Fighters Only

Issue 127

April 2015

Sheldon Silver, the former New York State assembly speaker and the biggest obstacle in the UFC’s attempts to bring MMA to New York City, has been arrested on corruption charges.

Silver, who was the assembly speaker for 20 years, is accused of collecting nearly $4 million in bribes and kickbacks since 2002 and disguising the proceeds as legitimate income.

He has resigned as speaker, but his lawyers maintain he is not guilty and he will fight for his vindication in court.

One of the front-runners to succeed Silver is Carl Heastie. This is great news for MMA fans in The Empire State, because he has opposed Silver by supporting a bill to legalize the sport in the past.

Mr Heastie said he would discuss the issue with his conference if he became speaker. That would give fresh hope to martial arts disciples on the East Coast that there could finally be an event at Madison Square Garden before the end of the year.

UFC raises PPV price by $5

The UFC has officially increased the price of all its pay-per-views by five dollars, confirmed an official press release sent out by the promotion.

For years the world’s leading promotion held its prices at $44.99 for standard definition and $54.99 for high definition, but due to the surging cost of producing events it has now increased the charges.

“In an effort to provide UFC fans with the best possible match-ups and highest quality programming, we have maintained the same suggested retail price for our US pay-per-view events since February 2008 (UFC 81), with one exception – UFC 168 in 2013.

“As with most industries, our costs have gone up significantly over this period and we have determined it is necessary to institute a minimal cost increase beginning in 2015.”

The new PPV rate has now been in effect since UFC 182.

WSOF hires marketing guru

The World Series of Fighting recently announced it has retained marketing expert Rolfe Auerbach, president and CEO of Los Angeles-based brand integration group Brand in Entertainment.

Auerbach, who has been involved with Brand in Entertainment since it began in 2000 and has integrated products into shows like The Apprentice, will be in charge of creating product integration strategies and generating sponsorship sales for the WSOF.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with World Series of Fighting which, in its relatively short life span of just over two years, has grown exponentially into a powerful sports entertainment vehicle,” Auerbach said in a press release.

Rallying/Crashed: The MMA business can be cruel and kind

Rallying: Reebok

After signing a long-term deal with the UFC, Reebok has truly made its presence felt inside the Octagon, signing the likes of world champions Jon Jones, Ronda Rousey and Anthony Pettis, along with red-hot 145lb leading contender Conor McGregor to athlete deals.

Crashed: Warrior International

There was once a time where Warrior International could be found on former UFC mainstays like Houston Alexander, Mac Danzig and James Irvin. However, the clothing company has been absent for some time and hasn’t added any new clothing for four years.