called "If I by any chance fail test, there will be no monetary penalty of any kind"

Mark Hunt need to be P-A-I-D for unfair damage he took, or else.....

[Cousin Eddie]

Originally Posted by talltrekkie

http://mmamania.com/2016/7/19/12...or-ufc-200-mma

He's toast. T-O-A-S-T.

Originally Posted by Justshare

Yeah! He's toast. I'm imagining him right now, crying over his 8 figures payday, with one more incoming in August.

Lesnar must be a sad panda right now.

He is brilliant. And I can bet his contract had little something called "If I by any chance fail test, there will be no monetary penalty of any kind"

Mark Hunt need to be P-A-I-D for unfair damage he took, or else.....

Lesnar's going to catch more flack from this than any other ufc fighter would have because he is Lesner. He is the posted boy for what people think a ped athlete would look like and now he seems hell bent on proving it. I dunno, over time he may not think it was worth it. Perception will put a asterisk on his UFC career. He can sit there a claim how bad he is but he has to know in back of peoples mind is.... but dude, your a fucking cheater. I just think that loss of respect is going to eat at him. Then again they did back up a truck when they paid him and he just may not give a shit.

I'm with you on Mark Hunt. Just pay him. He took one for the team and need to see some restitution. Even if they can't take Lesnar's purse for some unknown reason. Just have Dana make up some justifiable psycho babble bs hes good at and cut him a check.