Issue 129
June 2015
One of the world’s most prolific internet pirates of UFC content was recently apprehended by the police in England. The 55-year-old suspect, known as ‘Sir Paul’ in the online community, is accused of uploading more than 3.2 terabytes of data – the equivalent of 3,000 videos – onto torrent sites. The files were downloaded more than two million times.
He was arrested in March in the sleepy former coal-mining town of Coalville in Northwest Leicestershire by the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU). Kirk Hendrick, the UFC’s chief legal officer, said: “The UFC organization hopes this investigation and arrest will result in a significant decrease in the illegal online distribution of our intellectual property and broadcasts.
“We take online piracy very seriously and will continue to work with law enforcement officials around the world to prevent illegal sharing of UFC content.”
Last year, the UFC sued New York-based pirate Steve Messina for $32 million. He avoided jail by settling out of court with the promotion.
Tapout joins forces with WWE
MMA lifestyle clothing pioneer and former UFC sponsor Tapout has switched entertainment fields and signed a deal with professional wrestling’s dominant promotion WWE to become its official fitness and training partner.
The Tapout brand played an instrumental part in the MMA boom in the late 2000s, but has made the jump over to the world of wrestling after falling out of favor with fans and fighters in mixed martial arts.
According to reports, the partnership is a 50/50 venture and Tapout will be incorporated into all WWE platforms including the WWE Network, TV programming, live events and pay-per-view shows.
UFC confirms new Brazil boss
The UFC has signed former Asics Brazil president Giovani Decker to head up its office in Rio de Janeiro.
Decker, who replaced Grace Tourinho as senior vice president and general manager for the promotion’s Brazilian branch, has a long history in the sports apparel business and has worked with a number of different brands throughout a 23-year career. He will now look to push the organization forward in one of its biggest and most lucrative markets outside the United States.
“I am honored to be joining the UFC,” he says. “Mixed martial arts has long captivated the Brazilian sports fan and held an important place in the Brazilian sporting landscape and I am excited at the opportunity of joining the world’s leading MMA organization. I have spent my career leading brands to new heights and will bring the same intensity and experience to the UFC.”
x2
Brock Lesnar allegedly turned down a deal from UFC chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta worth double the amount he was offered to re-sign with the WWE.
Rallying/Crashed: The MMA business can be cruel and kind
Rallying: Future Legend
New York brand Future Legend may be best known as a streetwear label, but it’s now dabbling in the world of fight sports. Former boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi and UFC veteran Phil Baroni both put money into the company to get it off the ground. Bellator’s new 205lb champ Liam McGeary is among its roster of sponsored athletes.
Crashed: Death Clutch
There was a line of thought that believed if Brock Lesnar had made a return to the UFC this year then his MMA clothing line, Death Clutch, would also have made a return. However, with the confirmation of the former UFC heavyweight champ’s retirement and the apparent discontinuation of the brand last year, it appears likely we’ll never see it again.
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