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FOX Promises to Roll Out Red Carpet for UFC’s Nov. 12 Network Premiere

Filed under: UFC, News, Sports Business and MediaThe first domino fell just two weeks ago, when the UFC and FOX announced a landmark, seven-year deal that would put the world’s biggest MMA promotion on network television for the first time.

Now, the s…

Filed under: UFC, News, Sports Business and Media

The first domino fell just two weeks ago, when the UFC and FOX announced a landmark, seven-year deal that would put the world’s biggest MMA promotion on network television for the first time.

Now, the second has fallen, after the UFC announced on Friday that its FOX debut, set for Nov. 12 in Anaheim, California, would host a heavyweight championship bout between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos.

The blockbuster matchup officially signals the arrival of UFC on the worldwide sporting landscape, and FOX executives say they will utilize all the resources at their disposal to ensure a massive audience turns out for network’s premiere MMA offering.

And in fact, it may feel like a Hollywood premiere, all the way down to the pre-fight presentation.

“One thing we will be doing is launching the UFC on FOX with a Super Bowl-style red carpet and tailgate party with every star in Hollywood and every dignitary that we need to get out there to launch this thing,” FOX Sports media group co-president and COO Eric Shanks said. “It will be a la Super Bowl tailgate and Super Bowl red carpet with a huge party outside before the event.”

Promotion for the event will begin immediately on FOX television properties. UFC president Dana White said he’s already been blown away with the network’s proactive approach through the early days of their deal, noting that they were already promoting the UFC on FOX partnership with in-program advertising just hours after their original announcement was made on August 18.

“We’ve never been treated like this,” White said. “We’ve never been happier.”

Shanks said that beginning with Saturday afternoon’s college football and Major League Baseball programming, promotions would air for the Velasquez-dos Santos clash.

“We’re jumping on this thing and we’re making it as big a deal as we can,” Shanks told MMA Fighting. “Guaranteed we’ll be promoting it across all of our sports and entertainment properties as well.”

Though the broadcast is only scheduled for one-hour, FOX is expecting to have a “mini pre-game show” and then head straight into the fight. Depending on the actual length of the scheduled five-rounder, the network will either pump in a taped fight or show highlights of the entire card during the broadcast. That decision, however, is yet to be made.

FOX executives declined to set a ratings expectation, though White said he is expecting to blow the old MMA ratings records out of the water, and FOX Sports chairman David Hill agreed. A match held on EliteXC’s CBS May 2008 show holds the all-time record for viewers, with 6.51 million fans watching Kimbo Slice defeat James Thompson via TKO. UFC’s highest-rated all-time fight came in September 2009, when 6.1 million tuned into Spike to watch Roy Nelson defeat Slice via TKO.

With a major championship fight to promote, both the promotion and network know the job in front of them: making sure as many eyes as possible are on what may be the most important fight in UFC history.

“We knew these guys were going to deliver,” Shanks said. “And we’re going to deliver for them to bring a huge audience to it that night as well.”

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Dana White to Announce Main Event For Fox Debut During Friday Afternoon Media Conference Call, Possibly Featuring Overeem

The UFC announced today that it will be holding an impromptu media conference call tomorrow at 1:00 pm ET, during which Dana White is expected to make a “major announcement.” It didn’t take long for the UFC president to reveal via his favorite communication channel, Twitter, that the announcement will be the two main event combatants in the promotion’s inaugural show on Fox which will also feature a featherweight scrap between Dustin Poirier and Pablo Garza.

Some are hypothesizing that former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, who was dropped by the promotion last month for what Zuffa termed as “an issue with his management team” Golden Glory, will make up half of the bout and that his opponent will either be Brock Lesnar, Shane Carwin or Frank Mir.

Adding to the speculation is a report that came out today by Dutch MMA news site Mixfight.nl that stated that an anonymous source from Golden Glory confirmed that “The Demolition Man” has signed with the UFC.

Although Golden Glory head Bas Boon has since refuted the story, Overeem’s trainer Martijn de Jong’s latest tweet did little to quell rumors that “The Reem” is once again a Zuffa employee.

We will be on the call tomorrow, so check in for updated here and on Twitter and Facebook.

Potato Nation Poll: What’s the Biggest MMA News Story of the Year?

(Whatcha gonna do, brother, when Anik-amania runs wild on you?!)

By Jason Moles

In the first three quarters of 2011, the mixed martial arts landscape has changed radically.

We have witnessed the ascension of a smaller promotion with the aid of a hip cable channel and the ruination of a former mecca of MMA at the hands of natural disasters. Fighters have been busted for elevated Testosterone levels, arrested for their various transgressions, cut after a bad showing in the Octagon, and ensured that their job was secure after losing an unprecedented four fights straight.

Of all the things we’ve seen thus far, two news stories are head and shoulders above the rest in terms of impact. The announcement of Zuffa’s acquisition of Strikeforce and the recent news of UFC signing a television deal with FOX are the top two pound-for-pound news stories of 2011. Which story carries more significance? Which is the bigger game-changer? Only here at CagePotato, you the reader get to decide.

But first, let’s lay out both sides of the argument…

(Whatcha gonna do, brother, when Anik-amania runs wild on you?!)

By Jason Moles

In the first three quarters of 2011, the mixed martial arts landscape has changed radically.

But first, let’s lay out both sides of the argument…

When considering the magnitude of the top two MMA news stories this year, one must place a value on the potential impact they have on the sport, tally up the pros and cons, and determine the effect they have going forward.

On March 12, Ariel Helwani’s video interview with Dana White made the rounds as fans shared, liked, re-tweeted, and Digged the single most shocking announcement in the sport’s short history: Zuffa had purchased Strikeforce. Without a hint of speculation or rumor, the world’s most prominent mixed martial arts promotion had quietly acquired its only real competition — news that came straight out of left field, even to those usually in the know. Not since the AFL-NFL merger has a sport been so wonderfully impacted. Not since the WWE bought WCW has one ~~man~~ promotion had so much power over their employees. To say the announcement was a watershed moment is an understatement to say the least.

The ramifications, implications, and potential have yet to be fully understood, but what we do know is that all of the world’s best fighters were suddenly under the same roof, with one, maybe two, notable exceptions.

Fans could now entertain the idea of super fights and undisputed champions without having to release their grip on an otherwise bleak reality. Can Alistair Overeem handle the UFC’s best? Would Randy beat Fedor? Will GSP be impressed with Nick Diaz’s per-for-mance? Forget all of the contract-related legal speak — it is all in the realm of possibility. Jason “Mayhem” Miller and Nick Diaz have already hopped the fence for greener pastures and entertaining matchups. You can bet your bottom dollar there will be a lot more where that came from. (Isn’t that right, Hendo?)

But it’s not all rainbows and bunny rabbits for everybody. From here on out, if a fighter is cut from Zuffa, he or she may have a hard time making a living. The fighters are left with very little leverage at the negotiating table and White and the Fertittas know it. To put it in terms that most of our readership can relate to: It’s like being denied a pay increase at McDonald’s because they know full well that you’ll take what they give you or wind up in the unemployment line because Burger King went out of business and Jack-in-the-Box can barely afford to keep its big-headed star as it is.

Dana White preached “business as usual” while the mounting evidence proved otherwise.

It is a foregone conclusion that Strikeforce will go the way of the WEC, PRIDE FC, and Oreo O’s, all of which brought so many of us great joy while they lasted. While the majority of Strikeforce fighters are still currently fighting under its banner on Showtime, the rule that prohibited a fighter from utilizing elbows to the head of a grounded opponent has been lifted. Sponsors would now be responsible for paying the Zuffa Sponsor Fee, which left at least one patriotic company MIA. Oh, and if you happen to be unfortunate enough to work in the front office in San Jose you’ll be better served updating your resume than watching the rest of the ramshackle heavyweight grand prix.

Overall, the purchase of Strikeforce by Zuffa is not only the biggest news story of the year, it is the biggest news story of the decade. Am I getting ahead of myself? Not really. After all, it’s only been eight months since the decade started so they’re pretty much one in the same. Just like the aforementioned AFL-NFL merger, this deal will be recognized for paving the way of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s global domination.

Fresh Format in Store for “The Ultimate Fighter” Franchise

After thirteen seasons of The Ultimate Fighter, it’s getting to the point where a coach would have to physically restrain us in front of the television to sit through the show’s stale format and predictable antics, but we still tune in because, damn it, we love this fighting stuff. If you’re in the same boat, there’s good news: thanks to the recent Fox/UFC partnership, the reality series is getting its first major shake up in years.

Previous changes to the franchise included dropping the team-vs-team physical challenges, competitors having to fight their way into the house, and the introduction of the “wild card” spot in the semi-finals. Now, the all new TUF of FX will feature live fights and put match-making responsibility in the hands of the fans.

Season fifteen will kick off with a live two-hour episode featuring 32 fighters battling for their spot in the house. Once the dust settles and the blood dries, the coaches will choose their teams from the 16 remaining athletes and determine which fighters are eligible to compete in the following week’s episode. Fans will then vote via text message on which fighters they want to see lock horns, with the winning pair throwing down in episode two.

Each subsequent episode will start with the results of the fan poll and announcement of that evening’s fight. The rest of the show will be the familiar pre-recorded, edited interactions between cast memebers in the house and at the gym. When it’s time for the bout, however, we’ll shift to a live broadcast of the fight. After the bout has ended, we’ll see the fighter consolations and celebrations in real time and get to vote on next week’s pairing.

I’m not one to vote in American Idol-style text polls, but I’m excited about these changes. Rather than having the whole series wrapped up before the first episode airs, we’ll be catching the action as it unfolds. There’s something about watching a fight live that makes it more exciting whether I know the outcome of the bout or not. Also interesting is that the show’s editors won’t be able to carefully construct the “plot” and direction of the season without the benefit of knowing what lies ahead. All in all, it looks like a solid effort to breath new life into the old series.

So will you be watching, and will you be voting?

Playmate and Silver Star Clothing Owner Charis Burrett Brings You the Fix Friday Link Dump

Jason “Mayhem” Miller arrested for putting his sister in a headlock. Man, I didn’t know I could have pressed charges on my brother every time he kept me from grabbing the remote control. Damn it!.

Jason “Mayhem” Miller arrested for putting his sister in a headlock. Man, I didn’t know I could have pressed charges on my brother every time he kept me from grabbing the remote control. Damn it! Also some new Bellator Russian fighter is accused of murder: here.

Kenny Florian takes over color commentating for UFC 134 while Joe Rogan films Fear Factor: here.

Watch Bellator 48 weigh-ins today : here.

Dana White talks Brock Lesnar‘s return in 2012 and more on that Fox tv deal, you may not have heard of yet: here.

Rashad Evans tells TMZ about his hand and wrist injury that’s forced him into a cast: here.

Kim Kardashian‘s wedding dress for Saturday revealed: here.

Clay Guida and Playboy Playmate of 2003, Charis Burrett are hosting Silver Star Clothing’s MAGIC Party this Monday, Aug. 22 at Tabù Ultra Lounge in MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. Enjoy some NSFW pics of Charis Burrett below:

Dustin Poirier vs. Pablo Garza First Fight Announced for UFC on FOX Debut

Filed under: UFC, NewsHours after the UFC announced its major deal with FOX, the promotion’s matchmaking machine is in full swing.

The promotion confirmed Dustin Poirier vs. Pablo Garza for the premiere edition of UFC on FOX. The event will be Nov. 12…

Filed under: UFC, News

Hours after the UFC announced its major deal with FOX, the promotion’s matchmaking machine is in full swing.

The promotion confirmed Dustin Poirier vs. Pablo Garza for the premiere edition of UFC on FOX. The event will be Nov. 12 at The Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

The pair are two of the UFC’s quickest-rising young featherweights.

The 22-year-old Poirier has captured his last four fights in improving to 10-1 overall. In his last outing, he defeated Jason Young via unanimous decision at UFC 131. Since moving over from the WEC, he’s won both of his starts, also defeating Josh Grispi. The fight with Grispi also marked his featherweight debut.

Garza is 11-1 overall. His last bout was April’s massive UFC 129 show. Garza authored one of the night’s most memorable moments, when he caught Yves Jabouin in a flying triangle, a move that earned him a $129,000 Submission of the Night bonus.

Prior to that, he had knocked out Fredson Paixao at The Ultimate FIghter 12 Finale. Like Poirier, Garza was formerly a lightweight that shifted down a weight class.

The UFC did not specify if the fight would be on the network broadcast or undercard.

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