White tweeted the following on August 16: “You guys will know when we have a TV deal. So either SBJ jumped the gun, or he’s not ready to talk. Houston press, unite.” 

White was referring to the Sports Business Journal/Sports Business Daily saying: ”

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. 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.

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.

We shall see what happens. Surely there is something in the works because White did nothing to dispel that his organization is not looking to jump the Spike ship. When he tweets something that says “when we have a TV deal,” it’s easy to fill in the blanks.

Photo by Sam Baretto

The 5th Annual NPC Bill Grant Bodybuilding and Figure Classic will be held at Cedar Beach Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 1:00 PM. It is part of the Lehigh Valley Sports Fest, a sporting event drawing thousands of athletes and spectators from around the globe. Admission is FREE for all spectators.

*** NEWS FLASH*** Scott Epstein, former Vice President of the World Body Building Guild (WBBG) Pro & NPC divisions and currently the Executive Director of Publicity Management Services (PMS), a Media Relations/Talent Booking firm has announced his sponsorship for this event by signing guest appearances of top rated current athletes easily recognizable from syndicated TV.

Be on hand to meet and greet Rob Terry, TNA Global Champion & 5X Mr. Wales. Rob, known on the wrestling circle as “The FREAK”, currently wrestles all over the world and is featured multiple times weekly on Spike TV as well as PPV. Fans will not want to miss out on getting an 8×10 glossy photo autographed and/or their picture taken with the TNA wrestling and bodybuilding superstar.

“Rob Terry fully reminds me of Louie (Ferrigno) when he broke into the business, except Rob is clearly much bigger proportionally & already globally recognized in both bodybuilding and wrestling markets, “Epstein says.“ The amount of movie casting personnel and product endorsement people calling is overwhelming so we can be selective to Rob’s true beliefs”.

In addition, PMS will be hosting recent NBC American Gladiator Fury (Jamie Kovac) for the event. Fury worked with Hulk Hogan as a Gladiator and he inspired her to train harder. She has competed in NPC bodybuilding and figure competitions in the past, doing her first “Strongman” shortly, and has developed into a 160 pound lean mean machine. Fury will also be signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.

We will not stop here. Also appearing courtesy of PMS is former WWE/WCW/TNA diva & wrestler Ryan Shamrock. Ryan is in incredible shape and competing in an NPC figure contest the following week. Perhaps she’ll decide to enter this one which based on what we’ve seen recently she would walk with the gold!

This event will be held at Cedar Beach Park, S. Ott Street at Hamilton Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Registration will begin at 10:00 am, with prejudging starting at 1:00pm and Finals will begin 1 hour after prejudging. For more information about this event please visit http://www.billgrant.net and www.sportsfest.org. For additional information about this event please contact Eva Sot 973-420-5695 or ems@billgrant.net.

Photo courtesy of PMS, Scott Epstein

The 5^th Annual NPC Bill Grant Bodybuilding and Figure Classic will be held at Cedar Beach Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 1:00 PM.  It is part of the Lehigh Valley Sports Fest, a sporting event drawing thousands of athletes and spectators from around the globe. Admission is FREE for all spectators.

*** NEWS FLASH***  Scott Epstein,  former Vice President of the World Body Building Guild (WBBG) Pro & NPC divisions and currently the Executive Director of Publicity Management Services (PMS), a Media Relations/Talent Booking firm has announced his sponsorship for this event by signing guest appearances of top rated current athletes easily recognizable from syndicated  TV.

Be on hand to meet and greet Rob Terry, TNA Global Champion & 5X Mr. Wales.  Rob, known on the wrestling circle as “The FREAK”,  currently wrestles all over the world and is featured multiple times weekly on Spike TV as well as PPV.  Fans will not want to miss out on getting an 8×10 glossy photo autographed and/or their picture taken with the TNA wrestling and bodybuilding superstar.

“Rob Terry fully reminds me of Louie (Ferrigno) when he broke into the business, except Rob is clearly much bigger proportionally & already globally recognized in both bodybuilding and wrestling markets, “Epstein says.“ The amount of movie casting personnel and product endorsement people calling is overwhelming so we can be selective to Rob’s true beliefs”.

In addition, PMS will be hosting recent NBC American Gladiator Fury (Jamie Kovac) for the event.  Fury worked with Hulk Hogan as a Gladiator and he inspired her to train harder.  She has competed in NPC bodybuilding and figure competitions in the past, doing her first “Strongman” shortly, and has developed into a 160 pound lean mean machine.  Fury will also be signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.

We will not stop here.  Also appearing courtesy of PMS is former WWE/WCW/TNA diva & wrestler Ryan Shamrock.  Ryan is in incredible shape and competing in an NPC figure contest the following week.  Perhaps she’ll decide to enter this one which based on what we’ve seen recently she would walk with the gold!

This event will be held at Cedar Beach Park, S. Ott Street at Hamilton Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania.  Registration will begin at 10:00 am, with prejudging starting at 1:00pm and Finals will begin 1 hour after prejudging. For more information about this event please visit http://www.billgrant.net and www.sportsfest.org.  For additional information about this event please contact Eva Sot 973-420-5695 or ems@billgrant.net.

“The lightweight division is one of the most talent-rich in the UFC, and this card is a prime example of that,” said UFC President Dana White. “Maynard and Diaz are two top contenders with a history between them, and this is one of those fights that could be career-changing for the winner. The stakes are just as high in the Escudero-Dunham fight, as both of these guys are looking to make the jump from prospect to contender.”

Tickets for this event will go on sale Saturday, November 21 at 10 a.m. ET and are $203, $128, $93, $63 and $43 (plus applicable service charges). Tickets will be available through all Ticketmaster outlets including the Patriot Center box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or via Phonecharge at 703-573-SEAT, 202-397-SEAT or 410-547-SEAT.

UFC® Fight Club™ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Thursday, November 19 at 10 a.m. ET via the website ufc.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Friday, November 20 starting at 10 a.m. ET. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through ufc.com.

The UFC Fight Night main event features a rematch of lightweight contenders Gray Maynard (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) and Nate Diaz (fighting out of Stockton, Calif.) who first met in the Octagon on season five of The Ultimate Fighter™. Diaz defeated Maynard on his way to being named “The Ultimate Fighter” that season.

A former teammate of Rashad Evans on the Michigan State wrestling team, Maynard currently trains with UFC legend Randy Couture in Las Vegas. The 30-year-old with the 9-0, 1 NC record is riding one of the most impressive winning streaks in the sport, defeating an impressive array of 155-pound fighters including Frankie Edgar, Jim Miller, and, most recently, Roger Huerta this past September.

Diaz has won six of his last eight UFC fights including a win over Melvin Guillard this past September. The pride of Stockton, California and a product of the renowned Cesar Gracie Fight Team, Diaz needs a win over Maynard to continue on his path toward a shot at BJ Penn’s lightweight crown.

Winner of the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter™, 23-year-old Efrain Escudero (fighting out of Tempe, Ariz.) is coming off of an impressive TKO victory over Cole Miller at UFC 103 in September. At a perfect 13-0, Escudero will look to use his superior grappling skills against another rising star in the division, Evan Dunham.

An Oregon native, Evan Dunham (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) was victorious in his first two fights in the UFC, most recently earning a split decision win over Marcus Aurelio at UFC 102 in August. Now at 9-0 as a professional mixed martial artist, the 27-year-old lightweight fighter is looking for his third win in the UFC.

Coming off a submission win over CB Dollaway at UFC 100, Fall River, Massachusetts’ Tom Lawlor (fighting out of Orlando, Fla.) has already compiled a 6-1, 1 NC record with two consecutive wins in the UFC. A former three-time national wrestling champion for the University of Central Florida, Lawlor uses his superior wrestling skills to dominate his opponents.

Another up-and-coming fighter in the UFC, undefeated Aaron Simpson (fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.) is a perfect 2-0 in the UFC and 6-0 as a pro. A former Arizona State University wrestler and two-time NCAA All-American, Simpson scored a TKO win over Ed Herman at UFC 102, his second knockout in as many UFC fights.

The remaining bouts will be announced in the near future.

For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit UFC.com, UK.UFC.com, GERMANY.UFC.com, UFCJapan.jp or UFCEspanol.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

About The Ultimate Fighting Championship®
UFC is the largest live pay-per-view event content provider in the world and the fastest growing main stream sports organization in history. Owned and operated by Zuffa™, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC® produces over twelve live pay-per-view events annually that are distributed residentially through North American cable and satellite providers including iNDEMAND Networks, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN Entertainment, BellTV, SaskTel Max™, Shaw Pay-Per-View, and Viewers Choice. International distributors include WOWOW in Japan, Rede TV and Globosat’s Combate Channel and SporTV in Brazil, ESPN in United Kingdom, Televisa in Mexico and throughout Central America, with worldwide distribution via the Internet on UFC.com and Yahoo! Sports. UFC content is distributed commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada. UFC programming is distributed in 132 countries, territories and jurisdictions, reaching 430 million homes worldwide, in 20 different languages.

Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa® , The Octagon™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, registered service marks, trademarks, trade dress and/or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC and licensed to its affiliated entities and other licensees in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC, its affiliates or other respective owners.

About Spike TV
Spike TV is available in 97.7 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com.

Source: http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=26517

Drawing an impressive average of 1.4 million viewers in 2009, the “UFC Prelims” on Spike TV feature between two and four live undercard bouts prior to the UFC pay-per-view telecast.  Among those featured on previous “UFC Prelims” include former “The Ultimate Fighter” champions Efrain Escudero (Season 8), Kendall Grove (Season 3), and Ryan Bader (Season 8).

Source: http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=33536

In professional sports, fans live for rivalries. Whether it’s Boston vs. New York in baseball, Toronto vs. Montreal in hockey, or Ohio State vs. Michigan in football, fans have a burning desire to see their favorite teams soundly defeat eternal adversaries. Regardless of standings, rankings, or championships on the line, fans believe wins over bitter rivals are of the utmost importance.

In 2010, MMA’s biggest feud takes on a whole new meaning. In what will be one of the most hotly-contested seasons ever, Liddell and Ortiz have been selected to face off as coaches of Spike TV’s most popular original series ever, The Ultimate Fighter®. Scheduled to premiere on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 10:00pm ET/PT, two of the sport’s biggest icons will lead their respective teams in a season that will produce fireworks never-before-seen in the Liddell-Ortiz saga.

“The world knows that there is no love lost between Tito and Chuck,” UFC President Dana White said. “These two guys will do whatever it takes to beat each other. Whether it’s fighting or checkers, Chuck wants to beat Tito and Tito wants to beat Chuck. On Season 11 of The Ultimate Fighter, we’ll see which legend can score the upper hand when it comes to coaching the next batch of rising stars.”

A native of Santa Barbara, Calif., Liddell (21-7) served as coach of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter in January 2005. Known for his phenomenal striking ability and staunch takedown defense, “The Iceman” earned his way into the UFC Hall of Fame by defeating the likes of Vitor Belfort, Renato Sobral, Randy Couture (twice), and Ortiz (twice). Considered by many as the greatest 205-pound fighter ever, Liddell believes he will score another victory when he coaches opposite Ortiz next year.

“I am excited for the opportunity to coach on The Ultimate Fighter, especially since I get a chance to beat Tito again,” said Liddell, who became a pop culture icon with appearances on hit programs such as “Dancing with the Stars, “Entourage,” and “The Apprentice”. “This is a perfect chance for me to help young fighters grow and it’s a chance for me to get another win against Tito.”
The longest-reigning champion in UFC history, Ortiz (16-7-1) once held the light heavyweight title for nearly four years. An outstanding wrestler with vicious ground and pound, “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” owns wins over some of the sport’s elite, including Belfort, Forrest Griffin, Wanderlei Silva, as well as three victories over Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock. A coach on season three of The Ultimate Fighter, Ortiz returns to the show holding the firm belief that he will finally knock off his arch nemesis.

“This season of the show is important to me in so many ways,” said Ortiz, who appeared on the hit series “Celebrity Apprentice” in 2008. “I love coaching and I’m happy that I can give my fighters a chance to become better athletes. Plus, I think I’m a better coach than Chuck. I think my guys are going to be hungry and ready to smash Chuck’s guys. I can’t wait to see his face when that happens.”

About The Ultimate Fighting Championship®

UFC is the largest live pay-per-view provider in the world and the fastest growing main stream sports organization in history.  Owned and operated by Zuffa™, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC® produces over twelve live pay-per-view events annually that are distributed residentially through North American cable and satellite providers including iNDEMAND Networks, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN Entertainment, BellTV, SaskTel Max™, Shaw Pay-Per-View, and Viewers Choice. International distributors include WOWOW in Japan, Premiere Combate and SporTV in Brazil, with worldwide distribution via the Internet on UFC.com and Yahoo! Sports.  UFC content is distributed commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada.  UFC programming is distributed in 132 countries, territories and jurisdictions, reaching 415 million homes worldwide.

Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa® , The Octagon™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, registered service marks, trademarks, trade dress and/or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC and licensed to its affiliated entities and other licensees in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC, its affiliates or other respective owners.

Source: http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=30705

Spike TV

A member of BJ Penn’s MMA team in Maui, Hawaii, Grove (12-6) will be fighting on the same card as his mentor and coach from season 3 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Tito Ortiz. The 6’6” rising star has won two of his last three bouts, and on November 21 he will battle 4-time All-American and three-time NCAA Division I National wrestling champion Rosholt. Fighting out of Las Vegas, the talented Rosholt holds a professional mixed martial arts record of 6-1, including an impressive victory by technical submission over UFC veteran Chris Leben at UFC 102.

Fighting out of Orlando, Fl, Saunders (7-1-2) won his first three bouts in the Octagon after a standout performance on season 6 of “The Ultimate Fighter” and his dynamic style has built him a growing fan base. His opponent, Davis (21-6), is the fighting pride of Bangor, Maine, and a former pro boxer who is among the most exciting fighters in mixed martial arts. Winner of 13 of his last 15 fights dating back to 2006, “The Irish Hand Grenade” will look to use his stand-up skills to defeat Saunders.

Other bouts on the card might air on Spike TV, to be determined by the length of the fights.

Spike TV is available in 98 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com.

About The Ultimate Fighting Championship®
UFC is the largest live pay-per-view event content provider in the world and the fastest growing main stream sports organization in history. Owned and operated by Zuffa™, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC® produces over twelve live pay-per-view events annually that are distributed residentially through North American cable and satellite providers including iNDEMAND Networks, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN Entertainment, BellTV, SaskTel Max™, Shaw Pay-Per-View, and Viewers Choice. International distributors include WOWOW in Japan, Rede TV and Globosat’s Combate Channel and SporTV in Brazil, ESPN in United Kingdom, Televisa in Mexico and throughout Central America, with worldwide distribution via the Internet on UFC.com and Yahoo! Sports. UFC content is distributed commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada. UFC programming is distributed in 132 countries, territories and jurisdictions, reaching 430 million homes worldwide, in 20 different languages.

Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa® , The Octagon™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, registered service marks, trademarks, trade dress and/or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC and licensed to its affiliated entities and other licensees in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC, its affiliates or other respective owners.

Source: http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=25461

Heading into season 10, the Spike TV reality show was heavily promoting the man who single-handedly took down EliteXC by not living up to his billing. All along, UFC president Dana White had said that the only way Slice would get into the octagon during a UFC card was to win the 16-man competition. Slice was chosen first overall by Quentin “Rampage” Jackson, who is coaching a team of eight and so far, his fighters are winless in three tries versus Rashad Evans’ crew.

Nelson, the former champion of the now-defunct International Fight League, is deceivingly strong, especially when he takes his opponent to the ground. He appears to be out of shape and in bad condition because of his large midsection but possesses immense grappling skills.

At the start of the match, the two seemed to be taking their time measuring each other up and although Slice did hit a few solid punches, it was all one-sided once Nelson used his weight advantage to take down his opponent. Once on the floor, Slice could do little more than try to roll out of the position but could not do so before the round expired.

Nelson went right after Slice in Round Two and took him down in the middle of the ring, spelling more trouble for the man who is responsible for last night’s high ratings. Again caught in a crucifix position, Slice was pinned down and was unable to gain any leverage. Nelson was hitting him in the head with what appeared to be very light punches and the referee kept warning Slice that he had to do something or the fight would be over.

When Slice remained in the same position, the official called for the bell and waved the fight off. Even White commented that the shots Nelson was hitting Slice with did not appear to be doing any damage and this can be construed as a knock against the premature stoppage.

But just when it seemed that the dream was over for Slice, the coming attraction for next week’s episode alluded to him getting a chance at redemption. Marcus Jones, a former NFL player, has an injured knee and may not be able to take his turn, meaning that one of the three men who have already fought will take his place. Slice, who is an obvious favorite of Jackson, was pleading his case to get back in.

So the saga continues. Will team Jackson finally get on the board and will Slice be the one to do it? Needless to say, the promos definitely left it open enough that next week’s show should top the ratings of Episode Three.

The 10th season of “The Ultimate Fighter” will certainly be an interesting one with Slice around, and will also include Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans as coaches of the 16 competitors.

UFC President Dana White issued a challenge to Slice that the only way he would get a shot in the marquee MMA league would be by earning his way into the octagon by way of the television series. Having to choose between pride and a potential payday down the road, Slice signed up and will definitely be a factor in the ratings.

Despite his crushing loss to Seth Petruzelli in mere seconds in front of 6.5 million pay-per-view customers, Slice still has a following and is a popular name in the sport. He was originally scheduled to fight the legendary Ken Shamrock, who had to step aside after suffering a cut during training. Petruzelli, who was relatively unknown at the time but a talented fighter no less, dispatched Slice and with him EliteXC went down the tubes.

If Slice can make a good showing of his time on the Spike TV series, the former Miami street brawler may be able to resurrect what appeared to be a dead career. He is a colorful character and one that is good for the publicity of MMA. Slice is known in the mainstream media and that should count for something to a sport trying to gain acceptability in that circle.

If Slice bombs out again, he can always sign with Vince McMahon and become a member of the WWE.

MMA RECORD

CAGE FURY FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP 5

6/23/07 – Win versus Ray Mercer at 1:12, 1st Round by Submission (guillotine choke)

ELITE XC

11/10/07 – Win versus Bo Cantrell at 0:19, 1st Round by Strikes

2/16/08 – Win versus Tank Abbott at 0:43, 1st Round by Strikes

5/31/08 – Win versus James Thompson at 0:38, 3rd Round by Strikes

10/4/08 – Loss to Seth Petruzelli at 0:14, 1st Round by Strikes