Special Edition of HDNet’s Inside MMA to Provide Comprehensive Coverage of UFC’s Purchase of Strikeforce
Exclusive Interviews with Dana White and Scott Coker – This Friday at 9:00 p.m. ET
This week’s announcement that Forza, LLC, a subsidiary of Zuffa, LLC (which owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship brand) purchased Strikeforce has stunned the mixed martial arts community. The move is arguably the most significant development in the sport since Zuffa’s acquisition of PRIDE in 2008, and solidifies Zuffa’s position as the largest MMA company in the world.
This week’s “Inside MMA” covers all the angles on this major breaking news story, including interviews with all the principals involved in the deal.
First, Mike Straka talks to UFC President Dana White about the acquisition and what it means for the sport then Bas Rutten and Strikeforce President Scott Coker discuss how the deal came together and where the promotion will go from here.
Also, Ron Kruck takes a look back at the two organizations and gathers reaction from the fighters about what this consolidation will mean for them.
“Inside MMA” is committed to giving viewers more insight into the top stories than any other outlet,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. “Bas’ exclusive interview with Scott Coker goes deeper than anything you have seen so far. You’ve read the headlines and heard the sound bites, now tune in this Friday to go inside the story and find out what it means for the fighters, fans and the sport.”
“Inside MMA” airs this Friday night at 9:00 p.m. ET on HDNet.
And, HDNet will post a special ONLINE ONLY edition of “Inside MMA” which will be available at http://www.hd.net/blogs/2011/03/inside-mma-511/ immediately following the telecast. Dominick Cruz, Phil Baroni, and Trevor Whitman will join Kenny and Bas to breakdown UFC 128, plus Ron Kruck has comments from Jon Jones and Shogun Rua.
UFC Fans Vote Miguel Angel Torres as the 18th Recipient of the Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award
The 18th recipient of the Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award is bantamweight fighter Miguel Angel Torres . Miguel is known for his strong will, competitive nature and loyalty to mixed martial arts.
Tequila CAZADORES and UFC invited fans (21+) to decide the Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award winner for UFC 123. Consumers had the opportunity to vote online at UFC.com for the fighter they thought demonstrated social responsibility, dedication to their art form, and good sportsmanship; the core values behind the Tequila CAZADORES brand and its sponsorship with UFC.
Miguel’s win was announced LIVE on February 5, 2011 , at UFC 126 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada as well as on Pay-Per-View during the fighter’s walk out to the Octagon™. Tequila CAZADORES congratulates Miguel on his win and would like to thank the increasingly growing number of fans for voting and supporting the Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award.
A graduate of Purdue University, Miguel Angel Torres has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and specializes in Muay Thai Kick Boxing. Prior to his career in Mixed Martial Arts, he worked as a Radiologist’s assistant for five years. His experience working in a hospital setting inspired Miguel to raise awareness for breast cancer. As the winner of the Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award, Tequila CAZADORES presented Miguel with a plaque and a check for a $1,000 donation made in his name to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Read more
Chuck Liddell Retires from UFC Competition, Joins UFC as Executive Vice President of Business Development
UFC President Dana White started the press conference for the lightweight title fight between champion Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard at UFC 125 with a surprise announcement regarding one of the sport’s most respected icons.
In front of assembled media and fans at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, White broke the news that former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and UFC Hall of Fame member Chuck Liddell, a true pioneer and legend in the sport, is retiring from competing in the UFC.
White’s announcement however, was not about the end of a career, but rather just a change in Liddell’s future, because White also announced that Liddell is UFC’s new Executive Vice President of Business Development.
“Chuck is the perfect example of a UFC athlete, someone who is smart inside the Octagon and smart in business,” White said. “With his background and expertise, Chuck is exactly the guy we need to work with regulators in existing and new jurisdictions, and work with all of the UFC athletes, as we grow this business around the world. Read more
National Martial Arts League to become reality
Ground-Floor Opportunity to Own a Sports Team
Competitors of all martial arts styles will be given an opportunity to represent their city or state team and compete for the National Championship — The Kumite.
“For over sixty years, martial artists have honed their skills in one-on-one combat in hopes of being the best of the best, or becoming the next Chuck Norris or Bruce Lee,” said Dexter Kennedy, President of the National Martial Arts League (NMAL). “But so far no one, including investors, has yet to reap the rewards this sport can generate when it breaks out of its current limitations.”
The NMAL is poised to propel this exciting sport to a new level by bringing the fragmented martial arts world into organized events culminating in city/state championships across the nation. It provides a controlled scoring environment to standardize competition for male and female martial artists, ages 18 and over.
“This is a true ground-floor opportunity in sports team franchising,” Kennedy said. “Franchises may be owned by an individual, partnership, corporation or existing martial arts school, and each franchise operates autonomously within the NMAL. This is one of the most affordable franchises to own and operate in professional sports today.”
The NMAL is making a powerful move toward professionalizing the sport into state and national-level recognition. It offers the masses another venue choice for spectator entertainment. And, it creates niche market advertising and sponsorship opportunities for corporations and franchises.
Each team develops its own identity and logo, and owns team tryout rights for its defined and protected territory to secure team members, coaches, trainers, etc. The teams compete locally, regionally and nationally with other NMAL teams, like other major league sports.
As a team owner, franchisees are required to support The Kumite’s mission of “making people better for life,” by either establishing a new Kumite Fightclub martial arts studio or converting their existing school to a Kumite Fightclub martial arts instruction and training facility.
Like most martial arts schools, Kumite Fightclubs offer traditional structured white-to-blackbelt certification programs. But, Kumite Fightclubs also provide solution-based programs designed to resolve real community issues, including stress, domestic violence, bullying and obesity.
The Don’t Bully Me Program empowers children and teens who feel threatened by bullies to take a stand by learning positive solutions to resolve conflicts. Other programs include onsite self-defense for businesses, courses that educate women on how to fight back and regain control over domestic violence, health and fitness solutions for child/teen/adult obesity, and a teen social network called TeenScene.
“The NMAL recently conducted a full review of its business model, molding new strategies to better serve the long-term success of the league and franchises,” said Kennedy. “Each year of operation and success will enhance the overall team operation and add value to the teams and franchises.”
http://www.thekumite.com/
Source: National Martial Arts League
Krav Maga training goes online
Krav Maga is a self-defense and training program honed by the Israelis from years of conflict. Its moves have been used for fitness by celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, in movies (The Bourne Ultimatum) and in video games (GTA, and recently Splinter Cell, to name a few).
Krav Maga can be learned by anyone, quickly and easily. Around 2 years ago, partners Lee Rivnay and Amir Student took Krav Maga training online by launching KravMagaBootCamp.Com.
“When we started this site almost 2 years ago, internet experts were telling us that people wouldn’t subscribe to a video site when there was already so much material out there on Youtube and DVDs. Apparently they were dead wrong, as our traffic has doubled in the last year, and more and more folks (some of them Krav Maga instructors themselves) are turning to our site for their Krav Maga training. What we offer, that DVDs just can’t offer, is the fact that we are constantly striving to keep our materials updated and up to speed with the current methodologies and best practices of Krav Maga.”
“It’s great to see that others have followed in our footsteps, and are offering MMA training online, as well as other forms of online self defense training. What I think sets us apart from the pack is our attention to detail in production, coupled with the best Krav Maga instructors out there. Ran Nakash – our first instructor – headed up the Krav Maga training division of the Israeli Army, and was featured on the Discovery Channel.”
In upcoming months we are planning to launch a second Krav Maga training site, which will feature more great training and we are planning on celebrating Imi Lichtenfeld’s (the founder of Krav Maga) 100th Birthday with some special events soon to be announced.