Complete Lorenzo Fertitta interview uncut and unedited from ESPN's 'Outside the Lines' (full video)
Here it is, all 47 minutes of it.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) today (Jan. 12, 2012) released the complete Lorenzo Fertitta interview, uncut and unedited, from ESPN's recent 'Outside the Lines' segment that painted the ZUFFA boss in a negative light concerning the topic of fighter pay.
UFC President Dana White cautioned fans not to accept the ESPN piece at face value because his crew had their own footage that would not only exonerate the promotion's co-owner, but also show audiences just how "dirty" the ESPN reporters were when footage was compared side-by-side.
"We are gonna blast these hacks!! I'm excited to smash and discredit ESPN and the piece they did!! So pumped! can't stand the lying 2 faced media fucks!! So glad we did this one right cause ESPN can NOT be trusted. can't stand the lying 2 faced media fucks!!"
Did White accomplish his goal? Judge for yourself in the video above.
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Lorenzo is a very smart man.
He will do wonders for the UFC in the next 10-20 years.
Ron Paul 2012. Roll Tide Roll. Nick Diaz UFC Champ 2012.
by EdSoares'Contribution on Jan 16, 2012 3:52 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Yep
Several years ago Dana promised one of his “major announcements” and when it was revealed to be Lorenzo coming to the UFC full time, people blasted the announcement as a huge letdown. Now I think people are finally realizing how big that actually was, Lorenzo is responsible for a lot of what the UFC is doing to day.
"If guns cause crime then all of mine are defective."
Can you imagine Dana doing this interview after Barr starts using anonymous sources?
Flashback:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pq-1Rl-ggU
Ron Paul 2012. Roll Tide Roll. Nick Diaz UFC Champ 2012.
by EdSoares'Contribution on Jan 16, 2012 4:16 PM EST up reply actions
yeah, when they announced it, i was just like "umm thats it??"
but then again, you can’t expect people to be like “ohhh shiiitt!! Lorenzo’s movin over to help out the UFC!!! This is huge news!! Lorenzo’s like my favourite CEO of all time!! This is totally better than signing Fedor!!”
but I can see how much he’s done being the leading man. Dana’s more about promoting the fights to the fans and doing interviews with television stations. Lorenzo’s the man legalizing it and building the brand.
"You never know. I don't know. You know?" -Nick Diaz
agreed.
He answered all of the questions and objections very well.
Yeah Lorenzo is a bad ass mofo
The guy knows exactly what he’s on about.
"..That man has to be eliminated." - Fedor Emelianenko
I agree. Lorenzo conducted himself exactly as we would want the head of the company to do. Our sport is in good hands.
He does well in those situations
that Dana might snap and lose it in.
Dana is good but Lorenzo is the future imo.
"..That man has to be eliminated." - Fedor Emelianenko
Additional info on "ESPN Pay" issue
I went to Twitter and saw a conversation between DanaWhite and @danrafaelespn that made a good point on the side of ESPN. Pretty much goes like this:
From @danrafaelespn: FYI: ESPN does not pay the fighters, the promoters do. ESPN pays the promoters a license fee for the card.; My only point was that Lorenzo was mixing apples and oranges.; There is no “boxing” pays more. It would be a specific promoter pays more. In the case of MMA, that would be UFC, the promoter; Blaming ESPN for the purses a promtoer pays on an ESPN show is like blaming Fox (or previously Spike or Versus) for UFC purses.; You cant compare ESPN to UFC. One is a television network. One is a promotional entity. ESPN akin to Fox. UFC akin to Top Rank.
From @DanaWhite: no he wasn’t. These guys on ESPN want to say we don’t pay fair and boxing pays more!? Who has more $ than ESPN? We pay more!; ESPN will make 2.8B this year!!!!!! Guys on ESPN cards make $200 dollars for 4 round fights and they are askn what we pay!?; that’s like Nike saying a factory in China makes the shoes not us! How can we be responsible!? ESPN 2 faced liars!!!!;
BUT
For ESPN to be shitting on what the UFC pays, they put themselves in that category imo. If Fox had baseball games on that had a League that played there players $100 bucks a week and then went and said the NBA doesn’t pay there players enough thats a little fucked. Even though Fox doesn’t pay the players.
\m/
by Edgecrusher71 on Jan 16, 2012 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
The more money sports leagues make off tv deals
the more money teams and players get paid
"Every time I hear of this guy , I wonder how he was possible." - Joe DiMaggio
by randallhumpfreeze on Jan 16, 2012 5:29 PM EST up reply actions
who cares
About who said what or who pays more. Clouding the main point. MMA/UFC fighters don’t get paid enough for the amount of work and effort they have to put in period. (Sans a few fighters)
by johnnysmash on Jan 16, 2012 4:02 PM EST via mobile reply actions
So people like johnnysmash have something to bitch about on a random website.
Ron Paul 2012. Roll Tide Roll. Nick Diaz UFC Champ 2012.
by EdSoares'Contribution on Jan 16, 2012 4:09 PM EST up reply actions
exactly thats why i do it
wait no……..johnnysmash you know nothing of my work!
like water
and this was the way i felt watching the reem kill brock
"He got knee'd right in the diverticulitis
by Balrog on Dec 30, 2011 9:20 PM PST"
That's why I am getting into mma.
I will be reporting all of my earnings to johnnysmash directly.
And he can do with the information as he pleases.
Ron Paul 2012. Roll Tide Roll. Nick Diaz UFC Champ 2012.
by EdSoares'Contribution on Jan 16, 2012 4:12 PM EST up reply actions
Hmmm
sounds like a pretty good deal! he’ll probably sponsor you and get stephen bonner to make the logo up to brandish it on your ass in fights of johnny……..smashing. Ahhh good ole johnnysmash
like water
and this was the way i felt watching the reem kill brock
"He got knee'd right in the diverticulitis
by Balrog on Dec 30, 2011 9:20 PM PST"
go for it bro
I’ll be rooting for you. Hopefully you don’t become a middle or low tier fighter and get paid 5,000 or less for months of training and preparation. Only to pay off the training itself and your normal expenses at home. But wht do I know I’m just some guy online “bitching” for fighters “like you” to get what you deserve.
by johnnysmash on Jan 16, 2012 5:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
yeah i know sucks how life works that way. thats why i smoke weed and give two fucks about this lol
like water
and this was the way i felt watching the reem kill brock
"He got knee'd right in the diverticulitis
by Balrog on Dec 30, 2011 9:20 PM PST"
i used to have a wicked addiction to Oxy........
"Every time I hear of this guy , I wonder how he was possible." - Joe DiMaggio
by randallhumpfreeze on Jan 16, 2012 5:31 PM EST up reply actions
Me to
But I outgrew that in my late teens.
No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Mark Twain (1866 )
by dec3ptiKon_ on Jan 16, 2012 6:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
come on
Middle tier fighters don’t make anywhere near $5,000 per fight in the UFC. That’s plain exaggeration. Let’s think of some middle tier fighters, maybe Dan Hardy, Anthony Johnson, Dan Miller, Joe Lauzon, Pat Barry, think of a list…none of the Middle-tier are anywhere close to $5k per fight.
AND…pretty much all low dollar contracts are 5k/5k, or 6k/6k, let me go cry in a corner for someone who is a professional athlete making 10k plus in a night. I know they train, if they love the sport, have drive to compete, they’re working to make it and make the big paychecks. Regardless 40k in a year is a decent income, and the guys at the lower tiers should be working to fight more frequently to build skill and get paid.
Working your way up in the world is how it usually works. I think it’s completely fine to pay 5k/5k or 6k/6k, not to mention the opportunity for KOTN, SOTN, FOTN bonuses, which equate to more than what most people make annually. This is a non-issue.
What we do in life echoes in eternity
Libera nos a malo
what company doesnt have employees bitch about how much money they make for the work they put in!!
Lorenzo covered all the major points and smashed this interview. The UFC has to make a profit in order to expand and as they make more money they pay their fighters more!! simple business n if espn really wanted to make an argument about fighter pay they did it way too early. NOT TO MENTION a close friend of mine that has had ONLY 2 fights on the fucking unaired preliminary card recently signed a 5 fight 500K contract.. you think the rest of us dont envy that??
by I_know_my_shit on Jan 16, 2012 4:21 PM EST up reply actions
Fighters name that signed said contract???
I like bacon...Steelers fo life!!!!
#1 Quinton Rampage the Dragon Slayer Jackson fan for LIFE..FTW!!! Nick Diaz would mop the floor with GSP and the fight with Sheilds confirms it!!!
The object of war is not to die for your country, but to make the other bastard die for his" Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.I hate Jon Jones..No mas la raza!!! JDS Bitches
They chose that career not me not you and damn sure not the ufc first of all. Second do you think there one professional fighter that gives a flying fucke if me or you are underpaid? If you’re not making enough money stop fighting and get a real fucking job. I’d play baseball ball for minimum wage because I love the game. So fuck it. Do I wanna see fighters make more? What’s funny is people bitch about ATHLETES pay but don’t give a fuck that the people who educate this country make 30k a year.
GO BIG, OR GO HOME!!!
by LOKIE on Jan 16, 2012 8:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
People who educate this country?
What the fuck does that mean? Teachers don’t get paid enough?
And I use the term teacher loosely. Teachers in this country are pathetic and get paid what they deserve.
They also can never be fired.
I can only name 2 teachers of mine who actually tought me something about life, and tought me something that made me a better person.
Ron Paul 2012. Roll Tide Roll. Nick Diaz UFC Champ 2012.
by EdSoares'Contribution on Jan 16, 2012 8:31 PM EST up reply actions
really
Wow, ok, I’ll just take this personally and say I have over 4 teachers in my direct family. They are all worth more than 30k a year. Maybe you were just in a bad school district, though, I think it’s more likely that you’re just exaggerating.
Don’t be so bitter about teachers having tenure, unions aren’t great – I generally think they’re a bust, but teachers are underpaid. Fact.
Don’t just go watch Waiting for Superman and then act like you can generalize the worthless acts to all teachers. I learned a lot in school, paid attention, maybe that’s why I am an engineer. Don’t be scared of books homie.
What we do in life echoes in eternity
Libera nos a malo
Dana is too immature to handle an organization that "ignores" mma sticking up for UFC fighters getting paid so low when the UFC
Basically has a monopoly on the mma scene . Espn portrayed what some UFC fighters know better than to say and Dana and co expect us all to be Sheeps and ignore the valid points espn is making .
The UFC payout is not structured well for new comers and up and comers which is okay except it’s too low in general .
Dana , you and Lorenzo aren’t the only people in the world that couldve made the UFC popular so get off your high horse and start making mma more of a real sport rather than being a mole on the ass of the sport world .
209stk is the smartest poster on mania i will never doubt him or anyone from stockton ever again them boys out there are BEASTS
….nick and nate diaz will b champs this year and all the haters can elat a bloody vag…ultimatehuggingchamp is the biggest dumbfuck around and licks the sweat of my balls….STOCKTON 209…..y u mad 4 suckas!
by wooly shambler on Jan 16, 2012 4:15 PM EST via mobile reply actions
they may not be the only people that could've done it.....
But the Ferttita’s DID put in $44M of their own money. Who else was going to do that?
YOU? Because I wouldn’t. Did it take 10 years to turn MLB or the NBA or the NFL into what they are today? No it took decades before the players were getting paid millions. But I also don;t think those spoilt mofos deserve their fat multi million dollar pay checks. Look how outta shape most of the NBA came back after the lockout, that’s flat out rich and lazy. Anyway, I could ramble on forever about the multitude of angles here. carry on your discussion people.
by spaceben on Jan 16, 2012 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I hear ya, lots of angles here for sure
by jtc5150 on Jan 16, 2012 6:16 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
There is no such thing as almost having a monopoly. You either do or you don’t. I ant name 10 MMA orgs off the top of my head. Are they less successful? Yes but there are other orgs wich means no monopoly. Just cause zuffa owns the top 2 orgs doesn’t make it a monopoly
GO BIG, OR GO HOME!!!
by LOKIE on Jan 16, 2012 8:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
It owns all of legit mma
It’s a monopoly ,
Bellator is far behind so you fail.
Thank you come again
209stk is the smartest poster on mania i will never doubt him or anyone from stockton ever again them boys out there are BEASTS
….nick and nate diaz will b champs this year and all the haters can elat a bloody vag…ultimatehuggingchamp is the biggest dumbfuck around and licks the sweat of my balls….STOCKTON 209…..y u mad 4 suckas!
by wooly shambler on Jan 16, 2012 9:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
You obviously haven’t been properly educated on monopolies fam.
I recommend Principles of MIcroeconomics by N. Gregory Mankiw
by Tommy Shenanigans on Jan 16, 2012 9:22 PM EST up reply actions
shamble-rooskie
I took 5 seconds to find the definition of monopoly: A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity.
The fact that you mentioned Bellator, regardless of your opinion rules the UFC out on being a monopoly, not to mention: Dream, M-1, MFC, BAMMA, XFC, Shooto, all the hundreds of regional shows. Come on, the UFC isn’t the only game in town, it’s just the highest quality game in town. Is the NFL/NBA/NHL a monopoly? Quick I don’t like David Stern call the cops!
Just because people don’t like Dana White, doesn’t mean the UFC is an evil corporate monopoly hell bent on abusing it’s fighters. They’ve spent the last 10 years making the sport I love into a high-quality sought after product, hell yeah I am a UFC fanboy, because it’s the highest quality MMA out there. I say loudly and proudly, keep up the good work!
What we do in life echoes in eternity
Libera nos a malo
And, Tron for the win!
"Remember men, we are all winners in the eyes of Christ...except for the guy still bleeding on the canvass"
by Jrandolph on Jan 17, 2012 1:53 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
The GOODS start 40:00
You have been banned from Bloody Elbow.
I don’t know what you said, but I don’t like you.
12/22/11
"You actually got banned 3 times in 2 minutes by 3 different people"
by *Californication* on Jan 16, 2012 4:20 PM EST reply actions
smoke but no fire
The important thing is that the salaries are growing every year. UFC has to continue to grow and strike a balance between compensating the fighters and spending on other business concerns (and making a profit, which as a private entity it has every right to do).
Anyone who thinks the UFC doesn’t care about its fighters is ignoring the fact that they took the high road and offered a comprehensive health care package to each of its fighters without it having to get to the point where the fighters had to organize.
How about of of the money they spend getting mma sanctioned around the world?
Thank you UFC fans. My name Stun Gun. I want GSP
Someone count the amount of knee slaps during the last 3 minutes
You have been banned from Bloody Elbow.
I don’t know what you said, but I don’t like you.
12/22/11
"You actually got banned 3 times in 2 minutes by 3 different people"
by *Californication* on Jan 16, 2012 4:25 PM EST reply actions
Time for ESPN to have some competition
Dana, Lorenzo the people are ready for a new cable sports channel that knows how to tell the “truth” and appeals to the majority of Americans. Way to go! UFC is very young and what you have done with the sport is truly amazing. Running a successful and growing company is very difficult and ESPN is proof of the enemies and obstructionists that you have out there. At some point the UFC might go public but until then they don’t have to tell anybody what their financial position is. Three years of Obama and it’s a wonder that anybody knows how to start and run a business these days.
Nice distraction tactic Lorenzo
“We pay our guys 10x what Friday Night Fights pays it’s lowest guys”
10x$275=$2750.00 for an MMA fighter at the highest level of competition. Geez, Lorenzo, you sure showed him!
First off, Friday Night Fights is low level boxers not members of “the big show”. Secondly, ESPN does not pay these fighters. And thirdly, ESPN does not consist of just Friday Night Fights for it’s revenue.
Nice try Lorenzo…..I’m sure you’ve already fooled most of the people on this forums.
No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Mark Twain (1866 )
ESPN can NOT be trusted. can’t stand the lying 2 faced media fucks!!"
This is not the language of a mature or media-savvy CEO.
Sure Dana, a couple casino owners in Vegas, with ties to the mafia, who are being investigated for unfair business practices seem so much more trustworthy.

No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Mark Twain (1866 )
Isn't Dana just the president?
And Lorenzo is the CEO?
Semantics, I know.
And now I present you with: Toast Pigeon

No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Mark Twain (1866 )
frozen gif is frozen
fuck my connection
"Every time I hear of this guy , I wonder how he was possible." - Joe DiMaggio
by randallhumpfreeze on Jan 16, 2012 5:29 PM EST up reply actions
I have no fucking idea what this has to do with the subject at hand
BUT toast pigeon is fucking hilarious!!! LMMFAO!!!!!! +10000000 for dec3ptiKon
I like bacon...Steelers fo life!!!!
#1 Quinton Rampage the Dragon Slayer Jackson fan for LIFE..FTW!!! Nick Diaz would mop the floor with GSP and the fight with Sheilds confirms it!!!
The object of war is not to die for your country, but to make the other bastard die for his" Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.I hate Jon Jones..No mas la raza!!! JDS Bitches
absolutely nothing to do with it.....
Which adds to the hilarity.
No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Mark Twain (1866 )
Whatever
To see the truth of what goes on you have to look no further than Roger Huerta and Jon Fitch. These guys complained about pay and contracts and UFC dropped the hammer on them. Fighters basically sign everything away to fight for this promotion and they’re not allowed to complain about it in the least. I’m a fan of this sport and of the fighters, not UFC. I wouldn’t care one bit if another promotion came along and was successful enough to knock UFC as the top promotion. In fact, I’d say Dana White kind of deserves it with the way he handles himself. Too many fans are corporate shills for UFC. It’s like UFC can do no wrong in their eyes.
so after all that you tarnish your one shot at shitting on the ever sooooo evil UFC and you say whatever to start things off? are you nick diaz?? are you high???
like water
and this was the way i felt watching the reem kill brock
"He got knee'd right in the diverticulitis
by Balrog on Dec 30, 2011 9:20 PM PST"
You know who else complained?
Nick Diaz. The difference between him and Huerta and fitch is he brings it every fight. I’m sorry I do not buy the if you bitch about what you get paid you are going to get blackballed BS. It is nothing more than negotiating. Some people do it in public, and sometimes it pays off… Like for nick Diaz.
by Dolemitejenkins on Jan 16, 2012 5:11 PM EST up reply actions
Dana would NEVER do something vindictive like that!
Dana is a kind, caring generous man who pays these UFC scrubs more than they are worth! If these dumb UFC fighters don’t like it, then get another job! This is the Dana show not a sport.
I watch UFC for Dana not a bunch of whiny losers who are too dumb to negotiate properly with their generous bosses.
No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Mark Twain (1866 )
you watch the ufc or dana white? thats gotta be the most ridiclious thing ive ever heard.
by Michael Robinson on Jan 16, 2012 6:09 PM EST up reply actions
see my previous 2000 posts and realize the sarcasm.
No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Mark Twain (1866 )
Hey asshole not everyone thinks the same
Dan Henderson had the same issues before going to SF and even couture was in a lawsuit reguarding his contract!! Did u not hear Lorenzo mention if a fighter brings the company business He wants them on the payroll… Do u need it in words that u can understand. If u put fans in the stands u can say whatever the fuck u want! I think it is definitely safe to say the ufc does play favorites, and has it’s politics same with any other business. U can fuckin make an argument about many parts of the interview but seriously what fighter is going to speak up and complain against the people who sign their checks?!???
by I_know_my_shit on Jan 16, 2012 5:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
maybe they were cut BC they were boring fighters?
i mean, who really like watching fitch laying on top of a guy or working for the same takedown for 4 minutes. They keep the exciting fighters and jettison the boring ones. fine with me. i could go my whole life with out seeing another division I guy hug his way to a decision.
by The Notorious B.J.M.G. on Jan 17, 2012 4:11 PM EST up reply actions
didnt bj penn saying some nasty stuff about the ufc as well? isnt anderson silva rumored to be difficult to deal with? defiantly the conspiracy on the all mighty UFC black balling people and eating everything in its path is bogus. if you agree just tell, before strike fore got bought did YOU think it was a better product , why and did you think it would survive? im not brain washed just irritated from all the CEO talk ima 9 to 5 who then does another 9 to 5 to make ends meet
like water
and this was the way i felt watching the reem kill brock
"He got knee'd right in the diverticulitis
by Balrog on Dec 30, 2011 9:20 PM PST"
Strikeforce was paying fighters more in some cases
And giving an alternative to fighters……..not anymore!
No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Mark Twain (1866 )
SF was running itself into the ground under Coker
He was paying waaaay too much for several guys, i.e. Fedor and god forbid we bring up how much they paid Hershel Walker!!! Zuffa came in to save them and now they have another contract with Shotime because of it. They were headed to the dumpster before they got bought out. Now SF will be around for a while providing an alternative from the UFC, Bellator, Shark Fights, Dream, etc., so to me Zuffa is doing more then enough for these fighers, and it will only get better with time. Should they pay the lower tier guys more, sure, it could always be better, but Lorenzo makes a good point when pointing out how little boxing under cards get paid. It’s not even close.
yet thats the reason why they had to be bough out because they made ridiculous choices like paying fedor or any of those other fighters this amazing money you speak of
like water
and this was the way i felt watching the reem kill brock
"He got knee'd right in the diverticulitis
by Balrog on Dec 30, 2011 9:20 PM PST"
It's quite funny
They say they’re not using disgruntled employees yet the main person interviewed, outside of Lorenzo, is ken shamrock. Someone that took them to court, lost, and now owes them 150k. I’m sure he doesn’t have an ax to grind.
ESPN doth protest too much
ESPN’s take was much to do about nothing. That reporter flailed like a fish trying to pin Fetitta down but couldn’t. Fertitta had the numbers on his side. And when he threw the ESPN boxing numbers back at the reporter…WOW. Simply brilliant.
how much did they actually edit
he tore this guy apart, i mean that interviewer never made one valid point so i don’t even understand how they could have edited this too make him look bad. must have took some seriously creative editing.
absolutely.
the reporter just couldn’t pull it off. Fertitta had the numbers squarely on his side.
by watcherreader on Jan 16, 2012 5:27 PM EST up reply actions
He sure did
"We pay our guys 10x what Friday Night Fights pays it’s lowest guys"
10x$275=$2750.00 for an MMA fighter at the highest level of competition. Geez, Lorenzo, you sure showed him!
No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Mark Twain (1866 )
Right but then...
Right. But then the real story is not about the UFC. The bigger story might be about the low wages for bottom tier martial athletes. Instead, ESPN is trying to make the UFC the face of income disparity in sports. Maybe they really are 2 faced media f@cks, considering they are a part of the problem and with more aggregious infractions.
by watcherreader on Jan 16, 2012 9:01 PM EST up reply actions
and thats the whole point well atleast mine. how is ESPN or anyone going to say these things and not have facts just please for once. its like people think that the ufc was doing well before dana bought it
like water
and this was the way i felt watching the reem kill brock
"He got knee'd right in the diverticulitis
by Balrog on Dec 30, 2011 9:20 PM PST"
i know
this interviewer just seemed to stutter through this interview. he just repeating the same things over and over. why didn’t they bring up the time when randy couture bitched about his pay. dana came out with some rather harsh remarks for him after that but ultimately he was a huge draw and he stayed in the ufc. they pay the guys based on how much they think they will be a draw for the crowd. the monopoly argument is just stupid. do they go after the nfl because they dominate the market of the cfl and arena league football. do they go after the nba because they don’t give a chance to smaller leagues to make and impact, no. the ufc is the pinnacle that fighters attain to just like nfl or the nba is the pinnacle that those players aspire to.
What about ESPN making money off of college sports? That doesnt seem very fair….
by Michael Robinson on Jan 16, 2012 6:07 PM EST reply actions
Great
This is a great interview!!
I really don’t see how people/fighters/organisations can question the values, culture and methods of the UFC?!! They created this whole market for mainstream mma…prior to UFC (2005) as Lorenzo states there was no market.
Yes guys starting out might not get paid as much as they think they deserve but that’s the same in any job around the world, whether it’s training at university or starting out in an apprentice…just because u are a fighter doesn’t change that fact! What should be embraced is the fact that if u get to the top ur guaranteed to make good money!! Its pretty self explanatory tbh!
Also I cannot understand why they are negative that the UFC as company want to make money ? Isn’t that the whole point of a business Yes it might be a sport and a career path…but it also has to be viable!! For fuck sake how much does Microsoft turnover?? Are they paying everyone maximum with regards to 100% profit…no cos it’s a business and it makes no sense!!! Rant over
by the real mo on Jan 16, 2012 6:09 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Nike revolutionized footwear and invested billions
You cool with 8 year old working in sweat shops with zero protection from their employers?
No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Mark Twain (1866 )
Only if it makes those $300 AirJordans any less expensive
(for the record, I do not, nor have I ever worn/owned a pair of Jordans)
You have been banned from Bloody Elbow.
I don’t know what you said, but I don’t like you.
12/22/11
"You actually got banned 3 times in 2 minutes by 3 different people"
by *Californication* on Jan 16, 2012 6:27 PM EST up reply actions
Unfair business practices do NOT benefit the consumer.
They simply increase the profits for the owners.
No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Mark Twain (1866 )
what is unfair about the ufc? these fighters would be fighting in empty swimming pools if it wasnt for the ferrtittas.
Can’t stand it when media bitches think they have an exploitation story when none exists.
by Conan the Barbarian on Jan 17, 2012 11:35 AM EST up reply actions
Listen
I studied globalisation and at no point did even refer to that kind of capitalism being acceptable!! I don’t see how that relates to what the UFC are doing? They started the mma world as a profitable business, I’m quite sure the staff the speak about are not 8 year old children making trainers or clothing at a very low cost to make it work
by the real mo on Jan 17, 2012 3:19 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Btw
Its not just nike…most of the blg clothing companies practice in that way for max profit…it’s a completely different issue!
by the real mo on Jan 17, 2012 3:21 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Is the reptilian Interviewers job on the line??
within the last 5 minutes, he comes accross so fustrated he hadn’t achieved what he set out to achieve. he even raises his voice at one point, when asking how much the UFC have made since 2005.
I’d say Dana succeeded in outing ESPN for the pieces of shit they are.
And Lorenzo fertita… is one smooth undercover mutha fucka

Just watched this whole thing
Lorenzo clowns this fool….Dana and Lorenza are actually right…espn looks real bad after this if you ask me
209stk is the smartest poster on mania i will never doubt him or anyone from stockton ever again them boys out there are BEASTS
….nick and nate diaz will b champs this year and all the haters can elat a bloody vag…ultimatehuggingchamp is the biggest dumbfuck around and licks the sweat of my balls….STOCKTON 209…..y u mad 4 suckas!
by wooly shambler on Jan 16, 2012 7:04 PM EST up reply actions
I try not to over complicate things
This is a simply case of is the glass half empty or half full! If fighters are bitching bout pay,either start knocking mother fuckers out or get other job…I use to be one of those guys that bitched, I worked for a local auto care company, every year I got an eval, that contained what I made the company and I compared it to what I made for the year. So I went out and got a job with the state and is union and I love it, but before I left I had and “exit interview” which was basically please dont leave you’ve made us to much money and we will give you an opportunity to make more money at a different location, I declined by nicely telling them to kiss my black ass. It pretty simple…man I just rambled on..sorry, no not really. but sorry
I like bacon...Steelers fo life!!!!
#1 Quinton Rampage the Dragon Slayer Jackson fan for LIFE..FTW!!! Nick Diaz would mop the floor with GSP and the fight with Sheilds confirms it!!!
The object of war is not to die for your country, but to make the other bastard die for his" Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.I hate Jon Jones..No mas la raza!!! JDS Bitches
retarded argument!
Anybody working for any company wouldn’t want to talk about the company pay scale!!! If you like MMA, UFC gives the best product, Pride came close but hey its over…
by Robert(1) on Jan 16, 2012 7:14 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Lorenzo is a da man!
The ESPN dude kept going for something that wasn’t there and really it was a non-issue. Waste of time really. Loved Lorenzo’s answer as to why they were filming it…priceless!
I don't have time to watch the whole video, do you happen to know what time he asks why they are taping?
"If guns cause crime then all of mine are defective."
by detroit_fan on Jan 16, 2012 10:08 PM EST up reply actions
Wish I could give you a straight answer, but it’s definitely the last bit of the piece. Probably best suited watching the last 5 minutes I would say.
thanks
"If guns cause crime then all of mine are defective."
by detroit_fan on Jan 16, 2012 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
39:25 minute mark for anyone interested
"If guns cause crime then all of mine are defective."
by detroit_fan on Jan 16, 2012 10:21 PM EST up reply actions
I like the obvious crotch adjust
By Lorenzo. Getting it in before the camera is on him.
lorenzo is right, the ufc is what america is all about. risk=reward! fighters are paid what they are worth! the only people bitching are the jealous scrubs who have an overinflated sense of self.
and the liberal pricks who think the undercard fighters should make as much as the ppv draws.
by Conan the Barbarian on Jan 16, 2012 8:34 PM EST reply actions
"risk = reward"
I agree…so using that logic, I’m sure you understand that UFC fighters who are risking having their orbital bones smashed for our entertainment should receive a bit more reward right?
No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Mark Twain (1866 )
by dec3ptiKon_ on Jan 16, 2012 10:29 PM EST up reply actions
nope, they deserve what they get. no one would pay for a card with just scrubs on it.
After all, we are talking about two guys punching each other in theface. Since when does this entitle people to a fortune? It only has value if the fighter has mass appeal and entertainment value. Fighters aren’t being compensated for the hours they spend in the gym. They are compensated for what they can deliver. Entertaining fights at a highly competitive level.
by Conan the Barbarian on Jan 17, 2012 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I would love to see your reaction if your boss sent you away for work related training
and told you that you were not being paid for this training.
No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Mark Twain (1866 )
what is this in reference too? are ufc fighters not being compensated for something??? last time i checked, they aren't required to train a certain amount of hours by the ufc. they do that of their own free will. if that is your point, then it is flawed.
by Conan the Barbarian on Jan 17, 2012 6:25 PM EST up reply actions
pretty simple logic
If one wants to succeed in the highest level sport in “the big show” one must train.
I hope you’re joking here. Please let me know which professional sports involve zero training.
But yeah, you’re right, guys shouldn’t be wasting time training, when they should be out working at Home Depot to compensate for shitty wages they receive from the UFC
No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Mark Twain (1866 )
There's someone in here rec'n everything
We don’t do that over here.
"..That man has to be eliminated." - Fedor Emelianenko
by tkotom on Jan 16, 2012 9:11 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
talk to this guy. he might know whats going on.
TheKoRnReeper
Jesus H Christ, how many times i gotta pay the price, too scared of death will make you twice as scared of life.
by stinky~fingers on Jan 17, 2012 12:03 AM EST up reply actions
lorenzo is the fucking man.. leave it to him to smack some sense into some of these fools.
that reporter had nothing, absolutely nothing!… lorenzo made him look like a dumbshit after every question.. haha this video was hilarious.
Jesus H Christ, how many times i gotta pay the price, too scared of death will make you twice as scared of life.
by stinky~fingers on Jan 17, 2012 12:01 AM EST reply actions
Lorenzo does a great job in the interview
but as a fan, I question the fighter pay for the lower tier guys. Seems that "league minimum should be higher than 5k/5k or 6k/6k. And it also bothers me in a fight like Jardine vs the Iceman when Jardine wins and gets paid like 15k/15k or 20 and 20 and chucks make 250k plus ppv $$$$. That discrepancy doesn’t seem fair either. Seems like Zuffa really takes care of their stars and the entry guys really have to produce quickly to make decent money.
dude, under the table bonus'
Jardine definitely got a huge bonus that night.. i remember hearing he got like 300k after that fight..
Jesus H Christ, how many times i gotta pay the price, too scared of death will make you twice as scared of life.
by stinky~fingers on Jan 17, 2012 12:23 AM EST up reply actions
right.
Because Zuffa would rather give out secret bags of money to it’s fighters, rather than use it as a tax deduction.
No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Mark Twain (1866 )
they have to tell the IRS, not you.
they report everything to the IRS, but that doesn’t mean they have to report it to you. they are a private company. does your company tell you what your boss makes? no, but i bet he tells the IRS (a different amount ;-) )
its a private company. with a good product. and you don’t have to be a fighter. sure you might get rich. or you might get the crap beat out of you. its your choice. if you don’t like the deal, don’t sign. obviously there are guys who fight, who could be doing something else, but choose to fight for what ever reason. if you don’t like that path, go become a construction worker. i’m pretty sure and UFC fighter could get work in construction. and i’ve heard those guys do ok.
by The Notorious B.J.M.G. on Jan 17, 2012 4:38 PM EST up reply actions
So UFC gives fighters money secretly without the public knowing but reports it to the IRS?
What do they gain from doing this, other than looking like they don’t pay fighters enough?
Sorry, not buying this bullshit rumor, and that’s exactly what it is….a rumor
No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Mark Twain (1866 )
who would you pay to see fight?
Chuck “HOF all time striker” Liddell, or Keith “i look like i cook meth in AZ” Jardine?
chuck is the guy people care about, so he ets the money. he’s the product, not the fight. if jardine dropped out, would people have paid to watch chuck knock someone else out? yeah. probably. would they have had Jardine v. replacement as the main event and expecte the same take? no. so chuck gets the money because he makes the fight. jardine just got cut and Liddell gets in the HOF where he belongs. i’m pretty sure randy moss was lining up next to a guy who was making 10% what he makes and has the same chance of being injured, is playing in the same game. but people don’t buy tickets to see the third wideout on a team. there’s a market. it determines value. the UFC understands this better than anyone else in sports.
by The Notorious B.J.M.G. on Jan 17, 2012 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
being a fighter is a choice, not an entitlement.
name me one job where i can be totally green, and untested, and yet still be paid millions of dollars simply because i “need to make a living?” NBA, NFL, MLB NHL, etc. they all have unions. what happened before there were unions? athletes sold cars in the off season, thats what.
like anyone who wants to be an actor, fighter director, model, singer, musician, etc. you will probably have to do it for free, or for very little money for a while until you make a name for yourself and people actually start caring that you exist. i mean, they only started recently airing the prelims. some of these guys were being paid to fight and they weren’t even putting it on TV. look, if you want bargaining power, start a union. but if you want your job to start upping your pay when you are a total unknown and bring in no revenue, let me know when you find that job. i’d like to work there.
its called paying your dues. you are entitled to nothing. put in your time, sacrifice, work hard and you will probably fail. thats just how it goes when you aren’t talented enough to make a living as an entertainer. its not a job. its a sport. its entertainment. a job is something where you go everyday, you do something and you get paid for it. i’m an actor, i’m in the union, and i made $500 for a commercial once (before i was in the union). and i was happy to do it because i want to be on TV. now that i’m in the union, they have to pay me what the union says i’m worth. if i had said “i need $2000 for this bc its my job.” they would have said "we’re going with the other guy.
if you want better bargaining power, start a union, like every other sport. or get a job that is more to your liking. i know plenty of people who would take $6000 to be in a UFC event. if you don’t think its worth it, do something else. i wouldn’t call MMA a real high percentage career choice. ESPN had a real axe to grind in this interview for sure. i think they resent that someone created a sport without their permission. and people like to watch it.
by The Notorious B.J.M.G. on Jan 17, 2012 4:26 PM EST reply actions
Lorenzo came accross pretty well in this actually.
But fighter pay is not necessarily the biggest issue. I feel like there might be deep rooted problem with running a sport purely as a business.
http://jim-ma.blogspot.com/

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