UFC Purchases Strikeforce

March 12th, 2011admin

In absolutely unexpected coming out of nowhere news, the parent company of the UFC, Zuffa, has just purchased Strikeforce!  Scott Coker will remain CEO and continue to run Strikeforce as a completely separate organization, and television contracts will remain in place.  But as was the case of the WEC, it will probably all be merged in a couple of years.  Also the contract of Fedor Emilianko will still be in question as he is still property of M1 Global.

This creates an almost monopoly for the UFC when it comes down to mixed martial arts.  Good and bad news, good for the viewers and fans as this brings it closer to becoming a major sport entity like the NHL, NFL, NBA, and MLB.  Other MMA organizations still left in place include Dream (though there were partnerships with Strikeforce), Maximum Fighting Championships, Shark Fighting, Palace Fighting, Bellator Fighting (though the last event was cancelled), and a few other smaller organizations.

Doesn’t look like anything will change in regards to betting on mma, but in the future when you bet on ufc you will have a lot more fights to bet on.

Arianny Celeste to appear in Playboy

September 1st, 2010admin

Not really MMA Betting related, but still mma news that i’m sure you would appreciate.  The beautiful UFC ring girl Arianny Celeste will appear in the November 2010 edition of Playboy, and not just appear, will be the playboy cover girl!  It is not known whether or not she will appear in a spread or centerfold, I guess we will wait for it to hit the store shelves.  Arianny was voted as the Maxim hometown hottie, as is easily the most popular ring girl in mixed martial arts.  Arianny Celeste will be the second UFC girl to appear in playboy.  UFC All Access host Rachelle Leah was the cover girl in the November 2008 Playboy.

Ontario to allow MMA starting in 2011

August 14th, 2010admin

Mark down Saturday August 11, 2010 as a huge day for MMA.  Ontario is a huge hotbed for mma fanatics, barring the highest fanbase probably in the world.  With the help of new UFC Canada boss Tom Wright, VP Marc Ratner, and of course Dana White and the Fertittas, they have finally defeated the ignorant mixed martial arts naysayers.

McGuinty wasn’t available Saturday to explain the flip flop, leaving it to Consumer Services Minister Sophia Aggelonitis, who said regulating MMA was the best way to keep the fighters safe.

“We have always said that we would be monitoring mixed martial arts and we have been doing that for some time,” said Aggelonitis.

“We need to have a system in place where we regulate it; that’s the only way I can control the safety of competitors.”

The province will adopt the same rules for MMA events that are widely used across North America, and the sport will be regulated by the Ontario Athletic Commission, which already oversees boxing.

“We have an Athletics Control Act … and we have to make sure the rules that apply in that act are going to be the same for MMA sports,” said Aggelonitis.

Of course Money was probably the biggest reason why the incompetent Dalton McGuinty flipflopped and in the end why regulation will take place.

So where should UFC take place in Ontario?  Skydome or Air Canada Center.  Or some other city like Ottawa or Hamilton (probably not but lets not discount those places for further smaller events like WECs or fight nights.).

Note: according to Sportsnet – March 27, 2011 will be the first UFC event in Toronto/Ontario.  Will they holdoff on GSP vs Kos until then?  UFC in Ontario March 27 2011   Woohoo!

Bodog in Canada! UFC in Canada!

August 27th, 2009admin

As of right now, Canadians can now play on Bodog Since Calvin Ayre has retired from the gambling side, Bodog has opened up its doors to Canadians.  You can bet on sports, bet on mma at Bodog.ca, play poker, play at the bodog casino.

Check out the great odds at Bodog

Also in other Canadian news, UFC will be coming to Vancouver British Columbia! A tentative date of June 2010 has been set with the venue being GM Place (capacity 19,000). So it probably wont be breaking any Montreal’s records yet. Note that the Vancouver Athletics Comission still have to approve mixed martial arts first, but Dana White is confident this will get done. Hopefully UFC in Ontario next!!!

The iceman can dance?

August 17th, 2009admin

Some weird mma news recently.

Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell will be a participant of Dancing with the Stars.  Please say it aint so Chuck.

Victoria formerly from the WWE will be training for mma.  Trying to follow in the foot steps of Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley.  And to somewhat of a degree Kurt Angle, who by the way was caught with HGH (Human Growth Hormone) on the weekend.

Weird mma weekend