contracts

Cage Warriors add seven new fighters to their roster

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Seven more fighters have today been added to Cage Warriors Fighting Championship’s roster of talent. Five-fight contracts have each been signed by Steven Ray, Shaj Haque, Mick Sinclair, Carl Noon, Lawrence Fitzpatrick, Bryan Creighton and John Redmond. The deals will commit all seven fighters exclusively to Cage Warriors over a minimum period of 18 months.

Spencer Fisher signs new four-fight deal, will face Wolfslair product Curt Warburton at UFC 120

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Despite back-to-back losses in the UFC, Spencer “The King” Fisher, recently inked a new four-fight deal with the organization.  Fisher, who is 8-5 in his UFC career and 23-6 overall, will be looking to get back on track at UFC 120 facing UFC newcomer Curt Warburton. The signing first reported by MMA Junkie, extends a … Read more

The firing line – Trigg, Coleman, Hague go bye bye

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“Relentless” now, more than ever, seems an appropriate name for UFC 109. Multiple sources are reporting that Frank Trigg, Mark Coleman, and Tim Hague have all been cut by the UFC, following their losses at “UFC 109: Relentless” this past weekend. Most people, most of all Frank “Twinkle Toes” Trigg, knew it was do or … Read more

Strikeforce possible Pro Elite buyer?

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Reports indicate that the San Jose, CA based promotion Strikeforce may purchase Pro Elite. According to MMA Weekly’s MMA Insider blog, the acquisition of Pro Elite could lead to MMA’s return to CBS as well as Showtime.

While the company that retains Pro Elite’s assets could find themselves on network television, it remains to be seen how many, or if any, of Pro Elite’s fighter contracts would transfer over. It has also been reported that an announcement of the purchase could occur sometime today or Friday. Strikeforce executive Mike Afromowitz came out yesterday and made it clear that no deal had yet been finalized.

“Any reports of a done deal are a complete fantasy. It’s complicated, and that’s why I don’t want to speculate. If anything is done, it will be very technical. It’s not as straightforward as you think.”

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Viacom and Time Warner Cable come to terms, SPIKE TV safe

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MMA fans worried that they would not be able to watch UFC on SPIKE TV in 2009 can rest easy.

Media giants, Viacom and Time Warner struck a deal agreeing on compensation that would allow SPIKE TV, Nickelodeon, MTV and 16 other channels to stay on Viacom programming.

Viacom originally wanted an additional $39 million on top of the $300 million Time Warner already pays. In order for Time Warner to acquire the $39 million it would be forced to charge subscribers an extra $2.76 annually.

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Historic MMA Rivalries, part 4: UFC vs. Fighters

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Throughout history management and labor have always butted heads. When it comes to the UFC and their fighters, they too hold a history of disagreements.

While no UFC contract dispute may come close to having an impact on society like the Homestead Strike, the contract fighters are asked to sign with ZUFFA, LLC are constantly making the news. “Zuffa” is an Italian word meaning “brawl”, however some of the UFC’s biggest and nastiest brawls have actually been outside the Octagon over their now somewhat infamous contracts.

Randy Couture and Jon Fitch’s quarrels with Dana White and the UFC became front page news this year. Tito Ortiz and Dana’s public war of words appeared in MMA discussion forums as much as UFC commentator, Mike Goldberg uses his “Pedro Rizzo 85 mph baseball bat” reference.

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Jon Fitch & Christian Wellisch cut from UFC

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Former welterweight number one contender, Jon Fitch has been released from his contract with the UFC along with heavyweight Christian Wellisch.

UFC President Dana White let it be known he no longer wants to work with fighters from the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose or those represented by DeWayne Zinkin and “Crazy” Bob Cook.

What is White upset about and why would Fitch and Wellisch be released from their contracts? According to sources, it stems from a merchandising deal and their refusual of signing over their likeness for the organization’s video game for life.

Popular Ultimate Fighter veteran, Josh Koscheck and undefeated heavyweight standout Cain Velasquez also seem to be in danger.  Fortunately for Koscheck he is headlining the UFC’s next main event on the December 10 Fight for the Troops card.  Otherwise he may have already been forced to walk the plank.

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Dana White Calls Roger Huerta A Moron (Audio Interview)

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by:  Jack Bratcher

Dana White was on today’s edition of Drive This, a Hardcore Sports Radio daily program.  Dana was in the studio promoting UFC 87 on the Sirius Satellite radio station which also features such programs as Mauro Ranallo’s Fight Network Radio.  UFC 87, this Saturday, August 9th, headlines with a Middleweight Title Fight that has GSP defending his title against Jon Fitch.  Dana says it will be a hard fight for the Canadian; harder than many may think.  Also appearing on the card will be Brock Lesnar against Heath Herring and Roger Huerta versus Kenny Florian.  Dana says it’s going to be a hard fight for Lesnar as well.

As you can imagine, Dana has some thoughts about Roger Huerta and some of the recent comments he’s been making regarding his contract with the UFC and fighter pay.  First of all, Dana makes it a point for everyone to remember who built Roger Huerta.  Then Dana says he thinks Huerta has been reading the headlines about himself and maybe buying into his own hype too much.  He says Huerta must be thinking, “look at all the promotion I’m getting, I must be worth more money.  But he hasn’t fought anyone yet to get the money.  If he beats Kenny Florian, that’s a whole other ball game.  Now we can start talking.”

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