UFC/MMA news thread

[smackababy]

Might be less than 25 years if they can convert some of the fighters to clients. Otherwise who knows

It's all about growth. The UFC more than double their profit over the last year and had around 25% of revenue as profit in 2015. 2016 was larger. Now, I'm not saying the valuation was right at $4 billion, but the sport is growing and it is showing they can make massive profits (especially with getting away with paying absolutely shit to the fighters that aren't Conor McGregor).

The WWE profited only $50 million in 2015 with $50 more in revenue than the UFC. The UFC is still a young sports league and it is having healthy growth.

 

[Miramonti]

holy Christ...
why does someone w/$4B buy a company with a 25yr break even point?!?!?!

They are a media company and betting on being able to scale the promotion to wider and more frequent access around the world.

There was a lot of hype with Rousey, and that hype is literally dead in the water. McGregor won't last long either imo, who has the Khabibs, Fergusons, and Woodleys in front of him. But top draws will continue to cycle in and out. That obviously won't be the jealous @sshat Amanda Nunez, no matter how many fights she wins, but there will be others.

/edit: just saw smackababy's reply about growth, which sums it up just fine.

 

[Miramonti]

Woodley to fight Stephen Thompson in a rematch March 4 at UFC 209.

Should be awesome again, but I want to hear about Khabib's next scheduled fight.

 

[smackababy]

Woodley to fight Stephen Thompson in a rematch March 4 at UFC 209.

Should be awesome again, but I want to hear about Khabib's next scheduled fight.

Honestly, I don't think fight will be near as competitive as the first. Woodley looked much better and I'm surprised it was a draw. Two of those rounds could have been 10-8.

Khabib will fight Tony Ferguson. No other fight, outside of McGregor, makes sense for him. But, who knows. EDIT: And, it appears it is going to take place at 209. There is no official announcement, but Khabib's dad says that it will be.

 

[smackababy]

Tony Ferguson confirms fight with Khabib. No official announcement yet.

Mark Hunt files lawsuit against UFC for Brock fight. Apparently, he is alleging the UFC knew well in advance of the fight and Lesner could have entered the 4 month testing pool. Alleging as well, they hid this knowledge due to knowing Lesner would pop and not be able to fight.

 

[Miramonti]

Tony Ferguson confirms fight with Khabib. No official announcement yet.

Mark Hunt files lawsuit against UFC for Brock fight. Apparently, he is alleging the UFC knew well in advance of the fight and Lesner could have entered the 4 month testing pool. Alleging as well, they hid this knowledge due to knowing Lesner would pop and not be able to fight.

Looking forward to Ferguson/Khabib! Michael Johnson showed Khabib can be hit, so it will be interesting. Khabib is "24-0" with a pretty scary ground game...but only 8-0 in the UFC, and many of those other fights were not close to ufc level.

I think Hunt has every right to be pissed, but the lawsuit will probably fail miserably, as the burden of proof is on him to backup his claims (even tho he's probably right, proving it will be another story.) Fighters are getting bolder in trying to hold the ufc accountable, and I think that is going to pick up steam and only be a good thing over time.

 

[UncleWai]

If El Cucuy tries his fancy takedown shit on Khabib, Khabib would overpower him and wrestlefuck him to an easy victory.

Ferguson is the more exciting fighter, but don't think he will fare well against McGoat.

 

[smackababy]

I think this fight, and if Khabib wins the same against McGregor, is going to go two ways and both are bad for one of them. If they stand and keep Khabib out, they can beat him senseless. If Khabib can get in to get a take down, he is going to maul them on the ground. It is classic striker vs grappler matchup.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

UFC 208 is a PPV, oh come on, Holm in the ME is going to bring in the crowds?

 

[smackababy]

UFC 208 is a PPV, oh come on, Holm in the ME is going to bring in the crowds?

They were banking on 207 selling a ton so 208 could be shit. I mean, I'm going to watch it. Not pay $60 for it, but I'll watch it.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

They were banking on 207 selling a ton so 208 could be shit. I mean, I'm going to watch it. Not pay $60 for it, but I'll watch it.

I am not even sure if I will watch it, right now, I don't really care about it. When it gets here, then I might watch if I am bored, but maybe I will go to the casino instead.

 

[smackababy]

I am not even sure if I will watch it, right now, I don't really care about it. When it gets here, then I might watch if I am bored, but maybe I will go to the casino instead.

I think the card will be decent. The ME should be a pretty good standing fight (both are kickboxers). Holm is decently famous because she KO'd the queen, so they are banking on that.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I think the card will be decent. The ME should be a pretty good standing fight (both are kickboxers). Holm is decently famous because she KO'd the queen, so they are banking on that.

I just don't think it should be a PPV card, not the first time I have felt that. I watch them using Kodi and my Fire TV Stick anyhow.

 

[smackababy]

I just don't think it should be a PPV card, not the first time I have felt that. I watch them using Kodi and my Fire TV Stick anyhow.

I feel the same. It's just not a PPV quality lineup, but that happens sometimes. They even made up a belt for it.

 

[UncleWai]

Shot themselves in the foot with that McGoat fiasco, they essentially lost two weight classes worth of potential fights.

And then you have DC and Bisping ducking big fights, stupidest time in Ufc atm.

 

[smackababy]

Shot themselves in the foot with that McGoat fiasco, they essentially lost two weight classes worth of potential fights.

And then you have DC and Bisping ducking big fights, stupidest time in Ufc atm.

DC is injured (just had surgery) and Bisping is coming off his Hendo fight where he took some punishment. None of them (including McGregor) were fighting at 208.

They are going to get fucking paid though if Khabib beats Ferguson and he gets McGregor later in the year. It is going to sell a lot. Not only do you have McGregor fans, but Khabib is huge in Russia.

 

[UncleWai]

Jesus tap dancing Penn, this is fucking sad.

 

[smackababy]

Penn looks about as good as his last couple fights: not good at all. It probably didn't help he didn't get a can for a tuneup fight.

 

[Miramonti]

Penn looks about as good as his last couple fights: not good at all. It probably didn't help he didn't get a can for a tuneup fight.

Yep, Penn just as expected, maybe even worse. Rodriguez destroyed him. Aside from his wicked kicks from everywhere, he got smarter and smarter by staying with them and deciding to just kick the sh!t out of Penn.

 

[smackababy]

Yep, Penn just as expected, maybe even worse. Rodriguez destroyed him. Aside from his wicked kicks from everywhere, he got smarter and smarter by staying with them and deciding to just kick the sh!t out of Penn.

I think Rodriguez wasn't game planning to just kick Penn apart, but it kept working and he went with it. Penn looked way slow and just past it. I can't say how hard he trained, but it certainly appears like he wasn't in fight shape, which is what happened in his last run.

I do hope they give Rodriguez a ranked opponent soon. Number 6 or 7 and he wins that, I could get behind him making a run.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Bellator card tonight, its the Ortiz Sonnen fight.

 

[JEDI]

UFC 208 is a PPV, oh come on, Holm in the ME is going to bring in the crowds?

this is for the title in the newly created female featherweight (145lb) class.

 

[smackababy]

this is for the title in the newly created female featherweight (145lb) class.

Yep. A new division created for someone who isn't even the inauguration fight. A title fight between two fighters that haven't ever fought a 145lbs. It should be a decent fight though. Both are kickboxers and will stand most of it.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

People are saying the Tito fight was fixed. I did notice the tapping motion Tito made during the fight, didn't think fixed, but it looked like he was tapping out.

 

[Miramonti]

I think Rodriguez wasn't game planning to just kick Penn apart, but it kept working and he went with it. Penn looked way slow and just past it. I can't say how hard he trained, but it certainly appears like he wasn't in fight shape, which is what happened in his last run.

I do hope they give Rodriguez a ranked opponent soon. Number 6 or 7 and he wins that, I could get behind him making a run.

Looking forward to his next fight. He's exciting, and the UFC needs exciting fighters on cards.

People are saying the Tito fight was fixed. I did notice the tapping motion Tito made during the fight, didn't think fixed, but it looked like he was tapping out.

Agreed! That's some messed up sh!t. That didn't look like he was struggling enough with one arm completely free to be actually getting choked out, and that was way too weak for a tapout (and a baffling concession by Sonnen to let go yet keep wrestling like nothing happened.)

Reg. Cucuy and Khabib...I've been watching more Ferguson and imo there's nothing to hate about him. His energy, footwork and athleticism is outstanding, and he seems to be good character. Can he really hurt and slow Khabib before Khabib locks him up? I'm doubtful, since Ferguson doesn't seem particularly powerful, and all it might take is catching one of those kicks. Either case, I think that is going to a brutal and very exciting fight, especially with 5 rounds scheduled.