**Official UFC thread**

[sonatine]

Hopefully the new owners aren't goons that run the company into the ground.

WME-IMG are exactly the types of goons who run themselves into the ground then sell UFC to WWE for pocket change.

Their list of assets is fucking insane and all roads lead back to those wonky China-banks that dont exactly exist.

[Shizzmoney]

Ari Emmanuel (brother of shitstain Rahm Emmanuel, who is currently running Chicago into the ground), the inspiration for the character "Ari Gold" in the HBO show "Entourage" is also a part of the WME-IMG group. This might not end well.

Though WME-IMG represents Ms. Rousey and other combatants in their endorsements and movie deals, the agency will not get involved in the actual pay negotiations with athletes, according to the people with direct knowledge of the matter.

This is a big part of why they are keeping Dana on (he's also a pseudo-celeb for the brand). To negotiate the labor stuff (and obv keep fighter pay controlled). LOL at the letter they sent to fighters this A.M.

I was thinking about it this morning: the UFC talent pool is starting to get waned a bit, especially in the bigger divisions like LHW and HW. I mean, does anyone even care about the HW division if Brock *isn't* in it? After Stipe, what up and comers are there for the next line of exciting fighters? Derrick Lewis? Walt Harris? Most people who aren't MMA geeks like ourselves don't even know who these people are.

Other divisions are stacked, especially 155, 145, and 135...and Conor is a huge international draw......but the UFC certainly has some work to do in continually finding more talent, and with their fractured pay structure, I could see them having a talent glut of weight classes over 185 in the next few years. This could hurt profits as some of the bigger known fan favs like Roy Nelson and Mark Hunt start to retire. People have suggested having more weight classes, and I think that would help especially when it comes to weight cutting and stuff...as well as getting Cyborg to fight Ronda at some point.

No one wants to pay $59.99 over and over again to see DC lay on top of a guy with a dad bod for 20 minutes.

[BeerAndPoker]

No one wants to pay $59.99 over and over again to see DC lay on top of a guy with a dad bod for 20 minutes.

While I don't disagree this comment is getting so repetitive on the internet.

First off 20 minutes didn't happen since it isn't possible since because this was a three round fight but that is beside the point here. People have to understand this is not DC's fault that Jon Jones failed a drug test that came out three days before the fight was going to happen. Perhaps UFC needs to figure out a way that these test results don't come in so late but what could they really do here?

I'm as upset as most guys are that Cormier/Jones didn't happen but I also have to be realistic to give UFC props for finding any opponent for Cormier just so he could get paid for an event he trained hard for. Obviously the fight sucked but what really should people have expected from it? The alternative option was don't have this fight and bump a female shit fight with Zingano/Pena to the main card instead of having Cormier fight an over the hill legend with a strikers shot (kicks).

I'm hard on UFC whenever I feel it is due but I've also got to give them props here and it tilts me that so many people on the internet are pissed off this Cormier/Silva fight happened when the alternative was for Cormier to not fight at all.

[sonatine]

Dad bods and blankets; welcome to post USADA MMA.

[DJ_Chaps]

You guys gotta realize, one of the Chinese components of this buyout, also bought out Supercell, the makers of Clash Of Clans for a big sum. They are stepping up their game, and I doubt they let UFC go to hell.

[Shizzmoney]

No one wants to pay $59.99 over and over again to see DC lay on top of a guy with a dad bod for 20 minutes.

While I don't disagree this comment is getting so repetitive on the internet.

First off 20 minutes didn't happen since it isn't possible since because this was a three round fight but that is beside the point here. People have to understand this is not DC's fault that Jon Jones failed a drug test that came out three days before the fight was going to happen. Perhaps UFC needs to figure out a way that these test results don't come in so late but what could they really do here?

Nothing, USADA controls the process and they, along with WADA, can at times tend to have their heads up their ass in terms of their procedures.

Now, while i didn't have any qualms about DC fighting the way he did...it was smart vs a high level striker like Silva......if fights and cards like that continue to happen, the UFC is going to have issues with exciting matchmaking that creates bigger and bigger draws from "casuals", where the growth is supposed to come from. That's why the NFL makes so much money: people finds all types of new ways each year to get into it, even internationally (betting on NFL is up 120% in the UK since 2009).

The "bullish" investment by WME is hoping that when the UFC's TV deal come up in 2018, there will be a bidding war for the rights a la English Premier League and the NFL, which see not just growth, but YOY growth. While the UFC is popular and has experienced a ton of that itself in the last 4-5 years....their are flaws in the business model that could stunt its potential.

There's also the uncomfortable view of the fact that there are a ton of broke former UFC fighters waking up today and seeing all the attention given to UFC turning $2million into $4billion. Just like the NFL and concussions (and their continued denial of them), its....just a bad look. People probably may not give a fuck in the end, but it's still a bad look.

[simpdog]

No one wants to pay $59.99 over and over again to see DC lay on top of a guy with a dad bod for 20 minutes.

While I don't disagree this comment is getting so repetitive on the internet.

First off 20 minutes didn't happen since it isn't possible since because this was a three round fight but that is beside the point here. People have to understand this is not DC's fault that Jon Jones failed a drug test that came out three days before the fight was going to happen. Perhaps UFC needs to figure out a way that these test results don't come in so late but what could they really do here?

I'm as upset as most guys are that Cormier/Jones didn't happen but I also have to be realistic to give UFC props for finding any opponent for Cormier just so he could get paid for an event he trained hard for. Obviously the fight sucked but what really should people have expected from it? The alternative option was don't have this fight and bump a female shit fight with Zingano/Pena to the main card instead of having Cormier fight an over the hill legend with a strikers shot (kicks).

I'm hard on UFC whenever I feel it is due but I've also got to give them props here and it tilts me that so many people on the internet are pissed off this Cormier/Silva fight happened when the alternative was for Cormier to not fight at all.

I would have preferred Cormier to not fight at all, but have some clause where he received some % of his money or was insured against situations like this.

This wasn't 3-4 weeks out to give a guy a fighting chance. This was a WWE gimmick match only made to help sell PPVs and avoid ticket refunds best they could.

They had 3 nights of fights to choose from. They could have bit the bullet and moved something to Saturday.

[Ryback_feed_me_more]

I wonder how much DC was paid or Silva for that matter as far as a show fee. It was reported Lesnar got 2.5M for just walking into the cage Saturday night.

[BeerAndPoker]

I would have preferred Cormier to not fight at all, but have some clause where he received some % of his money or was insured against situations like this.

I just don't think it would be fair to punish a guy who is training for the biggest fight of his life and a seven figure payday because his opponent is a self-destructing cheater (or the dumbest guy on the planet for not paying attention to what he puts in his body).

If DC still got paid half of his money due for the fight and some percentage of PPV sales then fine as any main event fighter should get when their opponent is out a few days prior for taking a banned substance.

Of course if this an exception where if it would have been UFC 199 or UFC 201 through 299 they would not have had DC fight at all unless somehow his replacement opponent was in top shape and they agree to it.

Jon Jones ruined the UFC 200 main event and people should direct all of their anger towards him.

[FPS_Russia]

People like to shit on Dana but he's the kind of guy fans will follow. I bet they wanted to make sure he stays involved. If Dana left the UFC i bet there'd be a drop off in sales and excitement about the UFC.

If Dana went to Bellator (never Happen) but if he did. He's the only guy I can think of that could make Bellator a big player like the UFC. He's just one of them people.

[Shizzmoney]

Jon Jones tested positive (according to Chael Sonnen) on Estrogen Blockers, which are often used to mask steroid use. Victor Conte once commented on Jones' testosterone levels, and there is a rumor according to Chael that USADA once came for Jon at Wink's and he hid under the cage for 8 hours while they waited.

If true, he's not just fucked....he's super fucked.

[BeerAndPoker]

From reports yesterday that I read Jones was expected to get 10+ million for UFC 200. His manager said if you think McGregor makes the most money Jones paycheck for UFC 200 would blow that out of the water.

Jones comeback fight against Saint Preux didn't look good so take whatever you want out of that. Who knows how long he's been juicing it up but USADA is doing their part to make it a fair playground for everyone.



Jones manager at 29:00 discussing the situation:

[ftpjesus]

I wonder how much DC was paid or Silva for that matter as far as a show fee. It was reported Lesnar got 2.5M for just walking into the cage Saturday night.

The answer is DC got $500k and Silva got $600k for show fees. Lesnar's show fee of 2.5M was bigger then McGregor's fee for the 13sec fight against Aldo which was a base of $1.25M apparently. Honestly if Dana was gonna pay JBJ $10M he mustve been high because to pay JBJ 20X what his own 205 Champ is would be a slap in DCs face for rescuing Dana's ass when Jones fucked up the last time and then was willing to reward Jones' bad behavior in New Mexico basically. I get it that JBJ was Dana's cash cow but somewhere you need to draw the line. I wonder how new ownership is going to address this going forward.

[Shizzmoney]

It's fucked up DC loses half his purse; it's not his fault his opponent is a fuck up. And he (barely) made weight!

[sonatine]

Yeah but fuck DC sooo...

[Tellafriend]

Dana is also a BJ degen. Each time he had a private table with special limits. He's known for hit and running which the casinos hate. He's been limited at some of them on betting size due to this. He was playing $10-30k a hand when I saw him at Mandalay on several occasions. With this sale he will set his own limits.

[Shizzmoney]

Only lean I have for tonight is Louis Smolka (EVEN).

I'll also probably take Tony Ferguson by inside distance/submission prop as he has, IMO, the best d'arce in the game today.

[thesidedish]

BET IT ALL ON CLARK -240 TONIGHT, GONNA BE A PIECE OF CAKE

Edit: he is the first fight, don't wait

[NaturalBornHustler]

Rogan with Chael Sonnen is a must listen.

And no estrogen blockers don't "mask" steroid use, they are used post cycle to restart your natural test back up and ween you off the exogenous test you are slamming into your ass. If you don't take the estrogen blockers after a cycle you will have a "rebound" of estrogen that (could) give you bitch tits and other not so nice side effects and what not.

[thesidedish]

BET IT ALL ON CLARK -240 TONIGHT, GONNA BE A PIECE OF CAKE

Edit: he is the first fight, don't wait

-240 is the highest I seen it, u can do better, but seriously bet it all, Clark is not gonna lose in his hometown against some faggot who has been playing Pokémon go the last few days