Tag: Dana White

UFC: Zuffa Offering Insurance to Fighters and How It Furthers the Sport

On May 9, Zuffa announced that they were beginning to offer insurance policies for their fighters under contract for injuries that are sustained in either in-ring competition and also injuries that are suffered outside of the cage in training.Houston i…

On May 9, Zuffa announced that they were beginning to offer insurance policies for their fighters under contract for injuries that are sustained in either in-ring competition and also injuries that are suffered outside of the cage in training.

Houston insurance agency HCC Insurance Holdings has been contracted to provide the coverage. The policy, which goes into effect June 1, 2011, is the first of its kind that covers a large group of combat athletes and is the first for Zuffa.

Previously, Zuffa was not liable for injuries suffered in training and fighters were responsible for covering their own medical expenses.

The policy covers all UFC and Strikeforce athletes whether they reside in the United States or outside of the country. Zuffa covers all premiums for the insurance and is at no cost to the fighters. Athletes are allowed to use up to $50,000 annually for coverage while they are under contract with Zuffa and covers the athletes even if they are not scheduled to compete in the near-future.

The policy also covers dental and life insurance for the fighters as long as they are under contract—also at no cost to the athletes. Overall, the policy covers doctor services, laboratory tests, emergency medical evacuation and physical therapy.

No one can deny that this is a huge step for the sport of mixed martial arts. Not only for the athletes that compete inside of the cage, but also in the efforts to further the sport into the mainstream spotlight.

Everyone that is a fan of MMA, and maybe even if they’re not, have heard the critics and what they have to say about the sport. Their claims of it not being safe, being cockfighting and making it out to a brutal spectacle that has no oversight have gone on for years, even after the sport exploded onto the scene in 2005 and has since grown into what it is today.

Fans of the sport have defended it against these claims and know full well that the sport they enjoy and love isn’t a bloodsport with no regard for human life or sportsmanship and respect. They know the integrity of the sport and know the athletes they watch compete are educated and well-respected and trained athletes that love the sport just as much as they do.

There is no doubt that this is the big step that mixed martial arts needed to help them in their fight for acceptance and to show those who doubt that this is more than a spectacle. This is a sport. This is an event that millions upon millions around the globe love and respect. And, for those who compete, this is a lifestyle.

This just goes to show that this sport is just like the others out there, it respects its athletes that put it all on the line.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Chael Sonnen Remains Suspended by the California State Athletic Commission

In an article last week, this writer broke the news that UFC middleweight contender Chael Sonnen had his fighter’s license suspended by the state of California. May 18 was the day of the hearing, and things did not go favorably for “Uncle C…

In an article last week, this writer broke the news that UFC middleweight contender Chael Sonnen had his fighter’s license suspended by the state of California.

May 18 was the day of the hearing, and things did not go favorably for “Uncle Chael.”

ESPN’s Josh Gross kept fans up to date via his Twitter feed, and there were quite a few interesting developments. 

At the hearing, Sonnen confirmed rumors that the UFC asked him to coach opposite Michael Bisping on season 14 of the show. Sonnen said UFC would give him a job 18 days from now. “A once in a lifetime opportunity to be a coach on The Ultimate Fighter,” he confirmed.

Additionally, he clarified that if things panned out, the season finale would see Sonnen take on Bisping in a No. 1 contender fight for the middleweight title.

Bisping chimed in on the matter via his Twitter page, and despite Sonnen calling him out not too long ago, “The Count” actually showed sympathy for Sonnen:

“Gutted for chael sonnen, people make mistakes.  He paid his dues and should be allowed to continue with his career. Real shame for the guy.”

The British middleweight added “I did wanna fight him,as it would of been awesome, and a no1 contender matchup, but my own personal wants aside, I do truly feel for the guy.” 

The first shocking moment from the hearing came when Sonnen stated, “If I don’t get my license today I’m effectively retired. That came from the boss, Dana White.”

A visibly emotional Sonnen continued, “I worked for this chance my whole life. I don’t want to retire today.”

After hearing statements from the crowd—which included Sonnen’s mother—the commission passed a 4-1 motion made by State Athletic Commissioner Gene Hernandez to uphold Sonnen’s indefinite suspension.

Sonnen’s attorney, Steve Thompson, blamed the misunderstandings between the commission and Sonnen primarily on former manager Matt Linland. Thompson also played up how passionate the UFC was in giving Sonnen another chance, with a coaching position on TUF and a No. 1 contender fight on the line.

Sonnen stressed the fact that he needs testosterone therapy for his “survival,” and that he has the testosterone levels of a “93-year-old man.”

All arguments seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Sonnen cannot apply for another license in the state of California until June 29th of 2012, and is all but guaranteed to not get his suspension uplifted in the state of Nevada now.

Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer was one of the men who testified. He again reiterated his position that he never talked to Sonnen regarding the therapeutic exemption of testosterone replacement therapy. 

Neither the UFC nor Chael Sonnen has released an official statement on the matter yet, but this article will provide updates as they occur.

UPDATE: 5:24pm ET Michael Bisping’s Twitter comments about the matter have been added.  

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC News: Matt Mitrione Discusses Tito Ortiz Incident, Willing to Fight Him

After his much-publicized confrontation with Tito Ortiz last week at the UFC Fighter Summit, Matt Mitrione has been very open to a possible bout with the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. During Monday’s episode of “The MMA Hour”, Mitrione said he…

After his much-publicized confrontation with Tito Ortiz last week at the UFC Fighter Summit, Matt Mitrione has been very open to a possible bout with the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

During Monday’s episode of “The MMA Hour”, Mitrione said he pitched the idea to UFC president Dana White following the altercation and reminded him that he would do whatever it took to have the potential bout finalized.

“At the end of it I was like, ‘Just to let you know, if Tito really wants to run his mouth about this…I will cut down to as close as to 205 as possible,” Mitrione said during his segment with Ariel Helwani. 

“So all these boys who say I’ll never fight him, I told Dana and I told Mr. Fertitta that I wanted to cut weight to whoop his a– if he would take that fight.”

Mitrione, who competes in the UFC heavyweight division, made disparaging remarks directed at Ortiz, and more specifically his ex-girlfriend and former adult film star, Jenna Jameson, that had prompted Ortiz to confront Mitrione.

Mitrione said he did not have any intention of fighting Ortiz, but he said he had to defend himself, after Ortiz became aggressive.

“I started to square up a little bit, and then he kept saying, like anybody who doesn’t really want to fight, they’re like ‘hit me, hit me then, hit me,” he said.

“That’s why, in the video, I was like, ‘Well, you’re the one being aggressive. If you want to be aggressive, then let’s scrap. …I came and introduced myself. I didn’t come up here to fight you.'”

For now, Mitrione will look to take his frustrations out on his next opponent, Christian Morecraft, who he’s scheduled to face at UFC Live in June. 

And as for Ortiz, Mitrione said he is willing to fight him, but if Ortiz decides to turn down the offer, he said he is fine with that decision, too.

“I think that Tito didn’t necessarily want to fight me about it, but I think he felt like, as a man, he had to pop up and do something about it. And I respect that. I respect that completely,” Mitrione said.

“But if he’s not satisfied with what went on,” he continued. “If he’s not satisfied with his Twitter monologues or soliloquies or his wife’s…then we can scrap. If not, if you’re cool with it, then I’m cool with it too.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Tito Ortiz Linked to Bizarre Murder Conspiracy Court Case


(You need how much? Damn. OK, but I want some new XXL leather headrests for my G6.)

According to a story that appeared in the Las Vegas Review Journal today, former UFC light heavyweight champ Tito Ortiz has been tied to a murder conspiracy court case that involves a father who is accused of hiring a hitman to kill his son, who is alleged to have slept with both his father’s ex-wife and ex-girlfriend before testifying in February that his old man had used $160,000, which he fraudulently obtained through a burglary insurance scam, to fuel his crack habit.

You know a family is dysfunctional if it make’s Tito’s seem like the Cleavers.

Apparently the only reason Tito’s name got out in reference to the case is that the accused, Keith Harriman, who is petitioning to get a Nevada state appointed lawyer due to financial reasons put up a $500,000 bond to be able to leave jail and live under house arrest until the trial is over and he revealed when pressed that “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” fronted him the cash.


(You need how much? Damn. OK, but I want some new XXL leather headrests for my G6.)

According to a story that appeared in the Las Vegas Review Journal today, former UFC light heavyweight champ Tito Ortiz has been tied to a murder conspiracy court case that involves a father who is accused of hiring a hitman to kill his son, who is alleged to have slept with both his father’s ex-wife and ex-girlfriend before testifying in February that his old man had used $160,000, which he fraudulently obtained through a burglary insurance scam, to fuel his crack habit.

You know a family is dysfunctional if it make’s Tito’s seem like the Cleavers.

Apparently the only reason Tito’s name got out in reference to the case is that the accused, Keith Harriman, who is petitioning to get a Nevada state appointed lawyer due to financial reasons put up a $500,000 bond to be able to leave jail and live under house arrest until the trial is over and he revealed when pressed that ”The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” fronted him the cash.

According to the report, Keith Harriman’s brother, Wayne Harriman, a used car salesman from Las Vegas, was the person Ortiz credits with mending his relationship with UFC president Dana White.

Keith’s son Dominick was shot at least nine times Aug. 27 while working at Wayne Harriman’s car lot. The shooter was never identified, but according to Keith Harriman, the hit could have been a result of his son’s sordid past and criminal history or the fact that he was was an informant for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

No word on when the movie comes out, but it’s likely that Ortiz will be played by one of these two actors.

Tito Ortiz Posts Murder Suspect’s Bail

Tito Ortiz must remember what it’s like to be in holding so he took pity on Las Vegas murder suspect, Keith Harriman (49) who has been held on 12 Felony Counts in connection with a.

tito-ortiz-released-on-bail-for-allegedly-beating-baby-mama-jenna-jameson-jail-arrests-drama-photo-pictures

Tito Ortiz must remember what it’s like to be in holding so he took pity on Las Vegas murder suspect, Keith Harriman (49) who has been held on 12 Felony Counts in connection with a plot to murder his 27 year old son.

At a preliminary hearing in February, Dominick Harriman testified his father wanted him dead because he told insurance fraud investigators his father’s $160,000 burglary loss claim was a scam to feed a crack cocaine addiction. Dominick Harriman also said his father was angry because he had slept with both his dad’s ex-girlfriend and his ex-wife.
Dominick Harriman was shot at least nine times Aug. 27 at the used car dealership where he worked for his uncle, Wayne Harriman, at Nice Cars of Nevada, 3401 S. Decatur Blvd. The shooter has not been identified.

Bail was set at half a million dollars and Ortiz put up the bond. It was revealed that Ortiz has a long time relationship with Wayne Harriman, a used car dealership owner and the brother to the murder suspect. Ortiz may have felt he needed to help out the brothers as Las Vegas Review Journal reports:

…Wayne Harriman helped bridge a rift between Ortiz and UFC chairman Dana White that led to a six-fight contract.

*Props to Cagewriter for the story.