Issue 104
August 2013
The UFC recently introduced a new subscription-based YouTube channel to allow fans to watch premium UFC content. Called UFC Select, it is independent of the UFC’s established free-to-view YouTube channel and launched alongside 52 other paid-for YouTube channels in early May.
For a monthly subscription of $5.99 fans can have ad-free access to handpicked UFC video content, such as The Ultimate Fighter, Best of Pride and UFC Unleashed episodes as well as pay-per-view replays. Other content providers such as Jim Henson’s Sesame Street, National Geographic and TNA Wrestling have also joined the new YouTube scheme.
Edward Muncey, UFC senior vice president digital, told Bloomberg TV: “YouTube’s typically known for watching free content with ads that show up from time to time. In this new pay channel experience we’ve actually removed ads, and that alone, that’s a big difference. It’s a fluid, uninterrupted experience to watch our content and we think that’s worth paying for.”
The platform adds to the UFC’s growing video portals such as the on-demand UFC.tv, the short-form content on UFC.com and live preliminary fights on Facebook.
Industry jobs
Who: Kris Horner
Role: CEO at Gameness Sports
Info: Head of one of the world’s largest and most respected jiu-jitsu gi, and MMA fight wear and apparel companies
How did you get involved with Gameness?
“I purchased Gameness three years ago. Gameness had a great track record for producing the highest quality products in the sport. I wanted to continue this great tradition and expand the business internationally.”
Did you go to university?
“I have a bachelor’s degree in business with a minor in marketing. Since graduating college I have spent time as an entrepreneur and a professional business consultant.”
What are your day-to-day activities?
“I oversee all the product development and testing. Additionally I work on the promotional aspects of the business, which affords me opportunities to talk to customers. I spent much of my time doing just that.”
How has Gameness managed to remain so successful?
“We work hard and have fun doing it. I think our greatest accomplishment is the customer service we provide. We work extremely hard to make sure our customers get the product they need, quickly and at a fair price.”
Any business regrets?
“Last year we launched a new line of fight shorts and they have done extremely well. I wish we would have brought them to market a year earlier.”
12
There are 12 DVDs, and a 132-page lifestyle and diet manual in the newly released UFC FIT exercise program.
$50k
Anderson Silva was fined $50,000 by the UFC for skipping a media day in Los Angeles to promote his UFC 162 bout with Chris Weidman.
Wrestling considering MMA-inspired makeover for Olympic bid
The International Wrestling Federation (FILA) is considering lifting ideas from MMA to improve its chances of being reinstated as a sport in the 2020 Olympic Games.
In February the IOC removed freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling from its list of core sports for 2020. Nenad Lalovic, president of FILA, wrestling’s international governing body, recently told USA Today: “We have to think about how to make a show because without that today, it’s difficult.”
Several of the sport’s largest figures have endorsed MMA-style changes, such as walkouts and athletes wearing rashguard-like shirts and MMA-style shorts, with 1972 Olympic champion and accomplished NCAA coach Dan Gable stating: “I stand strong on whatever is necessary to get us back in.”
Wrestling made the final shortlist of three sports in May, but it’s inclusion in 2020 will be decided in September.
Rallying/Crashed: The MMA business can be cruel and kind
Rallying: Jaco
A consistent sponsor of elite fighters for several years, Jaco has seen resurgence of late due to its affiliation with the Blackzilians fight team – both of which are owned by MMA business mogul Glenn Robinson. Now a producer of training apparel primarily aimed at the MMA market, Robinson reportedly bought the brand from a golfing company.
Crashed: ProElite.com
The failed MMA-based social networking website from EliteXC parent company ProElite was probably both a little early and a little late. A clunky circa-2007 MMA version of MySpace that streamed events from promotions under the ProElite banner, it had little uptake – despite streaming now being a widely used medium by MMA fans.
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