UFC reportedly has deal with FOX; Network has big press conference announcement set for Thursday

The rumor merry-go-round continues to twirl with regards to the UFC and a new television deal.

First it was the Wall Street Journal reporting that Zuffa (parent company to the UFC) was closing in on a deal with Comcast/NBC. Now Sport Business Daily says FOX has stepped up to grab the mixed martial arts giant in a package that could be worth as much as $90 million per year.

In what would represent a major push into the mainstream for the UFC, Fox has agreed to a deal that will see the broadcast channel air as many as four MMA events per year, according to several sources. The multiyear deal would mark the first time the UFC will have consistent airtime on a broadcast network. Fox execs refused to comment on the deal, but sources with knowledge of the negotiations said bidding had gone as high as $90M per year. The Fox deal is believed to be for seven or eight years.

UPDATE: John Ourand from SBJ tweeted that FOX has a major announcement on the way later this week.


UFC president Dana White wouldn't confirm the deal to MMAjunkie.

"You guys will know when we have a TV deal," said White.

White appeared with Yahoo! Sports' Kevin Iole on Friday's "MMA Insiders" on ESPNRadio1100/98.9 FM in Las Vegas.

"We do not have a deal. We're out there talking to everybody. When you're out there talking to everybody there's going to be lots of rumors," White said (19:10 mark). "In a perfect world, what would really work out great is if you could be on CBS and FOX and Comcast/NBC. Just like the NFL is. That would be the perfect world, but this sport has a lot of room to grow."

White has been very selective over the years with the UFC's programming partners.

"I will not do a dumb deal. We're not going to do a deal that doesn't make sense. We could've been the first mixed martial arts on network television, but none of the deals made sense," White said. "And as you saw all those guys [that were on network TV like EliteXC on CBS] ended up going out of business."

The UFC has been looking for a multi-platform deal. The promotion would like programming on network TV and several cable channels. Currently, it's running live fights and additional programming with preview shows and past fights on Spike and Versus. That will change in a deal with FOX.

As part of the deal, most of the weekly programming that UFC has on Versus and Spike TV will move to FX starting in January. That includes several fight cards, plus shows like the reality series "The Ultimate Fighter." Fox-owned Fuel also will wind up with some UFC content. But rumors that Fox will rebrand Fuel as a UFC channel are not true, sources said. Fox was attracted to UFC programming, which has produced some of the highest viewership figures ­-- and most attractive demos --­ on Versus and Spike TV.

According to SBJ, Viacom-owned Spike dropped out of the bidding because of lagging numbers:

The UFC's talks with Viacom-owned Spike ended before that. Sources said Spike ultimately passed over concern that its UFC shoulder programming stopped growing. Shows like "Unleashed," "Knockouts" and "Countdown" averaged 1 million viewers in '05. This year, they are averaging 492,000. Spike holds the rights to UFC library programming through '12, including old fights and shoulder programming such as "UFC Unleashed."

The most recent live event on Versus actually trended up at UFC on Versus 5.

UFC's Sunday night event in Milwaukee on Versus also drew 766,000 viewers from 9:00-11:09pm ET, marking the net's most-viewed program for the week ending August 14. That figure is up 3% from 744,000 viewers for the last UFC event on Versus on June 26.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-reportedly-has-deal-with-FOX-Network-has-bi?urn=mma-wp5963

Kimo Leopoldo Brock Lesnar John Lewis Jérôme Le Banner

What's Next For The Winners And Losers Of Strikeforce "Challengers 18"?

For the most part, Strikeforce ?Challengers 18? was an enjoyable event. We saw a few good finishes, some interesting controversy, and some nice three-round wars. Now once again it?s time to ask: what?s next? What does the future hold after the controversial women?s stoppage and Jorge Gurgel losing once again? Here?s my answer to just [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/08/13/whats-next-for-the-winners-and-losers-of-strikeforce-challengers-18

Nam Phan Mike Pierce Mike Plotcheck Ross Pointon

What's Next For The Winners And Losers Of Strikeforce "Challengers 18"?

For the most part, Strikeforce ?Challengers 18? was an enjoyable event. We saw a few good finishes, some interesting controversy, and some nice three-round wars. Now once again it?s time to ask: what?s next? What does the future hold after the controversial women?s stoppage and Jorge Gurgel losing once again? Here?s my answer to just [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/08/13/whats-next-for-the-winners-and-losers-of-strikeforce-challengers-18

Nam Phan Mike Pierce Mike Plotcheck Ross Pointon

Strikeforce on tap: Healy looks to ride hot streak

Back in 2001 at just 17 years old, Pat Healy jumped into MMA without much guidance and zero fear. He'd fight anyone, anywhere and at any time. The result is an odd looking 26-17 career record. But don't be fooled by the less than stellar numbers, Healy, now 28, is still an emerging prospect especially since he dropped from 170 to 155 pounds.

Healy gets to showcase his skills at the Strikeforce Challenger 18 card (Showtime 11 p.m. ET/PT) tonight in Las Vegas at the Palms Casino Resort.

He's a massive lightweight who's given several Strikeforce opponents a rough go down at 155.

Lyle Beerbohm learned the lesson the hard way. Beerbohm, entered the Feb. 2011 match with an unbeaten mark, but was dominated and handed his first loss by Healy. Before that, Healy gave former Strikeforce lightweight champ Josh Thomson all he could handle.

Healy says records can be very misleading.

"He really had fought a lot of opponents and guys from his local area," Healy told the Las Vegas Sun. "He didn't get out and fight other guys. Records can be really misleading. I think it's the same case with mine."

Healy's losses include UFC veteran middleweights Denis Kang, Chris Leben and lower weight fighters Dave Strasser, Carlo Prater, Jay Hieron, Chris Wilson, Rory Markham, Jake Ellenberger, Chris Lytle, and Brad Blackburn (two times). He's also posted wins over Paul Daley, Carlos Condit, Dan Hardy, Tiki Ghosn, Brandon Melendez, Mike Guymon and Ryan Ford.

Healy is 6-2 at lightweight and points to his desire to train all over the country as a big reason. He started with Team Quest (Randy Couture, Matt Lindland and Chael Sonnen) in Oregon, but has since bounced around to Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas and B.J. Penn's camp in Hawaii.

"A lot of guys are too worried that they might have to fight someone they train with in the future or that they'll know too much about them," Healy said. "I don't really worry about that. I think whenever you go somewhere with different guys, you learn a lot. That outweighs the negatives."

Tonight, he'll try to put together a rare two-fight win streak against Eric Wisely (18-5). Wisely is making his Strikeforce debut. He comes in riding a four-fight win streak with victories over Matt Veach and Hermes Franca.

Strikeforce Challengers 18 weigh-in (Courtesy MMAjunkie):

MAIN CARD

Jorge Gurgel (154) vs. Joe Duarte (155)
Nate James (185) vs. Danillo Villefort (186)
Pat Healy (155) vs. Eric Wisely (156)
Sarah D'Alelio (146) vs. Ronda Rousey (146)
Roy Jones Jr. (204) vs. Derrick Mehmen (205)

PRELIMINARY CARD

Keith Berry (204) vs. Gian Villante (205)
Nah-Shon Burrell (171)* vs. Lukasz Les (169)
Mike Bronzoulis (169) vs. Chad Leonhardt (171)
Sterling Ford (156) vs. Milton Vieira (155)

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Strikeforce-on-tap-Healy-looks-to-ride-hot-stre?urn=mma-wp5705

John Alessio  Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez

Strikeforce on tap: Healy looks to ride hot streak

Back in 2001 at just 17 years old, Pat Healy jumped into MMA without much guidance and zero fear. He'd fight anyone, anywhere and at any time. The result is an odd looking 26-17 career record. But don't be fooled by the less than stellar numbers, Healy, now 28, is still an emerging prospect especially since he dropped from 170 to 155 pounds.

Healy gets to showcase his skills at the Strikeforce Challenger 18 card (Showtime 11 p.m. ET/PT) tonight in Las Vegas at the Palms Casino Resort.

He's a massive lightweight who's given several Strikeforce opponents a rough go down at 155.

Lyle Beerbohm learned the lesson the hard way. Beerbohm, entered the Feb. 2011 match with an unbeaten mark, but was dominated and handed his first loss by Healy. Before that, Healy gave former Strikeforce lightweight champ Josh Thomson all he could handle.

Healy says records can be very misleading.

"He really had fought a lot of opponents and guys from his local area," Healy told the Las Vegas Sun. "He didn't get out and fight other guys. Records can be really misleading. I think it's the same case with mine."

Healy's losses include UFC veteran middleweights Denis Kang, Chris Leben and lower weight fighters Dave Strasser, Carlo Prater, Jay Hieron, Chris Wilson, Rory Markham, Jake Ellenberger, Chris Lytle, and Brad Blackburn (two times). He's also posted wins over Paul Daley, Carlos Condit, Dan Hardy, Tiki Ghosn, Brandon Melendez, Mike Guymon and Ryan Ford.

Healy is 6-2 at lightweight and points to his desire to train all over the country as a big reason. He started with Team Quest (Randy Couture, Matt Lindland and Chael Sonnen) in Oregon, but has since bounced around to Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas and B.J. Penn's camp in Hawaii.

"A lot of guys are too worried that they might have to fight someone they train with in the future or that they'll know too much about them," Healy said. "I don't really worry about that. I think whenever you go somewhere with different guys, you learn a lot. That outweighs the negatives."

Tonight, he'll try to put together a rare two-fight win streak against Eric Wisely (18-5). Wisely is making his Strikeforce debut. He comes in riding a four-fight win streak with victories over Matt Veach and Hermes Franca.

Strikeforce Challengers 18 weigh-in (Courtesy MMAjunkie):

MAIN CARD

Jorge Gurgel (154) vs. Joe Duarte (155)
Nate James (185) vs. Danillo Villefort (186)
Pat Healy (155) vs. Eric Wisely (156)
Sarah D'Alelio (146) vs. Ronda Rousey (146)
Roy Jones Jr. (204) vs. Derrick Mehmen (205)

PRELIMINARY CARD

Keith Berry (204) vs. Gian Villante (205)
Nah-Shon Burrell (171)* vs. Lukasz Les (169)
Mike Bronzoulis (169) vs. Chad Leonhardt (171)
Sterling Ford (156) vs. Milton Vieira (155)

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Strikeforce-on-tap-Healy-looks-to-ride-hot-stre?urn=mma-wp5705

John Alessio  Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez

Rick Story vs. Martin Kampmann booked for UFC 139 in San Jose

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Rick_Story_3.jpeg

After suffering a huge setback in June in an upset loss to Charlie Brenneman at UFC on Versus 4, Rick Story will return to action at UFC 139 this November against Martin Kampmann.

The UFC announced the welterweight matchup on Wednesday morning.

Kampmann was supposed to compete on that UFC on Versus 4 card himself, but an injury forced him out of the event. This will be his first fight back since losing a controversial decision to Diego Sanchez in March. The 29-year-old has lost two straight fights, but holds an 8-4 record inside the Octagon over the last five years.

Story's loss to Brenneman snapped a six fight winning streak in the UFC, and was his first loss since his UFC debut in 2009. After his biggest career win in a decision over Thiago Alves at UFC 130, Story stepped up on short notice to fight Nate Marquardt at UFC on Versus 4. However, when Marquardt was pulled from the event the day of the weigh-ins, Brenneman stepped up, and ultimately won the fight by out-grappling Story in the first two rounds of the fight.

UFC 139 takes place on Nov. 19 from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., and is expected to be headlined by a UFC Heavyweight Championship fight between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos.

Penick's Analysis: This is an excellent welterweight fight, and really the perfect fight for each of them right now. Story's loss to Brenneman saw his stock in the division plummet, but he's still 6-2 in the UFC and is a very capable fighter. Kampmann has lost two fights in a row, but they were close fights where he essentially just didn't do enough to convincingly take the rounds to win. He remains a dangerous fighter on the feet and on the ground, and he'll be a very difficult test for Story to get past to get himself back on track.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_10174.shtml

Kevin Knabjian John Kolosci Cheick Kongo Josh Koscheck

Kimbo Slice spectacular in boxing debut with 17-second knockout

Kimbo Slice built his reputation on the streets by destroying his opponents with a ferocious attack. Because of takedowns and grappling, it didn't quite work out for Kimbo in mixed martial arts. Saturday night he went back to his roots, albeit wearing the heavy gloves on instead of going bare-knuckled and scored a vicious 17-second knockout in his professional boxing debut at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma.

"It's like second nature for me. I'm comfortable here. I found a home here," said Slice (1-0) of his crossover to boxing.

The 37-year-old also knows he has a lot to learn and didn't want to get too excited about the win.

"I can't give myself a good grade because my movements were a little shady. I felt like I didn't really connect the way I wanted to. I still have a lot of learning to do. I'm a baby, taking baby steps," said Kimbo.

Check out the raw video shot from the crowd in Oklahoma. Kimbo took out James Wade with a brutal uppercut. Wade was out cold balancing on the ropes.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Kimbo-Slice-spectacular-in-boxing-debut-with-17-?urn=mma-wp5835

John Kolosci Cheick Kongo Josh Koscheck Pascal Krauss