Monte Cox's M-1 Global *Fedor News*

[DUCE]

www.mixfight.ru/news/2007/10/20/fedorM1

New York, October, 22, 5:30 PM local time:

Announcement of the foundation of a new Worldwide MMA-organisation named "M-1 Global" where none other than Fedor Emelianenko will be part of it.

During the press-conference all the participators will be announced. These will be the representatives of several major corporations and MMA Fight Teams all over the world. Among them will be present the president of "Mixfight M-1" and Red Devil Fight Team Vadim Finkelstein and Pride Heavyweight Champion and Fighter ranked number 1 in the most MMA-rankings, Fedor Emelianenko.

Media represenatives as well as major TV-channels' official representatives are expected to attend this event.

The Internet broadcasting of the announcement is planned to stream at 7pm till 8pm local time.

The structure, regulations, signed fighters and the first tournament (expected in the USA in mid February) where Fedor Emelianenko is going to participate will be announced.

[DUCE]

On www.mmaweekly.com they just announced that Monte Cox is the new CEO of M-1.

As per their website:

In a press release on Monday, it was announced that the newly formed Sibling Sports, LLC is the company behind M-1 Global, LLC, a new mixed martial arts company believed to be the new home of highly sought after free agent Fedor Emelianenko.

It was also revealed that Monte Cox, a veteran of the mixed martial arts industry, was named President and CEO of M-1 Global.

Though not stated in the release, it is commonly believed that M-1 Global will, at a press conference on Monday, be announced as the organization that has signed Emelianenko, currently ranked as the No. 1 heavyweight fighter in the world by MMAWeekly.com.

"We are excited to announce the formation of Sibling Sports, LLC and our new mixed martial arts organization M-1 Global," said Mitchell Maxwell, President and CEO of Sibling Holdings. "Mixed martial arts is the fastest growing sport in America. It is the boxing of the 21st century.

"We have pulled together a world-class group of people to lead our new organization. Our new management team has extensive mixed martial arts experience in Europe, Russia, Asia and the U.S.,” he continued.

"We are pleased to announce Monte Cox as our CEO. Monte has been recognized as one of the most influential persons in mixed martial arts in the world today. He is generally considered one of the world's most successful fight managers, having produced a record seven world champions in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and built an impressive team of nearly 60 world-class competitors."

“It’s exciting,” Cox told MMAWeekly.com. “I’ve accomplished almost everything a person can accomplish in MMA. I’ve managed world champions. I’ve take guys from the beginning of their careers and seen them grow, helping them along. I’ve run smaller shows. The one thing I haven’t done is I’ve never worked for a big show.

“All of us in MMA sit back and criticize and talk about how if it was us, we’d do it different. Well, now I have that opportunity.”

"I have been involved in mixed martial arts for almost 13 years. While I have been offered many other positions over the years, this is the first one that I have accepted,” said Cox. “I am elated to have the opportunity to work with Mitchell Maxwell and the great team of managers he has been able to assemble. We look forward to continuing to move mixed martial arts into the mainstream, not only here in the U.S., but worldwide.

"We have developed an alliance with M-1 Mix Fight and we are honored to be working with Vadim Finkelchtein, Apy Echteld, and Joost Raimond. They have many years of experience managing fighters and staging events in Europe, Russia, and Asia. Rounding out our new management team are Bob Clark, currently serving as President of Sibling Theatricals, and Brian Patton, a CPA, and business manager for MMA legend Matt Hughes."

[DUCE]

ufcmania.com/2007/10/22/fedor-emelianenko-signs-two-year-six-fight-contract-with-m-1/

PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko announced that he has signed a six-fight, two-year fight contract with M-1 Global — a new mixed martial arts organization — today at a press conference at Marc Ecko Enterprises in downtown Manhattan.

This information was revealed in the media kit for the event, which was attended by Jesse Holland from UFCmania.com. It was supposed to begin at 5:30 p.m. ET; however, delays pushed the start back to a little after 6 p.m. ET.

In addition, the “mystery” owner of the new promotion was revealed in a press release earlier today and confirmed at the packed New York City event.

Here are those details:

“Sibling Entertainment Group Holdings, Inc. announced Sibling Theatricals, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sibling Entertainment Group, Inc., together with Garlin Holdings Limited as Managing Members, have formed Sibling Sports, LLC for the purpose of creating M-1 Global …”

Monte Cox — the long-time manager of mixed martial artists such as former welterweight champion Matt Hughes — was was named President and CEO of M-1 Global.

At this time, no opponent or date has been set for the debut of the Russian superstar under the M-1 banner. However, M-1 is searching for a television partner and is eager to stage an event as early as February 2008.

In the next 10 days, M-1 will reveal its stable of fighters who will join Emelianenko on the new roster. In addition, Jesse is passing along news that Emelianenko’s contract will allow him to fight in the UFC if a deal can be struck between the two organizations.

Furthermore, M-1 representatives indicate that the winner of the bout would earn a $1 million payday.

Other highlights:

* UFC turned down an offer to match Emelianenko up against Tim Sylvia when both were champions in there respective organizations.

* Fedor mentioned that his brother, Aleks, was offered a “low ball” contract to fight inside the Octagon.

[DUCE]

www.m-1global.com/

[DUCE]

russianmma.blogspot.com/

AllAbout MMA: Has it been difficult for you not fighting for so long?
Fedor Emelianenko: Yes , I hoped to fight earlier this year. There where several options given to me. We spoke with IFL and Elite and of course with the UFC. I trained a lot just to keep my body in shape. The best thing of not fighting is that I developed new techniques .

AAM: Can you tell us about the fight with Lindland? Some people say you cheated when you grabbed the ropes.
FE: If they think I used the ropes to win, it is their opinion. It did not help me to win.

AAM: A lot of fans would have liked to see you fight in the UFC, why did that not work out?
FE: Actually I never spoke to the UFC myself. It went through my managers, Vadim Finkelchtein and Apy Echteld. To make a long story short, at the end of the day I am glad I did not sign with the UFC, because I have been given much more better conditions by M 1 global.

AAM: What is the main reason that you have chosen to sign with M-1 Global?
FE: I will have the chance to fight everywhere in the world and fight everybody who wants to fight. M-1 is willing to work with any other organisation.

AAM: Do you feel that you will have the opportunity to fight against top fighters in this organization?
FE: Yes I know for sure.

AAM: Can you tell us a little more about the future plans of the M-1 organization?
FE: M-1 will be a world wide organisation, and will present high class MMA events.

AAM: Will you still compete in Combat Sambo?
FE: Combat sambo is a commitment to my background, my friends and my trainer. I always enjoy the participation and I use it as a preparation for my fights.

AAM: Randy Couture recently resigned saying that fighting you was his only challenge left in the sport.
FE: I feel sad for him, but if you watch my press conference tonight, you will find out more about this issue.

AAM: Do you think there is an organization that could make that fight happen?
FE: M-1 Global is willing to co-operate with other organisations, it will be up to Randy or the UFC.

AAM: Would you like to fight Randy Couture?
FE: I watched him for years , I would like to fight him.

AAM: You also negotiated with K-1 Heros, would you like to still fight for this organization?
FE: K-1 did not give a good offer. Perhaps in the future.

AAM: Did you train Aleksander for his fight in Canada? (Ed: Aleksander won in HCF against Daniel Bobish in about a minute by guillotine)
FE: Alex (RussianMMA edit: Aleks) is trained by my trainer.

AAM: Thierry Sokoudjou has said that he would like to fight you, is that a fight that you would like?
FE: I will fight everybody. I consider Sokoudjou a very good fighter. So in the future this fight might also take place.

AAM: Everybody would like to know when you will fight again.
FE: My first fight will be in the US. In the middle of February.

AAM: You train a lot, all over the world. Who are the young fighters, on your team or on other teams, that will be great in the future?
FE: I have serveral good students, I will take them on a trip to Holland and make them train with stand-up fighters. I hope to prepare at the same time my stand up skill in Holland with Ernesto Hoost and Peter Aerts.

AAM: Many people consider Kirill Sidelnikov as the next Fedor, can you tell us about him?
FE: Let us see. The fighter is still very young and has to learn a lot of tactical issues. I believe in him and he might become a next champion in the future.

[DUCE]

Fedor: I will have the chance to fight everywhere in the world and fight everybody who wants to fight. M-1 is willing to work with any other organisation.

[DUCE]

So M-1's events will have Pride's rules.

"In the next 10 days, M-1 will reveal its stable of fighters who will join Emelianenko on the new roster. In addition, Jesse is passing along news that Emelianenko’s contract will allow him to fightin the UFC if a deal can be struck between the two organizations."

[DUCE]

October 23, 2007
by Josh Gross ([e-mail])

NEW YORK, Oct. 22 -- During his 34 years working in the entertainment industry, Mitchell Maxwell has seen many contracts. So Vadim Finkelchtein, the Russian manager of Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures), listened to the Broadway show producer when it came time to discuss a deal that was designed to deliver the heavyweight star to the UFC.

"I said, as an entertainment guy, you can't have anybody sign this," Maxwell told Sherdog.com following Monday's press conference to officially announce the M-1 Global mixed martial arts organization, for which he now sits as chairman. "It's too one-sided. You can't exploit somebody like this."

Maxwell and Finkelchtein -- introduced through a mutual friend and speaking in the middle of August on the Italian island of Sardinia -- began to discuss options.

"I said give me two weeks," recounted Maxwell, who'd never heard of mixed martial arts let alone the 31-year-old Emelianenko. "Let me put together an A-List team, let's meet together again in Amsterdam in two weeks and see if we wanna go ahead."

The money came together quickly. Maxwell returned to Holland on Sept. 25 and signed Emelianenko, the undisputed top heavyweight in MMA, to a letter of intent before handing him a $1.5 million signing bonus.

"All of a sudden I'm in the MMA business," Maxwell said. "Part of life is when opportunity knocks you have to know when to open the door, and I think this was a door worth opening."

In terms Maxwell can understand, he's not opening off Broadway.

Signing the most sought-after free agent in MMA history has immediately made him, and the newly formed M-1 Global, a name fight fans will know. The key to the deal, of course, is Emelianenko, whom many hoped would resurface in the Octagon.

But to hear the Russian describe it, that deal was doomed from the word "crazy."

"It was not a pleasant thing to hear," said Emelianenko (26-1-0, 1 NC), responding to UFC president Dana White's drumbeat against the fighter's "crazy Russian" management.

"You cannot start a relationship with someone using those phrases."

Though Emelianenko's management, led by Finkelchtein and Apy Echteld, expressed in late July that the UFC offer was extremely lucrative, it also was the most restrictive in terms of likeness rights, exclusivity and other points they did not want their fighter to concede on. The UFC chose not to budge as well.

But in the end the decision not to sign with mixed martial arts most successful promoter, said Emelianenko, was his alone.

In choosing to partner with M-1 Global, Emelianenko hopes to "create an organization that would be on the international level with the strongest fighters of all styles. … And to make this type of sport popular all over the world."

Key to the group's success will be its ability to sell a Russian-only-speaking fighter to a North American audience. To that end, Washington D.C.-based SFX Media, which in 2006 splintered away from mega media company Clear Channel, signed on.

"He's not going to market himself but we plan to build a platform with him," SFX executive vice president Dennis Spencer said of Emelianenko. "Television is obviously a challenge because of the language, but I think we're going to get some good companies behind us to really bring him out in a commercial way. I hope I don't hear anymore references to Ivan Drago."

With names like Reggie Bush, Andy Roddick and Joakim Noah in its stable, SFX sees Emelianenko as another budding sports star whose talent, more than an outside-the-ring appeal, will win over MMA and mainstream audiences alike.

"We understand the challenges," said Spencer, whose company will also be on the forefront of negotiating television and sponsorship deals for M-1 Global. "It's not easy. I want to say Fedor is a gentle giant, but that's maybe wrong. Quiet giant. Very nonplussed. He's got a smile that lights up the room."

People won't pay to see him grin … unless of course it comes after yet another dominating performance.

Emelianenko is expected to make his debut for the new group -- the first of six fights over two years that will pay him $2 million per contest; if he remains with the company for five years, even in an ambassador role, the Russian would also be in line to cash in on a significant chunk of equity -- in February, likely in Chicago.

Though M-1 Global representatives wouldn't comment, it's believed veteran Jeff Monson (Pictures) is a candidate to be Emelianenko's first opponent.

Following their initial effort in Chicago it's off to Asia, where Macao is just as possible a destination as Tokyo. A return to the U.S. precedes a stop in Russia. And finally back to the U.S.

"I'm very glad that at the end of the day we split the world in several parts: USA, Asia, Europe and Russia," Echteld said. "We have to move on and really have a global competition, because there are so many unknown fighters who don't get a shot in the UFC who are very good."

There are also quite a few well known fighters who have had shots in the UFC, chief among them Randy Couture (Pictures). Awash in his own controversy after vacating the UFC heavyweight belt on Oct. 11 and thusly walking away from the powerful Las Vegas-based MMA organization, Couture's name came up several times Monday.

Emelianenko called news of Couture's UFC departure "positive" and said he was "very proud that Couture made such a great decision."

"To tell you the truth, he's such a great person," said Emelianenko, who owned the PRIDE heavyweight belt from 2003 until the company went out of business in March of this year. "I really admire him and bow in front of him. I'd rather get to know him more as a friend than a competitor. But I understand that we're in the position that fans want to see the fight happen. I'm always ready."

Fedor Emelianenko versus "The Natural" -- now that's a showstopper.

[habbalah]

Fedor's shown a interest in fighting randy for some time now.

Further more I recall Pride made the remark they were willing to work with anyone.. and well... Fight orgs say that to look good.

[habbalah]

Found this at the dog and thought I'd share..
the top part is same, old same old.. drop down a a little.

M-1 Global hires Monte Cox, signs Fedor Emelianenko, who are they?

Question: What do you get when you cross Fedor Emelianenko with, a producer of off-Broadway musicals, the agency that represents the world’s greatest tennis players, Monte Cox, and a Scientologist money maven?

Answer: Apparently M-1 Global MMA

After a press conference (video) following a PRNewswirerelease there are still more questions than answers swirling about MMA’s newest wannabe mega-promoter.

It was revealed that Fedor Emenlianenko is signed to a two-year, six-fight term deal with the new company. In the earlier press release it was announced that agent of the MMA stars, Monte Cox would become the promotion’s President & CEO. After that, the details of the venture all become a little bit sketchy.

The other players involved in M-1 Global are a motley crew of unlikely MMA promoters. First up is Mitchell Maxwell (Chairman, M-1 Global). Maxwell is a producer of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Maxwell serves as President, CEO and Director of Sibling Entertainment Group, Inc. It’s a a wholly-owned subsidiary of this company (Sibling Theatricals Inc.) along with mystery partner Garlin Holdings Limited, that are forming the M-1 Global parent company Sibling Sports, LLC.

Bob Clark (President of Sibling theatricals) recently joined Sibling after holding several high level management positions with well known companies. He has obviously been brought in to help guide the fledgling MMA promotion.

The newly formed M-1 Global has also formed a strategic alliance with SFX Media and Events. The connection here is Brian Patton. Patton was personal aide to ProServ founder and CEO Donald Dell. ProServ was acquired in 1999 by SFX Sports Group (SFX Sports was originally purchased by radio giant Clear Channel Communications in its acquisition of SFX Entertainment for $4.5 billion in 2000. Clear Channel Entertainment, the live-concert division of Clear Channel Communications, has since spun off into Live Nation, a separately traded company).

On August 21, 2006 Blue Equity, LLC announced that it has acquired, through an affiliate, three divisions of the SFX Sports Group from parent Live Nation by purchasing the tennis representation, sports media & live sporting events platforms from the world’s leading live entertainment company.

SFX is mostly known for it’s tennis division, where they have represented many of the world’s top players for over 30 years. The SFX Events & Media platform however has already moved into the MMA arena and lists both Elite XC and UFC fighter Houston Alexander as clients. One does not have to play six degrees of separation to find some interesting connections.

Brian Patton recently entered the mixed martial arts world by assisting MMA legend Matt Hughes as a business manager. He has since added Tim Sylvia, Jens Pulver, Robbie Lawler and Jason Black as clients. Patton has obviously worked closely with Monte Cox in his duties with these Cox managed fighters and now finds himself with an executive position with M-1.

Dennis Spencer, Executive Vice President of SFX Media & Events was quoted in the press release as saying:

“We are thrilled to have a strategic alliance with M-1 Global and the outstanding team that Sibling Sports has put together.”

Others listed as holding positions in the company are the former M-1 Mix Fight promoters Vadim Finkelstein, Apy Echteld and Joost Raimond. As Fedor’s management team, as well as being the owners of the Red Devil Sports Club they will obviously contribute to the fighter talent pool and lend their experience from promoting in Europe and Asia.

Gary Kreitz (CPA) is listed on the new M-1 website and will probably act as CFO or in a similar capacity.

The most head-scratching revelation, which was uncovered by Leland Roling of mma-analyst.com, is that Scientologist money maven, Michael Baybak, owns 6.3 million shares in Sibling Entertainment Group Holdings.

Bayback is best known for a settled lawsuit with Time Magazine, over this sidebar which appeared in a negative story about Scientology entitled The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power. The settlement consisted of Time printing a clarification stating that they were not accusing Baybak of illegal activity or of being a “Scientology front.”

Bayback’s involvement is interesting to say the least. Needless to say, M-1 might have no problems with seeding their events VIP section with famous celebrities.

The second partner company, Garlin Holdings Limited (a Jersey private limited company), remains a mystery. On October 16th, Sibling Entertainment Group Holdings, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SIBE) [”Sibling Holdings”] announced Sibling Theatricals, Inc. [”Sibling Theatricals”], a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sibling Entertainment Group, Inc., signed an agreement with Garlin Holdings Limited to form Richfield Entertainment, LLC, (a Delaware limited liability company) for the purpose of developing and funding new projects.

A week later the same companies form Sibling Sports, LLC for the purpose of creating M-1 Global, LLC, with Garlin Holdings Limited as managing members. I’m interested to see who will be found when the curtain is pulled back on Garlin Holdings.

The other involvement which remains unexplained is that of Marc Ecko. His company has recently gotten into the business of sponsoring fighters to promote his clothing brand. Ecko also hosted the press conference and has some synergy with M-1’s new website as ecotv.com is hosting a video of the press conference.

to be continued…

…and we’re back with some more thoughts and analysis.

M-1 Global obviously has some great assets for a fledgling promotion. Fedor Emelianenko is the world’s best Heavyweight fighter. Monte Cox is one of MMA’s most experienced promoters and managers. M-1 will be the destination of choice for many fighters with current ties to Monte Cox, Echteld and Raimond in Holland and Russia’s Red Devil Sports Club.

They obviously have big plans and one would have to assume big money backers to be planning events all around the world, including the USA, Europe, Russia, Japan, Korea and China, which were all mentioned during the press conference.

M-1 Global is prepared to work with other promoters, so we can expect to see them join with the likes of FEG and Pro Elite to co-promote events. It sounds as if plans are already underway.

Another huge question that will have to be answered before going forward is television. Monte Cox indicated that there has been interest shown by the likes of HBO, Showtime and Mark Cuban’s HDNet.

“We’re looking for a television partner that we hope to get soon,” he said. “That’s going to dictate where we’re going to go and when. The goal is to open in the United States in February and we should have a date and an opponent soon.”

Without television in place, M-1 will never get off the ground. If they can reach a deal with HBO, M-1 Global will become a major player overnight.

The initial roster of fighters should be announced within the next 10 days, which will keep the internet buzzing with rumors for the next week.

This blog about Russian MMA kept a good tally of the news as it came in and helped point me in the right direction a couple times. So thank you to the Russian MMA writer for pointing me to the new M-1 website and press conference video.


Found this on a fightlinker blog...

Magog
Now this is that little part I was talking about.

Is M-1 a scam?

Oct 23rd, 2007 by fightlinker

Let’s ignore for a moment that M-1’s main financial backer Michael Baybak is part of a religion that has a reputation for bilking it’s members of all their money. I’m not the religion expert, so I’ll let Jake deal with that specific issue. What I do want to talk about is how this guy also has a reputation for artificially boosting his stocks and then selling as soon as they’re high:

Neither man agreed to be interviewed for this story, yet both threatened legal action through attorneys. “What these guys do is take over companies, hype the stock, sell their shares, and then there’s nothing left,” says John Campbell, a former securities lawyer who was a director of mining company Athena Gold until Baybak and Gerbino took it over.

The article this came from goes on in detail regarding many of the operations Baybak has been in that have collapsed and deals that have fallen through as a result of misrepresentation. Baybak actually sued Time regarding the article and as a result Time added the following caveat to the article: that they were not accusing Baybak of illegal activity or of being a “Scientology front.”

I’m not about to put my butt on the line with lawsuit-happy Scientologists … as with everything on this site, it’s my uneducated opinion and I provide links to facts that should be taken with a grain of salt based on their origins. All I’m going to say for sure is that at first glimpse M-1 seemed pretty shaky and at second glimpse it’s starting to look downright sketchy. If it wasn’t for Monte Cox at the helm I’d have already written this organization off as complete trash. As it is, I’m still damn skeptical that they’ll even manage to pull off a single event

Taken from: fightlinker.com/?p=796

Also read TIME article: www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...156965,00.html

Now wouldn't that suck if Dana White's arch rival in mma turned out to be a fraud. wouldn't be the first time the net pushed a complete turd.

[DUCE]

What a difference 6 years and millions of dollars makes.

This is an interview with Dana White four days after Zuffa first bought the UFC from SEG in 2001. It's interesting to see how many things that Dana had said in 2001 has turned out to be the exact opposite. Very different attitude then today. He talks about wanting all the organizations to cooperate, wants to share fighters with Pride like Mark Kerr and Sakuraba. Doesn't have a problem co-promoting. Would like to see everyone use the Octagon (instead of suing them for it today). *(credit to Tbonetron2.0 for this interview)

www.bloodyknux.com/forum/archive/index.php?t-7941.html
(interview by PrimeTimeFighters.com)

Take note of several things as you read this:

Dana doesn't cuss or swear a single time during this interview.
Dana doesn't bad mouth or trash talk ANYONE in the business including fighters and promoters.
Dana called Pride and KOTC owners to tell them that any prior feuds are over and he wants to work with all organizations and promotions.
Dana admits that Pride paid better than the UFC and that the reason why Pride fighters didn't come to the UFC was because the UFC couldn't afford to pay them what Pride paid them.
Dana claims that "boxing is doing so well in Las Vegas!"

"We have no problem co-promoting with Pride or other organizations, it works well for boxing!"

Quote:
Interviewer: Who owns Zuffa Corporation?
Dana White: Lorenzo Fertitta, Frank Fertitta III and Blake Sartini

Interviewer: What is your position with Zuffa?
Dana White: President.

Interviewer: What does Zuffa mean?
Dana White: It's Italian and it means to "fight" or to "scrap".

Interviewer: What other businesses are they associated with?
Dana White: The Station Casinos: Palace Station, Boulder Station, Texas Station, & Sunset Station.

Interviewer: Why did you buy the UFC?
Dana White: First and foremost because we're fans. But also because we feel we can take the UFC to where it should've been taken a long time ago.

______________

Interviewer: There has been some negativity about the previous owners.
Dana White: Right. I think Bob (Meyrowitz) burned a lot of bridges. A lot of conflicts. That's what made it tough for him to move forward with it.

Interviewer: So he was difficult to do business with?
Dana White: You have to look at it like this: He had a company that was doing business with the cable companies and he lost cable. And it was just a constant fight to get it back.

Interviewer: He obviously never got it back. That must be a goal of Zuffa.
Dana White: That is our goal: To get it sactioned in the state of Nevada and get it back on cable.

Interviewer: Are you President of the UFC or Zuffa?
Dana White: Both UFC and Zuffa.

Interviewer: Will the UFC and Zuffa co-exist here at the same Las Vegas location?
Dana White: Correct.

Interviewer: There was already at least one fight card already scheduled, are you going to keep that?
Dana White: Yes. Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City Feb. 23rd, 2001. You won't see too many of our changes right away. You're gonna see some changes in the first UFC but the show was already planned so it's too soon for us to make any real changes.

Interviewer: Taj Mahal is not on an Indian Reservation, why is it allowed there?

Dana White: Because it's been sactioned in New Jersey. In fact, Paul Smith's IFC is holding another event this weekend there as well. That's the key.

Interviewer: There has been alot of talk that the UFC didn't pay very well. Will that change?
Dana White: Right. That's gonna change. See, that's what we really want to change. We're gonna bring back alot of the fighters that left the UFC for that reason and the other reasons that they were chased away.

You have to understand Lorenzo and I.

Lorenzo comes from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, and what do they do? Their job is to look out for fighters. I was a manager, what was my job? To look out for fighters. So we really want to put alot of emphasis on the fighters. The old UFC's emphasis was the UFC. That was the main thing that they wanted to promote and publicize. We want to create superstars.

Interviewer: When will the UFC be in Las Vegas?
Dana White: That we don't know. We're working hard and we're hoping within 18 months.

_____________________________


Interviewer: There are other people watching you, other organizations, pulling for you to get the UFC in Las Vegas.
Dana White: The first thing I did when we bought the UFC was call Yukino Kanda from PRIDE. I told her there was always a war between the UFC and PRIDE... I told her the war is over.

Our office staff started clapping and cheering when I made that call.

Then I called Terry Trebilcock from King of The Cage, Paul Smith from IFC. I talked to Jamie Levin from WEF today. Basically, these guys were all at war with each other and I want to work together. The sport of mixed martial arts is fighting so many other foes, whether it's cable companies or political foes, that we need to stick together and work to further the sport.

Interviewer: Will you keep the UFC in Las Vegas once you start holding shows here?
Dana White: Well, I think Las Vegas will become the mecca of mixed martial arts. I mean you can have fights in New Jersey, but it's cold in the winter time. Las Vegas is warm, it has so many other things to see and do, it's cheap. It's a great place to come and visit for a weekend. It's a good excuse to come and watch a fight.

I think that's why the boxing business does so well here. Everybody's looking for an excuse to go to Vegas

Interviewer: You can no longer manage fighters, right?
Dana White: Right. That's been a big issue with us and it's a big issue right now. Anybody who's involved in the promoting part of the UFC has to pick one or the other. Either they promote or manage but you don't do both. It's totally unethical and a conflict of interest.

If you have a guy that's getting paid to set up the fight and getting paid from his fighter's pay as well, it's not right.

Interviewer: Who's going to take over Tito (Ortiz)?
Dana White: A gentleman named Jim Gallo has taken over Tito and Chuck Liddell. He's an attorney here in Las Vegas. Smart guy, good guy, fair guy. And Tito and Chuck love him.

Interviewer: Is he familiar with the fight game?
Dana White: Yes. He's one of the best contract lawyers as far as puting contracts together. And kicking promoters' asses. He's good.

Interviewer: Who will join that stable with Tito and Chuck?
Dana White: Jim Gallo has some pretty decent boxers, and I think Alfonso Alcarez, a mixed martial arts fighter, will be joining them. Alcarez and Jens Pulver fought to a draw. He's a tough little guy. Look for him and Pulver to fight again soon. Because I'm sure Pulver would love that fight too so he could redeem the only bad mark on his UFC record.

There's a fighter out of Texas, Yves Edwards that will join Gallo also.

Interviewer: So Gallo will continue to represent both MMA and boxers?
Dana White: Yes.

____________________________

Interviewer: What big names do you want to bring back to the UFC?
Dana White: (Smiling) I've talked to a lot of them already. I'd love to see Mark Kerr back. I'd love to see Coleman back, Frank Shamrock, Ken Shamrock if he's interested in fighting still.

Interviewer: Those are definitely some names...
Dana White: (Smiling really big) ...And my main goal, the main guy I want to get together with. Even if I have to co-promote with PRIDE, and we don't have a problem with co-promoting, they do it in boxing... is Sakuraba.

Interviewer: Will he come here? Because I heard he doesn't like to fight outside Japan.
Dana White: I think he will. I think we can work out a deal with Yukino over at Dream Stage (PRIDE's parent company). Besides, money talks.

But, Yukino and PRIDE really want Tito. And we really want Sakuraba. So I don't see why we can't work something out. I enjoy working with PRIDE. I respect them, so I don't see a problem.


Interviewer: You've told me Tito doesn't like fighting outside the cage.
Dana White: Right. That's something we'd have to work out in the contract. I don't really think Sakuraba would have a problem with that because he's fought in the UFC before.

Interviewer: Any other Japanese fighters?
Dana White: Sakuraba's the main one. He's the man. Him and Tito would be a dream fight.

Interviewer: Ali - Frazier I, Twenty First Century style.
Dana White: Exactly. Tito currently has the title, so the way I see it: Put Sakuraba and Tito together, and Frank (Shamrock) gets the winner.

Interviewer: That will sell you some pay-per-view.
Dana White: Yes it will.

Interviewer: Any other middleweights you have in mind?
Dana White: Jeremy Horn, Chuck Liddell, Evan Tanner who is fighting Tito in this next UFC, Bustamante.

Interviewer: There's a lot of people in the 199 and under division. What do you see in the heavyweights?
Dana White: Igor, Mark Kerr, Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman, and of course our champ Randy Couture.