UFC buys out WFA

[Apotheosis]

Source (http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=3959)

"Las Vegas, NV – A subsidiary of Zuffa, LLC, which owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship® brand, announced today that it acquired select assets from the World Fighting Alliance (WFA) organization. WFA Enterprises, LLC, a subsidiary of Zuffa, purchased select fighter contracts and the trademarks and other intellectual property of World Fighting Alliance, Inc., a corporation owned by Las Vegas attorneys, Ross Goodman and Louis Palazzo. The acquisition further solidifies Zuffa as the preeminent fight promoter in the world and infuses the organization with more of the world’s top MMA fighters.

Dana White, UFC President and Zuffa co-owner said, “Zuffa is committed to giving our fans the best fights between the best fighters in the world. This acquisition helps us continue fulfilling that goal.” White also said, “Goodman and Palazzo were working towards building a strong promotion. But bringing the WFA fighters into the Zuffa family is the best thing that could happen for the fighters – and for the fans.”

The WFA organization held four events, the most recent in July at the L.A. Forum with a solid fight card that was shown on pay-per-view television. “This is an exciting time for MMA as evidenced by the 60 Minutes story last night and we are glad that the WFA has played a leading role,” said Ross Goodman, President of the WFA. “This business opportunity presented itself and it made sense for everybody to make this transition.”

Under the terms of the purchase, World Fighting Alliance, Inc. will cease all operations."

So they didn't buy everything, but apparently the WFA is dead and the UFC bought some fighters contracts, trademarks etc...

Which means we will likely see some big names joining the UFC-

Rampage Jackson
Heath Herring
Matt Lindland
Bas Rutten
Kit Cope
Ryoto Machida
Ricco Rodriguez
Ivan Salaverry

Are all possible names, but we will have to wait and see who the UFC did pick up and who they did not.

I am thrilled at this announcement, the WFA was too small to really out together great matches and now we might see Lindland vs Franklin or Silva and of course Rampage vs Liddel.

[Wigglyman]

Source (http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=3959)

"Las Vegas, NV – A subsidiary of Zuffa, LLC, which owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship® brand, announced today that it acquired select assets from the World Fighting Alliance (WFA) organization. WFA Enterprises, LLC, a subsidiary of Zuffa, purchased select fighter contracts and the trademarks and other intellectual property of World Fighting Alliance, Inc., a corporation owned by Las Vegas attorneys, Ross Goodman and Louis Palazzo. The acquisition further solidifies Zuffa as the preeminent fight promoter in the world and infuses the organization with more of the world’s top MMA fighters.

Dana White, UFC President and Zuffa co-owner said, “Zuffa is committed to giving our fans the best fights between the best fighters in the world. This acquisition helps us continue fulfilling that goal.” White also said, “Goodman and Palazzo were working towards building a strong promotion. But bringing the WFA fighters into the Zuffa family is the best thing that could happen for the fighters – and for the fans.”

The WFA organization held four events, the most recent in July at the L.A. Forum with a solid fight card that was shown on pay-per-view television. “This is an exciting time for MMA as evidenced by the 60 Minutes story last night and we are glad that the WFA has played a leading role,” said Ross Goodman, President of the WFA. “This business opportunity presented itself and it made sense for everybody to make this transition.”

Under the terms of the purchase, World Fighting Alliance, Inc. will cease all operations."

So they didn't buy everything, but apparently the WFA is dead and the UFC bought some fighters contracts, trademarks etc...

Which means we will likely see some big names joining the UFC-

Rampage Jackson
Heath Herring
Matt Lindland
Bas Rutten
Kit Cope
Ryoto Machida
Ricco Rodriguez
Ivan Salaverry

Are all possible names, but we will have to wait and see who the UFC did pick up and who they did not.

I am thrilled at this announcement, the WFA was too small to really out together great matches and now we might see Lindland vs Franklin or Silva and of course Rampage vs Liddel.


Matt Linland left in November, he currently has a contract with the IFL, so no Linland in the UFC...sorry I had to break that news!

Same with Bas, he has a contract with the IFL, so I doubt very much that the UFC will want him.

However Heath should be a good addition to the UFC Heaveyweight ranks, and boy do they need it! Shame this didn't happen like 5 years ago for him!

And of course....

:woo: RAMPAGE v. LIDDELL II :woo:

[Apotheosis]

Forgot about Lindland, but I believe Bas still has 1 fight left on his WFA contract..maybe not.

Shame about Lindland, but I have a feeling the IFL is headed down so we may see him back in the Octagon yet.

[Sever]

Bas won't be there either - he's still rehabbing his ACL and will probably never fight again, sadly, plus the IFL deal
This could be the start of an absolutely amazing year of UFC fights, but I'm a bit dubious about this WFA deal, to be honest. I'll wait for the announcement about who they've actually picked up before I get too excited. There's a part of me that just thinks they're gonna pick up the up and comers from there and use them to bolster the ranks of their other supposed recent acquisition - the WEC, which they're planning to use as a "talent farm" to build up new fighters (Source (http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=3053&zoneid=6) )
That said, passing up Herring this time would be moronic with Sylvia's stock so low, and Herring being so marketable, they need to pay him this time. Rampage is a risky proposition due to the amount of money he'd want and the fact that aside from Liddell and Babalu, there's no one that'd really give him much of a run since he won't fight Tito. Unless they pick up some more decent LHW's, there's still going to be a stagnant division

[Apotheosis]

I have a feeling they may make some announcements tomorrow on SpikeTV as to who they signed, would love to see Rampage and Heath walk out into the octagon.

As to Rampage being risky, I have to disagree. He would be a very marketable character, is a great fighter, and they need to bring in top talent to boost their division so Rampage is better than nothing. Sure they need to add more fighters in addition to him, but you have to start rebuilding somewhere and he could make a great foundation for that division.

Plus the UFC is rolling in money, they are nearly a billion dollar org.

[Wigglyman]

Rampage is a risky proposition due to the amount of money he'd want and the fact that aside from Liddell and Babalu, there's no one that'd really give him much of a run since he won't fight Tito. Unless they pick up some more decent LHW's, there's still going to be a stagnant division

Rampage could easily replace Chuck as the UFC's golden boy, I mean his GnP + Elbows + The Cage (- Knees to the head tho) = A possibility to rule the division (Unless the UFC have any LHW with a decent Tai Clinch!)...and he is exceedingly marketable. The question is can he fix his head after Chute Box destroyed it?!?

Plus you mention a lack of LHW, doesn't Rampage help stop that problem, you talk like he is adding to it!

Anyways here is a good interview with Dana about the buyout. He mentions that there may not be an issue with anyone wiht contracts with the IFL.

He aslo mentions that they have bought the WEC and have big plans, but rather than tell you alll baout it I'll just let you listen :p

[Sever]

Rampage would help and he possibly wouldn't, which is my point. At the moment, the division's stagnant because they've got no one can that can beat Liddell (kinda like the welterweight division was before the UFC ponied up GSP's rematch). If they just sign Rampage and that's it for new good 205lb'ers, and he beats the crap out of Chuck again, by the end of next year, the same situation is there, only now there are two guys that no one can beat. It'll be a year of great fights, but two great fighters (one of whom probably doesn't have that long left in him), two good ones and a bunch of B/ C fighters isn't really enough to create a solid division. Plus, I think we're all agreed that Rampage's quote machine-based marketability took a serious hit when he found God ;)
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see him there, and signing him sets up a few great fights but I'm just hoping that the UFC makes a concerted effort to shake that division up a little rather than replace one dominant champion with another. If they sign more good talent in that class, having Rampage is a great move, if they don't, it might not be so great, from my perspective at least

[Apotheosis]

Your right in saying he isn't going to save the division, but every bit helps and he is a good start.

As to his quotes, your right about that. God certainly has put a damper on his charisma.

[Wigglyman]

Your right in saying he isn't going to save the division, but every bit helps and he is a good start.

As to his quotes, your right about that. God certainly has put a damper on his charisma.

Anyone see his post match interview afyer the Linland fight? Watch that and tell me he has lost any of his charisma!

[themmachamp]

I think the IFL is here to stay. So far the organization is expanding ridiculously fast and i'm starting to buy into the team concept. Originally i thought the team idea was dumb, but it's definitely growing on me. Since i get Fox Sports Net i'm pumped about watching some matches this season without paying for it on pay-per-view

[Apotheosis]

I think the IFL is here to stay. So far the organization is expanding ridiculously fast and i'm starting to buy into the team concept. Originally i thought the team idea was dumb, but it's definitely growing on me. Since i get Fox Sports Net i'm pumped about watching some matches this season without paying for it on pay-per-view

I disagree, the team concept will not be able to last. I give the IFL a year at most before it goes down the tube.

[Rapid]

Could someone explain to me the IFL's team championships, ive been on the website (very quickly) and couldnt find anything explaining it.

[Apotheosis]

Could someone explain to me the IFL's team championships, ive been on the website (very quickly) and couldnt find anything explaining it.

Confuses me too

[Wigglyman]

Could someone explain to me the IFL's team championships, ive been on the website (very quickly) and couldnt find anything explaining it.


Basically they haven't really sorted manything out, I think 2007 will be the year they finally come up with the format that truely works.

But another proof Rampage hasn't lost his charisma:

http://www.throwdownfightgear.com/1_tdnews.html

[duderanch182]

I can't beleive no one has mentioned Ryoto Machida. This is one of 2 guys to beat Rich Franklin. I think he could be a very interesting prospect for the UFC.

[Sever]

I can't beleive no one has mentioned Ryoto Machida. This is one of 2 guys to beat Rich Franklin. I think he could be a very interesting prospect for the UFC.I wasn't entirely sure that the UFC had gotten him (I'm still not - as far as I'm aware, the full lineup of the WFA contracts they got hasn't been released). 'Ryoto' could be great for the UFC, but he problem with him (and don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of his) is that he's very inconsistant in the fights he puts on. He gets fights where he makes guys like Rich Franklin and BJ Penn look like punchbags and he gets others where he has trouble squeaking out a decision against Vernon White. If his form remains constant (assuming the UFC have picked him up), a year or so down the line, he can be a serious threat to whomever has the belt

[tekkengod]

Rampage is a risky proposition due to the amount of money he'd want and the fact that aside from Liddell and Babalu, there's no one that'd really give him much of a run since he won't fight Tito.

why's that? (won't fight tito)

[callsignfuzzy]

Tito and Rampage are training partners.

[Wigglyman]

Tito and Rampage are training partners.

Even though he has said he wouldn't, I bet if you put enough Chedda in front of him...he'll sign up to fight anyone!