MMA/UFC Discussion Thread MMA • Page 111

Truly disappointing. I even feel nervous about Mendes, who i've always been a fan of, getting flagged again at his upcoming fight. Here's to hoping a 2 year layoff put him off the idea for good.

 

I'm past the point of being surprised by people getting flagged, guess we'll see how it turns out.

 

I wish they didn't announce this stuff until the investigation has been done.

That being said, I can't stand Werdum.

 

I'm so bummed about Yair. One of my fav fighters.

 

Seems like all non PPV events will be headed to various ESPN outlets

 

It’s rumored to breakdown into

15 cards on main ESPN, 15 fight nights on ESPN+ (Variety reports it’ll be 30 split between the two ESPN channels) and 12 PPV cards

Deal is worth 1.5 BILLION DOLLARS/300 million a year.

This is also the reason ESPN pushed really hard to have Helwani join the network. He’s rumored to anchor both ESPN/+ coverage (I’m sure Dana is THRILLED about that)


Slightly unfortunate they couldn’t get something done to air bigger cards on ABC but this is a huge step for them imo. Hopefully we see guys start getting paid a bit more (or just allow sponsorships again)

 

Haha yep. On one hand Dana will be stoked for more money, the other pissed about Ariel. Ariel has such good relationships with all the fighters though so hopefully Dana can see that.

 

It’s hilarious to me. Dana has had so many ups and downs with Ariel. Even banning him briefly from events. And now the network the company is going to actively pushed to sign Ariel to cover their shows hahaha. And Dana can’t say a word about it.

 

Yeah, the "feud" between Dana and Ariel is pretty funny. I can't think of a single instance when Ariel has misreported or been wrong about anything in his entire career, but Dana still thinks he's an instigator or something.

I loved when one of the NYC fights briefly got cancelled (I think it was Pearl Gonzalez) and Ariel's team was told by the fighter AND commission that the fight was off so they reported it. Then things got shifted around and the fight was put back on, so Dana went on one of classic rants about how "you can't trust the stupid media goofs like Helwani!!!!"

 

Official now

UFC, ESPN reach 5-year television rights deal

 

so is espn relevant again?

 

Eh. We’ll have to see. This brings more coverage to the UFC in terms of shows like Sportscenter etc. But the UFC will still have the same ratings slump if they quickly put underwhelming fights on these ESPN cards.

At least we can expect the initial ESPN card to be absolutely stacked

 

Ariel has to be pretty proud of himself. Props to him, this is his major break for sticking with his job through bans, arguments, angry fighters, and Dana White.

 

I'll probably spring for ESPN+ now. The Dana/Ariel feud is whatever, but he's not as front facing as he used to be and why would he care now if a "reporter" for your partner is breaking news? Wins for everyone around. Semi-suprised at what ESPN paid, but no one is a loser in this deal.

 

This is what happened with Fox though. UFC had a deal with them and Ariel was on the broadcast, but they fired him because he was talking about things they didn't like including Rory considering leaving the UFC during his free agency. They only want him to "break" news if it doesn't make them look bad.

 

Zuffa was also signing (at least some of) his checks, probably not the smartest move to make one of your bosses look bad.

 

It's a huge risk, one they had to take. I still ain't gonna watch fuckin sportscenter.

 

Well, no, but you were asking why he would care if a reporter from his partner was breaking news, and I was pointing out that Ariel can't tailor the news to only be pro-UFC. Especially now that the UFC isn't paying him directly at all, he's not really obligated to play by the UFC's rules...

 

Really, we're just looking at it from different angles. Would Dana have cared (as much) if Zuffa wasn't paying Ariel? We'll never know.

Regardless, I think Ariel is going to be more of a personality for ESPN with their other staff acting in a reporting role.

 

Anyone listen to GSP on Joe Rogan's podcast? Man, I just love listening to the guy. He's probably the most honest and purest person in the sport. He's like a real life version of Goku.

 

100%. I could listen to him talk all day. Same with Mir. GSP’s bully story was incredible.

 

He's just so genuine. Hearing him talk about being scared of fighting and about how he has to drive around town and watch random people so he can think "They won't care if I win or lose" just to calm himself down was amazing.

 

That is the best FOX card I have seen in quite some time.

 

Love the self awareness when he kept mentioning how people are mad that he basically left two championships haha.

Didn't really hit me that there are three former champs on that until I saw the poster. Wild. All three of those fights should be fireworks.

 

I have such a crush on Joanna. Her instagram is great. haha