Author: Scott Polacek

UFC Reportedly Has 2 Offers over $4 Billion to Buy Company

The UFC reportedly could have new owners in the near future.   
Citing sources, Darren Rovell of ESPN.com reported on Thursday that bidding to buy the entire company “is drawing closer to an end” between two groups—WME-…

The UFC reportedly could have new owners in the near future.   

Citing sources, Darren Rovell of ESPN.com reported on Thursday that bidding to buy the entire company “is drawing closer to an end” between two groups—WME-IMG and China Media Capital. Rovell said both “had similar bids in the $4.1 billion range.”

This comes after Rovell reported in May that UFC owners were “in advanced talks to sell the business” for a bid that was “expected to be for a valuation between $3.5 and $4 billion.”

Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta are brothers who set up the company Zuffa. Zuffa purchased the UFC in 2001 for $2 million, so a bid of more than $4 billion would be a significant windfall. Rovell said Zuffa owns approximately 80 percent of the company, while Abu Dhabi’s Flash Entertainment owns 10 percent (which it bought in 2010).

UFC President Dana White also owns part of the UFC and “is expected to be asked to stay in some capacity should a sale go through,” per Rovell.

While Rovell listed the two bidders on Thursday, he did point out they are still looking to finalize the way they would finance the sale. WME-IMG is bidding “in conjunction with Dalian Wanda Group” and is reportedly looking for investors to contribute.

Rovell said the Kraft Group was among those investors who would chip in for WME-IMG. The Kraft Group also owns the New England Patriots in the NFL and the New England Revolution in MLS.

Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk pointed out Patriots owner Robert Kraft “could be putting money into the pockets of a future competitor” because there has been some discussion that the Fertitta brothers are interested in purchasing an NFL team. Smith said they “have lifelong ties to Las Vegas” and could offer Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis in an effort to move the team to Las Vegas.

In terms of the sale going through, Dave Meltzer of MMA Fighting noted White appeared on The Dan Patrick Show last month and said the UFC was not up for sale and was instead potentially expanding into other countries such as China and Japan.

While the sale discussions will apparently continue, UFC 200 is scheduled for July 9 in Las Vegas and will feature Brock Lesnar against Mark Hunt.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Kimbo Slice, MMA Fighter, Dies at Age 42

MMA fighter Kimbo Slice—birth name Kevin Ferguson—died on Monday at the age of 42.
TMZ Sports confirmed he died but said “details surrounding [Slice’s] death are unclear.” Jonathan Snowden of Bleacher Report shared the res…

MMA fighter Kimbo Slice—birth name Kevin Ferguson—died on Monday at the age of 42.

TMZ Sports confirmed he died but said “details surrounding [Slice’s] death are unclear.” Jonathan Snowden of Bleacher Report shared the response from Bellator President Scott Coker:   

This comes after TMZ Sports reported earlier Monday that Slice was taken to a hospital near Coral Springs, Florida. Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting and Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com both confirmed that report.

According to Ryan Frederick of f4wonline.com, Slice trained at American Top Team, which reacted to the news:

Slice’s last fight came on Feb. 19 in Houston during Bellator 149. While he defeated Dhafir Harris—otherwise known as Dada 5000—in three rounds, the victory was overturned after he “tested positive for the steroid nandrolone and also had an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio,” per Marc Raimondi of MMA Fighting.

Slice’s UFC profile said he had a 4-2 record in six fights, but he was a famous fighter well before he reached that level. He earned much of his fame during street and backyard fights that aired on YouTube. Those fights highlighted his pure strength and overwhelming power as he used his punching ability to outmuscle opponents.

He turned that YouTube fame into a career in MMA. According to Frederick, Slice’s fight in May of 2008 against James Thompson was the first-ever MMA event that was broadcast on network television. Slice beat Thompson at EliteXC: Primetime, although he went on to lose to Seth Petruzelli later that year during EliteXC’s final event.

Frederick noted Slice also appeared on The Ultimate Fighter and faced off against “Roy Nelson in the highest-rated MMA fight aired on cable during that TUF season.” Slice even went 7-0 as a professional boxer before he signed with Bellator.

Slice was scheduled to face Thompson as a headlining match at Bellator 158 on July 16 in London before Monday’s news, per Okamoto.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Kimbo Slice Hospitalized: Latest Updates on MMA Fighter’s Status

MMA fighter Kimbo Slice was reportedly hospitalized Monday.
Continue for updates.
Police Gathering Information
Monday, June 6
TMZ Sports reported the police turned to family members for information after Slice was taken to a hospital near Coral Springs…

MMA fighter Kimbo Slice was reportedly hospitalized Monday.

Continue for updates.

Police Gathering Information

Monday, June 6

TMZ Sports reported the police turned to family members for information after Slice was taken to a hospital near Coral Springs, Florida. TMZ also reported “multiple sources tell TMZ Sports the situation does not look good.”

Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com confirmed the news.

Slice’s last fight came at Bellator 149 in February, when he defeated Dada 5000. That win, however, was overturned after “Slice tested positive for the steroid nandrolone and also had an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio,” per Marc Raimondi of MMAFighting.com.

According to his UFC profile, Slice boasts a 4-2 record in six career fights. His profile noted he earned fame on YouTube before reaching the UFC circuit by using his powerful strikes and punching ability in street fights in Miami.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Kimbo Slice Dead at Age 42 After Being Hospitalized

MMA fighter Kimbo Slice died Monday at the age of 42.
Bellator President Scott Coker released a statement regarding the news, via B/R’s Jonathan Snowden:

TMZ Sports reported earlier Monday that police turned to family members for information after Sli…

MMA fighter Kimbo Slice died Monday at the age of 42.

Bellator President Scott Coker released a statement regarding the news, via B/R’s Jonathan Snowden:

TMZ Sports reported earlier Monday that police turned to family members for information after Slice was taken to a hospital near Coral Springs, Florida.

Slice’s last fight came at Bellator 149 in February, when he defeated Dada 5000. That win, however, was overturned after a positive test for steroids.

According to his UFC profile, Slice boasts a 4-2 record in six career fights. His profile noted he earned fame on YouTube before reaching the UFC circuit by using his powerful strikes and punching ability in street fights in Miami.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

BJ Penn Pulled from UFC 199: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

UFC fans will not get the opportunity to watch BJ Penn square off against Cole Miller at UFC 199 in Los Angeles on June 4.
According to a statement on the UFC’s official website, Penn was suspended because of a “potential Anti-Doping Policy…

UFC fans will not get the opportunity to watch BJ Penn square off against Cole Miller at UFC 199 in Los Angeles on June 4.

According to a statement on the UFC’s official website, Penn was suspended because of a “potential Anti-Doping Policy violation.”

Here is the extended statement the UFC released Monday:

The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed BJ Penn of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation. Penn disclosed the usage of a prohibited method – the use of an IV in excess of 50 ML in a six-hour period – during a March 25, 2016, out-of-competition sample collection. In accordance with the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, Penn has received a provisional suspension, and has been removed from his scheduled bout against Cole Miller on June 4 in Los Angeles.

The UFC also noted it is attempting to find a replacement fighter to go against Miller at UFC 199.

Shaun Al-Shatti of MMAFighting.com explained that using IVs over 50 milliliters in a six-hour period is not allowed by World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines, unless the IV is received at a hospital, during surgery or as part of a clinical investigation.

Penn’s return was one of the primary storylines for UFC 199. The 37-year-old veteran sports a 16-10-2 record in his career and won the UFC lightweight and welterweight titles during his impressive tenure, but he retired after losing to Frankie Edgar in July 2014. Edgar registered a technical knockout against Penn in the fight.

Al-Shatti called Penn a “legend” and noted the UFC Hall of Famer initially announced his plans to return in February. However, that triumphant return will be put on hold following Monday’s news.

UFC 199 will still have two headliner title fights even though Penn’s return to the Octagon will no longer be part of the spectacle. Luke Rockhold will attempt to defend the middleweight championship against challenger Michael Bisping, while bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will face Urijah Faber.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

BJ Penn Pulled from UFC 199: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

UFC fans will not get the opportunity to watch BJ Penn square off against Cole Miller at UFC 199 in Los Angeles on June 4.
According to a statement on the UFC’s official website, Penn was suspended because of a “potential Anti-Doping Policy…

UFC fans will not get the opportunity to watch BJ Penn square off against Cole Miller at UFC 199 in Los Angeles on June 4.

According to a statement on the UFC’s official website, Penn was suspended because of a “potential Anti-Doping Policy violation.”

Here is the extended statement the UFC released Monday:

The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed BJ Penn of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation. Penn disclosed the usage of a prohibited method – the use of an IV in excess of 50 ML in a six-hour period – during a March 25, 2016, out-of-competition sample collection. In accordance with the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, Penn has received a provisional suspension, and has been removed from his scheduled bout against Cole Miller on June 4 in Los Angeles.

The UFC also noted it is attempting to find a replacement fighter to go against Miller at UFC 199.

Shaun Al-Shatti of MMAFighting.com explained that using IVs over 50 milliliters in a six-hour period is not allowed by World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines, unless the IV is received at a hospital, during surgery or as part of a clinical investigation.

Penn’s return was one of the primary storylines for UFC 199. The 37-year-old veteran sports a 16-10-2 record in his career and won the UFC lightweight and welterweight titles during his impressive tenure, but he retired after losing to Frankie Edgar in July 2014. Edgar registered a technical knockout against Penn in the fight.

Al-Shatti called Penn a “legend” and noted the UFC Hall of Famer initially announced his plans to return in February. However, that triumphant return will be put on hold following Monday’s news.

UFC 199 will still have two headliner title fights even though Penn’s return to the Octagon will no longer be part of the spectacle. Luke Rockhold will attempt to defend the middleweight championship against challenger Michael Bisping, while bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will face Urijah Faber.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com