UFC to ban fighters who sign on for EA's MMA game.

**kamspy** · 07-01-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

There's been a pretty crazy rumor floating around. originating from the mixedmartialarts.com forums. The rumor states that UFC will blacklist any fighter that chooses to be a part of EA's upcoming game, MMA. That means should any fighter sign up to be represented in EA's game, they won't ever be endorsed by the UFC or asked to join. Crazy, right?

It makes sense, though, considering how well UFC 2009 Undisputed sold. UFC has a bona fide franchise on its hands, and will likely begin prepping for a sequel soon (if not already), and doesn't want that threatened by EA's game. But, hey, can't we all just get along? This isn't football, after all.

We've put in word to UFC corporate about the rumor and will be sure to get back to you as soon as we hear something.

Quote:

In any case, if 100% true, this just plain blows. So let me get this straight, if I am an up and coming fighter fighting for an MMA organization not named UFC. I have to turn down money that I could feed my family with, just for the very slim chance that one day the UFC may sign me to a contract.

Listen this could all be smoke and mirrors or it could be misinterpreted, but we can still discuss. What happens to current UFC fighters that still own their image rights like Randy Couture and Lyoto Machida? This is just mind blowing to me if true.

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2009/6/30...anned-from-ufc

http://www.mmascraps.net/2009/06/fig...-from-ufc.html

Sounds like a simple rumor right? Albeit from a pretty reputable source, but then later in the forum post, MMA Uber agent Ken Pavia of MMAAgents.com says this.

"It's true. And they told me want the word out."

Pretty harsh. Pretty sure boxing didn't ban the fighters who were in that Don King game. Don't think Tennis banned the players who appeared in Top Spin rather than Virtual Tennis..

What do you guys think? Justified?

DreGun · 07-01-2009, 11:12 PM

As much as I love the sport, and am a fighter myself...Dana needs to get his head out of his ass. What about the guys like Eddie Alvarez and Cavalcante, to name a couple lightweights that would really stir up the LW division. They fight in Dream. Also if this is the case should the opp arise for Emelianenko to demolish Brock, we wouldn't get to see it because Dana would go on a whiney b*tch phase.

I think it is BS that he truly did work damn hard to make UFC what it is today, and crap like this is what will tear the sport right back down.

SOBAY310 · 07-02-2009, 02:53 AM

Hmmm...I need to let this digest for a bit. It's one in da mornin' and I'm trying to think of how this relates to other pro sports and their games.

railven · 07-02-2009, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamspy

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2009/6/30...anned-from-ufc

http://www.mmascraps.net/2009/06/fig...-from-ufc.html

Sounds like a simple rumor right? Albeit from a pretty reputable source, but then later in the forum post, MMA Uber agent Ken Pavia of MMAAgents.com says this.

"It's true. And they told me want the word out."

Pretty harsh. Pretty sure boxing didn't ban the fighters who were in that Don King game. Don't think Tennis banned the players who appeared in Top Spin rather than Virtual Tennis..

What do you guys think? Justified?

I don't know much about these fights and what not, but I understand a little the business aspect.

If the PGA/NFL/FIFA/ETC themselves were putting out a game (ie paying for it with their own money) I can understand them not wanting to license the likeness of their talent (or what they represent) to EA/2K/ETC as it would cannibalize their sales.

HOWEVER...

In this crazy world and industry, one can argue not going multi-title (hehe) they are cannibalizing their profits more so.

I bet if the UFC can get a license with EA (rather than the fighters directly, as I take it these non-UFC fighters aren't big and recognized yet, but being in a game such as this can get them more popularity) they'd jump all over it. EA does the work, scouts the fighters, pays the bills, makes the game, promotes it, and then sells it and the UFC collects a portion of the sales.

It could help the UFC by EA promoting smaller unknown fighters who later down the road can fight for the UFC and draw more people. Or it could hurt the UFC as these fighters will have a following and will demand more money/ownership when the UFC tries to scout them.

II SAL II · 07-02-2009, 08:38 AM

i think the UFC should have used EA Sports to begin with. I also think that EA doesnt need any fighters in this game. Creating fictious fighters will work just as well as playing as GSP or Frank Mir. Mike Tysons Punchout didnt have any boxers in it and EA can do the same thing but keeping it more realistic and not fantasy.

I like Dana White alot but he does sometimes take a douchbag approch to the buisness aspect of MMA instead of helping the sport grow even futher and reach new markets from third party companys that will profit on this sports. YOU CANT HAVE AL THE MONEY.. you have to give to get and thats where he has trouble. As for the fighters? i feel sorry for them but there isnt much they can do untill another orginazation can pop up and compete with the UFC.

**kamspy** · 07-02-2009, 10:42 AM

EA MMA won't sell (big) without known fighters. No matter how good the engine is.

Also, I think the best comparison in sports is tennis. Different games license different athletes. Top Spin, Virtua Tennis etc. No one's getting kicked out of Wimbledon for signing onto the wrong game.

**kamspy** · 07-02-2009, 10:43 AM

Want to repost this and get SOBAYs thoughts on it.

Quote:

In any case, if 100% true, this just plain blows. So let me get this straight, if I am an up and coming fighter fighting for an MMA organization not named UFC. I have to turn down money that I could feed my family with, just for the very slim chance that one day the UFC may sign me to a contract.

Listen this could all be smoke and mirrors or it could be misinterpreted, but we can still discuss. What happens to current UFC fighters that still own their image rights like Randy Couture and Lyoto Machida? This is just mind blowing to me if true.

Cygnus · 07-02-2009, 10:51 AM

Former WWE world champ, Brock Lesnar will crush that guy. Brock is the next big thing in MMA. Dana is trying to be like his mentor Mr McMahon by having complete creative control over his wrestlers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreGun

Also if this is the case should the opp arise for Emelianenko to demolish Brock, we wouldn't get to see it because Dana would go on a whiney b*tch phase.

I think it is BS that he truly did work damn hard to make UFC what it is today, and crap like this is what will tear the sport right back down.

Cygnus · 07-02-2009, 10:59 AM

Perhaps UFC has an exclusive deal with THQ that only they can develop UFC games...similar to what EA has done with NFL. Thus there could be more to the story...

SOBAY310 · 07-02-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamspy

Want to repost this and get SOBAYs thoughts on it.

Dana White and UFC are going to select the best fighters in the world to fight in the UFC. If somebody is up and coming, or currently fighting in another brand of MMA like Dream or Strikeforce, I don't see how them signing with EA now would affect their chances of fighting in the UFC. However, once they get into the UFC, they would be prohibited from resigning with EA while they are with the UFC.

Dana may go the route of other pro sports and create a "players association" for figthers, maybe call it the fighters association. If another party wants to use UFC fighters then they have to purchase the rights to the license. Just like how developers aquired rights to the NFLPA, MLBPA, etc. If the developers didn't want to pony up for the cost of the license, then they wouldn't get the rights to use the likeness of the real players.

EA sports will not do well with a MMA game without known fighters. It's like an NFL, MLB, or NBA game without real players, it just doesn't work out very well.

II SAL II · 07-02-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOBAY310

Dana White and UFC are going to select the best fighters in the world to fight in the UFC. If somebody is up and coming, or currently fighting in another brand of MMA like Dream or Strikeforce, I don't see how them signing with EA now would affect their chances of fighting in the UFC. However, once they get into the UFC, they would be prohibited from resigning with EA while they are with the UFC.

Dana may go the route of other pro sports and create a "players association" for figthers, maybe call it the fighters association. If another party wants to use UFC fighters then they have to purchase the rights to the license. Just like how developers aquired rights to the NFLPA, MLBPA, etc. If the developers didn't want to pony up for the cost of the license, then they wouldn't get the rights to use the likeness of the real players.

EA sports will not do well with a MMA game without known fighters. It's like an NFL, MLB, or NBA game without real players, it just doesn't work out very well.

he has already publicly said he will never allow a "Players Association" or "Players Union". I think EA will buy the rights from THQ at some point becasue MMA is a big pop culture money maker rigth now.. one way or another EA will make a MMA game and im sure it will sell. with our without GSP, Anderson Silva, and Frank Mir (the next new Heavyweight Champ

).

FYI: i run a UFC Fantasy league, If anyone would like a invitation please PM me your email address and i will send you the link and password info.

**kamspy** · 07-02-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOBAY310

Dana White and UFC are going to select the best fighters in the world to fight in the UFC. If somebody is up and coming, or currently fighting in another brand of MMA like Dream or Strikeforce, I don't see how them signing with EA now would affect their chances of fighting in the UFC. However, once they get into the UFC, they would be prohibited from resigning with EA while they are with the UFC.

Did that come from a PR release?

SOBAY310 · 07-02-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by II SAL II

FYI: i run a UFC Fantasy league, If anyone would like a invitation please PM me your email address and i will send you the link and password info.

PM sent.

SOBAY310 · 07-02-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamspy

Did that come from a PR release?

Nope, that was all me.

II SAL II · 07-02-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOBAY310

PM sent.

done. and good luck. my name in the fantsy is "Taint Choke"

07-01-2009, 11:12 PM	#2
DreGun HD and Away!!! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 301	As much as I love the sport, and am a fighter myself...Dana needs to get his head out of his ass. What about the guys like Eddie Alvarez and Cavalcante, to name a couple lightweights that would really stir up the LW division. They fight in Dream. Also if this is the case should the opp arise for Emelianenko to demolish Brock, we wouldn't get to see it because Dana would go on a whiney b*tch phase. I think it is BS that he truly did work damn hard to make UFC what it is today, and crap like this is what will tear the sport right back down. __________________ Sharp 42" LC42D64U Denon - AVR-588 Boston Acoustics - Horizon MCS 130 X360: ZDS Dre Gun -- Zombie Death Squad PSN: Dre Gun (My Media Center)

07-02-2009, 08:38 AM	#5
II SAL II PSN is POO Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Richmond, Va Age: 36 Posts: 2,063	i think the UFC should have used EA Sports to begin with. I also think that EA doesnt need any fighters in this game. Creating fictious fighters will work just as well as playing as GSP or Frank Mir. Mike Tysons Punchout didnt have any boxers in it and EA can do the same thing but keeping it more realistic and not fantasy. I like Dana White alot but he does sometimes take a douchbag approch to the buisness aspect of MMA instead of helping the sport grow even futher and reach new markets from third party companys that will profit on this sports. YOU CANT HAVE AL THE MONEY.. you have to give to get and thats where he has trouble. As for the fighters? i feel sorry for them but there isnt much they can do untill another orginazation can pop up and compete with the UFC. __________________ Currently playing on my Xbox360: Call of Duty : Modern Warfare 2 (790 / 1000) Assassin's Creed II (120 / 1000) Borderland (1000 / 1000) Call of Duty : World at War (1500 / 1500) Fallout 3 (1550 / 1550) Mass Effect (1200 / 1200) Currently playing on PC: Guild Wars () Magic the Gathering : Online () Currently playing on my PS3: Blu-Ray Movies Last Watched = "Star Trek" my rating 9.8/10

07-02-2009, 10:59 AM	#9
Cygnus The Bringer of Balance Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,834	Perhaps UFC has an exclusive deal with THQ that only they can develop UFC games...similar to what EA has done with NFL. Thus there could be more to the story... __________________ Toshiba 57H81 Kenwood VR-616 Comcast DCT6412 III XBox 360 GamerTag Sec0nd2N0n3

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07-02-2009, 02:53 AM	#3
SOBAY310 America's Team Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Age: 29 Posts: 5,603	Hmmm...I need to let this digest for a bit. It's one in da mornin' and I'm trying to think of how this relates to other pro sports and their games.

07-02-2009, 10:42 AM	#6
kamspy Esteban Moderatoro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati,OH Good Posts: 12 Posts: 13,048	EA MMA won't sell (big) without known fighters. No matter how good the engine is. Also, I think the best comparison in sports is tennis. Different games license different athletes. Top Spin, Virtua Tennis etc. No one's getting kicked out of Wimbledon for signing onto the wrong game.