http://www.mmascoops.com/news.php?page=/195344706
UFC held a conference call today revealing a new TV deal. MMASCOOPS.COM was inside the call and here are the highlights:
Dana opens the call hyping Liddell-Silva.
Asked if his press conference starting early was a coincidence. He says he loves Randy and respects him. He says it's not a coincidence and he's announcing 'his shit'.
A question is asked for Brock but they're not talking about that yet.
Dana says he plans to advertise on WWE programming and 'everywhere' for Lesnar's UFC debut. He says Lesnar was a huge star in WWE.
Dana said he talked to Chuck and Silva about making the fight. He wanted to give Liddell time to relax and figure things out. They made sure everything was right. He puts over Silva big.
They have a new deal with SpikeTV. There will be 12 live fight cards. Dana puts over UFC and Kevin Kay from SpikeTV puts over UFC.
Dana said Spike is an awesome partner and it was their idea to do the '25 Tuffest moments' show.
Dana said Randy signed a new contract with him 8 months ago and 'he's got him'. He says Randy is pissed at him right now and he 'doesn't know why'. He said they'll figure it out.
Dana said the SpikeTV deal is for four years. It'll be 48 live shows roughly. One per month it looks like.
Dana said they are working on new fight shows for SpikeTV.
Dana said there are no plans for a halftime Superbowl show.
Dana thinks the B.J Penn fight will be in December. They are working on New Castle for that show.
Dana confirms they were talking with HBO but no deal was reached.
Dana says he doesn't declare the title vacant until Randy tells him to his face that he's retiring. He against says he respects him and he thinks they are going to work things out.
Dana said he left Randy a message and is trying to work on a meeting. He's giving him time to cool off.
The Ultimate Fighter reality show is going to run through 2011. There will be a new reality show in 2010.
Dana says they aren't talking with ESPN and says they are now covering their sport. He says UFC is with SPIKE and they are a great partner.
Dana says UFC is coming to Chicago. No date confirmed.
Asked why Arlovski hasn't been used. Dana says they want him back in the Heavyweight mix. The caller asks if he's pissed off.... Dana dodges the question. Dana says if they want to talk he will talk. Dana says he's not pissed off at him but thought his last fight was boring.
The idea for the new show in 2010 is going to be a live fight show. They are excited about it. He says The Ultimate Fighter goes till 2010 and then they break it down to one and add a new fight show.
They are really putting over the SpikeTV/UFC partnership. They love each other.
Dana is asked about UFC 78. He says ticket sales have been good and commercials are running. He says they are going to sellout.
Dana says he wanted to wait to make the Liddell/Silva fight because he wanted to give Chuck time to think after two losses. Chuck of course agreed he wanted the fight.
Dana says the Jersey card doesn't suck and bashes the 'net as always. He goes on a rant about UFC 78 and runs down the entire card.
Dana puts over Liddell/Silva... says Silva used to hate him and now they see each other every week. He says it makes him happy to have Silva and really looks forward to this fight.
Chuck, Lesnar, and Silva are all on the call now.
Dana is asked why the HBO deal failed. He said there were lots of reasons why it didn't happen. Dana said he was going to do the deal his way or no way and it didn't happen. He said there were a TON of things. He says they both moved on and he won't bash them. He said he's confident the deal will happen at some point.
Dana says the IFL was big hype and it is almost out of business. He said all these MMA companies are not going to last. "A lot of money will be burned in these next few years".
Chuck says he wants to get back into contention and get a big knockout.
Silva says he is proud to be at the top and wants this fight.
Lesnar's first fight will be Superbowl Saturday says Dana.
Lesnar says he's excited to be in UFC. He says he took the opportunity and wants to rise to the occasion.
Dana was asked if people are taking Brock serious. Dana says he's very famous for being in WWE. He said as far as fighters go, they better take Lesnar serious. He said he has an awesome ground game obviously. Guys who train with him say he's very good. Dana puts over Lesnar as a former NFL star... wrestler, armature, etc etc.
Brock says he just wants to make a name for himself. He says it's not a joke for him and he's training daily. Says he wants to come in at 150% and will be well prepared. Lesnar says he's not setting himself up for a defeat. That's not in his vocabulary.
Dana says there are no plans for an MMA award show like the SCREAM awards. Dumb question.
Dana says the only problem they have is with the NFL. That's part of the reason they moved to Wednesday.
Spike TV says they want to keep pushing UFC and they feel UFC can really help Spike TV grow.