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Dana White honored as "Sportsman of the Year" while $250K awarded to The Caring Place

UFC President Dana White was honored over the weekend as 2009 Nevada Sportsman of the Year, joining previous honorees Joe and Gavin Maloof, UNLV basketball coach Lon Kruger and boxing promoter Bob Arum as a recipient of the award.

But White wasn't the only big winner of the weekend.

The reception and fund-raising radio marathon on ESPN Radio 1100 netted over $250,000 for Las Vegas' The Caring Place according to a report from KVBC in Las Vegas.

The Caring Place is a non-profit organization that supports, educates and empowers individuals, children and families on their journeys with cancer in order to enhance their quality of life. The Caring Place provides free programs and services designed to complement conventional cancer treatments.

Donations were raised through a variety of auction items as well as the chance for bidders to co-host segments of the radio marathon with such UFC personalities as Stephan Bonnar, Randy Couture, Rashad Evans, Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell, Amir Sadollah, Matt Serra, Mike Swick, Brandon Vera and White, himself.

White also pledged $100,000 of his own money to the cause, adding his donation to the $2,000 winning bid offered by one reception attendee for a dinner with Forrest Griffin, cooked by the former light heavyweight champ.

The UFC still has three prize packages available for public auction on ebay.
(Touch of gloves: Rich Vohra)

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unscarred on Jul 27, 2009 at 12:28 pm ET
way to go dana white!!!!!
 

manta on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:08 pm ET
nice, the caring place got more than 5 times what mir got to taste brock's fist for 2 rounds!
and some people say dana's heart isn't in the right place tsktsk
 

Tapout63 on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:15 pm ET
I just figured out that Kimbo Slice will be on Rampages team in ultimate fighter 10
 

Steuk on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:52 pm ET
Just read UFC 103 could now be co-headlined by Henderson v Belfort, Franklin v Ortiz.
Makes more sense to me than Hendo v Franklin 2 and better match ups 
 

Smada962 on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:35 pm ET
both of those fights would be SICK.  I have zero interest in Henderson/Franklin2
 

iceman on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:05 pm ET
That would be awesome!!  I had zero interest in Franklin/Hendo 2.  But I love both of those matchups!!  If Hendo were to take that, you would think he would have to be in line for a Silva rematch at that point.  Franklin/Tito would be very interesting.  Tito has historically done well when he has a size advantage and can push his opponent around.  He would definately enjoy a size advantage against Rich. 
 

Steuk on Jul 27, 2009 at 7:02 pm ET
Both would be awesome lets hope it happens.
 

outkast on Jul 27, 2009 at 12:29 pm ET
Good stuff.

Wish I could afford some of those packages.
 

SDR on Jul 27, 2009 at 12:31 pm ET
Let the Dana bashing begin...
 

Stump1910 on Jul 27, 2009 at 12:43 pm ET
yeah, what a cheap bastard to only donate $100,000
and he could have made half a million instead of only a quarter mil if he would have tried harder at the event
and hurry up and give in to Fedor's demands already...
 

outkast on Jul 27, 2009 at 12:55 pm ET

LOL

I know you are being sarcastic, but this is the type sh*t people will post.
 

TheEnd on Jul 28, 2009 at 9:34 am ET
well the fact that bob arum also received that award should put things in perspective!!!!
 

pHaTaSs on Jul 27, 2009 at 12:36 pm ET
Cool, it is going raise a ton of money for the charity.
 

pogiako on Jul 27, 2009 at 12:36 pm ET
ufc has definitely given tons of revenue for nevada for the ufc events held there.
good job.
 

grim_reaper on Jul 27, 2009 at 12:44 pm ET
Three pretty unique and interesting things to bid on. Now if I only had a wheelbarrow of money to burn...
 

joestevens29 on Jul 27, 2009 at 12:44 pm ET
Lots of people away from MMA really need to see this. Dana White may be one of the most generous people in any sport. Even people that don't like him have to give him credit for going beyond the call of duty.

Good job Dana.
 

richvohra on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:54 pm ET
Guys,

I co-hosted with Brandon Vera and I was also at the award ceremony for Dana.

I had the pleasure of meeting several of the fighters and not one of them was a d*ck or stuck up.  They had no problems taking pictures, shooting the sh*t or signing any autographs. 

The highlight of the evening for me was meeting Dana and Lorenzo because both of them were very cool and took the time to speak with the fans.

Fedor vs Brock....I think it's happening in November.

They were very generous that night as well.


Rich
 

outkast on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:42 pm ET

I know the UFC will not co-promote, so I guess your saying M1 is going to back down? They could be a sponsor I guess.
 

cyrus100 on Jul 27, 2009 at 12:54 pm ET
Dana, if Kevin Iole is right, you better get Brock Fedor up for UFC 103. You do it man!
 

JunkieOverDog on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:15 pm ET
Am I the only one laughing at Brock vs. Fedor for UFC 103. ?? Isn't that too soon considering the hype you'd want to generate? UFC 103 is Sep. 19th. That's less than 2 months away. Would Brock get a full camp in just after competing at 100. Could they sign Fedor within a month. Just seems highely unlikely. More like highly improbable.

You'd need to sign Fedor. Promote the event. Do media tours. Etc. Etc. Etc.

 

BG on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:26 pm ET
Agree.  I think that if the fight were to ever happen, it would be the end of the year show.
 

cyrus100 on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:41 pm ET
I thought it was strange too. But Kevin said it and now I want it. :) But yeah. I'll probably be at the end of the year. Which is sad. These guys need to fight more than just like 2 times a year.
 

ukscotty on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:42 pm ET
It might work out perfect for the new years show.
 

richvohra on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:55 pm ET
I co-hosted with Brandon Vera and I was also at the award ceremony for Dana.

I had the pleasure of meeting several of the fighters and not one of them was a d*ck or stuck up.  They had no problems taking pictures, shooting the sh*t or signing any autographs. 

The highlight of the evening for me was meeting Dana and Lorenzo because both of them were very cool and took the time to speak with the fans.

Fedor vs Brock....I think it's happening in November.

They were very generous that night as well.


Rich
 

cyrus100 on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:01 pm ET
Rich,

I listened to Brandon Vera and he sounded like a d***. I am top 2 in hvyweight and top 3 in light heavyweight. I would have smacked his face with that kind of BS. Obviously, it was for a good cause and I don't blame you for being too nice. But if I had the chance to meet Vera and he said something like that, I would challenge him to a parking lot fight no holds barred. I'll show him what it means to get hit. That guy is so arrogant.
 

ShotokanMan123 on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:14 pm ET
Cyrus, you are so awesome. Can I be your fwend?

 

cyrus100 on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:19 pm ET
um... I don't know. Are you fwends with Rich? Rich, if you are out there, if you spam this site again, I am going to spear ya!
 

manta on Jul 27, 2009 at 6:10 pm ET
spear...
take that back to wcw.

yo junkie, put the word out, cyrus100 is the new replacement for the injured matt hamill, fight set to take place in the ufc 102 parking lot
 

cyrus100 on Jul 27, 2009 at 8:44 pm ET
Put me in. I'll kick some butt bro. I may be tiny but I hit like a mule
 

LAS on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:30 pm ET
LOL at the guy who is going to beat up Brandon Vera.
 

cyrus100 on Jul 27, 2009 at 8:46 pm ET
Vera is a P man. He ain't gonna do nothing. You ain't nothing boy! He's got a glass chin, no personality, and no brains. Heck. I might fight him with my hands behind my back to keep things interesting.
 

bisping_fan on Jul 27, 2009 at 12:57 pm ET
Donates $100,000 then drives off in a car that cost 3x as much :)

No but seriously, it's good to see charity's like this getting money.
 

ruthlessmma on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:40 pm ET
I don't know about you but I don't have a third of the amount of money my car cost to donate to charity!

No matter how much he donated someone would have something to say about it not being enough... Figures a Bisping Fan would come up with that thought.

 

Smada962 on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:43 pm ET
He should love Dana, Hell Dana babied Bisping along and spoonfed him cans until he finally had to give him a legit opponent, and look what happened.
 

BG on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:04 pm ET
Anyone see an expiration date or terms for the listed bid items?
 

BG on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:06 pm ET
excluding the ulimate fighter package.
 

Roclawzi on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:07 pm ET
Take his award and beat him over the head with it until he signs Fedor WAAAAAAAAAAAH $0$0 $0 $0Everything Dana does is evil until he signs Fedor and bows to his power.WAAAAAAAH$0 $0$0 $0 $0WTF, he gives 100k to charity and Brandon Wolff only made 3k for his fight?  WAAAAAAAAH$0
 

DonKeyKongKO on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:13 pm ET
Brandon Wolff was Epic Fail though..
 

Steuk on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:34 pm ET
If Fedor really wanted to sign for the UFC then he would do, I still dont think this will happen. He will continue to fight in M1 and sambo and possibly sign with Dream. He stated in an interview that he doesn't care about his legacy just fighting, that to me is hard to understand all the top fighters want to have a legacy, GSP has said it many times and although Fedor is likely the best HW in the world this will never be proved if he doesn't prove it by joining the UFC and clearing house. I think at this stage in his career he's more interested in making easy money against cans than fighting the up and comers. Fact is if Fedor wanted to fight in the UFC he would, he is ducking the challenge by using competing in M1 and sambo as an excuse. You cannot be regarding as P4P best when you wont put it on the line by fighting the best opponents.
I hope he comes to the UFC and proves he is no 1 but I doubt he and his "management" team will.
 

outkast on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:44 pm ET
Brandow Wolff does not belong in the UFC either.
 

machinegun on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:19 pm ET
I think that the TUF prize has to be the best one.. You gotta consider thay you're going to get serious facetime w/ Dana, and meet the coaches (whoever they'll be)
 

ukscotty on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:44 pm ET
It's only available if your from the US.
 

KimboSpice on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:30 pm ET
That is not 100% correct.  The flight is only available from US destinations.  I am sure if you plunk down the cash it takes to win one of these, you would be willing to drop another grand on a flight from UK (or where ever) to the US.
 

machinegun on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:22 pm ET
Oh, and of dcourse PROPS to Dana. I know people that won't spare change for the local sports teams..
Even with the $ Dana has, $100,000 is still $100,000.

also, to whoever made the Mir comment above, you gotta consider that he made much much more in PPV revenue. I wouldn't be suprised if he got over $500k
 

snowshark84 on Jul 28, 2009 at 3:15 am ET
I'd bet it would be at least that, Lesnar was rumoured to make 3 million after the $400 k for the fight and the PPV money.
 

shaun2000 on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:23 pm ET
what a joke.
 

Murf on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:27 pm ET
It's great to see Dana giving back, which he does on a regular basis, but unfortunatly some poster's will still make remarks that Dana is evil and only gave 100k...The UFC and Dana White are in a position to give back, and they do. 

Someone made the comment White gave charity 100k and only gave Brandon Wolfe 3k.  I don't know, maybe it's just me, but supporting a charity that supports cancer patients might need alittle more money then Brandon Wolfe fighting in his first UFC fight.  Geez people, but things into prespective.
 

taek1 on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:32 pm ET
Mad respect to Dana. HOw many athletes that make multi-millions do u ever, i mean ever hear of
that donate 100k??? I've heard of athletes that probably make more than Dana particularly in baseball,
basketball and boxing, who'll donate 10k or 25k at the most. It's a joke. These athletes get paid a
ridiculous amount of money and they donate a piece of sheeit percentage of it to charity.
 

PepitoLives09 on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:38 pm ET
These athletes get paid a ridiculous amount of money and they donate a piece of sheeit percentage of it to charity.

Just enough for the tax break
 

Smada962 on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:47 pm ET
Or to get their names in the paper or news to make it LOOK like they are charitable
 

Androly-San on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:33 pm ET
Damn it, i wish i had enough to bid on those three remaining prizes, all three of them sound cool.
 

JustMe on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:53 pm ET
Why do we have to BID?  Its us that gives UFC the money.  UFC should give us those for FREE.  Since they are making alot of money from us, they should donate to charity themselves. 

$5.2 mil for live gate for UFC 100.
1+ mil in PPV for UFC 100.

C'mon man!  Come on!
 

MadDogVenom on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:10 pm ET
Hmmm, let me think about that...

Oh yeah, now I know. It's b/c raising money for kids with cancer is more important than just GIVING AWAY sh!t to whiny MMA fans.

Make sense?
 

Androly-San on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:30 pm ET
LOL, i don't think you read the whole article and you just came accross as a complete douche.

This is for charity dude, not for UFC's profit. It's to help kids with cancer. That's why we're (or they're since i'm poor) bidding. It's like a donation with a prize.
 

MMAffliction on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:00 pm ET
How do they sell 1.5 million PPV's @ $50-$55 and only get $1+ mil?  I dont get it...
 

MMAffliction on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:01 pm ET
How do they sell 1.5 million PPV's @ $50-$55 and only get $1+ mil?  I dont get it...
 

outkast on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:20 pm ET
What are they going to do, give every MMA fan a package?
 

Iainkelt on Jul 28, 2009 at 2:12 pm ET
I'm really hoping you meant that as a joke.....
 

richvohra on Jul 27, 2009 at 1:55 pm ET
Guys,

I co-hosted with Brandon Vera and I was also at the award ceremony for Dana.

I had the pleasure of meeting several of the fighters and not one of them was a d*ck or stuck up.  They had no problems taking pictures, shooting the sh*t or signing any autographs. 

The highlight of the evening for me was meeting Dana and Lorenzo because both of them were very cool and took the time to speak with the fans.

Fedor vs Brock....I think it's happening in November.

They were very generous that night as well.


Rich
 

cyrus100 on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:08 pm ET
And you are generous too sharing your story 10 times already. OK. We know! You had the money. You bid and won that spot. Congratulations!
 

o_0 on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:09 pm ET
Stop spamming the site, retard.
 

geiger444 on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:10 pm ET
Guys,
Rich co-hosted with Brandon Vera and Rich was also at the award ceremony for Dana.
Rich had the pleasure of meeting several of the fighters and not one of them was a d*ck or stuck up.  They had no problems taking pictures, shooting the sh*t or signing any autographs. 
The highlight of the evening for Rich was meeting Dana and Lorenzo because both of them were very cool and took the time to speak with the fans.
Fedor vs Brock....Rich think it's happening in November.
They were very generous that night as well.

Brent
 

MadDogVenom on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:11 pm ET
Could you repeat that please?
 

cyrus100 on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:26 pm ET
I smell a marxist.
 

Diggstown on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:10 pm ET
I know Vera was one of the hosts for the event but does anyone know who co-hosted?
 

geiger444 on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:12 pm ET
I heard it was Rich
 

MadDogVenom on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:15 pm ET
We're still waiting on verification for that. They're using the new Instant Replay rule.
 

manta on Jul 27, 2009 at 6:13 pm ET
no chance it's kimo though
 

cyrus100 on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:27 pm ET
Vera, you better watch your back after all the sh*t you said about Brock, other light heavyweight and all heavyweights. One of these days, someone's going to put you through the cage and stick their foot where the sun doesn't shine.
 

outkast on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:22 pm ET

After watching the clip of Brock after the Mir fight I don't think I would talk any sh*t about Brock. Mother Fucker looks like a rabid dog on speed and steroids. Fucking Scary! If someone every dies during a MMA fight it will be because of Brock.
 

cyrus100 on Jul 27, 2009 at 8:42 pm ET
Vera said he was so upset about Lesnar it was like religion. And not because of his antics but because how fast he has gotten the title. Then he said he was top 2 heavyweight in MMA (behind Fedor perhaps). Now that's BS.
 

meters800 on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:15 pm ET
I heard Dana is also up for a big sponsership deal with Rogaine.
Go ahead baldy!!!!!!!!!
 

seeg on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:35 pm ET
Here's the theme song (sung to the tune of "Cocaine"):

If your hairโ€™s getting thin, and it just wonโ€™t grow in, Rogaine
If itโ€™s getting you down, you look like Bozo the clown, Rogaine
Listen guy, donโ€™t be shy, go and buy โ€“ Rogaine

Your scalps nice and pink and hair is clogginโ€™ the sink โ€“ Rogaine
Donโ€™t forget this fact โ€“ it ainโ€™t growing back- Rogaine
Listen guy, donโ€™t be shy, go and buy โ€“ Rogaine

If your shiny on top, donโ€™t need no barber shop โ€“ Rogaine
If you donโ€™t need a comb because of your dome โ€“ Rogaine
If itโ€™s been your worst fear to look into the mirror โ€“ Rogaine
You know itโ€™s really a snap, just pull on a cap โ€“ Rogaine


It ainโ€™t happened to me, but I got sympathy โ€“ Rogaine
Got no hair on your head, itโ€™s on your back instead - Rogaine

Listen guy, donโ€™t be shy, go and buy โ€“ Rogaine

Why not try, why not try, why not try โ€“ Rogaine
 

ruthlessmma on Jul 27, 2009 at 2:48 pm ET
LOL, thats pretty good
 

LAS on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:33 pm ET
Good job, you probably ripped this off from a classic rock radio parody.  Seriously, don't act like you wrote this yourself, when you clearly didn't.
 

Smada962 on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:51 pm ET
copy/paste I bet
 

seeg on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:53 pm ET
(deleted, insults)
 

performify on Jul 28, 2009 at 2:47 pm ET
Knock off the insults, or you will lose your posting privileges.

-P
 

seeg on Jul 29, 2009 at 1:47 pm ET
This infuriates me!  I try to add a legitimate (and humorous) post to the site and get called a thief by someone and I get "warned" ?  That is TOTAL BS!   I don't give a sh*t if you ban me.  Who wants to be part of a community where you can't defend yourself? 
 

pHaTaSs on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:06 pm ET
I guess Rogaine must have paid the 100k sponsorship fee.  Doesn't make much sense since he is already bald it does not speak much about the ability of Rogaine to prevent hair loss.  If he starts sporting a Clay Guida hairdo in the next couple monthsm, the sales would go through the roff.
 

pHaTaSs on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:12 pm ET
the sales would go through the roof (d'oh)
 

meters800 on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:28 pm ET
Fat guys do slim fast...bald guys do rogaine.....

Clay Guida is to busy selling insurance...
 

NickHavok on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:20 pm ET
Back when slavery was legal...I wonder if society also recognized and rewarded the most powerful figures of that business as well?

...sorry, just trying to figure out when this public appraisal of dictators became a common practice here in America.
 

meters800 on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:30 pm ET
As a balck male I take offense to the slavery comment....what's next a little nazi humor?
 

NickHavok on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:32 pm ET
Why would you take offense to that?

Please.

Save your race card for a better play.
 

meters800 on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:34 pm ET
I am only messing with you......I am 90% irish and 10% unknown perhaps english.

I did get a reaction though!!!!!
 

NickHavok on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:38 pm ET
Haha!

You got me.

I'm like this guy cannot be serious...but then again, this is America. You could have been.
 

manta on Jul 27, 2009 at 6:15 pm ET
this isn't america. this is the internets
 

LAS on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:39 pm ET
Why would someone take offense at comparing UFC fighters to slaves? Hmmm, maybe because its a terrible comparison, one that equates a practice that reduced an entire race of people to the status of subhuman with a labor dispute.  Can you not tell the difference between someone being the property of someone else, and an employer lowballing his employees?

In yet another lame-ass attempt to find something to bitch about with Dana White, you apparently feel it is appropriate to trivialize the practice of slavery.  That makes you an asshole.  End of story.
 

NickHavok on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:43 pm ET
If comparing UFC fighters to slaves is so wrong...then how come I just saw Ken Shamrock claim they were that on Inside MMA a few weeks ago and nobody argued with him?

Actually, the rest of the panel looked to be in agreement with the statement.

Ken said the fighters have no rights and are basically no better than slaves.
 

NickHavok on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:44 pm ET
Keep in mind this is coming from a UFC Hall of Famer's mouth.
 

KimboSpice on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:52 pm ET
I am sure there is a lot of sh*t that comes out of Ken's mouth that has very little to do with reality.  That is what happens when you get punched in the head thousands of times.  But, what is your excuse?
 

NickHavok on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:55 pm ET
Ahhh, talk sh*t on the MMA pioneer, Ken Shamrock...I knew that would be your next move.

Lame.

It shows you lost the arguement.
 

KimboSpice on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:30 pm ET
No, you lost the argument when you chose to quote someone as proof that you are correct.  Shamrock said it, so it must be right doesn't hold much water.  He is one person out of hundreds that have worked for the organization.   Furthermore, if you are going to base your argument off of what a fighter says, pick one that most people would think of as intelligent, Kenny Florian, maybe.
 

NickHavok on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:46 pm ET
No. Someone previously called me an asshole for suggesting UFC fighters were anything like slaves and that it was a horrible comparison.

I only brought up the fact that they were discussing the exact same thing on Inside MMA, and even one of the UFC's pioneers's and Hall of Famers said he believed they were as good as slaves also.

In my opinion if they were talking about it on a national MMA news show...then it's probably a relevant issue.

If you disagree. So what?

 

dwenger1 on Jul 27, 2009 at 6:03 pm ET
I wasnt aware that citing someone who left the UFC on the terms that he did was a credible source... that'd be like asking Josh Barnett about the testing policies and accuracy of the CSAC. Its a one sided biased opinion from a bitter source... doesnt hold water!
 

Smada962 on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:55 pm ET
BY FAR the worst argument I have read on MMA junkie yet.  I hate Dana like most, but come on, slaves????  You have got to have a better argument than that.
 

outkast on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:26 pm ET
MMA fighters choose to fight under the UFC, they get paid, and most have some sort of fame. I don't think any of these would apply to slaves.
 

KimboSpice on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:40 pm ET
What the hell are you talking about?   He is neither a dictator nor a slave owner.  Did slaves sign contracts hoping they could get rich and famous?  These guys sign contracts, that their agents review, if they don't like the terms prior to signing, they can negotiate terms or not sign.  If they don't like the terms after signing they can hold out, or find a different career.  They do have other options and this is what they choose to do.  They are not forced to do it, they are not coerced to do it, they choose to.  He is a business man, no more, no less.
 

NickHavok on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:46 pm ET
Personally speaking, I think Dana White is a dictator and a slave driver.

He doesn't care about the fighters at all.

He only cares about the money he can make off their back's.
 

meters800 on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:56 pm ET
I think Kimbo's point is fighters have a choice to enter the business or stay out.

You can't voluntarily joint the miltary then complain of the rules and restrictions.  Matt Hughes could have been a great plumber if he chose not to fight.  Dana White does what other big corporations attempt to do make maxium dollar.  The fight game is not an art, it is big business. 

Other profesional athletes have also refered to themselves in the past as slaves while making millions of dollars only because the owners of the team are making tens of millions...
 

Smada962 on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:02 pm ET
Latrell Spreewell turned down 14 million a year and claimed it wasnt enough to feed his family.  Do you feel sorry for NBA players being underpaid.  They say they are, so they must be. 
 

meters800 on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:04 pm ET
In Spree's defense, he does have alot of child support going out the door......
 

Smada962 on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:08 pm ET
HAHA.  true
 

iron_fists on Jul 27, 2009 at 5:03 pm ET
11 kids
 

sam on Jul 27, 2009 at 8:00 pm ET
yeah that's right. he's got his own basketball team, with subs
 

NickHavok on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:15 pm ET
First of all why are you comparing the NBA to the UFC?

That is a horrible comparison.

A league comprised of multiple teams and multiple owners vs. a single organization with a single owner.

Hmm...doesn't seem the same now does it?

I mean if you want to compare the UFC to something, then compare it to the WWE. Then I might understand what you're trying to say. Because right now...the pro sports league arguement makes absolutely no sense to me.
 

Smada962 on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:26 pm ET
I was only using that as an example of athlete's themselves complaining about pay.  You said since Ken is a fighter and a HOF fighter at that that he must be telling the truth.  I was pointing out how athletes from EVERY sport, no matter how much they are paid complain the same way.  And it doesnt make them right.  I in no way was comparing the 2 sports.  If you look at my comment and the comment I replied to you would have realized that.
 

NickHavok on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:32 pm ET
Ok, fair enough.

...but I don't think you can compare the two comments though.

I'm sure Latrell Sprewell was being fecicious when he said that 14 million wasn't enough to feed his family...This is not the case whenKen Shamrock (or anyone else in the industry) about underpaid MMA fighters.

I think to bring Latrell's comment up as a point to debate is this arguement is erroneous. It just doesn't relate.
 

sam on Jul 27, 2009 at 8:03 pm ET
erroneous. good word
 

manta on Jul 28, 2009 at 12:33 am ET
not as good as argu(e)ment
 

tditz on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:24 pm ET
If Bob Arum has won it before, it's probably pointless. He's a total douchebag who is only driven by money.
 

NickHavok on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:28 pm ET
If Dana White won it then it's pointless.
 

Androly-San on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:00 pm ET
As are all the posts by this dude that calles himself NickHavok. What a total douche.

I've read hundreds of OS/Hardware/Console/Phone/Etc wars, and i've not once come accross a hater as big as that guy.

Never has a point such as "The guy he hates has kept the sport he loves alive for years" ever eluded a hater as much as it has this guy.

Know who i'm talking about?
 

Smada962 on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:08 pm ET
Never has a point such as "The guy he hates has kept the sport he loves alive for years" ever eluded a hater as much as it has this guy.


I love it.  Exactly what I think when I read these his ridiculous posts.
 

NickHavok on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:10 pm ET
...but you keep reading them anyway.

:)
 

NickHavok on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:08 pm ET
Oh come on dude, you know you love me.
 

Smada962 on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:28 pm ET
I have no problem with you or most of your opinions, except this one.  Even for a rabid Dana-hater as yourself you should be able to realize that. 
 

NickHavok on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:37 pm ET
Sorry man, I just don't agree with rewarding Dana White as a great "sportsman" or anything like that.

It doesn't sit well with me.

If there was a sport of hunting people's souls and capturing them forever...then yes, I could agree with it. But there's not.
 

Androly-San on Jul 27, 2009 at 9:09 pm ET
Damn it, where's that :tard: smiley when you need it... i think it was made for you Nick.

It's actually kind of funny to watch your endless need for attention. Contradicting the obvious and agreeing with the ridiculous just to get a reply.
 

IronJawJake on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:51 pm ET
IDK.....for as much as Dana has done for the "sport", he has done alot of things in the last two years that have hurt the "sport" from evolving further into true sport status.  I agree he deserves recongnition for all he's done, but to give him a title with the word sport in it....lets just say I hope this encourages him to be thinking more about MMA in terms of what more can I be doing to help the sport aspect of MMA evolve, and less, how can I continue to make the UFC the only shot in the MMA world worth entering.
 

KimboSpice on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:57 pm ET
You have to look at where the award came from.  Has he brought Nevada a lot of money, yes.  He has helped insulate them from the loss in popularity being suffered by boxing.  He sells out venues and brings a lot of money into the state.  This is not Time's Man of the Year, or even an ESPY. 
 

dedlift on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:53 pm ET
"both of those fights would be SICK.  I have zero interest in Henderson/Franklin2"

No doubt. I concur.
 

IronJawJake on Jul 27, 2009 at 3:58 pm ET
And UFC fighters aren't slaves, no matter how you look at it, and there are three simple reasons why.
1. Slaves don't get an oppurtunity to become nearly as rich as their masters.
2. Slaves don't get a choice in whether or not they will sign a contract and recieve a master and rules to abide under.
3. Slaves, like Gladiators for example, don't get a choice AT ALL in who they fight next, UFC figthers have SOME say, just not as much as they'd probably like.
 

Smada962 on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:01 pm ET
Dont worry, he cant actually believe that argument.  He or not many people for that matter, could be that dumb.  He says outlandish sh*t like that to get a ruse out of people.  Hell, I even fell for it and responded. 
 

NickHavok on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:05 pm ET
Yeah, I think it's safe to say that UFC fighters are not literaly slaves.

*rolls eyes*

Just saying. There aren't many options for a man if he wants to be a successful MMA fighter these days. There is really only one major org and that is the UFC. And if you do decide to sign your life away to them...you are doing just that. Signing your life over...because once they have you, you are there to be used at their disposal. No questions asked.

...and they don't pay you very much either.

It's really no different than someone who wants to be the next Hulk Hogan in America.

You better hope Vince likes ya.
 

KimboSpice on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:19 pm ET
The contractual pay is actually fantastic.  Let's say the fighter makes $3000 for a fight, most get more.  The fight takes 15 minutes, so the fighter recieves $200/min.  That seems like great pay to me.  Before you come back and talk about training time...If they did not train for the fight, they still get paid for the 15 minutes, correct?  Probably be less than 15 minutes in that case, so the per minute $$$ would go up.  Might make for a short career,but this is what is in the "slave drivers" contracts.  It does not force the fighter to train prior to stepping into the ring.  The fighters train because they want to win, they fight in the UFC because they want to get rich and famous.  Not all of them do get rich and famous, but this is what they are trying to do.  If they ever want to trade this job to go work at McD's they are welcome to.  Athletes in every sport complain about pay and treatment.  Marcus Camby makes $17M/year and said he is like a slave, because his team made him wear a suit, but would not buy it for him.  Many athletes are dumb, and what they say definitely has to be taken with a grain of salt.
 

mmadude on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:29 pm ET
If the UFC does become the NFL of MMA then the fighters need to unionize.  In general I hate all unions but fighters do need collective negociating leverage. 
 

NickHavok on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:41 pm ET
The union will never happen because Dana pays his top dogs just enough that they won't go for it.

Not to mention all these fighters are on different contracts timeframe-wise. And in order for a union to get off the ground all the fighters would simultaneously need to sit out of their contract until the union was formed.

It's just never going to happen.

The lower end guys will just continue to get screwed over. They will never have any bargaining power.

Public outcry is their only hope.
 

mmadude on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:59 pm ET
If the fighters were to Unionize would you support the concept of UFC=NFL with all the best fighters in one promotion?  I think you might be to pessamestic about the possibility.
 

MMAffliction on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:06 pm ET
WELCOME TO AMERICA!!
 

iceman on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:18 pm ET
Dana White is awesome!  I don't care what any of the haters on this forum have to say.  He has taken MMA to a level that nobody could have imagined.  Well deserved!

On another note.  Wow!  Nice packages!!
 

therandomhero on Jul 27, 2009 at 6:24 pm ET
Some perspective on UFC paydays (based on disclosed paydays) compared to other sports:

- NFL league minimum salary: $285,000 (1st year) per year which equals $17,800 per game (16 games).
- MLB league minimum salary: $390,000 per year which equals $2,142 per game (182 games).
- NBA league minimum salary: $763,000 (1st year) which equals $9,304 per game (82 games).
- NHL league minimum salary: $500,000 per year which equals $6,097 per game (82 games).

These amounts don't figure in pre-season and playoff games, travel days, or other team mandated appearances. 

Yep, they make more than undercard fighters per year, but they have to perform more often instead of 2-3 time a year.  Also, these leagues (organizations) pull in dollar amounts that dwarf the UFC.  The NFL generates over $21,000,000,000 just on licensing the broadcast rights for their games for 3 years.  Fox alone is paying $400,000,000 a year for the rights to broadcast MLB games.  The last I read Zuffa as a company is reportedly worth around $1billion.
 

logic_101 on Jul 27, 2009 at 7:24 pm ET
That is the best comment I have ever read on this website. I have always stayed silent to all of the people on this site complaining about how the fighters don't get paid enough. The UFC brought in 5.13 million for a live gate and sold over 1.5 million pay-per-views and then only pays out 1.8 million to the fighters. If you look at the comparisons of income for the UFC and all of the leagues you just mentioned then you can see that the ufc pays very well for how much they make. Everyone forgets that there is a lot of cost for the day to day business they perform and how much they pay out above and beyond the disclosed salaries for each event. They have to pay for the venue, the staff working, the undisclosed bonuses,etc. I wish more people on this site could think about it that way.
 

Androly-San on Jul 27, 2009 at 9:13 pm ET
Not to mention that that $1.8 mil figure doesn't include PPV cuts to their biggest draws.

The UFC operates in a very simple manner. If you're a newcomer, you get paid pretty low and you have to work your way up. If you're a middle tier guy, you get a very decent salary (don't forget these guys make a lot of money in sponsorship BECAUSE the UFC is showcasing them on their events, they wouldn't get nearly as much fighting in KOTC or one of the other small shows). And if you're lucky enough to be one of the best, then you bank like a mofo.
 

logic_101 on Jul 28, 2009 at 12:28 am ET
That is exactly my point. The 1.8 mil doesn't even reflect nearly as much as they actually get paid.
 

ez215 on Jul 28, 2009 at 10:52 am ET
agreed. best comment i've read on this site ever, well said
 

richvohra on Jul 28, 2009 at 6:23 pm ET
Great point!
 

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