UFC Purchases Strikeforce

captain organic wrote:

LA wrote:

Showtime is getting kick to the curb eventually, no way they continue that relationship.

If Zuffa ends the showtime deal, then that would once again open the door to a high level promotion competing with the UFC.


Perhaps M-1 which already has a deal with Showtime in place.

There is always going to be smaller shows running, but there will never be a situation again where a #2 Organization comes up and gives the UFC a legit competitor. If anything, Zuffa will still keep SF around in the long run as a "B" Organization where they feed themselves future fighters, though I just made that up....But now all the best fighters, at least 98% are under one roof, and they want to be, read Gil's, Kennedy's, Cung's twitter accounts, they're in the big show now whether it's not truly officiall yet or not. As far as Showtime, when that deal ends, so does Showtime's affiliation with what is now Zuffa. They may try to continue with another competitor, but there stable will be soo thin, and drawing power won't equal expenses.

Ninja\Rua/Fan wrote:

LA wrote:

No better chance then now for Pat, Frank and Dana to patch things up.

You are dreaming...

Just saying no better time then now, think they should, but not a fan of either guy so don't really care.

LA wrote:

captain organic wrote:

LA wrote:

Showtime is getting kick to the curb eventually, no way they continue that relationship.

If Zuffa ends the showtime deal, then that would once again open the door to a high level promotion competing with the UFC.


Perhaps M-1 which already has a deal with Showtime in place.

There is always going to be smaller shows running, but there will never be a situation again where a #2 Organization comes up and gives the UFC a legit competitor. If anything, Zuffa will still keep SF around in the long run as a "B" Organization where they feed themselves future fighters, though I just made that up....But now all the best fighters, at least 98% are under one roof, and they want to be, read Gil's, Kennedy's, Cung's twitter accounts, they're in the big show now whether it's not truly officiall yet or not. As far as Showtime, when that deal ends, so does Showtime's affiliation with what is now Zuffa. They may try to continue with another competitor, but there stable will be soo thin, and drawing power won't equal expenses.

2 years ago u would have said that no way SF ever attains the level that they had attained. They had zero in terms of a hwy division. come 2011 it is a worthwhile debate as to who has the better hwy division. And it was not only one division.

Bellator, Shark, M-1 etc are all waiting in the wings.

If Zuffa gets out of the Showtime deal, u can bet another org would fill that void(and like I said M-1 is already signed to a deal) and with that showtime $$$$$ any org can build a stable.

Bro 2 years ago I was predicting the UFC would buyout SF just like Affliction.

At the time there was high level talent with high popularity, now the stable is far too thin with the UFC cornering pretty much 98% of the best fighters. There's a good chance they still use SF as well, to feed their own Organization. As I said before, there's always going to be smaller shows running, but no one will able to move into a position like SF did. Bellator's TV contract is already being weighed based on their MTV2 numbers, if they drop off, it may only last for 6 months. And you honestly think M-1 can carry on as viable competitor with Showtime? Who are they going to fill out their stable with? who is going to watch to make it profitable? Fighters are where they want to be except a small few. Zuffa has the MMA market covered, this is a very good thing.

LA wrote:

Bro 2 years ago I was predicting the UFC would buyout SF just like Affliction.

At the time there was high level talent with high popularity, now the stable is far too thin with the UFC cornering pretty much 98% of the best fighters. There's a good chance they still use SF as well, to feed their own Organization. As I said before, there's always going to be smaller shows running, but no one will able to move into a position like SF did. Bellator's TV contract is already being weighed based on their MTV2 numbers, if they drop off, it may only last for 6 months. And you honestly think M-1 can carry on as viable competitor with Showtime? Who are they going to fill out their stable with? who is going to watch to make it profitable? Fighters are where they want to be except a small few. Zuffa has the MMA market covered, this is a very good thing.

it was less then a year ago that u were arguing Bellator as the best non zuffa org in the sport. And the SF Affliction comparison is pretty weak considering Affliction was a failure while SF was on a meteoric rise.

Bellator got big #'s on their first MTV show, so Im not sure what u mean by it being weighed.

Once SF gets officially squeezed, new orgs will rise to fill the void. There is no shortage of fighters, and there is no shortage of TV outlets looking to make $$$ off em.

It was argued that it was run better and their production was better, which I still would have agreed with, stable was obvious and why SF was purchased.

Bellator is being weighed on sticking with MTV2 based off their numbers over the next couple months. I read recently their numbers dropping could see them stickng around barely past 6 months..numbers contingent.

Small Orgs will always rise, I've said this each post, but no Org will become a #2 like SF, the UFC has the market covered//

Also SF was on the rise, but lets not kid ourselves, they weren't making soo much in Net Income that Scott wasn't all to willing to cash out here.

And if Bellator makes a blip on the UFC radar, they will become a locked target, the UFC/Zuffa wants this market, they will have it all to themselves, little Orgs will float around the spaces in between.

Nothing could be better for MMA then what happened.

LA wrote:

And if Bellator makes a blip on the UFC radar, they will become a locked target, the UFC/Zuffa wants this market, they will have it all to themselves, little Orgs will float around the spaces in between.

Nothing could be better for MMA then what happened.

I just want Hector and Eddie, they can keep the rest. I guess Warren and Askren can come get put in place.

I want em all, well like 20-25 guys

LA wrote:

It was argued that it was run better and their production was better, which I still would have agreed with, stable was obvious and why SF was purchased.

Bellator is being weighed on sticking with MTV2 based off their numbers over the next couple months. I read recently their numbers dropping could see them stickng around barely past 6 months..numbers contingent.

Small Orgs will always rise, I've said this each post, but no Org will become a #2 like SF, the UFC has the market covered//

Also SF was on the rise, but lets not kid ourselves, they weren't making soo much in Net Income that Scott wasn't all to willing to cash out here.

1)The sale wasn't Coker's call.

2)Bellator's opening week #'s were record breaking for MTV2. Not sure what is being weighed.

3)If u r correct in your prediction that Zuffa bails on showtime/CBS, u can be sure another org quickly rises to fill that slot. That's a lock, and with Showtime $$$, they will get talent.

LA wrote:

I want em all, well like 20-25 guys

I bet you do...

OU wrote:

LA wrote:

And if Bellator makes a blip on the UFC radar, they will become a locked target, the UFC/Zuffa wants this market, they will have it all to themselves, little Orgs will float around the spaces in between.

Nothing could be better for MMA then what happened.

I just want Hector and Eddie, they can keep the rest. I guess Warren and Askren can come get put in place.

Only Hector and Eddie? What about Conrad, both of the Frieres', joe soto, Rick Hawn, Jay herion, Lyman Good? Also Askren is the future my friend.

Holy shit, I can't believe this...

I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not. I'll just withhold judgment until some of this plays out. Crazy shit though, definitely didn't see it coming.

Best shit ever, just let them figure out how to manage all their fighters, maybe 52 events per year...but this is epic shit.

Ninja\Rua/Fan wrote:

OU wrote:

LA wrote:

And if Bellator makes a blip on the UFC radar, they will become a locked target, the UFC/Zuffa wants this market, they will have it all to themselves, little Orgs will float around the spaces in between.

Nothing could be better for MMA then what happened.

I just want Hector and Eddie, they can keep the rest. I guess Warren and Askren can come get put in place.

Only Hector and Eddie? What about Conrad, both of the Frieres', joe soto, Rick Hawn, Jay herion, Lyman Good? Also Askren is the future my friend.

No I'm good on them. Askren the future? I seriously doubt it. I think he would get raped in the UFC.

http://www.mmamania.com/2011/3/13/2049233/how-much-did-the-ufc-pay-for-strikeforce
About $40 million, according to Loretta Hunt of the LA Times.

That number includes debt repayment. It is important to note that this is simply a report and can not be taken as fact, as the UFC will likely never reveal the actual number.

If true, even if it's within range, it would appear Zuffa got themselves one hell of a bargain.

And in case you're wondering, when the UFC purchased PRIDE back in 2007, they reportedly did so for somewhere in the ballpark of $70 million, although an exact number was never made public.

Hunt also brings word that Zuffa allegedly made multiple offers as early as December 2010, and they were competing against two other potential buyers.

http://mmajunkie.com/news/22821/ufc-earns-pro-sports-league-of-the-year-nomination-with-nba-nhl-nfl-mls.mma
Officials today announced that the UFC is a finalist for "Professional Sports League of the Year" at the 2011 Sports Business Awards.

The UFC was nominated with the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL), National Football League (NFL) and Major League Soccer (MLS).

The awards, which the industry publication "SportsBusiness Journal" launched in 2008, celebrate excellence in sports business. This year's winners will be unveiled as part of a ceremony on May 18 at the Marriott Marquis at Time Square in New York City.

The UFC never previously has been nominated for or won a Sports Business Award.

captain organic wrote:

LA wrote:

Bro 2 years ago I was predicting the UFC would buyout SF just like Affliction.

At the time there was high level talent with high popularity, now the stable is far too thin with the UFC cornering pretty much 98% of the best fighters. There's a good chance they still use SF as well, to feed their own Organization. As I said before, there's always going to be smaller shows running, but no one will able to move into a position like SF did. Bellator's TV contract is already being weighed based on their MTV2 numbers, if they drop off, it may only last for 6 months. And you honestly think M-1 can carry on as viable competitor with Showtime? Who are they going to fill out their stable with? who is going to watch to make it profitable? Fighters are where they want to be except a small few. Zuffa has the MMA market covered, this is a very good thing.

it was less then a year ago that u were arguing Bellator as the best non zuffa org in the sport. And the SF Affliction comparison is pretty weak considering Affliction was a failure while SF was on a meteoric rise.

Bellator got big #'s on their first MTV show, so Im not sure what u mean by it being weighed.

Once SF gets officially squeezed, new orgs will rise to fill the void. There is no shortage of fighters, and there is no shortage of TV outlets looking to make $$$ off em.

Actually I was argung that Bellator was a better organization and they are. they are much better organized than SF, SF has many more fans and a solid HW Division, so ...

Long story short. Bad mojo for MMA.

SF was the goods. one of the examples of "right" with the sport. 5 years running all of these things got better every year: Shows, talent pool, exposure, recognition, popularity, quality etc. they were going backwards nowhere every single year and in 2011 they were the best MMA show a fan could watch easily. That's what separated them from all the other orgs who destroyed themselves. Their direction was and had been the right one. What did UFC have to do to any other Org? Nothing. Stikeforce was so damn good and had become scary enough to them they had to dump their monopoly money on them. Money is more important than anything. And the flawed few with the most are going to be the only individuals dictating their image of the sport. MMA has only been at it's best when there was competition.

Thank God for HDNet, allowing us to watch almost all MMA non-Zuffa.

HDnet is another example of right.

MMA is too big for one org. I think the final result is going to be more contraction than expansion. How has the WEC merger panned out for "expansion"?

GDPofDRC wrote:

MMA is too big for one org. I think the final result is going to be more contraction than expansion. How has the WEC merger panned out for "expansion"?

WEC merger has made cards deeper, perhaps too deep. lil Joe not being able to make the SPIKE or Facebook portion of this upcoming card kind of bothers me a little bit. But it could possibly help with more fights, more often. I think we could possilby get to the point where we see 1 free LIVE card a month. Maybe more.

I'd like to See UFC do Japan style broadcast. Show every single fight not just what fits in the time slots. Hate to think about the price tradeoff they would throw down for that though.

GDPofDRC wrote:

I'd like to See UFC do Japan style broadcast. Show every single fight not just what fits in the time slots. Hate to think about the price tradeoff they would throw down for that though.

I agree it would be an awesome thought. Why not have an extended undercard on VS or SPIKE or whatever? Maybe they can find a way to get it on FSN or HDNet or something.