Since ominously predicting the situation would “get ugly,” UFC President Dana White has remained largely silent regarding Bellator MMA’s ongoing legal battle for the services of Eddie Alvarez.
However, after learning that a judge denied Alvarez’s request for an injunction, one which would have allowed the former Bellator lightweight champion to fight at UFC 159, White held nothing back while speaking to the collected media at UFC on FOX 6’s post-fight scrum.
“The judge must not have done his homework if he’s agreeing that Spike TV and FOX are the same platforms,” exclaimed White. “They’re so f–king far apart, it’s not even funny. It’s two different f–king universes.
“I saw in their argument where they said, ‘Oh, Spike launches pay-per-views.’ No, actually they don’t. That’s not true. We did. What they’re doing is, they’re saying — not as much Spike, as Viacom — has been saying, ‘We built the UFC.’ No you f–king did not. No you did not, you arrogant, pompous jackass. You did not build the UFC. We’ll see if you did.”
Aside from the discrepancies between Spike TV and FOX, the pay-per-view aspect has been one of the case’s primary sticking points. And White, much like Alvarez, fails to understand how a promotion with zero pay-per-view experience can skirt the issue.
“It’s ridiculous,” White fumed. “I don’t know how a court or a judge couldn’t see that. And even if they said, ‘You know what, let’s really dive into this thing. Let’s see what the lowest pay-per-view is the UFC has ever done. Let’s see if we can find out what a low number is, what a high number is, and let’s see if we can find a right number that Eddie Alvarez should be paid.’ There’s got to be some middle ground there. Say, okay, depending on what pay-per-view he would have been on, this is maybe what he should have been paid. Find a middle ground, and pay the kid what he should’ve been paid. There’s nothing wrong with this whole situation as long as Eddie Alvarez gets paid.
“This isn’t one of those situations where you’re talking about, ‘Poor little Bellator.’ Viacom owns Bellator. They’re the owners of Bellator. They pull the triggers. They make the money. They have the money, they decide what’s going on over there.
“These are boxing guys, man,” an exasperated White finished. “This is what boxing guys do. They sue everybody. They’re always in court, every 15 minutes. So this is something, this Eddie Alvarez situation, if you look at the 13-year history of the UFC, and our relationship with fighters, and what we’ve done, there’s always going to be a situation where guys need more money. Everybody wants to make more money. You guys want to make more money. Everybody needs to make more money. That’s never going to change. That’s in all of sports, okay?
“But you better think long and hard if you’re a manager or a fighter and you’re about to do a deal with Bellator. Think long and hard about how you negotiate that contract.”
6 MUST-READ STORIES
Judge rules against Alvarez, White responds. A federal judge denied Eddie Alvarez’s request for an injunction, one which would have allowed the former Bellator lightweight champion to fight at UFC 159. A day later, UFC President Dana White’s response was clear: “You better think long and hard if you’re a manager or a fighter and you’re about to do a deal with Bellator. Think long and hard about how you negotiate that contract.”
Johnson retains title. UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson recovered from early trouble to edge John Dodson and successfully defend his title via unanimous decision in UFC on FOX 6’s bonus winning main event. (Video.) For more, check out reaction from the pros.
Pettis, Lamas stake contender claims. Anthony Pettis soundly defeated Donald Cerrone with a dazzling array of strikes midway through the first round at UFC on FOX 6, declaring himself to be “the best in the lightweight division.” For his work, the former WEC champ will now receive the next title shot against the winner of Benson Henderson vs. Gilbert Melendez. Likewise, top featherweight contender Ricardo Lamas dismantled Erik Koch in a bloody two-round affair, explaining afterward that he no longer intends to “fly under the radar.” (Video.)
UFC almost booked Fedor vs. Lesnar. According to Dana White, a long-rumored bout pitting former PRIDE legend Fedor Emelianenko against former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at Cowboys Stadium nearly came to fruition prior to each man’s retirement from MMA.
Rampage’s UFC run ends in loss. Brazilian up-and-comer Glover Teixeira outstruck and outwrestled Quinton “Rampage” Jackson to sieze a unanimous decision victory in Jackson’s final UFC fight. (Video.)
Despite hiccups, FOX 6 ratings strong. Even with a few broadcast hiccups and at least one FOX affiliate cutting off Johnson vs. Dodson to air The Big Bang Theory, preliminary ratings for Saturday night’s UFC on FOX 6 broadcast were up 13-percent from FOX 5, scoring 3.77 million viewers with a 1.8 rating among adults age 18-49.
MEDIA STEW
Dana White explaining Anderson Silva’s next move during Saturday’s post-fight scrum: “We’re waiting on something.” On a completely unrelated note, Rashad Evans fights this weekend.
“I’ve been fighting for 13 years. The game has changed a lot. Maybe I’ll just be one of those fighters that come in and excite the crowd. Be like Gary Goodridge.” – Rampage Jackson, evoking a some frightening imagery.
If you missed any part of last week’s Bellator 86 main card, or just plain want to see it again, feel free to check it out below.
Apparently Mike Swick filmed this. Aside from it being one of the more pointless videos we’ve ever posted, all I have to add is: That rat is gigantic.
(HT: MiddleEasy)
Championship commercials, part 1.
Championship commercials, part 2.
John Dodson may have come up short on Saturday night, but at least he won our hearts with this performance.
THE MIGHTIEST OF MICE
So I’m going to back up my dvr 5 secs & watch this at half or quarter speed. #UFConFox6 @ufc
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) January 27, 2013
good fightfor Johnson vs Dodson , hope they get FOTN because Dodson is on that Tuf contract and prolly got a mediocrebase pay : /
— Brian Rogers (@BRogthePredator) January 27, 2013
HOW DID HE GET SPONSORED BY POP ROCKS!?!?!?
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) January 27, 2013
If you are booing this fight, you are officially not cool
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) January 27, 2013
Proud of Dj for making it interesting and pushing the pace. Lets make the fans have no choice but to love us
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) January 27, 2013
RAMPAGE NO MORE
What now everyone???!! What now? @gloverteixeira
— Chuck Liddell (@ChuckLiddell) January 27, 2013
That was the best Rampage we’ve seen in a while and he still got beat each round in all areas. Glover continues to impress.
— Kyle Kingsbury (@Kingsbu) January 27, 2013
There is more heavy leather being thrown in this fight than, a place, that… Throws heavy leather. That fell apart.
— Amir Sadollah (@amirMMA) January 27, 2013
“The crowd is booing a takedown, that’s sad.” So true Joe
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) January 27, 2013
SHOWTIME LIVES
Pettis =AMAZING!!!! Ok I’m sold
— Dana White (@danawhite) January 27, 2013
Dammmm @ufc give @showtimepettis a title shot! That man can scrap! And with style to! #champ
— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) January 27, 2013
I can hear Bas Rutten screaming now,” OOOOHHHH DE LEEEEVAR SHOT!!!!”
— Amir Sadollah (@amirMMA) January 27, 2013
Liver shot! Liver shot! Liver shot! Awesome kick by Pettis!!!
— Bas Rutten (@BasRuttenMMA) January 27, 2013
@showtimepettis liver kick was so good no one is talking about him jumping off the cage and landing that knee! U deserve the title shot bro
— Louis Gaudinot (@LouGaudinotUFC) January 27, 2013
I got my next dance partner already on Apr. 20th but u guys should know I’m down for anybody after that…not looking ahead but ;-D!!!!!!!
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) January 27, 2013
AFTERMATH
@rampage4real is a warrior all my respect to him twitter.com/gloverteixeira…
— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) January 27, 2013
Damage from last night. Will not let that shit happen again lol. instagr.am/p/U_fGNxIVRX/
— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) January 27, 2013
JONNY BONES MAKING THE ROUNDS
The champ @jonnybones just told Glover “You will give me a great fight!” and congratulated the Brazilian. #class twitter.com/AntEvansUFC/st…
— Ant Evans (@AntEvansUFC) January 27, 2013
Look who thinks he is funny hahaha 😉 twitter.com/ChuckLiddell/s…
— Chuck Liddell (@ChuckLiddell) January 27, 2013
RAGE
Thanx 4 the support ,still feel very Optimistic about the Trial, unlike the injuction, Bellator will have 2 back up All the bullshit Lies.
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 26, 2013
Bellators Attorney looked right in the Judges Face and told a bold Face Lie , I couldnt beleive the balls on this dude .
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 26, 2013
I cant wait til everything comes to the surface , You and myself are being Lied to , I promise You guys.
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 26, 2013
But the judge can not assume that they wont hold up there end n they didnt have to back up there claims yesterday
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 26, 2013
You know when someone who sux at lying,Lies 2 u to ur face , n u look at them like R u fucking serious? THats what happenedwas soo obvious
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 26, 2013
If I tell you guys I can dunk a B ball , shouldnt I have to prove I can , or maybe u seen me do it before,is it enough 4 me to promise U
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 26, 2013
I have friends , no of them never handed me a 100 page doc to sign before We became friends.
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 26, 2013
contract was signed on the 10th promising Me ppv , on the 11th he tells u guys “there is no definitive plans on doing PPv”
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 26, 2013
I didnt expect to Win yesterday, I was asking for alot in a small amount of time , The judge was fair ,The trial will be much Diff
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 26, 2013
BARNETT SPEAKS
“Is Josh Barnett going to the UFC?” Here’s my answer –> on.fb.me/WDQfnX #UFC #MMA @ufc
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) January 26, 2013
SPEECHLESS
2 girls from my academy got me drinking wine tonight. Glad they didn’t Lloyd Irvin me! twitter.com/CesarGracieBJJ…
— Cesar Gracie (@CesarGracieBJJ) January 27, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced over the weekend (Friday, January 25, 2013 – Sunday, January 27, 2013):
- N/A
FANPOST OF THE DAY
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