Uh oh. 

Holm lost to tate. 

Mcgregor gets choked out by diaz 

$150 million per year for five years.

15 Fight Night events on ESPN's new OTT service, ESPN+, beginning in January 2019

Each show will have the usual 12 fights and will be available exclusively on the platform, which currently costs $4.99/mo or $49.99 for a year-long subscription.

This is an exclusive deal for streaming rights.  No word yet on their main broadcast partner but the reports were that FOX was closing in on a deal.

GSP vs Nate Diaz, at lightweight, is being rumoured for UFC 227.

Edited May 8, 20187 yr by sweep the leg

On 2018-05-08 at 11:39 AM, The Unknown Poster said:

$150 million per year for five years.

15 Fight Night events on ESPN's new OTT service, ESPN+, beginning in January 2019

Each show will have the usual 12 fights and will be available exclusively on the platform, which currently costs $4.99/mo or $49.99 for a year-long subscription.

This is an exclusive deal for streaming rights.  No word yet on their main broadcast partner but the reports were that FOX was closing in on a deal.

Maybe its the amount of money the ufc sold for, but that doesnt seem like a lot. Not a fan, less accessible to most casuals. I wish they had gotten some thing in the deal to have the quality of the cards be closer to ppv then under under cards. 

On 2018-05-08 at 11:45 AM, sweep the leg said:

GSP vs Nate Diaz, at lightweight, is being rumoured for UFC 227.

I dont get this fight. Is this to set him up for a title shot at LW? Still the LW division is soo murky, and diaz is not one of the contenders or division elite.  

3 hours ago, wbbfan said:

Maybe its the amount of money the ufc sold for, but that doesnt seem like a lot. Not a fan, less accessible to most casuals. I wish they had gotten some thing in the deal to have the quality of the cards be closer to ppv then under under cards. 

I dont get this fight. Is this to set him up for a title shot at LW? Still the LW division is soo murky, and diaz is not one of the contenders or division elite.  

It’s a really good deal because it’s just for streaming rights. Their previous rights package was $168 million per year from FOX. This is $150 million just for streaming and they’re expected to get a TV deal of $200 million plus. 

So they’re doubling their rights fee. 

This deal is essentially $10 million per show which is a huge number. A loss leader for ESPN 

GSP at lightweight?  Why would he even bother trying to cut down to that weight? 

48 minutes ago, Brandon said:

GSP at lightweight?  Why would he even bother trying to cut down to that weight? 

i think they are going to try and push him into being the ufcs first ever 3 division champ. But man idk about that cut for him. 

Some nice fights tonight.  Lomachenko did his thing again, Vitor got retired in spectacular fashion by Machida, Bader wiped out King Mo and the nights not even over yet!

 

On 2018-05-12 at 11:03 PM, bigg jay said:

Some nice fights tonight.  Lomachenko did his thing again, Vitor got retired in spectacular fashion by Machida, Bader wiped out King Mo and the nights not even over yet!

 

Loma is the only one in pro boxing i pay to watch. I seldom pay to watch ufc even. 

Ive been a big fan of machida for a long time. I wish we could have got machida vs belfort closer to their prime. I still dream in vain of machida vs silva. Machida vs bisping. Id watch it. I wonder if either of these guys go to rizin or bellator and trt it up. (or back up for vitor) Old dragon vs the ice man is probably in the future though. 

Dern looks better and better. Glad to hear she is gonna slow down camps a bit. Gotta make weight, but she is gonna be a great fighter in two years. 

 

Chuck apparently trying to make a comeback and wants to fight Tito and Jon Jones.....   I think he has taken to many shots to the head....

On 2018-05-14 at 7:16 PM, Brandon said:

Chuck apparently trying to make a comeback and wants to fight Tito and Jon Jones.....   I think he has taken to many shots to the head....

csac says if he passes his physical they will give him a license. wonder if he will still be cornered by that guy hackman? from the pit.

1 hour ago, wbbfan said:

csac says if he passes his physical they will give him a license. wonder if he will still be cornered by that guy hackman? from the pit.

Yes, John Hackleman will still be training/cornering Chuck.  A few weeks ago people started speculating about a Liddell return & Hackleman was interviewed about it & he said he's in - if the opponent was right (ie a cash grab fight with Tito where Chuck doesn't really stand a chance of getting seriously hurt).  

Chuck vs Shamrock lol 

UFC signs with ESPN for its entire tv package ending their relationship with FOX. 

Five year deal worth $1.5 billion. 

Effectively Fox went with WWE over UFC (reportedly). 

Breaks down as:

20 events per year on ESPN+ 

10 events per year on ESPN

12 PPV prelims per year on ESPN

 

On 2018-05-10 at 7:32 PM, Brandon said:

GSP at lightweight?  Why would he even bother trying to cut down to that weight? 

B/c the biggest money fights he can make (McGregor & Khabib) are at lightweight.

And he could be the first ever three division champion.

Edited May 23, 20187 yr by sweep the leg

On 2018-05-17 at 6:30 PM, bigg jay said:

Yes, John Hackleman will still be training/cornering Chuck.  A few weeks ago people started speculating about a Liddell return & Hackleman was interviewed about it & he said he's in - if the opponent was right (ie a cash grab fight with Tito where Chuck doesn't really stand a chance of getting seriously hurt).  

Chuck's jaw is glass now. IMO there's only a select few fighters who wouldn't put him to sleep. Tito is probably one of them.

They said people who reacted negatively to the ink were “sensitive ass mofo’s”. Hmmmm

2 hours ago, The Unknown Poster said:

They said people who reacted negatively to the ink were “sensitive ass mofo’s”. Hmmmm

Why does anyone care about a random guys tattoo? I've seen tonnes of offensive tattoos with my own eyes and I don't expect those people to justify why they have them. 

Anyone who cares about this guys tattoos really desperately needs a life.

27 minutes ago, Brandon said:

Why does anyone care about a random guys tattoo? I've seen tonnes of offensive tattoos with my own eyes and I don't expect those people to justify why they have them. 

Anyone who cares about this guys tattoos really desperately needs a life.

You really dont understand why some people reacted negatively?

4 hours ago, The Unknown Poster said:

You really dont understand why some people reacted negatively?

About an f level athletes significant others tattoos that they saw in the background of a picture in a personal twitter account.

Why is this news?

Anyone who is upset about this truly needs a life or is trying way to hard searching for stuff to complain about.

I'm not saying his tattoos are right/wrong I just don't have a clue why this is in the news? 

Google image anything that you find offensive and you'll find millions of people with classless tattoos or wearing something that will upset someone.

 

16 hours ago, Brandon said:

About an f level athletes significant others tattoos that they saw in the background of a picture in a personal twitter account.

Why is this news?

Anyone who is upset about this truly needs a life or is trying way to hard searching for stuff to complain about.

I'm not saying his tattoos are right/wrong I just don't have a clue why this is in the news? 

Google image anything that you find offensive and you'll find millions of people with classless tattoos or wearing something that will upset someone.

 

You're under no obligation to reply.  lol  The fact many people did respond made it news. 

In another thread I posted the story of the alt right blogger who's husband worked for WWE.  He doesnt anymore because they started getting questions from the media about it.

If you end up on social media wearing a Nazi symbol on your shirt, hat or body, in a photo with someone who is considered an athlete or celebrity and thus, the photo gains wide viewing (and especially if it is widely criticized), you might get a call from your HR department, depending on where you work. 

This isnt a surprise.  I posted it because it was related to UFC and generating news activity (MMA sites, deadspin, CBS).  Thats all.  Some people might think all racism and bigotry and hate should be called out and shamed.  And so they do. 

In other UFC news, CM Punk, who has a fight this Saturday, has been in court the past week dealing with his lawsuit with WWE Doctor (Punk is being sued).  Probably not the place you want to be when you should be training for a fight.  Closing arguments are today though.

The case has been rather absurd.  The gist is Punk went on Colt Cabana's podcast in 2014 and ripped WWE medical for several things, most specifically, not diagnosing a lump on his ass which Punk claimed was MRSA and could have killed him.  There is a lot of testimony about the Lump.

Yay an excuse after CM punk loses on why it didn't go well.

10 minutes ago, Brandon said:

Yay an excuse after CM punk loses on why it didn't go well.

Well that and he sucks lol

 

Verdict is in.  While we wait, here are the closing arguments

Quote

 

 

Closing Arguments of Dr. Ammans attorney

• Plaintiffs counsel defines a Defamation Per Se case, in which plaintiff doesnt need to prove monetary damages, simply emotional distress and damages.
• Plaintiffs counsel states Punk made false statements. These statements were then published by Cabana.
• Plaintiffs counsel states that Punk knew the statements were false.
• Plaintiffs counsel states that Punk made the false statements, published by Colt, and that Colt believed the the statements were false.
• Plaintiffs counsel says Ep. 226 of Art of Wrestling contained false statements about The Lump. They say Colt published these statements, knowing they were false.
• The testimony of Patrick Duffy is brought up, citing that Duffy is not a doctor, nor is he named Patrick Batemen (both of which are said in the podcast)
• According to counsel, Duffy never said the cyst was baseball-sized, or remarkable in any way.
• Counsel mentions that Duffy said possible staph infection, despite Punks statement.
• Maybe it was, maybe it wasnt, but it was never diagnosed. -Counsel, about The Lump being staph infection.
• Duffy never diagnosed The Lump as staph, and coded it in his treatment notes as a cyst.
• Counsel mentions that both Duffys name or title are incorrect in Podcast statements.
• Plaintiffs counsel say that the podcast was presented as truth.
• The Lump was described as a baseball in podcast, but in later texts is referred to as a golfball.
• Counsel displays a golfball, a baseball, and a quarter, as to show size disparity.
• golfball statement is five days after the podcast.
• Counsel asks the jury if theyd have behaved the same as Punk.
• Counsel brings up that Punk believed that the S in MRSA stood for staph.
• Counsel suggests that the baseball sized lump never existed.
• Counsel calls it a false reality, like the ones Punk writes for comic books.
• Counsel brings up the testimony of John Cone and Larry Heck is brought up.
• Glenn Jacobss testimony, says Punk never brought up The Lump.
• Counsel says that Punk didnt talk to other wrestlers about The Lump because there was no lump.
• Counsel notes that texts about The Lump do not appear until after the 2014 Royal Rumble.
• Counsel proposes that Punk was angered at Amman altering the finish to the 2014 Royal Rumble.
• Photos of Punk at the Royal Rumble are shown.
• Counsel brings up the testimony of April Mendez Brooks and Massage Therapist Corrine.
• Corrines statements of seeing Punk in cold weather months is disputed, Counsel sites riding his bike around dates listed.
• The size and color of lump is disputed.
• Counsel describes the 2014 Royal Rumble. They state that Punk was concussed, but Ammans What do you want me to do statement from Podcast has no connection to the truth. Amman told ring attendant Mark Yeaton that Punk had a concussion, and to relay that to production staff. Everyone one testified to Gorilla Position being concerned for Punk but Punk said **** you, Im staying in. Counsel describes Punk as defiant and belligerent.
• Counsel says Punk wanted to dazzle higher-ups at WWE, in an attempt to be involved in the main event of Wrestlemania.
• If Punks claim of Amman asking What do you want me to do about it is true, then why would Dr. Amman tell Yeaton about concussion, other than to relay info to Gorilla Position.
• Counsel claims that CM Punk is using the story to get back at Dr. Amman.
• Im going to bury [Dr. Amman] text is referenced.
• In the real world, Mr. Brookss statements do not make sense.
• Counsel brings up Drs. Sampson & Amman treating Punk for various ailments, including chest congestion, which is what Z-Packs are known to treat.
• Counsel says that the defense used the Z-Pack stories to inject a cloud of wrongfulness into the case.
• No evidence that Dr. Amman prescribes antibiotics for sleeplessness.
• To be defamatory, the statements must be relayed to a third party.
• Counsel says the nearly 4million listens as said third party.
• Counsel cites tweets and fan chants as people throwing the podcast back at Dr. Amman.
• Counsel says that Punks statements make it difficult for Dr. Amman to do his job.
• Doc in the podcast referred to the ringside physician for the 2014 Royal Rumble. Dr. Amman was the sole ringside physician at said event.
• hostility and hate directed towards Dr. Amman, post-podcast.
• Truth is a defense in all defamation cases, but only if the truth is substantiated, which counsel says it was not.
• Counsel refers to The Lump as The Nodule.
• Counsel calls Punks testimony self-serving.
• Statements were published by Cabana, and then republished and distributed by the media.
• The original publisher (Colt) is liable for the republication.
• In Defamation Per Se cases, reputation only has to be damaged to the public at large.
• Counsel brings up the Im almost sorry I was mean text, and says The truth is not mean.
• Dr. Amman cannot even post an instagram picture of his father without receiving Z-Pack comments

Despite bring up the half-an-egg measurement, Plaintiffs counsel did not bring a half an egg to court.

• Counsel says that Colt knew that what he saw didnt match up to what he was told.
• Colt did not corroborate statements.
• He purposefully avoided the truth.
• Defamation Per Se case presumes damages.
• Counsel says that as Dr. Amman is not as flamboyant, he doesnt try to steal the show.
• Words hurt far more than sticks and stones.
• Words strike at the heart, they strike at the mind, they strike at the soul.
• Its a hurt that doesnt go away.
• Counsel says that if there truly was a staph infection that Punk wouldve done more than go on a podcast and promote himself.
• Counsel seeks $1 per stream of the podcast ($3.989million)
• Counsel ends their closing arguments.

Closing arguments of CM Punks attorney

• Burden of proof is on the plaintiffs, burden of gist is on defense.
• Counsel says that Colt and Punk arent court reporters, they summarize.
• Counsel says that telling stories is how people share with each other, and that storytelling methods vary from person to person.
• People tell stories of their life differently.
• Counsel says Punk had a plethora of medical problems in 2013.
• Counsel shows evidence of Punk complaining of ailments multiple times
• Defense corroborates Punks symptoms with concussion symptoms.
• Defense mentions Punk meeting with Dr. Sampson.
• Defense shows that WWE Medical Records are not a reliable source, as they never listed any of Punks antibiotic prescriptions
• Texts to Dr. Amman prove that antibiotic distribution was done without restriction. Punk could get antibiotics whenever he wants.
• Dr. Amman gave Punk antibiotics without records.
• There are extensive records. -Dr. Amman in text. Are you kidding me? -Punks counsel
• Text is shown where Dr. Amman says that Punk fabricated pretty much everything.
• Counsel moves on to the concussion.
• It was a real contact. It caused a real injury, a brain injury. -on the concussion cause by Kofi Kingston.
• Royal Rumble response is disputed.
• Defense says that there were no witnesses or recordings of Punks ringside conversation with Amman.
• Defense finds the idea that there was no lump to be ridiculous.
• Defense states that the Plaintiffs case is unclear about The Lump.
• Corrines testimony is brought up. She is not a wrestling fan and has no reason to lie for Punk.
• AJ and Punk being co-workers, and in contact everyday, gives context to why texts about The Lump do not appear until after the Royal Rumble.
• Counsel does not dispute the incision and drainage, done by Duffy.
• Counsel says Duffy prescribed antibiotics that treat staph and MRSA.
• Defense shows how tight Punks wrestling gear is, referring to them as super spanx, and that they could compress The Lump.
• Defense confirms that Punk changed and showered on his bus, as reason that no one saw The Lump.
• Defense says that Punk and Cabana are trained storytellers, and wouldve been better liars if they were mythmaking as the Plaintiff states.
• Defense calls the idea that there was no lump before Royal Rumble a farce.
• Defense asks the jury who they believe, the very busy Dr. Amman or CM Punk?
• Defense believes the patient will have a better memory than the doctor.
• Defense believes that AJ wouldve been more concerned about The Lump than Punk was.
• [Amman] had a lot on his plate, [Punk] had a lump on his butt.
• Defense states the misrepresentation of Duffy in podcast was an honest mistake.
• Defense compares Duffys testimony to Punks. They describe Duffy as scattered and general.
• Defense says a cyst can be infected.
• Did Phil believe he was lying? No.
• Defense says that Amman came from an idyllic home of privilege and that often causes one to lose perspective and believe that any bump in the road to be a $7 million case.
• Defense describes Dr. Ammans vanity searching as picking the scab.
• Twitter is an open window in the kitchen
• Defense states that Dr. Amman has no problems with co-workers, friends or patients. Dr. Amman has not sought therapy and sleeps 8 hours a night.
• Defense says that Punk and Cabana are not to blame for the ills of Social Media.
• Why do we care about the trolls of the world?
• Describes wrestling events as a unique place.
• What is your reputation worth to the Mike Litorises of the world?

Colt Cabans attorney cuts to the chase and delivers a list

1. Episode 226 was about Punk, not Dr. Amman. Dr. Amman isnt brought up until the end.
2. Colt never said anything defamatory about Dr. Amman.
3. Dr. Amman is only named twice in Ep. 226.
4. Cabana didnt doubt the truth of the statements
5. Cabana didnt believe anything Punk said about The Lump to be false.
6. Colt had no idea that Punk was talking about Dr. Amman.
7. Doc is a colloquialism used for the entire WWE Medical Staff.
8. Dr. Amman never emailed Cabana.
9. This is struck from the record as it has to do with monetary damages, which are not factored in a Defamation Per Se case.
10. Not one person testified that they believed the Podcast. No proof that Mike Litoriss opinion changed of Dr. Amman, just that Mr. Litoris made his opinion known on twitter.

Colts Counsel says theres no reason for Dr. Amman to bring claims against Punk & Cabana.

Rebuttal from Plaintiffs Counsel

• Dr. Ammans license has always been in good standing.
• Statements were repeated by more than just media trolls. Counsel cites the Washington Post.
• HIPA is not a case.
• It was me who wrote the complaint, counsel stating that Dr. Amman never violated HIPA as he didnt write the Cease & Desist.
• Dr. Amman had no reason to go on The Art of Wrestling and help sell Colt t-shirts and merch.
• Counsel says that Dr. Amman wasnt picking scabs, when googling himself on Thanksgiving. Counsel describes it as a fresh wound.
• Counsel describes Dr. Ammans thanksgiving being a nightmare.
• Easy to call things a joke when its not targeted at you.

Closing arguments end, Jury is instructed, Jury begins deliberation