At 2 pm ET today, Friday, July 31, 2009, the UFC will be having a media conference call with updates on the recent Affliction situation as well as news on fighter contracts and more. DFN Sports & ProFighting-fans.com will be providing our notes from the UFC conference call below after the call begins. Just hit “refresh” in your browser to see updates as they are posted in real-time, and while you are waiting check out our UFC 101 predictions from Pro Fighting Fans.
On Fedor - “We tried everything that we could possibly do to get Fedor into the UFC” stated Dana White. Dana stated “anything except for the co-promotion” was offered to Fedor. Stated that the UFC Heavyweight Division is the best it’s ever been. “The only sticking point was the co-promotion.” “I wasn’t a dick at all, I was the nicest Dana ever,” White stated about his negotiations with Fedor’s team. White mentioned that the offer is on the table and “the fans want to see this fight; it’s my job, it’s my job to make this happen.” He mentioned that they did NOT pull back the offer - Fedor’s team can call him anytime to talk again. “Fucking insanity” to call Fedor the best pound for pound MMA fighter in the world said Dana. Fedor got offered a “fucking assload” of money and “can go fight in Sambo every Thursday night” for all Dana cares. “If he wants to call and make a deal, I’m in,” stated White after his angry words.
UFC 103 - Vitor Belfort fighting Rich Franklin at 205 pounds (Light Heavyweight) in Dallas as main event @ UFC 103. “Dan Henderson is definitely next in line for the title shot” said White stating that Henderson will face Anderson Silva at 185 (Middleweight).
ESPN UK Deal - 3-year deal with ESPN in U.K. starting with UFC 101 which is free and will be in HD. Dana stated that this is not the only International TV deal the UFC is working on.
Tito Ortiz - Tito is on the conference call and is getting back into traning and ready to compete as Light Heavyweight in the UFC. “Tito and I have put all of our differences aside…Ortiz will retire in the UFC.” Ortiz started running last week, started with Freddie Roach this past Monday, hopes to fight in the New Year’s fight which is stated to be UFC 108. Dana White stated Coleman may be Tito’s opponent. “Tito Ortiz…is going to fight the best in the world” (at 205 lbs), stated Dana. “I wanna compete with the best guys in the world” Tito Ortiz said of fighting in the UFC versus Strikeforce.
Other Affliction - Belfort, Rothwell, Lauzon, Gormley, Vazquez, Hominick, Davis - in talks with many others (about 8-9 guys) right now. Dana said he has no interest in Andrei Arlovski or Tim Sylvia.
Bigger ESPN Deal - Dana does not want to discuss a bigger ESPN deal in the USA. Dana states he is “confident” that they will get the right deal to put the UFC on network TV.
UFC in Vancouver in 2010 - “Yes, we are coming to Vancouver.” Dana stated he wants to have the UFC all across Canada.
Big UFC News - “We’re very close,” Dana stated about a deal that will change the UFC forever.
Bud Light - Dana apologized to Bud Light for Lesnar’s UFC 100 remarks.
Mexico - UFC is making huge progress in Mexico with a Unleashed type of show featuring UFC 101 fighters and fantastic ratings for UFC 100. Ortiz said he would love to headline an event in Mexico City.
Network TV Deal - How would a network deal change the current PPV model? “We’re putting serious fights on network TV…It’s gonna be so awesome for the fans” stated White in regards to the possibility of a network TV deal for the UFC.
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