J.G.’s “So What Did I Miss” Mail Bag
Josh Gross Oct 10, 2005
Before Friday night it had been more than five years since I sat in
a sports bar to watch the UFC. Kevin Randleman (Pictures) versus Pedro Rizzo (Pictures), live and direct from Lake
Charles, Louisiana. We all remember how well that went, don’t
we?
While neither Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) or Paul Buentello (Pictures) slipped on loose pipes in the bowels of the Mohegan Sun, UFC 55 had much the same feel to it as that SEG-era card. Did it feel like I was watching the “Super Bowl” of mixed martial arts? Hardly.
Many of you have expressed the same sentiment because of the
fighters on the card or how they were matched; for me it came down
to feeling like I was being the laziest person on earth. Here I
was, not doing the job I love, just watching.
(Combine that with the hefty tab I helped run up putting down four pitchers of Hefeweizen with some buddies at El Guapo Cantina in Hollywood and the night seemed incredibly short and unfulfilling. Talking with several UFC fans that night, more than once I heard, “Boy am I glad I didn’t shell out $34.95 for that.”)
I’ll fully address that, including an explanation as to why there was no fight report Friday night. We might even answer a fight-related question or two. (Though an E-mail about Sean Gannon might not qualify.)
What Now?
I hope you have some spare time to reply to this, but this MMA media credential problem, will this affect the amount of UFC we see on Sherdog in the future? And do you think this will get resolved soon?
—Sam
You’ve asked the million-dollar question, Sam. Let’s start with if I think it’ll get resolved soon. I sincerely hope and believe it will. Why we weren’t credentialed for UFC 55 remains a mystery, but UFC President Dana White promised me that credential qualifications would be made available before UFC 56 to those media outlets who choose to apply for a media pass.
As long as those qualifications are made available and they are applied across the board, that should be enough to placate us.
Through the grapevine I’ve been told by several people that three things are taken into account when issuing media credentials to sporting events for Internet sites: 1) Alexa.com ranking 2) Quality and quantity of journalism churned out by a Web Site 3) How often and for what type of events credential applications are turned in.
By any reasonable measure, Sherdog.com is a legitimate media outlet and should be treated as such.
Sherdog.com’s Alexa.com ranking dwarfs every other MMA media Web site, and beats virtually anything boxing can offer. (Realize, unlike other sites, our forum is separate from our news page. If it wasn’t, our numbers would be even better.)
There is no debating the quality and quantity of our journalism.
Since its inception Sherdog.com has covered thousands of MMA events, and before Friday night had been credentialed to every UFC since Tito Ortiz (Pictures) fought Elvis Sinosic in June 2001.
We will apply for credentials to the Ultimate Fighter 2 finale and UFC 56. Should we meet whatever requirements Zuffa has in place for credentialing, we’ll go and cover it to the best of our ability.
If not … ?
For Fans Like Nick …
I would like to start this letter by thanking Sherdog.com and all those associated with it for accomplishing much in development of MMA and for providing such valuable, reliable information to so many interested fans. I would also like to mention my disgust over the current managerial practices being employed by the UFC which seem to be completely undermining ever decent effort to further MMA in the United States. They are doing a terrible injustice to the fighters, fans, and third parties such as you who have supported them through every situation imaginable.
Now, I understand the issue at face value, and I realize that many theoretical reasons have been passed around for the media ban. While I can't offer any assurance my theory hasn't been presented before or has any truth to it I can however say that I believe the current course of action Sherdog.com is taking is not one I fully endorse. After tonight's abysmal event, I had expected to come home to see accurate dismantling of what had been the UFC's worst PPV in years. What I saw was a cry of outrage that had been muted. I think you are making it far too convenient for the current management of the UFC by holding your tongues when faced with two examples of what top level MMA should not be, after it's been presented twice within a single week. I had not before now tried to guess at Zuffa's motives behind the ban since I thought it too suicidal, but now that I notice the media is not willing to even expose filth like that which we saw tonight then I can only comment on how convenient the situation is for the UFC in controlling what information budding fans will hear.
If true unbiased media outlets like you aren't heard, then who will be?
Think of the person who had UFC 55 as an introduction to the sport. I believe it is owed to them that should they decide to search for more about the sport they learn more of its true nature, and learn what an event like that truly is in the larger scheme of things. I say you and any other media outlets affected by this ban actively take up arms against this abuse. I've read on your site you are expected to be "allowed" back when it is shown that you benefit these organizations in nearly the same ways they benefit you, however I ask that you not allow that vile, selfish, arrogant attitude Zuffa has been so known for in the past get the better of you this time. It has been unprofessional for the UFC to ignore you as legitimate media; it is unprofessional, and counter-productive, for you to ignore their recent missteps.
I would still like to think of Sherdog as a place I can go for news on the UFC. I do want to be reminded of two children who agree not to speak to or of one another when visiting your site in the future. I do not feel it appropriate that if the UFC refuses to view a website as legitimate media, that your website should actively stop viewing the UFC as a mixed martial arts promotion unworthy of coverage. That, in my opinion, would be proving their decisions at least partially correct. Though I find it improbable, I beg for a reply.
— Nick Montero, an MMA Fan
… And Clint
I recognize the hostility that you must feel towards Zuffa and the UFC for their latest outrageous decisions in regard to media credentials, but I feel that your response is also hurting the fans. The things I appreciated most from your UFC coverage were not the interviews or the weigh in photos, but rather the insightful analysis in your previews. The decision to discontinue them even though they are unaffected by the media ban just hurts fans like me. If you really believe what Mike Sloan says in his latest "Just My Thoughts" article, that "Without the fans, the sport will perish. Catering to the fans is the most important aspect of any entertainment outlet" then you should feel obligated to bring the fans as much coverage as you still can, regardless of whatever petty policies the UFC has in place.
— Clint, Los Angeles
Here were several of my concerns that hopefully will provide you with some insight as to why Sherdog.com covered UFC 55 the way it did:
By not being able to the watch the fights in an unfiltered light, it's difficult to give an accurate account. Reporting off pay-per-view is akin to reporting through Zuffa's lens, and in my opinion that is simply unacceptable.
Had we reported UFC 54 off PPV, we would have had little knowledge of what happened to either Tra Telligman (Pictures) or Terry Martin (Pictures), since no mentions were made of either man leaving the Octagon tied to a stretcher. (The UFC didn’t bother showing Martin exit the cage on a backboard with his neck in a brace and breathing with the help of oxygen; and there was just a passing shot of Telligman being carried out.)
Having the access we had allowed us to report what we saw and put it in context, as well as follow up with reports as we got them.
I did not feel it fair to our readers to give an account of the UFC 55 PPV, because I could not be assured that what we were seeing was exactly what was happening in the building.
The scope of UFC coverage on Sherdog.com last week was largely my call. Weighing Sherdog.com's media responsibilities to people like you who look to us for accurate reportage and objective analysis versus the unfortunate set of events we were thrust into in recent weeks was something I struggled with.
In the end, I felt that the minimum requirement for meeting our responsibilities was posting accurate results as quickly as we could, and that meant requesting them from the regulatory body overseeing the event. But anything beyond that was made difficult by off-scene reporting.
Am I happy with meeting minimums? Absolutely not. But I won't be forced into a situation in which Sherdog.com knowingly or unknowingly fails to give a full account to its readers. So what was I left with? As I saw it, very little.
Now that the event is over, we can go back — albeit without the context that immediate post-fight coverage provides — and speak with the men who participated in UFC 55 to try and understand just what happened Friday night.
From a Concerned Fan
I am a long time MMA fan and a fan of the UFC since it's inception. I extremely enjoy the UFC product along with the products of several other MMA companies. I have in the past enjoyed the UFC live, on PPV, and on DVD. In between events I obtain all of my UFC news from Internet journalism sites that cover MMA. These sites do a fantastic job delivering TIMELY, accurate news, with an unbiased opinion.
This week I was extremely disappointed to learn that the UFC had denied all press credentials for any MMA journalism site along with MMA publications. These sites are for me what drive my interest between events. They are in my opinion the true publicity machine behind MMA. Without these sites I feel MMA fans would be in the dark about fighters, events, and timely news. The UFC may argue that their website provides all the same information but I strongly disagree. The UFC's website is pathetic. No information is timely, if the information is posted to the site at all. The site basically serves as a link to purchase tickets for the live events.
Needless to say I am feel the current decision is the wrong move! I would hope Dana White and the UFC will strongly reconsider before the next event. Without the information I have received in the past from MMA websites I feel my enthusiasm for the UFC's product will decrease.
— Matthew J. DePonte
Thanks for sending this to the people at the UFC, Matthew. Your support is needed and appreciated.
Just Doing Our Jobs
I am a huge supporter of Sherdog.com and have been since the beginning. However I was a little disappointed last night while I was watching Ultimate Fight Night (supposedly live) on SpikeTV. During the Leben fight, I was curious to see what Dewees's record was, so like any other MMA fan I hopped on Sherdog to check it out. After pulling his record up the first thing on the list was the result of the fight I was currently watching!! I was pretty pissed off considering I thought I was watching a live event. Koodos to your guys for getting the info up so quick but shouldn’t you wait until the show is aired to everyone? All the excitement of that show was ruined. Plus since I’m such an idiot I just had to look at the Evan Tanner (Pictures) results to discover he loses before I even got to see it. WTF!!?!??!
— Aaron
Seriously people, Sherdog.com doesn’t play the “spoilers” game. News is news and it’s our responsibility to disseminate it to you as accurately and quickly as possible. As much as some of you would like to believe, we’re not doing PR here. I mean, as news media we already rank low on the Totem Pole of Trust, but no matter how far we sink we’ll still rank above PR people (at least in my eyes).
I’ve gotten in tussles with foreign promoters who request we don’t make results known until their event airs on pay-per-view. Sorry. Ain’t gonna happen.
And with shows on SpikeTV, it’s understandable that there’d be a mix up for fans thinking they’re tuning in live. To channels like Spike “live” means only on the east coast and taped everywhere else. That’s why program listings for UFN2 were 9 p.m. EST/PST. While Monday Night Football is live across the country, there’s yet to be a truly live free television broadcast of mixed martial arts in the U.S.
Some day soon perhaps.
How Good is Andrei Arlovski (Pictures), Really?
Is Arlovski that good or Buentello that bad? There’s no one in the UFC for him to fight. I mean, who knows where Mir is or if he’ll ever fight again. And guys like Hinkle don’t deserve to be in the same ring as Arlovski. So what can he do? I’d love to see him fight some of Pride’s fighters just to test where he’s at. I think he would do pretty good.
— Erik, Terre Haute, Indiana
You’re treading on dangerous ground there, Erik. Don’t you know that all UFC champions are the best fighters in the world? OK, my sarcasm is as subtle as my poker face.
Paul got caught. Simple as that. But look at Arlovski’s face after taking two punches and you know that he took a couple big punches.
How would Arlovski match-up with PRIDE’s best? Hmm.
Arlovski vs. Sergei Kharitonov (Pictures)
Incredible fight. Both athletic, accurate punchers. Both versed in submission. Both dominant physically. But I think Arlovski’s chin and Kharitonov’s experience against the likes of Nogueira betray the UFC champion. We haven’t seen Arlovski pushed since he was KO’d by Pedro Rizzo (Pictures). Sure Arlovski is much improved since that fight, but you can never truly get the measure of a champion until he stands in there with someone that will challenge him.
Arlovski vs. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic
Worst possible fight for Arlovski. Cro Cop is damn near impossible to take down and he’s murderous on the feet. He’d out-strike Arlovski and stop him.
Arlovski vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures)
Of the four top PRIDE heavyweights, this is Arlovski’s best match-up. Nogueira, I don’t believe, would be able to hurt Arlovski with his hands, knees or feet. And I think — though we haven’t seen him grapple too much — that Arlovski is competent enough to stay out of Nogueira’s game on the ground. This has decision written all over it and I see, again because he’s been in there with the best, that Nogueira does enough to win.
Arlovski vs. Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures)
I think style-wise the toughest match for Fedor in PRIDE is Kharitonov. And in many ways Arlovski mirrors him as a fighter. But the difference between Fedor and every other heavyweight (and perhaps fighter) in the world is his smarts in the ring. He game plans perfectly and executes even better. He’d put Arlovski on his back and pound him.
Gannon The Cannon Blows Up
Sean Gannon sucks!!!! How is that fat tub in the UFC? I’ll never f___ing pay for another card if he’s on it.
— No Name Given
Be nice. I wonder how Chris Condo is doing these days.
While neither Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) or Paul Buentello (Pictures) slipped on loose pipes in the bowels of the Mohegan Sun, UFC 55 had much the same feel to it as that SEG-era card. Did it feel like I was watching the “Super Bowl” of mixed martial arts? Hardly.
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(Combine that with the hefty tab I helped run up putting down four pitchers of Hefeweizen with some buddies at El Guapo Cantina in Hollywood and the night seemed incredibly short and unfulfilling. Talking with several UFC fans that night, more than once I heard, “Boy am I glad I didn’t shell out $34.95 for that.”)
Unfortunately, the past few weeks haven’t been about the fights or
the fighters — the two things I’ve always maintained as reasons for
why I cover MMA. And judging by your E-mails, several of which
we’re sharing here, you’ve got some serious opinions and questions
about Zuffa’s decision to prohibit credentials to online MMA media
and how Sherdog.com handled it.
I’ll fully address that, including an explanation as to why there was no fight report Friday night. We might even answer a fight-related question or two. (Though an E-mail about Sean Gannon might not qualify.)
What Now?
I hope you have some spare time to reply to this, but this MMA media credential problem, will this affect the amount of UFC we see on Sherdog in the future? And do you think this will get resolved soon?
—Sam
You’ve asked the million-dollar question, Sam. Let’s start with if I think it’ll get resolved soon. I sincerely hope and believe it will. Why we weren’t credentialed for UFC 55 remains a mystery, but UFC President Dana White promised me that credential qualifications would be made available before UFC 56 to those media outlets who choose to apply for a media pass.
As long as those qualifications are made available and they are applied across the board, that should be enough to placate us.
Through the grapevine I’ve been told by several people that three things are taken into account when issuing media credentials to sporting events for Internet sites: 1) Alexa.com ranking 2) Quality and quantity of journalism churned out by a Web Site 3) How often and for what type of events credential applications are turned in.
By any reasonable measure, Sherdog.com is a legitimate media outlet and should be treated as such.
Sherdog.com’s Alexa.com ranking dwarfs every other MMA media Web site, and beats virtually anything boxing can offer. (Realize, unlike other sites, our forum is separate from our news page. If it wasn’t, our numbers would be even better.)
There is no debating the quality and quantity of our journalism.
Since its inception Sherdog.com has covered thousands of MMA events, and before Friday night had been credentialed to every UFC since Tito Ortiz (Pictures) fought Elvis Sinosic in June 2001.
We will apply for credentials to the Ultimate Fighter 2 finale and UFC 56. Should we meet whatever requirements Zuffa has in place for credentialing, we’ll go and cover it to the best of our ability.
If not … ?
For Fans Like Nick …
I would like to start this letter by thanking Sherdog.com and all those associated with it for accomplishing much in development of MMA and for providing such valuable, reliable information to so many interested fans. I would also like to mention my disgust over the current managerial practices being employed by the UFC which seem to be completely undermining ever decent effort to further MMA in the United States. They are doing a terrible injustice to the fighters, fans, and third parties such as you who have supported them through every situation imaginable.
Now, I understand the issue at face value, and I realize that many theoretical reasons have been passed around for the media ban. While I can't offer any assurance my theory hasn't been presented before or has any truth to it I can however say that I believe the current course of action Sherdog.com is taking is not one I fully endorse. After tonight's abysmal event, I had expected to come home to see accurate dismantling of what had been the UFC's worst PPV in years. What I saw was a cry of outrage that had been muted. I think you are making it far too convenient for the current management of the UFC by holding your tongues when faced with two examples of what top level MMA should not be, after it's been presented twice within a single week. I had not before now tried to guess at Zuffa's motives behind the ban since I thought it too suicidal, but now that I notice the media is not willing to even expose filth like that which we saw tonight then I can only comment on how convenient the situation is for the UFC in controlling what information budding fans will hear.
If true unbiased media outlets like you aren't heard, then who will be?
Think of the person who had UFC 55 as an introduction to the sport. I believe it is owed to them that should they decide to search for more about the sport they learn more of its true nature, and learn what an event like that truly is in the larger scheme of things. I say you and any other media outlets affected by this ban actively take up arms against this abuse. I've read on your site you are expected to be "allowed" back when it is shown that you benefit these organizations in nearly the same ways they benefit you, however I ask that you not allow that vile, selfish, arrogant attitude Zuffa has been so known for in the past get the better of you this time. It has been unprofessional for the UFC to ignore you as legitimate media; it is unprofessional, and counter-productive, for you to ignore their recent missteps.
I would still like to think of Sherdog as a place I can go for news on the UFC. I do want to be reminded of two children who agree not to speak to or of one another when visiting your site in the future. I do not feel it appropriate that if the UFC refuses to view a website as legitimate media, that your website should actively stop viewing the UFC as a mixed martial arts promotion unworthy of coverage. That, in my opinion, would be proving their decisions at least partially correct. Though I find it improbable, I beg for a reply.
— Nick Montero, an MMA Fan
… And Clint
I recognize the hostility that you must feel towards Zuffa and the UFC for their latest outrageous decisions in regard to media credentials, but I feel that your response is also hurting the fans. The things I appreciated most from your UFC coverage were not the interviews or the weigh in photos, but rather the insightful analysis in your previews. The decision to discontinue them even though they are unaffected by the media ban just hurts fans like me. If you really believe what Mike Sloan says in his latest "Just My Thoughts" article, that "Without the fans, the sport will perish. Catering to the fans is the most important aspect of any entertainment outlet" then you should feel obligated to bring the fans as much coverage as you still can, regardless of whatever petty policies the UFC has in place.
— Clint, Los Angeles
Here were several of my concerns that hopefully will provide you with some insight as to why Sherdog.com covered UFC 55 the way it did:
By not being able to the watch the fights in an unfiltered light, it's difficult to give an accurate account. Reporting off pay-per-view is akin to reporting through Zuffa's lens, and in my opinion that is simply unacceptable.
Had we reported UFC 54 off PPV, we would have had little knowledge of what happened to either Tra Telligman (Pictures) or Terry Martin (Pictures), since no mentions were made of either man leaving the Octagon tied to a stretcher. (The UFC didn’t bother showing Martin exit the cage on a backboard with his neck in a brace and breathing with the help of oxygen; and there was just a passing shot of Telligman being carried out.)
Having the access we had allowed us to report what we saw and put it in context, as well as follow up with reports as we got them.
I did not feel it fair to our readers to give an account of the UFC 55 PPV, because I could not be assured that what we were seeing was exactly what was happening in the building.
The scope of UFC coverage on Sherdog.com last week was largely my call. Weighing Sherdog.com's media responsibilities to people like you who look to us for accurate reportage and objective analysis versus the unfortunate set of events we were thrust into in recent weeks was something I struggled with.
In the end, I felt that the minimum requirement for meeting our responsibilities was posting accurate results as quickly as we could, and that meant requesting them from the regulatory body overseeing the event. But anything beyond that was made difficult by off-scene reporting.
Am I happy with meeting minimums? Absolutely not. But I won't be forced into a situation in which Sherdog.com knowingly or unknowingly fails to give a full account to its readers. So what was I left with? As I saw it, very little.
Now that the event is over, we can go back — albeit without the context that immediate post-fight coverage provides — and speak with the men who participated in UFC 55 to try and understand just what happened Friday night.
From a Concerned Fan
I am a long time MMA fan and a fan of the UFC since it's inception. I extremely enjoy the UFC product along with the products of several other MMA companies. I have in the past enjoyed the UFC live, on PPV, and on DVD. In between events I obtain all of my UFC news from Internet journalism sites that cover MMA. These sites do a fantastic job delivering TIMELY, accurate news, with an unbiased opinion.
This week I was extremely disappointed to learn that the UFC had denied all press credentials for any MMA journalism site along with MMA publications. These sites are for me what drive my interest between events. They are in my opinion the true publicity machine behind MMA. Without these sites I feel MMA fans would be in the dark about fighters, events, and timely news. The UFC may argue that their website provides all the same information but I strongly disagree. The UFC's website is pathetic. No information is timely, if the information is posted to the site at all. The site basically serves as a link to purchase tickets for the live events.
Needless to say I am feel the current decision is the wrong move! I would hope Dana White and the UFC will strongly reconsider before the next event. Without the information I have received in the past from MMA websites I feel my enthusiasm for the UFC's product will decrease.
— Matthew J. DePonte
Thanks for sending this to the people at the UFC, Matthew. Your support is needed and appreciated.
Just Doing Our Jobs
I am a huge supporter of Sherdog.com and have been since the beginning. However I was a little disappointed last night while I was watching Ultimate Fight Night (supposedly live) on SpikeTV. During the Leben fight, I was curious to see what Dewees's record was, so like any other MMA fan I hopped on Sherdog to check it out. After pulling his record up the first thing on the list was the result of the fight I was currently watching!! I was pretty pissed off considering I thought I was watching a live event. Koodos to your guys for getting the info up so quick but shouldn’t you wait until the show is aired to everyone? All the excitement of that show was ruined. Plus since I’m such an idiot I just had to look at the Evan Tanner (Pictures) results to discover he loses before I even got to see it. WTF!!?!??!
— Aaron
Seriously people, Sherdog.com doesn’t play the “spoilers” game. News is news and it’s our responsibility to disseminate it to you as accurately and quickly as possible. As much as some of you would like to believe, we’re not doing PR here. I mean, as news media we already rank low on the Totem Pole of Trust, but no matter how far we sink we’ll still rank above PR people (at least in my eyes).
I’ve gotten in tussles with foreign promoters who request we don’t make results known until their event airs on pay-per-view. Sorry. Ain’t gonna happen.
And with shows on SpikeTV, it’s understandable that there’d be a mix up for fans thinking they’re tuning in live. To channels like Spike “live” means only on the east coast and taped everywhere else. That’s why program listings for UFN2 were 9 p.m. EST/PST. While Monday Night Football is live across the country, there’s yet to be a truly live free television broadcast of mixed martial arts in the U.S.
Some day soon perhaps.
How Good is Andrei Arlovski (Pictures), Really?
Is Arlovski that good or Buentello that bad? There’s no one in the UFC for him to fight. I mean, who knows where Mir is or if he’ll ever fight again. And guys like Hinkle don’t deserve to be in the same ring as Arlovski. So what can he do? I’d love to see him fight some of Pride’s fighters just to test where he’s at. I think he would do pretty good.
— Erik, Terre Haute, Indiana
You’re treading on dangerous ground there, Erik. Don’t you know that all UFC champions are the best fighters in the world? OK, my sarcasm is as subtle as my poker face.
Paul got caught. Simple as that. But look at Arlovski’s face after taking two punches and you know that he took a couple big punches.
How would Arlovski match-up with PRIDE’s best? Hmm.
Arlovski vs. Sergei Kharitonov (Pictures)
Incredible fight. Both athletic, accurate punchers. Both versed in submission. Both dominant physically. But I think Arlovski’s chin and Kharitonov’s experience against the likes of Nogueira betray the UFC champion. We haven’t seen Arlovski pushed since he was KO’d by Pedro Rizzo (Pictures). Sure Arlovski is much improved since that fight, but you can never truly get the measure of a champion until he stands in there with someone that will challenge him.
Arlovski vs. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic
Worst possible fight for Arlovski. Cro Cop is damn near impossible to take down and he’s murderous on the feet. He’d out-strike Arlovski and stop him.
Arlovski vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures)
Of the four top PRIDE heavyweights, this is Arlovski’s best match-up. Nogueira, I don’t believe, would be able to hurt Arlovski with his hands, knees or feet. And I think — though we haven’t seen him grapple too much — that Arlovski is competent enough to stay out of Nogueira’s game on the ground. This has decision written all over it and I see, again because he’s been in there with the best, that Nogueira does enough to win.
Arlovski vs. Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures)
I think style-wise the toughest match for Fedor in PRIDE is Kharitonov. And in many ways Arlovski mirrors him as a fighter. But the difference between Fedor and every other heavyweight (and perhaps fighter) in the world is his smarts in the ring. He game plans perfectly and executes even better. He’d put Arlovski on his back and pound him.
Gannon The Cannon Blows Up
Sean Gannon sucks!!!! How is that fat tub in the UFC? I’ll never f___ing pay for another card if he’s on it.
— No Name Given
Be nice. I wonder how Chris Condo is doing these days.
