From: DannyOcean
Date: 10/30/07 05:22 PM
Member Since: 05/05/2007
547 Total Posts Ignore User

In that press conference, Dana and Zuffa refused to throw Randy under the bus. They could have talked trash about him, called him a whiny bitch, done a lot of stuff. Stripped him of the title and claim he's not any good.

They stuck to the facts, and actually defended Randy. Dana says repeatedly, "Randy Couture is our Champion. I believe Randy is the #1 HW in the world, no question." Dana said that over and over. He was given every opportunity to trash Randy, but held back. He even went so far as to call Fedor a can and said he was only trying to sign Fedor FOR Randy. They also clearly said "We want Randy to fight with us. We're going to offer him a fight THIS WEEK, probably Nogueria."

They completely owned Randy with facts, but then turned around and IMMEDIATELY gave him a way back into the org, and into a huge ass historic-level fight. Randy would make millions from this fight off of his PPV bonuses (which we can calculate now).

Dana was incredibly gracious to Randy, who has done nothing but tell lies about how much he makes, badmouth the UFC, and complain about 'respect'.


My reply:

[This poster is unable to decipher bullshit. Obviously all of these comments are a spin. Claiming that Randy is their champ is only to maintain an attachment. Claiming that Randy is the #1 fighter in the world is only to discredit Fedor. Saying that they were only attempting to sign Fedor for Randy is to save face after not being able to sign him. offering Randy a fight with Noguera is simply means to bandage the wound.]

sounds like some UFC pr boy to me.

Here's the press conference:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma;_ylt=A0WTeT959SdHYl0BMwE5nYcB

I think Randy will bite the bullet and take the fight

I'm watching now,

it seems to me that this press conference is partially a result of a reality that the UFC needs Randy more than he needs them at this point.

I also think Randy perhaps has a little too much pride for his own good, or as it may end up, he's just a really good negotiator?

As they said, this has hurt their company, but in a business sense that should not particularly be one of Randy's concerns. Dana is clearly out of character, and I believe its because they are a little bit desperate. They're trying there best to save face, and to maybe keep Randy on the payroll.

The shit about wanting Fedor so that Randy could fight him is bullshit. If that was true than why in the **** would they care about an exclusive contract? Clearly bullshit for a number of other reasons as well, though its clearly not in their interest to call Fedor #1.

I wouldn't be too surprized if Randy ends up taking their offer, but I feel that Randy is kind of the one in the drivers seat at the moment. I wouldn't mind seeing Randy fight Nog., but I think they probably were paying him less than he's worth and perhaps they'll come up with an offer he can't refuse.

Anyways, its clearly an ugly situation and a complicated one as well, and there are a lot of questions still out there. I hope that a good result occurs for the fans, whatever the eventual outcome.

i thought that dana and zuffa handled this perfect...left the door open for the natural and still regained some lost respect to the ufc......good move....

^ exactly...I thought the press conference completely owned Randy. they released the figures and everything, what can Randy say? "oh I forgot"

If they handled it well, they would not be in this situation to begin with. Since you know the facts, can you do a breakdown of the claims that both sides make (facts and proof)? I had a link to the pdf of the info, but lost it. Do you have it?

If they handled it well, they would not be in this situation to begin with. Since you know the facts, can you do a breakdown of the claims that both sides make (facts and proof)? I had a link to the pdf of the info, but lost it. Do you have it?

Given the circumstances, I agree that they handled it the best they could, but I agree with robot's above statement as well. To say they owned Randy with facts is bullshit however, they're begging Randy to come back, and will probably offer him conciderable compensation. Hardly an owning.

The shit about wanting Fedor so that Randy could fight him is bullshit. If that was true than why in the **** would they care about an exclusive contract? Clearly bullshit for a number of other reasons as well, though its clearly not in their interest to call Fedor #1.
Well, considering ALL the UFC fighters' are tied into exclusive contracts, I'd say allowing Fedor the ONE non-exclusive contract would be about the dumbest move in the UFC since.... well, actually that would be unparalleled in stupidity.

It would essentially be saying that if a fighter's popular enough and stubborn, he can get out of fighting exclusively for the UFC. That would not only piss off a WHOLE bunch of fighter's, but that would turn the UFC inside out during contract negotiations. They would have now set a president as to how contracts can be negotiated. Which is REALLY bad for all the other exclusivity clauses that the UFC has with the other fighters.

As far as Fedor goes, Dana did everything intelligent in his power to try to get Fedor.
1. Dana agreed to sign Fedor for millions per fight
2. Dana even agreed to sign ALL of the fighters' in Fedor's camp (which involves a lot of convincing need to let a two-time bank robber into the country to fight, which also would eventually be a PR nightmare)
3. Dana was even willing to allow Fedor to compete in his beloved SAMBO competition.
4. Dana even agreed to hold shows in Russia at least once a year.
5. But Fedor's management requested that the UFC co-promote with Fedor's company M-1. Meaning, not only would Fedor get his normal % of the PPVs, but his company would more then likely half all the PPV revenue and keep the gate sales. Essentially, the UFC would be directly promoting/paying an eventual rival MMA company in a perspective venue. Fedor's management are crazy to think that the UFC would go for that.

Though, I'm really surprised that Dana even bent as far as he did.




Anyways, its clearly an ugly situation and a complicated one as well, and there are a lot of questions still out there. I hope that a good result occurs for the fans, whatever the eventual outcome.
Agreed. ^_^b'

If they handled it well, they would not be in this situation to begin with. Since you know the facts, can you do a breakdown of the claims that both sides make (facts and proof)? I had a link to the pdf of the info, but lost it. Do you have it?

Well, the fact that Randy has an independent train of thought from the UFC, makes it hard for the UFC to predict his next move. Lorenzo was even shock at Randy's disdain for the UFC. If Randy's holding all his feelings in and only telling his wife and NOT the people who he has a problem with; how is Dana and Lorenzo suppose to handle a situation that they don't even know about?

They Can't. Regardless of whatever spin you perceive the UFC putting on this situation, they have handle this situation in the best manner possible (for now).

Well, considering ALL the UFC fighters' are tied into exclusive contracts, I'd say allowing Fedor the ONE non-exclusive contract would be about the dumbest move in the UFC since.... well, actually that would be unparalleled in stupidity.

It would essentially be saying that if a fighter's popular enough and stubborn, he can get out of fighting exclusively for the UFC. That would not only piss off a WHOLE bunch of fighter's, but that would turn the UFC inside out during contract negotiations. They would have now set a president as to how contracts can be negotiated. Which is REALLY bad for all the other exclusivity clauses that the UFC has with the other fighters.

As far as Fedor goes, Dana did everything intelligent in his power to try to get Fedor.
1. Dana agreed to sign Fedor for millions per fight
2. Dana even agreed to sign ALL of the fighters' in Fedor's camp (which involves a lot of convincing need to let a two-time bank robber into the country to fight, which also would eventually be a PR nightmare)
3. Dana was even willing to allow Fedor to compete in his beloved SAMBO competition.
4. Dana even agreed to hold shows in Russia at least once a year.
5. But Fedor's management requested that the UFC co-promote with Fedor's company M-1. Meaning, not only would Fedor get his normal % of the PPVs, but his company would more then likely half all the PPV revenue and keep the gate sales. Essentially, the UFC would be directly promoting/paying an eventual rival MMA company in a perspective venue. Fedor's management are crazy to think that the UFC would go for that.

Though, I'm really surprised that Dana even bent as far as he did.




Agreed. ^_^b'

Alright, you make some good points man. But do you seriously believe for a second that Dana did not want Fedor, or that he only wanted him for Randy's sake? Thats just more of White's trademark bullshit imo.

And to say that Fedor is not a top 5 HW is either a blatant lie or an extremely incompetent statement. I believe the former, and I understand why he would want to propogate such myths, but imo he should keep his trap shut when it comes to such blatent lies.

damn homeboy above just broke it down like ive never seen.......good points....dana was bending WAY too much for Fedor......imagine mansoon score the upset......

Alright, you make some good points man. But do you seriously believe for a second that Dana did not want Fedor, or that he only wanted him for Randy's sake? Thats just more of White's trademark bullshit imo.

And to say that Fedor is not a top 5 HW is either a blatant lie or an extremely incompetent statement. I believe the former, and I understand why he would want to propogate such myths, but imo he should keep his trap shut when it comes to such blatent lies.

I don't know what Dana thinks, but I can tell you this. There is no point in Dana hyping Fedor, the more hype that is built around Fedor, the more it discredits the UFC's HeavyWeight division. Dana should have put a lid on mentioning Fedor's name in press conferences and on live PPVs, it only gave Fedor more bargaining power. That's one thing Dana did (or rather allowed) that was a really poor decision based on false hopes and overall his personal ambitions.

damn homeboy above just broke it down like ive never seen.......good points....dana was bending WAY too much for Fedor......imagine mansoon score the upset......

Thanks.

What Fedor's management does not understand is that the UFC has what the general public considers the top fighters in the world. And that Fedor's worth is mainly dependent on him not losing. But you throw Fedor in with people who most people consider NOT UFC material, and he loses, his value plummets. And naturally whoever beats him will get a direct ticket to either retire or to the UFC. No pun intended, but Fedor management isn't looking for longevity for Fedor, they are looking for a lot of quick cash, and are playing 'Russian Roulette' with Fedor's career.

Everyone gets caught. It's just where you are when you get caught. UFC or nowhere.

I don't disagree that Dana should do what is best for his organization but he doesn't have to be loser and tell blatant lies. How can anyone respect a guy like that? How can anyone trust a guy like that?