Lorenzo Fertitta reacts to controversial caption posted online
Posted on April 19, 2012, 05:41 PM by Mike Drahota
Last Saturday, a highly controversial caption appeared online that while perhaps intended as humor, seemed to insinuate that UFC President Dana White was such a fan of Jon Jones, that he had bet an exorbitant sum of money on him to retain the title at UFC 145 in Atlanta, Georgia. Understandably, number-one contender Rashad Evans reacted with anger upon hearing these allegations. While the site did issue a retraction, there still has been much fallout that could ultimately have legal ramifications. Obviously, with a title fight of this magnitude, White and the Fertittas want it go down without a hitch. Lorenzo Fertitta had some strong words to say about the subject via usatoday.com:
“We just got back from the fight in Stockholm. You've got to understand, Rashad's entire team -- his entire camp -- was in his ear telling him they read this online and that Dana bet half a million dollars against him. This was a real issue. This isn't just some kind of slap on the back, funny little joke. This was reckless reporting on their part.”
His words would suggest that although a retraction and apology were soon to follow, the dust is still not settled on this touchy subject. When asked if he thought that the retraction had satisfied his demands, he replied very specifically:
“We're currently evaluating whether it's sufficient or not. Like I said, there's been a massive amount of fallout in the wake of them putting out something that is completely reckless in the way that they did. I don't understand how anybody could defend what they did. It's a very serious allegation. For them to even joke that Dana made a wager of that magnitude on one fighter versus another fighter is something that could have tremendous negative implications for the industry, for our company and a lot of different things.”
It would seem that the top executives at the UFC have spent a great deal of time trying to smooth this situation over. The comments and accusations made came at a tenuous time for the organization, in the wake of the news that Light Heavyweight champion would be sponsored by the UFC for his upcoming bout against Evans. Jones is the first fighter to find himself in this situation. This only adds fuel to the raging inferno of hype surrounding this fight, and only time will tell what the overall ramifications of the comments will be.
Comments
"His entire camp was in his ear telling him that Dana White had bet a half a million dollars against him."
Can you imagine the motivation this would have given Rashad if it had been true?
After all, the best place to stick it to Dana is in the wallet. Making him lose that bet would be better revenge than a Shoryuken to the mouth.
Motivation like Van Damme in movie Lionhearth, when his trainer puts money on his opponent! In that case Rashad gonna be winner! ;-)
It might have been the camp's idea to make it up as a motivation factor. I doubt it but just an idea.
dana may be a lot of thnigs but hes not stupid he woudnt bet on a fight and rather you belave it or not he does work tirelessly to promote the sport
I squirm a bit when I read that the UFC is sponsoring Jones. They should be more neutral than that.
Ya if he wanted to personally make some extra money off the sport I'm sure it'd be a lot easier just to defraud the organization in some way or another lol
Actually I take that back, he probably could just bump up his own salary whenever he wanted instead
There's video evidence of him placing an $100 wager with Wanderlei Silva backstage at a UFC event on a fight that was about to happen.
Hi Dray,
What is the suggestion you are making here?
Thanks.
I'm not Dray, but I can speak for him and say that betting on a certain fight is not completely out of the realm of possibility when there is video evidence of it happening before.
Not to mention the whole 250 gs on Liddell at PRIDE MWGP almost a decade ago (wow that was really almost 10 years ago now, I'm old).
On a UFC 94 blog Dana and Wanderlei placed a friendly $100 wager on the Thiago Tavares - Manny Gamburyan fight. I don't have a problem with something like that, seeing as it was a small amount of money and just a friendly spur-of-the-moment bet. But as the president of the company it's not the smartest thing to do on film. Not saying its comparable to the Jones-Evans allegations, but as Evan said, based on history, it's not something we can discount.
Bruce- Yep. Complete conflict of interest. It's more of something you'd expect GBP or Top Rank to do in boxing.
Hi Evan,
Where specifically is the conflict of interest?
Perhaps I'm wrong but the UFC do not judge the fights, or am I wrong about that?
They are a promotion that houses two fighters that are competing with one another. They are actively promoting one figher over the other. That's why I compared it to something one of the big two boxing promoters. It screams Top Rank, or Golden Boy.
The conflict of interest part is a bit of an overstatement as The UFC is not a league, but as they like to portray themselves as such (on par with The NFL, MLB, and NBA) then you would think they would hold themselves to at least a certain standard.
Ya, I don't like to obscure discussions with the NFL comparisons, but you would never see an NFL/NHL/MLB commissioner placing a friendly wager on film. I'm sure *(unlikely to happen in reality) there could be legal implications if such a thing happened in the NFL/NHL/MLB (not the UFC though).
Hi Evan,
You make an interesting point; yes, the UFC has portrayed themselves in the light of a major sporting league, but this premise is contradicted by their actions (with this case a good example). The UFC is a promotion before they are a league.
Fair statement?
Fair statement.
Hi Bruce,
Why do you think that?
The cold hard fact is that the UFC is a business based on promotion. Going against the expected norms from time to time creates a reaction which further promotes the fight and makes more money.
The connection between morality and big business has not existed in the United States since before George W Bush's grandfather was convicted of doing business with the Nazi's during WW2.
Dont get me wrong, i do see your point is technically correct, I just see it as a tad too idealistic.
Odesa, don't you think some of the unconventional practices of the UFC may hold back the sports potential? I know it's sort of ingrained in the company's identity to do things differently (like having an outspoken and brash president), but I personally thing they need to adopt a more professional main-stream sports approach if they really want to take it to the next level.
Hi Dray,
I believe that the UFC is still in a massive growth and expansion phase, the market, (which votes with ppv/ attendance) are approving their approach. When their growth slows, they may then look to create a more formal league type structure. I believe that structure will consist of national titles, continental titles...
I believe this will be achieved by introducing an mma ranking belt, white, yellow... (each club has UFC affiliation), if I were advising them, I would suggest they do this, as it would be the quickest way to create national championships. Also, by drawing support from young martial artists, it would have the additional effect of drawing the childrens parents interest...
I haven't had the time to speak with Dana about this... but it's the general approach I would take.
Cheers
"I believe that the UFC is still in a massive growth and expansion phase, the market, (which votes with ppv/ attendance) are approving their approach."
-Numbers actually contradict that statement. The UFC's PPV numbers have dropped off a good amount in the past year and a half. The FX numbers for both TUF and FX shows are down compared to what they were for SPIKE. The Fox shows are drawing good numbers, but they aren't even on the level of what Kimbo used to draw on CBS with Elite XC.
They continue to expand into different countries with varying degrees of success, but their overall viewership in the US (which is by far their biggest money maker) has dwindled since 2010.
I wouldn't make too much about the UFC sponsoring Jones, it's only for his clothes during the walkout.
There are more of these deals coming. Apparently Overeem has signed a similar contract, though you can understand why they'd keep that quiet now.
Cranestyle
I agree with you. I'm interested to know on what grounds your comment was "weaked".
No company director is going to place a bet on their fighter or suddenly buy shares in an aquisition. Its illegal.
You can't place bets when you have inside knowledge of fighters weights, injuries, training etc. Its not ethical.
Dana is not that stupid. I am sure he would like to bet however thats off limits.
In regards to sponsoring fighters. This is a case of tall poppy syndrome. Become the best and you deserve all the accolades and sponsorship.
I remember Tito Ortiz ego got in the way when Chuck Lidell was getting all the attention and fame.
Win fights impressively, be a yes man to Dana, and the worlds your oyster
Lorenzo aint scared to speak his mind and what a stupid idea putting tht story out
The fact that Lorenzo is the one responding to this seems strange. Everybody knows that whenever anybody criticizes or makes accusations about Dana he loses his sh*t on them. Makes me think there might be something to this.
This will most likely turn into a lawsuit, thats why Lorenzo is speaking. They cant afford to have Dana screw up the case by slandering them in return.
Yourmom
If the allegation has been made against Dana, from a PR perspective it makes more sense that Lorenzo defends their position.
Fact is, peoples perception of their ability to perceive when someone is lying is highly overrated... Such statements are best ignored or taken to court.
Totally disagree.
As far as PR goes, ppl generally like it when someone comes forward themselves to address an accusation. Smart to do this w a lawyer by your side, but Dana stepping back and Lorenzo handling things in this manner seems suspicious and strange to me. Even how Lorenzo italks about the situation. I'm not saying I believe Dana is guilty... just that the situation seems suspicious.
Hi Yourmom,
Technically, I think you are correct. However, if Dana answered all accusations and critisism himself he would be pretty busy! If the public perceive Dana to be somewhat unethical or biased, then for me, it doesn't make sense for him to answer because public pre-conception would fundemntally bias the conclusion they made. Hence the response from Lorenzo.
Is that fair?
The wording seems like an answer a politician would give. He never said that Dana didnt make the bet. At least thats how I read it. Leaves you wondering though. Just because he called it reckless reporting doesn't mean it's not true in some form or other.
I see no problem with the UFC sponsoring Jones but I think they could have waited until after the fight to bring that info out. I just think the timing was wrong because to evans it is a slap in the face kind of like saying we want this guy to win. The UFC should be unbiased in all fights. I have actually lost a lot of intrest in the UFC I think they need to slow down so they dont lose the it factor they had that made them what they are. I get more excited about the Bellator fights anymore, the up and comers always fight their hardest.
Mr Fight,
What is the factor which made the UFC what they are? I hadn't considered that there may be one determining factor which created their identity.
Interesting position.
I feel like they just throw fight cards together anymore. This card could have been stacked but they didnt do it even thought I think there are some good fights on this card. When I wrote my post I had just finished a 14 hour shift so I really dont remeber what the factor I was thinking about. LOL
@Mr Fight,
14 hour shifts tend to do that :)
It was a satire, not a report..... Man up and learn how to perceive
Well the strangest thing is that they said Dana just bet his walking around money on the fight.
Well the strangest thing is that they said Dana just bet his walking around money on the fight.