Please tell me he's not a Nebraska native

Right....Zuluzinho is right around 400 pounds plus he has some sort of clue what he is doing as opposed to an NFL player. Also....he fought Hong Choi-Man who probably weighs around the same as a typical NFL DT.

I'd guess that most UFC casuals know who Fedor is, even if they haven't seen him fight. Fedor + UFC hype machine + Lesnar = PPV records, imo.

Notes from Dana White's hour long appearance on ESPN 1100 at 8 pm CST:

* He said he and Tito have been trying to bury the hatchet. "It's a possibility" that Tito is back in the UFC. He says this after his well publicized Tweet earlier this evening. Tito feels good after his back surgery.

* Dana will base jump off Mandalay Bay as a result of UFC 100 doing 1.5 million PPV buys (he had a bet going with someone).

* The UFC uses boxing (among other sports) as a blueprint for how not to run their business.

* He says 8-12 current UFC fighters are "PPV superstars" meaning they make approximately seven figures and beyond.

* He just used the term, "nuthugger" on the air lol.

* Twenty minutes into the show, the Affliction collapse is finally mentioned. "They are good at making clothes," says Dana. Dana won't comment on Affliction's status in the fight business however. He does say that they (the UFC) are working on some very big things for the next couple of weeks, talking with specific fighters.

* "This (the UFC) is the most viable sports franchise on the planet," says Dana.

* Dana White is the 2009 Sportsman of the Year, whatever that means.

* When the UFC purchased PRIDE, they intended to keep it running in Japan but the Japanese mafia (Yakuza?) are making it a rough process.

* Finally, a caller is bringing up the Fedor issue. Dana says he's been trying to get him in the UFC and they are still trying now. As a fighter, Dana says he shouldn't be in the Top 5 P4P rankings because he's not fighting the best in the world. Hard to argue against that logic. If Fedor comes to the UFC, "his first fight will be against Brock for the heavyweight title." Dana says he doesn't know who would win.

* Dana kind of brushes off the notion that Randy should/would get the first shot at Fedor.

* Another caller asks about the Tito thing. Dana says the exact same thing, "it's a possibility." Dana says, "he's over it," regarding the Tito fight.

* ESPN co-host just said the caller I just mentioned above asked a stupid question. The other co-hosts distanced themselves from that comment lol.

* Fifth and final call of the day: "What's the deal with the main event of UFC 103: Franklin vs. Henderson?" Great question imo. Dana says, "my job is to put on the fights that fans want to see. All I'll say is 'hang tight' (laughs)." ESPN co-hosts are not sure what that means.

* Dana said make sure you watch the countdown show for UFC 101: Penn vs. Florian. He said something about B.J. looking especially impressive on the show.

* ESPN co-host Steve Cofield asks when we'll find out the status of the Affliction fighter's contracts. Dana said he's going out of the country tomorrow and will return Thursday. He'll probably have a press conference NEXT FRIDAY where he'll reveal a "laundry list of crazy things."

* Dana said ESPN has increased interest UFC coverage.

* Dana says he likes boxing. ESPN co-host says Dana bashes boxing. Dana asks for an example. ESPN guy is talking out of his ass. Dana brings up the fact that we never get top matchups in boxing. He says watching Floyd Mayweather fight a scrub is like watching Dancing with the Stars except this time you have to pay for it.

Dana's language was such that Fedor will eventually be in the UFC but could just be hypothetical speaking. Rashad on now and Matt Serra later.

I had to turn it off for Bill Maher, please pass it on if Evans or Serra says anything interesting.

Fedor vs Lesnar would kill the ufc100 ppv record for sure. But I don't think you guys quite understand just how much 2 million buys is.

How many buys do you think the UFC loses every show due to "alternative means?" I always go to a bar to watch it, but I don't know a single person IRL that pays for the PPV; they would rather chill with Justin for free

Is this what hes talking about? Sorry if its already been mentioned in this thread.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXoqfIU0C6Y

They should start Fedor off with Randy, just b/c it's a fairly safe fight for Fedor, but it will get the casual fans who don't quite understand his awesomeness a chance to see him before setting up Fedor v. Lesnar. That'd probably ensure the card gets 1.8-2 million buys.

Dana was clearly not wanting to milk it for the extra money. He does not think all that much of Fedor actually. I think he suspects that Lesnar would do the same think he did to Mir. I am sure it would get a whole lot of buys as it is! I suspect it will actually happen soonish.

Dana said he cant pick who would win in a fight between Fedor and Brock, he is only **** talking Fedor because hes not in the UFC its pretty obvious. I would be willing to bet alot of money if Fedor gets signed somehow Dana will pretend he never said anything bad about him and hype him as the worlds best or at least the best Brock will ever fight.

Oh he was already doubling back on what he had said before a bit. But, his comments before were pretty jagged. He had contempt for Fedor. It may have been in part because he did not own Fedor and that frustrated him, but I don't think so. I think he literally thought Fedor is seriously over-rated. That is just my guess from his non-verbals.

I don't know a single person who watches the UFC by alternative means. Actually, 90% of the UFC watchers that I know watch it because I got them into it...and thus they just go to whatever bar I go to.

Most of them really appreciate having someone who can explain some of the more intricate aspects

what are the penalties for roiding anyway? i was under the impression that, you know, it had consequences but i just read on sherdog that "Because he did not fail the test while actively licensed, Barnett could be licensed again if he passed a test in the future."

so all he has to do is do the test again? thats pretty ****ed up but still good news i guess. maybe the UFC will pick him up.

The minute Fedor signs with the UFC is the minute that Dana starts calling him the best heavyweight in MMA history.

He's a promoter, you have to take what he says with a grain of salt.

anyone know of an online betting site which lets you bet on all the UFC pre-lim's? the UK ones i've looked at only offer the main event card

As a promoter you would never admit that someone elses fighter is the best in the world. Dana is no fool... he knows Fedor is the best heavyweight in the world, and his issues are with Fedor's management, not specifically with Fedor himself. Like Mikey said, Dana would pump up Fedor like mad if he was signed to the UFC.

5dimes, Bodog, Bookmaker.

Most UFC shows I just have at least a few friends who are interested in watching it, and we'll pool in to watch it together. I don't know anyone who regularly pays for the ppv for themself though.

Patton and PatiotMikey,

You would pay true compliments to the other organizations fighter if you were a SMART promoter. When you make a genuine compliment of the competitions product FIRST, you then add credibility to whatever you say next which should be a laundry list of reasons your product is strong as well. That is modern Social-Psychology. It works well, try it today. Give honest praise for a competitor, or honest criticism of your own position before you list the benefits. See how much more you are believed.
If he signs Fedor he will have even more nice things to say about Fedor and he will not have anything bad to say anymore...agreed. But, that is NOT the best strat to use there. He should be consistent with his previous statements first, then give the praise.

LOL...

About 7:22 into, this blog pretty lol

Really? Dana strikes me as the sort of guy who likes to spend more time talking about how awesome he is than actually going out and doing rad stuff. BASE jumping requires a certain level of technical knowledge and has enough risk that it seems an unlikely choice for a promotional stunt. I wouldn't be surprised if by 'BASE jump' he meant 'tandem skydive' or something.

He is not the kind of guy that would like to do it. That is why he had to for LOSING a prop bet.