I got an interview with David Isaacs tomorrow
The plan is to clear up a lot of behind the scenes moves
Here are my notes
Original UFC Team
Art Davie - creator
Bob Meyrowitz - Owner
Campbell McLauren - head of programming
David Isaacs chief operating officer
Rorian Gracie
Graduated Harvard Law 2 years prior
MMA Start up
Pancrase Sep 21 1993
UFC Nov 12 1993
Pride Oct 11 1997
Nov 12 1993
UFC 1
- was AD in charge of picking Denver? How involved was rest of group
- Art Davie claimed that Rickson got caught stealing personal training sessions and was punished and not let in UFC 1
- Bob M was NOT at the event
Leon Spinks & Bonecrusher Smith were picks prior to Art Jimerson
- AJ offered $20k making him highest paid
- Was AJ ofdeeed a piece of the UFC company?
Gerard Gordeau kicked a tooth out of the mouth of Telia Tuli that flew past the Golds Gym sponsor
- they left shortly after
2 more teeth were implanted in his feet which were wrapped up and not removed - GG fought 2 more x afterward
Did the UFC try to get Ernesto Hoost for UFC 1 but could not afford him so they got GG?
UFC 1 to UFC 2
8 man tournament to 16 man tournament
March 11 1994
UFC 2
- Art Davie negotiated that SEG would pay for fighters purses this event
- Because of that he made a 16 man tournament - did this change sour the relationship
It seems that the operating license between Davie and SEG was not settled and very fluid - was this a detriment to all of the parties trusting each other?
Ran out of ambulances
- did this hurt the brand in Denver
Sep 9 1994
UFC 3
Ken Shamrock pulled out after Royce Vs Howard
- Negotiating with Ken?
- Thoughts on Bob Shamrock
Big divide between Bob and Ken
Harold Howard Vs Royce Gracie
- did Royce pass out prior to fight
- Any idea that they were going to throw the towel in right away
- Backstage politics to make sure that it didn’t go down as a win for HH
Rickson tried to get $1M for fighting
-
when refused he no longer cornered or trained Royce
-
David Isaacs did NOT allow props being brought to the ring in order to avoid a pro wrestling confusion
-
Joe Son had a wooden box shipped to the arena and claimed that it was special Work out equipment; inside was the giant wooden cross that Kimo carried to the cage
Kimo - Chris Brennan story
Kimo letter to he Gracie’s apologizing for celebrating after Royce threw in towel against Harold Howard
- otherwise he was blackballed by the Gracie’s
Keith hackney Vs Emmanuel Yarborough
Dec 16 1994
UFC 4
-was originally supposed to be held in Japan?
- concerns on the no time limit aspect
- Hackney Vs Joe Son
- $64k tournament winner
April 7 1995
UFC 5
- $50k tournament winner
Reason for lowering prize money
July 14 1995
UFC 6 Tank Abbott and crew beat up Patrick Smith in an elevator
- early impressions of Tito Ortiz
Tank Abbott Vs Oleg Taktarov
Did Anthony Macias take a dive against Oleg Taktarov
- Tank is born as a star
Sep 8 1995
UFC 7
Marco Ruas
- was their push back from the Gracie’s in regards to brining Luta Livre guys in
- politically speaking did moves like this hurt Art Favie with Rorian and family
Dec 16 1995
Ultimate Ultimate
$150k winner
Feb 16 1996
UFC 8 in audience fight with Allan Goes
after party fight involving tank Abbott
- Tank suspension, how did conversation go
JOHN MCCAIN
- Human Cock fighting
Mar 30 1996
“Ultimate warriors”
Buddy Albin - Russia show
- Howard Petchler helped bill fights
- Andy Anderson bailed them out financially
- painted over UFC logo
- Lots of controversy around this
BA was the site coordinator for the UFC
At the Ultimate Ultimate 2
When Scott Ferrozo grabbed interviewer Bruce Beck and roughed him up a little
- was their talks of suspension?
Feb 7 1997
UFC 12 move from New York to Alabama
Logistics
political pressure
Perretti - Battlecade NY pressure - later
- how far out did they start planning for a switch
Logistics???
Coleman beats Severn at UFC 12 they mention
- Tank Abbott, Ken Shamrock, Don Frye
They give him a .500 fighter from rings named Maurice Smith who had 0 UFC fights
Why?
May 30 1997
UFC 13 after party fight with Tank Abbott Mark Coleman vs Brazil
Jul 27 1997
UFC 14 from the Republic of Kazakhstan Poolat Mergaliev
- July 27 1997
What was the reason for bringing this political dignitary to the event?
First event that made gloves mandatory
- what changed?
Oct 17 1997
UFC 15
John Perretti becomes match maker
- why take that power away from Art Davie
- Was that a move some to intentionally push Davie out?
Bruce Beck last show as play by play - any reason for exit
Dec 21 1997
UFC Japan
Conan Silveira fought Sakuraba 2x’s
- CS interview with us he stated that he was forced to do it due to the yukuza showing up in his locker room
- How prevalent was the yukuza when dealing with Japan at the early UFC’s
Mar 19 1998
Art Davie wrote a letter to Bob Meyrowitz asking him to stop promoting UFC and sided with John McCain
- was this over not being happy over severance package??
SEG sold to ZUFFA in 2000
- issues with Nevada turning UFC down for sanctioning
- Then ZUFFA getting a discounted price
2016 June
Campbell McLauren raised $2.6B trying to buy UFC
Iron Ring - Zilo Entertainment
Fighting without a Comission present
- no one got paid
Ludacris, Lil John, Floyd Mayweather, TI, Nelly, Julz Santana & Jim Jones
Zilo Entertainment
Almost had Wesley Snipes Vs Joe Rogan
SEG invested money into a David Hasselhof concert and it aired at the exact same time that OJ went on his low speed chase
- did this drain them financially?
Vince McMahon purchase fell through
Thoughts on $4B sale of ufc
Kevin Randleman used to call Paula Romero (Bob Meyrowitz assistant) and yell at her about getting more fights - did this blackball him and Coleman
DI married UFC employee Monica
