Tag: WEC

So, Is the UFC-WEC Merger Good for Everybody Except the Hardcore Fans?

(Take a good look, people. It’s the last time you’ll be seeing stuff like this for free. PicProps: InsideHoops.com)
OK, wait just a goddamned minute. There’s some sleight of hand going on here, isn’t there? Ever since Dana White organized a…


(Take a good look, people. It’s the last time you’ll be seeing stuff like this for free. PicProps: InsideHoops.com)

OK, wait just a goddamned minute. There’s some sleight of hand going on here, isn’t there? Ever since Dana White organized another of his can’t-miss, super-special, earth-shattering, blow-your-fuckin’-mind announcement conference calls yesterday to let us know that the insatiable goatsucker that is the UFC will soon devour the scared gazelle of the WEC, people have been blowing nonstop smoke up our asses about how great this is going to be. And yeah, in a lot of ways it will be great. Specifically, it’ll be great for the fighters – except most WEC lightweights, who’ll certainly be fired as soon as they lose their first UFC fights — since the little guys finally get the long overdue opportunity to be UFC fighters, get UFC groupies and bank UFC paychecks. That’s all fine and good. Seriously, those guys deserve it.

But what about us? What about the hardcore fans who have been religiously tuning in to the WEC over the last couple of years to see what have consistently been the best shows in the industry? I mean, we’re kinda getting screwed on this deal, right? Granted, we’re no mathematicians, but it’s unclear how Zuffa reducing its programming on Versus from nine shows during 2010 to four shows during 2011 means anything other than fewer free fights for the fans. And let’s be honest, the UFC is absorbing the WEC for one reason only: So it can charge us for something we used to get for free.

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Audio From Todays UFC – WEC Merger Media Call

Check out audio from today’s media call with UFC president Dana White as he announces the merger of the UFC and WEC promotions. After the announcement White goes on to answer questions from the media.
HT: Yahoo! Cagewriter
More audio after the jump

Click here to view the embedded video.

Check out audio from today’s media call with UFC president Dana White as he announces the merger of the UFC and WEC promotions. After the announcement White goes on to answer questions from the media.

HT: Yahoo! Cagewriter

Click here to view the embedded video.

More audio after the jump

Click here to view the embedded video.

UFC – WEC Merger News & Notes

It was a big day for the ZUFFA owned Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting promotions. While some of us were on a plane and unable to offer a timely update, UFC president Dana White announced the merger of both companies under the UFC banner.
What does this all mean and when will this […]

danawhite8xcIt was a big day for the ZUFFA owned Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting promotions. While some of us were on a plane and unable to offer a timely update, UFC president Dana White announced the merger of both companies under the UFC banner.

What does this all mean and when will this happen you say? Well here’s a brief explanation of what went down.

– The WEC will carry on with it’s scheduled events for the rest of the year, but come January, both promotions will merge. White stated “What’s exciting for these lighter-weight guys, they’re finally on the biggest stage in the world now.”

– The first big name to cross over will be featherweight champ Jose Aldo. He’ll defend his title at UFC 125 on Jan. 1st against an unnamed opponent. This is good news for the New Years Day card as they were looking at some poor PPV numbers. Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard isn’t at the top of the list for ppv’s fans are willing to dish money out for.

– UFC Lightweight Title: The winner of the upcoming WEC 53 lightweight title bout between champion Ben Henderson and challenger Anthony Pettis will determine the No.1 contender position for the UFC belt. The current UFC champ Frankie Edgar will meet Gray Maynard on Jan. 1st, so the health of both winners will likely determine the fight date.

– The UFC is still maintaining a presence on the Versus network, the traditional home of the WEC, by showing four UFC events in 2011. The UFC is also maintaining it’s partnership with Spike TV.

Brittney Palmer
– For those of you wondering what would become of WEC cage girl Brittney Palmer, UFC president Dana White noted that “She goes to the UFC too,” she’ll join Arianny Celeste and Chandella Powell cageside.

– With a merger one would expect there to be a few firings, but the UFC president said all of the WEC staff would move over to the UFC including WEC boss Reed Harris.

“When I started the WEC, we thought we’d maybe do one show,” Harris told MMAjunkie.com . “To be sitting here today and have something that I was involved in become part of the biggest sports company in the world is very satisfying…At this point, I’m not able to discuss my role because we’re going to focus on November and December,” Harris. “Now these fights take on a whole new importance – obviously for the fighters and our organization.”

Urijah Faber Happy He Doesn’t Have To Explain To Fans Why He Isn’t In The UFC

“The California Kid” Urijah Faber posted this vblog to express his happiness that the WEC was merging with the UFC. Now he won’t have to explain to fans why he wasn’t fighting in the UFC.

Click here to view the embedded video.

“The California Kid” Urijah Faber posted this vblog to express his happiness that the WEC was merging with the UFC. Now he won’t have to explain to fans why he wasn’t fighting in the UFC.

Brittney Palmer (and All Other WEC Employees) Added to UFC in 2011

UFC President, Dana White announced they will be adding Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions to the UFC.

The two new divisions feature WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, who will now be recognized as the reigning UFC featherweight champion, and WEC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz. White confirmed that the winner of the Dec. 16 lightweight title […]

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UFC President, Dana White announced they will be adding Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions to the UFC.

The two new divisions feature WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, who will now be recognized as the reigning UFC featherweight champion, and WEC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz. White confirmed that the winner of the Dec. 16 lightweight title fight between WEC champion Ben Henderson and top contender Anthony Pettis live on VERSUS will take on the winner of the UFC 125 main event title bout between champion Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. This upcoming fight will serve as a UFC lightweight title unification bout to be held next year.

Finally, Brittney Palmer will be seated next to Arianny Celeste and Chandella Powell. The excited Palmer tweeted today: ?”Dana says all WEC employees will come over to UFC. We expect/insist this will include @brittneypalmer” :-) can’t wait!”

White Announces UFC & WEC To Merge In 2011

World Extreme Cagefighting is merging with its sister organization the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
White explained the timing of the decision and what this means for all parties involved. He also provided updates on what’s next for Brock Lesnar and Tito Ortiz, as well as his take on the Undertaker-Lesnar exchange following UFC 121.

HT: MMAFighting.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

World Extreme Cagefighting is merging with its sister organization the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

White explained the timing of the decision and what this means for all parties involved. He also provided updates on what’s next for Brock Lesnar and Tito Ortiz, as well as his take on the Undertaker-Lesnar exchange following UFC 121.

HT: MMAFighting.com