FULL UFC Conference Call Recap - Lesnar, Dana, Liddell
FULL UFC Conference Call Recap – Lesnar, Dana, Liddell
UFC held a conference call today revealing a new TV deal. MMASCOOPS.COM was inside the call and here are the highlights:
- Dana opens the call hyping Liddell-Silva.
- Asked if his press conference starting early was a coincidence. He says he loves Randy and respects him. He says it's not a coincidence and he's announcing 'his s–t'.
- A question is asked for Brock but they're not talking about that yet.
- Dana says he plans to advertise on WWE programming and 'everywhere' for Lesnar's UFC debut. He says Lesnar was a huge star in WWE.
- Dana said he talked to Chuck and Silva about making the fight. He wanted to give Liddell time to relax and figure things out. They made sure everything was right. He puts over Silva big.
- They have a new deal with SpikeTV. There will be 12 live fight cards. Dana puts over UFC and Kevin Kay from SpikeTV puts over UFC.
- Dana said Spike is an awesome partner and it was their idea to do the '25 Tuffest moments' show.
- Dana said Randy signed a new contract with him 8 months ago and 'he's got him'. He says Randy is pissed at him right now and he 'doesn't know why'. He said they'll figure it out.
- Dana said the SpikeTV deal is for four years. It'll be 48 live shows roughly. One per month it looks like.
- Dana said they are working on new fight shows for SpikeTV.
- Dana said there are no plans for a halftime Superbowl show.
- Dana thinks the B.J Penn fight will be in December. They are working on New Castle for that show.
- Dana confirms they were talking with HBO but no deal was reached.
- Dana says he doesn't declare the title vacant until Randy tells him to his face that he's retiring. He against says he respects him and he thinks they are going to work things out.
- Dana said he left Randy a message and is trying to work on a meeting. He's giving him time to cool off.
- The Ultimate Fighter reality show is going to run through 2011. There will be a new reality show in 2010.
- Dana says they aren't talking with ESPN and says they are now covering their sport. He says UFC is with SPIKE and they are a great partner.
- Dana says UFC is coming to Chicago. No date confirmed.
- Asked why Arlovski hasn't been used. Dana says they want him back in the Heavyweight mix. The caller asks if he's pissed off.... Dana dodges the question. Dana says if they want to talk he will talk. Dana says he's not pissed off at him but thought his last fight was boring.
- The idea for the new show in 2010 is going to be a live fight show. They are excited about it. He says The Ultimate Fighter goes till 2010 and then they break it down to one and add a new fight show.
- They are really putting over the SpikeTV/UFC partnership. They love each other.
- Dana is asked about UFC 78. He says ticket sales have been good and commercials are running. He says they are going to sellout.
- Dana says he wanted to wait to make the Liddell/Silva fight because he wanted to give Chuck time to think after two losses. Chuck of course agreed he wanted the fight.
- Dana says the Jersey card doesn't suck and bashes the 'net as always. He goes on a rant about UFC 78 and runs down the entire card.
- Dana puts over Liddell/Silva... says Silva used to hate him and now they see each other every week. He says it makes him happy to have Silva and really looks forward to this fight.
- Chuck, Lesnar, and Silva are all on the call now.
- Dana is asked why the HBO deal failed. He said there were lots of reasons why it didn't happen. Dana said he was going to do the deal his way or no way and it didn't happen. He said there were a TON of things. He says they both moved on and he won't bash them. He said he's confident the deal will happen at some point.
- Dana says the IFL was big hype and it is almost out of business. He said all these MMA companies are not going to last. "A lot of money will be burned in these next few years".
- Chuck says he wants to get back into contention and get a big knockout.
- Silva says he is proud to be at the top and wants this fight.
- Lesnar's first fight will be Superbowl Saturday says Dana.
- Lesnar says he's excited to be in UFC. He says he took the opportunity and wants to rise to the occasion.
- Dana was asked if people are taking Brock serious. Dana says he's very famous for being in WWE. He said as far as fighters go, they better take Lesnar serious. He said he has an awesome ground game obviously. Guys who train with him say he's very good. Dana puts over Lesnar as a former NFL star... wrestler, armature, etc etc.
- Brock says he just wants to make a name for himself. He says it's not a joke for him and he's training daily. Says he wants to come in at 150% and will be well prepared. Lesnar says he's not setting himself up for a defeat. That's not in his vocabulary.
- Dana says there are no plans for an MMA award show like the SCREAM awards. Dumb question.
- Dana says the only problem they have is with the NFL. That's part of the reason they moved to Wednesday.
- Spike TV says they want to keep pushing UFC and they feel UFC can really help Spike TV grow.
- Dana said he hopes to have a TV deal in the U.K by the end of 2008. He wants live shows. There will be four or five next year.
- Lesnar says he is thrilled to be out of WWE because 'he's still alive'.
- Dana puts over The Ultimate Fighter as a place where stars are made. He compares Forrest Griffen and Kelly Clarkson as stars who started with nothing and made it.
- Dana and SpikeTV are both talking about promoting big fights to air free.
- There are no coaches set for TUF 7.
- Dana White says he really likes Kurt Angle and puts him over. He said right now, Lesnar is the real deal and that's where he's at. Dana says everyone says Brock has tremendous potential. He said he doesn't feel that way with Angle and feels Angle would get his 'f–king ass kicked' if he thought he could just come in and do people.
- Asked about TUF being taped outside of Vegas, he said it's possible in the future. They fueled rumors that it could be overseas.
- Dana once again said he respected Randy Couture. He said this is not a Tito situation. He said he couldn't say enough good things about Randy. He says EliteXC are 'internet whores' and that's the only reason why they are broadcasting the Randy press conference.
- Dana once again says he expects to patch things up with Randy 'very soon'.
- Lesnar is asked who he'd want to fight and he said he'd do the fighting and leave that question up to Dana. Dana didn't answer.
- Dana says they will be back in Texas in 2008.
- Dana says he doesn't think WWE 'in a million years' could compete in MMA. He said he respects wrestlers but he feels they would get knocked in UFC. Dana says Brock is another story. He said Brock can make it because of his wrestling background and athleticism.
- Brock says he has been considering MMA since 2000. He said he took a six figure deal right out of college and went to WWE. He had been thinking about MMA prior to that.
- Brock says pro wrestling is fake and 'this is the real deal'.
- Brock is putting himself over, and over, and over.
- Dana says he's not sure if he'll listen to the Randy conference. He said when Randy is ready to talk to him he'll talk to him. Dana is just asking Randy to come talk to him. He said he's 'Randy's little b—h" and does whatever he wants. He's just waiting for him to cool off.
- Dana says he and Randy had a meeting and Randy was pissed off about some stuff. Dana says the things he's upset about right now are 'not true'.
- Dana White: "all these internet goofs talkin about Fedor.... FEDOR SUCKS... Fedor isn't even top 5 at heavyweight". WHAT?!?!
- Dana is asked about Pro Elite. He says he has never dealt with them. He said it's a very very tough business.
- Dana says Forrest has shoulder surgery next. When he comes back he'll be in line for a title shot.
- Dana says he wants to run a show in Japan.
- Dana says he's kind of surprised the way Randy is handling this whole thing. He blames it on this Hollywood agent. He says the guy is a joke and is telling Randy false things. He says it's 'Hollywood Bulls–t'.
- Brock Lesnar once again says he's taking this seriously. He loves to fight. Wants to become successful and win the belt.
- Chuck says he never looks back at losses. He said he's focused on this fight and doesn't feel any extra pressure.
- Silva says if the fight goes to the ground Chuck is going to have problems with him.
- Silva says he always gives his best and is waiting for this fight. Silva is asked if he is ready physically and mentally. He says he's training hard and wants to come back to the top. He says he's going to get better and still has good fights ahead of him. He says in the next two years your going to see his best fights.
- Dana says the Fedor deal fell apart because his managers are 'FULL OF s–t'. Fedor's manager is 'A f–kIN LIAR'. He gets real pissed off and says "Good luck to him wherever he's fighting because I don't want him in UFC'.
- Dana is FIRED UP folks. Phew.
- Dana once again said Randy is under contract with UFC, yadda yadda yadda. He said he loves Randy and UFC is his home. He considers him a friend forever. He says when they get together tad figure it out.
- He says UFC is coming to Canada in 2008.
- Silva said he likes living in Vegas. He says he loves his money and has not gambled yet.
- Dana says he currently doesn't have anyone for Brock Lesnar yet. He says they are going to 'bring in a guy' who can test him.
- He said people don't realize how bit his Silva-Liddell fight. He said the night they walk into the arena people will know.
- Dana says the winner of Silva-Liddell is the #1 contender. Forrest and Jardine are in the mix too, though.
- Lesnar said he needs to make a statement in his first UFC fight. He said he's anxious to get into the octagon.
- Dana said everyone knows WWE is fake but they are all athletes. He puts over Brock again. He says he thinks many WWE fans are going to tune in to see him fight.
- Brock says he trains daily with Greg Nelson in Minnesota.
- Dana is asked about Steroid. He says in MMA and Boxing if you get caught your screwed. "You've got to be an absolute jackass to use steroids".
- Dana says the money that is paid to the fighters should not be made public. Dana got fired up and said it's all about the fighters and not the money. He said the fighters and promoters can discuss money, but not the fans.
- Dana says they will be back in Floridia by 2008.
- Dana confirms a TOTAL of 12 fights over 3 years. 4 per year over 3 years. That's the new SpikeTV deal. It runs through 2012.
- Dana says the UFC is the leader. He says UFC is paving the way for the sport.
- Brock says he knows he needs a standup game as well. Lesnar says he knows he has to be good with his hands.
- Chuck says he made the decision to fight again the next day when he was feeling fine. He said it never crossed his mind to retire. He said he loves to fight still and says as long as they want him they'll be out there.
- Chuck said a few people asked him about retiring and he said he makes his own decisions. He said Dana knew him and gave him time.
- Dana thanked everyone and that's it.