Most people only believe that Barnett has failed TWO tests but in fact he has actually failed THREE tests. What's the expression, "Three strikes and you're out?"; well at least out of American MMA. I know that the CSAC has had a troubled history so people tend to be cautious about their drug testing, but no MMA commission should ever license someone who has tested positive for steroids on THREE different occassions. Here is a quote from the story: Sherdog.com

Barnett was stripped of the UFC heavyweight title in 2002 and suspended for six months after three different steroids turned up in a test administered by the Nevada commission around the time he fought Randy Couture. Barnett has technically failed three separate commission steroid tests, but a Nov. 2, 2001 failure, taken when he fought Bobby Hoffman at UFC 34, was administered as part of an information-gathering procedure by the Nevada commission, which at the time was exploring whether drug use was a problem in MMA and what penalties such use should constitute. Nevada’s commission ramped up drug testing for MMA fighters in 2003 in the wake of a contentious appeals process with Barnett’s camp. In 2002, Barnett’s camp claimed the failure came from an over-the-counter product.

           As of right now no official announcement has been made whether UFC 103 will be a PPV or on Spike TV. UFC 95 was held on Spike TV (February 21, in England). UFC 103 is scheduled for September 19th which represents roughly a 6 month time period. I'm going to come out and say that this will be a free card based on a couple different things.

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And the nominees are:

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The potent lightweight pair has agreed to meet in the headlining bout of “The Ultimate Fighter 9” finale on June 20 at the Pearl inside the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, according to sources close to the fighters. The bout will anchor a night of final deciding bouts for the Spike TV reality series, which begins airing in April.

Few can match Guida’s intensity and pace in the UFC’s lightweight division. The Chicago-based wrestler has rattled off three straight victories –- to Samy Schiavo, Mac Danzig, and Nathan Diaz –- since his dramatic loss to Roger Huerta at “The Ultimate Fighter 6” finale in December 2007. Guida (25-9) eked out a close spilt decision to Diaz at UFC 94 on Jan. 31 in Las Vegas.

Interesting match up. Will the Nightmare stop Guida or will the Caveman eek out another decision? This fight could help to establish another future contender for the Lightweight Division crown after Kenny Florian.

    On the Affliction 2 weigh-in stream Bas Rutten called Millen "that asshole". So I did some digging on online and came upon this interview. Admittedly, I did not much about Mr. Millen the first time I saw him in a video. To me he just seemed like another promoter with a fake smile. Well here is an old interview from MMAonTap with Bas Rutten on why exactly he dislikes Gary "Jerry" Millen.

http://www.mmaontap.com/mma/entry/bas-rutten-exposes-gary-jerry-millen/

My favorite quote was:

He got his job by faking that he knew the MMA game, his friend, who knows MMA, would tell him through a microphone (he was wearing a headset) what he would have to say when watching a tape of MMA. That tape he send to the Pride people, they believed he could do it and they took him in.

    The general consensus I've heard is that UFN 16 came through. There were brutal KOs, submissions, a Muay Thai beatdown, and much more. Money was raised for a noble cause and the fans seemed to be in to it (even if there were alot caucasians screaming USA USA). Now that the excitement is over think about how this will event be perceived by the mainstream or the people who watched MMA for the first time.

I saw a man's tibia break in two which almost made me vomit. If you look at the picture (it's on an old post here) it is one of the most nauseating inducing pictures I've ever seen. If you didn't see it live you would think it was photoshopped. I saw a man either have his arm broken or popped out of his socket. Again, some people like seeing that type of this stuff but I don't . Normal people don't pay $50 to watch people mutilate arms. To top off the event we get KOs that stiffen people into boards.

From a MMA's fan perspective this was a great event. But think about an athletic commission might see this. Show them the footage of a leg snapping and they might wonder about MMA as a whole. Is this type of thing going to happen a lot? Do I wanna be sanctioning this? Now I know I know the NFL is brutal and Joe Theismann broke his leg on national TV but to me that's a one in a decade anomaly. What happens if someone breaks a bone in the UFC in a disgusting manner 6 months from now?

Let me just say this. I'm not attacking MMA as a sport. I'm not calling it human cockfighting or barbaric. I've seen many a UFCs to know that this event was very unusual. MMA proclaims itself as a brutal sport. I can watch people get KO'ed but an elbow being dislocated or an arm getting broken makes me queasy. Is there a point where brutal is too brutal?

I'm going to play this event off as just highly unusual. Most times people tap a locked armbar. Most times legkicks getting checked don't break your legs. Most times a knee doesn't cause your forehead to become a grapefruit. This event has left me with a bad taste. My mind is always thinking long term and to me this event sets back MMA. If your ESPN or CBS can  you ethically put this on TV. I can see the FCC complaints from evangelical Christians streaming in by the thousands. I'm hoping that UFC 92 will be more like UFC 91 and not this.

P.S. Can someone please get Corey Hill some calcium supplements and tell Razak that tapping doesn't make you a b#tch.

    Running a business or corporation is no simple task. With the recent financial crisis and controversial bailouts it got me thinking about the nature of running a successful promotion. Elite XC is dead. Affliction is heading there. DREAM is barely afloat. Why is it that MMA organizations have such a hard time turning a profit? In my thoughts on this topic I tried to imagine what the "right" way to start a MMA organization is. So I'll start:

First you need a source of cash. This cash can come from an established company (TV station, clothing, sports apparel, w.e ) or a loan. However, you get it this is the beginning of your company.

So you have cash, now what? You need a staff to help build the company. A CEO, CFO, President will be needed. I would recommend getting people that have solid business fundamentals and will be respected by the industry. Okay, you have your staff so start to let people know that you are hosting fights and have started a company (You need a name. American's like catchy acronym's or monosyllabic titles, MLB NFL UFC, etc. Keep it short and simple). Advertising & Promotions begin. Start slow- small scale radio and press releases. Your ultimate goal is brand recognition but it's going to take some time. Simultaneously, while you are doing this you need to be booking an inaugural event. Place, time & of course fighters. Here is the first major road block: You want fighters who will  provide active fights, not cost that much, and entertain. Start searching-

We have some cash, are slowly building a name, and have a tentative time range for an event. Here is what I think a company should do next: Book a very solid main event. I know that MMA isnt boxing and you need a solid undercard but here is where I see alot of promotions start to struggle. Elite XC put all of their eggs into a single CRAPPY fighter. If Kimbo could actually fight ala Anderson Silva where would the company be. Always diversify your portfolio! But wait Affliction booked Fedor and they still are going down the tubes. What gives?

In knowing how to run a company you also have to know NOT what to do. Affliction did not market Fedor effectively. If you were to conduct focus groups and surveys I would venture Fedor's brand recognition is low in the US. Now, lets look at why the UFC hit the jackpot with Brock Lesnar. They paid him as much as Sylvia or close to it and get a star with high drawing power. It doesn't matter that Fedor would armbar Brock in a sec. Lesnar attracts the WWE fanbase which leads to more buzz-->more press-->attention--->ticket sales & ppvs. You throw in a few talented even fights for the mid main card to get the hardcore locked up and now you focus on the casual fan.

That is the demographic you want and where the $ is at. It doesn't matter if they are uneducated morons or Einsteins as long as they think Kimbo is the baddest mo-fo in the world and will buy your show. You want their money. At the same time you don't want your organization to lose credibility ala a circus show. Try to maximize this casual person's $ while trying to maintain a respectable show. You may get criticism which is okay.

Affliction paid a lot of their fighters inflated rates to steal them away and lock them up. Horrible $ policy!  Never EVER do this! If they don't want to fight for my price then too bad. Cash is your lifeblood; knowing how to maximize its efficiency is going to keep your company alive and in the green. Sign fighters with back-loaded contracts that are tied to your success. If you do well they do well. Here they can be stars even if other orgs. offer more money.

Hopefully, now you have a booked main event with at least one fighter who will attract a base. This person can be an established fighter, a WWE/NFL crossover, whoever has a high Q score and preferably can speak English. I'll even introduce a  ratio for you guys. Let's call it a Q factor.  

Q factor=  (Q score)/(Fighter talent)

So to recap your main event features at least ONE strong fighter and ONE marketable draw. You dont care who wins because either way you have a storyline. This fighter is what MMA stands for OR this guy can be a MMA fighter too b/c he just beat this veteran. Either way you win. The #2-5 fights will feature potential challengers to your title, veterans, and anyone else you want really. For the undercard you'll find tons of guys from smaller shows who just wantto get their names known. Find some talented ones and pay them peanuts like the WEC.

I'm a big fan of boxers (KOs sell), but Muay Thai and Sweet JJ guys are equally fine too. You just want action that will keep the crowd happy and establish your brand. If you do sign wrestlers, research if they can GnP and get TKOs. Avoid LnP's as much as possible. They may be effective winners of the sport but REMEMBER you are not a non-profit grp. You are a $ making business who is in the entertainment industry.

You have your lineup set, a venue, a date so let's promote like crazy! Don't blow all your $ on fancy stuff (Megadeath I'm looking at you) that won't help you sell tickets. Go on radio shows! Give interviews to as many media sources you can. Newspaper, billboards, TV ads on programs with high 18-34 Demos. Research your options before you start spending! If painting a bus with your promo and driving it around will attract a lot of ppv's DO IT!. Stick to regional markets where you'll have the best stronghold. If the UFC counter programs make it known you're here to stay and they can take their monopoly and go shove it!

Your event goes smoothly (no technical glitches) and you get some great fights with nothing too freakish. A little controversy is even good if it can build a storyline or get you a heated rematch. Your PPV's come in and are decent (don't worry about the UFC   just try the best to balance your budget). Now that you have put on a show it's time for #2 where you can start to turn a profit  YES!

This has been a long essay but staying profitable is not easy. What I've outlined is just one way to run the organization. Other ways can lead to success too.I welcome criticism and observations or just some discussion on the topic.