Issue 093

October 2012

Things we hear, things we see, things we know.

Fertitta brothers launch Ultimate Gaming

Fertitta Interactive, a game development brand started by UFC and Station Casino co-owners Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, has launched a social gaming platform called Ultimate Gaming. The first release is free Facebook-based poker game, Ultimate Poker, which the company hopes will eventually encourage a market for real-money games. Ultimate Poker promises to provide players with an experience closer to the real-world counterpart than anything else currently available online. 

Ryu Clothing to share space with designer labels at new Vegas store

Fight fans will soon be able to find a brand-new MMA apparel destination nestled next to designer stores such as Diane Von Furstenburg and Christian Louboutin in Las Vegas. The RYU brand, which is worn by fighters such as UFC welterweight Jon Fitch and is an official UFC sponsor, is due to open its flagship store at the The Shoppes at The Palazzo in Las Vegas this September. Christopher Martens, RYU CEO, said the store will be “a modern space that will reflect the premium quality, performance, sustainability, craftsmanship and design of our apparel and products.”

Cain Velasquez is passionate about motorcycles

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is obsessed with motorcycles. The American Kickboxing Academy heavyweight revealed his passion, and his Victory 2011 Cross Country ride, to Middle Easy. Velasquez said: “It’s a good feeling when I get on [the bike] and ride, for some reason.” The 10-1 heavyweight said he was concerned about the dangers but added: “If it’s something I love to do, I love to do it, I’m not going to stop.” 

UFC extends fighter health insurance

The UFC has further added to its landmark fighter health insurance it launched last year to include pre-existing conditions. The world’s largest MMA promotion, the UFC announced in 2011 that it set up health coverage for fighters who incur injuries outside of fights, however, some competitors had trouble claiming. UFC president Dana White told SportsBusiness Daily: “Guys would come in and say, ‘I need knee surgery,’ and if your knee was hurt before they weren’t covering it… Insuring guys in this sport isn’t easy. But it’s something we felt we needed to do.”