WEC-ya: Reed Harris 'really happy' about UFC merger

by Geno Mrosko on Oct 28, 2010 7:56 PM EDT

Quoteworthy:

"It’s kind of like when you’re kid goes off to college, at first you’re not happy, but after you think about it for a while, you’re really happy. At the end of the day, I never imagined this thing would be where we’re at today. I’m extremely proud and happy that I was involved with something that will now be part of what may be, some day, the largest sports organization in the world. .... My goal wasn’t even to make money at this thing. I was a martial artist and I wanted to bring that honor that martial arts has into the sport. To be honest, today, I’m really proud of what we did, man. And Dana’s proud of what we did. We were so successful that the UFC had no other option than to bring these guys in and put them in their show. The UFC is obviously by miles the largest MMA organization in the world. The WEC built these divisions to a point where they are now going to be featured on the largest stage in MMA. Dana and Lorenzo and Frank are obviously extremely happy about what we were doing. This was a huge success."

Current, but soon to be former, WEC General Manager and founder Reed Harris speaks lovingly about his promotion hitting the big time. Harris started the organization back in June of 2001 and with the recent announcement of a merger with it's parent company, the UFC, will also close it's doors after it's final event, WEC 53: "Henderson vs Pettis." Harris initially sold the WEC to Zuffa in 2006 but remained the face of the organization and is largely responsible for it's tremendous growth over the years. Although the WEC has folded into the UFC, he will still get the chance to see his fighters continue their careers as he will be given an undisclosed position with the UFC once the merger is complete.

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Good to see Reed isn't going to be unemployed.

I was wondering what they were going to do with him. They should make him the face of the UFC and give Dana an office job.

Brock’s wrestling is more overrated than his 280lbs frame and athleticism. Cain would have outwrestled that ass up and down the mats in pure wrestling all day long and you all know it. Sidenote all hail NNR

Cain is w/o a doubt the greatest HW that has ever stepped foot in the ufc! The only belt Brock will ever get back is in the WWE. Hail king cain P4P best on the planet!

by jay. on Oct 28, 2010 8:08 PM EDT reply actions

Dana has too much fun being the face

Reid will get to be Marc Ratner and fly around the world as part of growing lobby group.

In the boardroom Reid is a better ambassodor than DW. Reid’s the man.

No Pressure, No Diamonds - Thomas Carlyle

by Bigger Zino on Oct 28, 2010 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Good points.

Either way Reed has it made.

Cain is w/o a doubt the greatest HW that has ever stepped foot in the ufc! The only belt Brock will ever get back is in the WWE. Hail king cain P4P best on the planet!

by jay. on Oct 28, 2010 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions

He isn't going to be unemployed?

What’s his job then?

by pbdb on Oct 28, 2010 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions

He said right now he can’t talk about it. That information will come out once WEC is officially a part of the UFC.

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by Geno Mrosko on Oct 28, 2010 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions

It's in the article.

he will still get the chance to see his fighters continue their careers as he will be given an undisclosed position with the UFC once the merger is complete.

Cain is w/o a doubt the greatest HW that has ever stepped foot in the ufc! The only belt Brock will ever get back is in the WWE. Hail king cain P4P best on the planet!

by jay. on Oct 28, 2010 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I highly doubt he’s really that thrilled about this.

"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."

Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)

by Jeremyjackson on Oct 28, 2010 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Why he will probably have an opportunity to get good money and a much more secure position?

by AintNoSunshine on Oct 28, 2010 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions

He went from the big dog to just another executive. Granted, an executive in a bigger and more secure and lucrative company, but don’t you think it stings having the words “president” and “general manager” removed from your job description?

"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."

Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)

by Jeremyjackson on Oct 28, 2010 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, this merger serves to underscore the fact that the WEC failed under his watch. Not that it was his fault or anything, but still. I doubt he sees this as a promotion.

"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."

Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)

by Jeremyjackson on Oct 28, 2010 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions

How did the wec 'fail' under his watch?

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by Red Eye Jedi on Oct 28, 2010 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Truthfully,

so long as I am working for the best MMA promotion, with great bosses (*Dana and Fertittas) there is no reason to complain. I am sure he has been very tight with these guys being under the Zuffa banner and I am sure they will make sure he has a great position. While Dana has always been known to be a dick… he has always taken care of the people in his inner circle.

by AintNoSunshine on Oct 28, 2010 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Well let’s see. It didn’t make any money. They had a three-year plan that they had to pull the plug on because they couldn’t get any TV ratings. And they dissolved the company and couldn’t even put the WEC stamp on their sole PPV because it was such an unknown among casual fans.

But other than that, booming success.

"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."

Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)

by Jeremyjackson on Oct 28, 2010 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't have the numbers for WEC in front of me.

But I would have to agree with JJ here. If they weren’t a failure they would have never sold to Zuffa in the first place.

Cain is w/o a doubt the greatest HW that has ever stepped foot in the ufc! The only belt Brock will ever get back is in the WWE. Hail king cain P4P best on the planet!

by jay. on Oct 28, 2010 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions

The cards that didn’t have ass-chin on them bombed. Not for a lack of entertainment, the events were great. They just couldn’t get past the fact that if it doesn’t say “UFC” on your broadcast, most folks simply don’t give a shit. Sad in a way, but it should make for some great cards in the coming years.

"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."

Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)

by Jeremyjackson on Oct 28, 2010 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions

For sure.

It’s impossible to run a profitable mma organization in North America if you don’t have the UFC logo. WEC is no different than Affliction, Bodog, EliteXC and the rest.

I think this will also help bolster the SF roster. UFC is going to have to drop some “names” to make room. Any name (whether it be a former TUFer or even Gabe Gonzaga) can help SF right now.

Cain is w/o a doubt the greatest HW that has ever stepped foot in the ufc! The only belt Brock will ever get back is in the WWE. Hail king cain P4P best on the planet!

by jay. on Oct 28, 2010 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep. Good points.

"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."

Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)

by Jeremyjackson on Oct 28, 2010 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions

true , thats why i think its becaus they did so bad not so good , heck thery last show only got around 4,000 in attendance thats horrible

by Nightmare83 on Oct 29, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

so was it becuase the wec was doing so good or because they were doing so bad that they are merging it with the ufc.

by Nightmare83 on Oct 29, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Good for him he seems like a cool guy I’m sure zuffa will give him a kick ass job

by malito3og3 on Oct 28, 2010 9:23 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Any1 seen wolfy he owes me a sig?

'Bout time I set this record straight
All the needlenose punchin' is making me irate
Sick o' my bitchin' fallin' on deaf ears
Where you gonna be in the next five years?
The crew and all the fools, and all the politix
Get your lips ready, gonna gag, gonna make you sick
You got dick when they passed out that good stuff
BAM!
Are you sick of me?
Good enough, had enough!

"Fuck me! I'm all out of enemies!" (x7)

by d*locc on Oct 28, 2010 9:34 PM EDT reply actions

Check the short bus.

"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."

Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)

by Jeremyjackson on Oct 28, 2010 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions

He'll be the one licking the windows.

Cain is w/o a doubt the greatest HW that has ever stepped foot in the ufc! The only belt Brock will ever get back is in the WWE. Hail king cain P4P best on the planet!

by jay. on Oct 28, 2010 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Plus WEC ring girls look hotter than UFC's

"A lot of times, you beat a person who beat a person who can beat you. I mean, it doesn’t make any sense." – Joe Rogan

by RRRenan on Oct 28, 2010 9:56 PM EDT reply actions

I think wec

Is alot better than most USA mma orgs ( excluding the ufc of course) considering it was always free, besides the one ppv, and exciting majority of the time. I’m stoked for the change.. Different match ups, maybe even a little rivalry.. Aldo vs Nate diaz! That would be dope!!

"i only want to be known as the best ever, is that too much to ask?" - BJ Penn.

by Omoplato on Oct 29, 2010 3:21 AM EDT via mobile reply actions