UFC Betting Sites – The Best MMA Online Bookies
UFC best betting sites and the best MMA odds and gambling news
Whether it’s their performance in the cage or their antics prior to a fight, there’s a reason why MMA fans just can’t resist following each and every move that these athletes make.Maybe it’s their skill. Maybe it’s the trash they talk. Hell…
Whether it’s their performance in the cage or their antics prior to a fight, there’s a reason why MMA fans just can’t resist following each and every move that these athletes make.
Maybe it’s their skill. Maybe it’s the trash they talk. Hell, maybe it’s their good looks.
For the fighters on this list, there are certain intangibles that make them big names and huge draws.
Here’s 15 MMA stars that fans just can’t seem to take their eyes off of.
The deal is done.FOX Sports Media Group held a press conference this afternoon announcing their newly minted, seven-year deal with the UFC.On hand for the conference were FOX Sports Media Group Chairman David Hill, co-presidents Eric Shanks & …
The deal is done.
FOX Sports Media Group held a press conference this afternoon announcing their newly minted, seven-year deal with the UFC.
On hand for the conference were FOX Sports Media Group Chairman David Hill, co-presidents Eric Shanks & Randy Freer, FX President John Landgraf, UFC president Dana White, and UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta.
“This was it for me. This is what I always wanted,” White said. “This is the pinnacle for us… to get a deal with FOX.”
White also stated that, “this partnership will be amazing and will bring the sport to the next level.”
The deal plans to bring four major events to the main FOX network, as well as 32 live fights and two runs of “The Ultimate Fighter” a year to the FX network. Plans also include to bring pre- and post-fight coverage, as well as other UFC programming, to Fuel TV.
One of the biggest changes, however, is to the format of the promotion’s reality show, “The Ultimate Fighter”.
“‘The Ultimate Fighter’ will be live on FX,” says White, with plans to rebrand the show as “The Ultimate Fighter Live”.
The show will be shot over 13 weeks, with each episode edited the week of, culminating with live fights each week.
Also, the coaches, who face off against each other at the end of each season, will have their training camps followed alongside their stint on the reality show.
But the biggest change—fans will get to vote on who fights.
“This is revolutionary television right here,” said White who also promises to show the “raw, live aftermath” after each bout as well.
UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta loves the new concept and praised the FX network for being “edgy”. FX President John Landgraf is also impressed with the deal, saying that FX can now “stand toe to toe with anybody”.
Landgraf commented that the only thing missing from FX was live sports, programming that networks such as USA regularly offer. He went on to say that “the UFC on FX will finally put us on a level playing field with all of our competitors”.
The deal to bring the UFC to FOX has actually been a long time in the making. The first live UFC event ever, UFC 37.5, was actually broadcast by FOX Sports Net’s “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” in 2002.
In other countries, FOX and the UFC have partnered up before to bring events to places such as Australia.
Ever since, the UFC has been trying to get a deal done with the FOX Sports Media Group in the US.
At first, chairman David Hill was not entirely convinced that this “little niche sport” could stay viable. But after watching it grow over the last ten years, he’s changed his mind and called the UFC “the ultimate 3-D experience.”
“It was that program, watching that show,” Hill said, commenting on how “The Ultimate Fighter” changed his perception of MMA.
Other major changes are also planned now that the deal is announced, including alterations to the UFC’s pay per view production.
“It’s going away,” White said with regards to the UFC’s infamous gladiator opening. “The look of pay per view, show open, graphics… everything will have a different feel with it,” he said.
Commenting on their production, Hill said that FOX would not try alter the way the UFC does business praising their production as “first class.”
Joking with Hill, White also promised, “no speedo fights.”
The first live event scheduled to be broadcast on FOX will be a yet to be named event in Anaheim, Calif. on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 9 p.m. EST.
Coincidentally, the event will be held the same night as current boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao’s next fight against Juan Marquez.
Now that the fastest growing sport has partnered with one of the biggest sports broadcasting companies, ratings are expected to go through the roof for the UFC.
“We haven’t set a true expectation,” Shanks said, but he promised to make it “as big as possible”.
What sealed the deal for the FOX brass was the UFC’s ability to hone in on the 18-34 male demographic. Hill said that this is the most important demographic for sports because “they are always wavering” and keeping their attention as they and their kids grow with the sport is imperative.
Hill went on to say that “what’s going to happen over the next two or three years, no one can predict.”
White does promise that the “FOX deal will take it to a whole new level.”
Follow Matt on Twitter @MattJuulMMA.
“Like” Matt on Facebook.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com
The wait for an official announcement regarding the rumored UFC deal may be over soon, as FOX announces a major press conference relating to FOX Sports.MMAWeekly.com reports that the conference, scheduled for Thursday, promises to be, “one of the …
The wait for an official announcement regarding the rumored UFC deal may be over soon, as FOX announces a major press conference relating to FOX Sports.
MMAWeekly.com reports that the conference, scheduled for Thursday, promises to be, “one of the biggest announcements in FOX Sports history,” according to Sports Business Daily’s John Ourand.
News of the multi-year deal between the UFC and FOX broke Tuesday, with plans to move the promotion over to the network in 2012.
The deal is rumored to bring four shows to their primary station each year as well as other UFC programs, such as UFC Primetime and the Ultimate Fighter, going over to FX and Fuel TV.
As news of the conference broke, it was revealed that UFC President Dana White is on his way to Los Angeles, the home of FOX.
According to various sources, it appears that some of the promotion’s top athletes are also planning trips to the “City of Angels” this week. Some of the fighters mentioned to be going are UFC Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, UFC Lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, and former Light-Heavyweight champion Rashad Evans.
With the conference planned so close to the recent news of the agreement, it appears as if this deal is just about done.
Current contracts with both Spike TV and Versus are expected to expire at the end of this year, although Spike would retain the rights to various UFC programming, according to Sports Business Daily.
UFC President Dana White has yet to confirm if the deal has been finalized but all the indications seem to show that FOX and the UFC are a match already made.
Follow Matt on Twitter @MattJuulMMA.
“Like” Matt on Facebook.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com
Rumors have been swirling that the recently released Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem is on the verge of signing an exclusive deal with the UFC.Although it is yet to be confirmed, Overeem has expressed interest in joining the world’s l…
Rumors have been swirling that the recently released Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem is on the verge of signing an exclusive deal with the UFC.
Although it is yet to be confirmed, Overeem has expressed interest in joining the world’s largest MMA promotion when the UFC’s parent company, Zuffa, purchased Strikeforce earlier this year.
Unable to continue on in the Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament following a win over Fabricio Werdum, Overeem was subsequently released from Strikeforce. Fellow Golden Glory teammates were also released by both promotions under Zuffa due to a row between the Dutch camp and the company.
However, it appears that Overeem’s contract may have some holes that would make his debut in the UFC a reality.
As speculation continues, here are six possible fights that “the Reem” may take if his dream of fighting in the UFC comes true.
Eight months ago, the lightweight division seemed to be overflowing with top contenders ready for a shot at the title.Now that UFC on Versus 5 over, the title picture looks a little more clearer with two exciting crossovers from the WEC now looking for…
Eight months ago, the lightweight division seemed to be overflowing with top contenders ready for a shot at the title.
Now that UFC on Versus 5 over, the title picture looks a little more clearer with two exciting crossovers from the WEC now looking for a shot at the belt.
Last night, Donald Cerrone made a huge impression on the lightweight division, knocking out rising prospect Charles Oliveira three minutes into the first round. Former WEC champion Ben Henderson also looked great, ending Jim Miller’s seven fight win streak.
As all eyes now turn to Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard’s rematch in October as the excitement only continues in the stacked lightweight division.
Here’s how the last night’s winners stack up against the top 10 lightweights in the UFC.
In a stunning turn of events, UFC President Dana White announced via a short video posted on his Twitter account that Nate Marquardt will no longer fight for the UFC.”It’s true. He failed his medicals. Not only is he out of this fight, out of the …
In a stunning turn of events, UFC President Dana White announced via a short video posted on his Twitter account that Nate Marquardt will no longer fight for the UFC.
“It’s true. He failed his medicals. Not only is he out of this fight, out of the main event on Versus, he will no longer be with the UFC,” White said.
Earlier today, Marquardt was pulled from the main event of Sunday’s planned bout with Rick Story due to yet to be known reasons that led to him not being medically cleared.
The bout, originally against Anthony Johnson who was forced to withdraw from the fight, was going to be Marquardt’s debut at welterweight.
Charlie Brenneman will now face Rick Story instead while the Pat Barry versus Cheick Kongo fight will be promoted to the main event.
Marquardt has yet to speak on the failed medical clearance or being released.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com