The ratings up the season 6 average to 152,500 from 150,500.

Bellator 67:  165,000 viewers
Bellator 66:  109,000 viewers
Bellator 65: 163,000 viewers
Bellator 64: 175,00 viewers
Bellator 63:  140,000 viewers
Bellator 62:  175,000 viewers
Bellator 61:  108,000 viewers
Bellator 60:  169,000 viewers

Payout Perspective:

A nice two show streak of ratings for Bellator as 68 was the third highest for the season.  It will be interesting to see if the ratings sustain for the final two weeks of the season as it features the semifinal and final rounds of its tournaments.  A stream of 160K plus viewers to end the season should be seen as a sign of improvement although the overall season average may not be better than prior seasons.

The fights were available online on via live stream for $9.95 with Diaz as the selling point for the card.

Cesar Gracie explained on his web site (via MMA Weekly) that Diaz’s absence at the event was due in part to mishandling of the event.  The crux of the explanation was that Diaz wanted to grapple with a jiu jitsu practitioner and not an individual aspiring to be an MMA fighter.  According to Gracie, it was represented that Estima was not training for MMA.  However, it was relayed later that Estima was planning to be an MMA fighter.  Also, Gracie explained that Estima was having issues making weight which apparently was the last straw.  Despite no-showing, Gracie stated Diaz donated money to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital in the amount of money he would have made for the superfight.

Payout Perspective:

No-showing this past weekend probably hurt the Nick Diaz brand.  But, then again, this behavior is normal for Diaz.  Gracie’s explanation sheds some light on what could have been the problem causing Diaz not  to participate Saturday.  Certainly, Diaz’s absence hurt the event as many relied on his appearance — sponsors, vendors, fans in attendance and those purchasing the live stream online. Diaz’s explanation is plausible and his demand not to meet a grappler aspiring to be in MMA makes sense from Diaz’s point of view.

From a public relations perspective, it seems like Diaz, not Gracie, could have made the statement about the reasons for not appearing.  Regardless of the management of the event or the promises given about his opponent, many people relied on Diaz to appear at the event.  Even if he were to decline participation and just show up to sign autographs and/or conduct a demonstration it would save face.  With the no-show, it continues the stigma that Diaz does not play the game and hurts future appearance opportunities.

***
This week’s MMAterial Facts:

- Spike TV pulls a page out of the Antonio Inoki playbook with King Mo (Fight Opinion)

“What Spike TV is trying to accomplish with King Mo is an interesting experiment, one that they probably decided to emulate less on what happened in Japan and more on what’s happened with Brock Lesnar & Kurt Angle’s goofy deulsions of wanting to cross-over between the two industries. Lesnar being the #1 UFC PPV attraction immediately signaled the huge cross-over between pro-wrestling fans and MMA fans. MMA attracts less ‘real sports’ fans and more wrestling/entertainment fans. So, naturally, Spike TV put two and two together to try to pull off the experiment they are about to attempt here with King Mo.”

- Nick Diaz’s wild weekend in review: No shows Brazilian jiu-jitsu superfight against Braulio Estima (MMA Mania)

“But perhaps there’s more to the story. In fact, Diaz’s biggest supporter in the media, Middle Easy, has spent the better part of the past two days going to bat for him and proclaiming the promoters of the event were shady. There was also a weigh-in snafu with Estima, who apparently missed weight the day before but was able to make weight the day of the contest.
…
And somewhere in between someone was trying to switch up the rules. Or something like that. That’s what he said or she said or they said or someone said and somehow speculation became fact and vice versa and the entire ordeal is one big mess.”

- Phil Davis Vs. Chad Griggs Placed On UFC On FOX 4 Card (MMA Convert)

“Phil Davis will look to rebound from his first career loss in August when he takes on Chad Griggs.
…
The UFC announced the bout Monday for the August 4 UFC on FOX 4 card. The event will take place in Los Angeles, with Hector Lombard vs. Brian Stann set as the main event.”

- Dustin Poirier: ‘Fans Can Expect Everything From Me, Even The Kitchen Sink’ (FightLine)

“Right now I feel like I am the best I have ever been technically,” Poirier told FightLine.com. “I know I am still growing as a fighter, but this is the best I have ever felt mentally and physically. I’m ready to do battle, my nutrition, my workouts are at their peak right now. I’m ready for a main event fight and to go five rounds. I feel like I am a faster, more technically sound striker than Jung and I’m sure he believes the same things. I feel like I can out-wrestle him, my BJJ is just as good as his if not better, I feel as though I match up really well against him.”

- Gegard Mousasi out until at least November with torn ACL, has 6-7 fights left for Strikeforce (Five Ounces of Pain)

“I had one fight left. Then I was hoping maybe to go to the UFC after that, but then they offered me – they said we’re going to give you a new contract. So I signed for another six fights. Now I have a six (or) seven-fight deal, I believe, in Strikeforce,” explained Mousasi. “(Zuffa) said the Strikeforce fighters were going to stay with Strikeforce. And that’s the thing that it was, so we signed again.”

- Busy Week Awaits Zuffa (5thRound)

“After enjoying a brief 10-day hiatus, Zuffa, LLC comes storming back with a vengeance this week. The world’s most prestigious mixed martial arts promotion will be hosting a pair of shows on two different coasts within a 96-hour span.
…
“UFC on FUEL TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier” takes place Tuesday inside Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia. The freebie fight card is headlined by a pivotal featherweight affair between Chan Sung “The Korean Zombie” Jung and Dustin Poirier.”

- James Wilks announces retirement from MMA: spinal injury  (LowKick)

“Wilks told MMAjunkie.com: “It must have been from rugby because I was asked when my neck got broken, and I said I’d never broken it, and then they showed me the X-ray.”
…
The doctors advised him that he has severe spinal stenosis, which results in an acute narrowing of the spinal canal and that he would have a “significantly high risk of paralysis” if he resumed his professional fighting career.”

- Vinny Magalhaes selling M-1 championship (TheFightNerd)

“I will stray from chronicling the entire feud between M-1 light heavyweight champion Vinny Magalhaes and M-1 Global, but it seems that Vinny is now auctioning off his championship belt to the highest bidder on eBay. As of 11:30 PM on Sunday night (when I am writing this), the belt is going for $710, with nine days left to bid.”

- Georges St-Pierre Says He Is Open to Headlining UFC Event in January 2013 (BleacherReport.com/MMA)

“I’m at the last stage (of recovery). I’ll be back pretty soon,” St-Pierre said during an exclusive interview with Showdown Joe Ferraro on UFC Central.
…
St-Pierre said he hopes to make a full recovery by November, which could see the champion headline UFC 150 in Montreal.”

In addition with filing their Complaint on April 26th, Diaz’s attorney filed a temporary injunction seeking a court order staying the NSAC’s suspension of Diaz for failing his UFC 143 drug test.  The NSAC opposed the injunction stating that Diaz’s legal actions were premature.

No transcript of Monday’s hearing was released as of this writing although the ruling was confirmed by MMA Fighting.

Payout Perspective:

While this was a win for the NSAC, the Diaz camp received a date for a hearing on the merits next week.  So, despite losing Monday, they have a week to prepare for the hearing.  Diaz faces a year suspension if his defense is not successful.

According to all sources, the HBO number is verifiable as opposed to buy rates coming from promoters.  The numbers generated come second only to the Mayweather-de La Hoya (for non-Heavyweights) fight which exceeded all PPV buys/revenue records.

Payout Perspective:

Darren Rovell stated via twitter that if Mayweather-Pacquiao ever happens an effort should be made to put it on network television.  Rovell cites advertising and sponsorship would make it work.  We assume this means that the money generated from ads/sponsors would exceed the money made from PPV.  This is an interesting scenario.  If the fight ever were to happen, it would definitely exceed all boxing records on PPV. Rovell also tweeted that if Mayweather-Pacquiao went to PPV it would make $200 million in revenue.  It would also exceed the 2.4 million buys of Mayweather-de La Hoya.  But, the Mayweather pay structure for his fights, the drug test issue and the unwillingness to compromise make all of this a moot point right now.  Yet, it could be good for the sport of boxing.  It would have people talking about the sport and could bring it back to prominence.

Considering that most did not believe Cotto had a chance against Mayweather, yet 1.5 million still bought the PPV shows that the public is still interested in big fights.  Perhaps the undercard of Alvarez-Mosley helped a bit as well.  It will be interesting to see how Pacquiao-Bradley does next month in comparison to Mayweather-Cotto.

The test comes just over a week before the anticipated rematch as Petersen upset Khan in a controversial decision in December.

MaxBoxing, ESPN and BoxingScene.com have the details.  The short version of this is that Petersen failed a random VADA (Volunteer Anti-Doping Association) drug test at a press conference hyping the fight in March.  Ironically, it was Petersen’s camp that requested the random blood and urine testing leading up to the fight.  According to BoxingScene.com, the samples were split into “A” and “B” samples and sent to the World Anti-Doping Agency in Los Angeles.  The notice of the sample was given April 12th to VADA and Petersen’s camp was given notice on April 13th.  The “B” sample was tested and it too came back positive on April 30th.  Details of what transpired in the interim can be found in VADA’s statement below.

A hearing on the matter before the NSAC would not have happened until fight week and it was likely Petersen would not be licensed in time.

Another issue here, and probably the bigger one, is that Golden Boy and Team Khan were not notified of Petersen’s positive test until May 7th.  NSAC head Keith Kizer let Golden Boy know this past Monday.  VADA states that it had no contractual obligations to reveal the results to Golden Boy as the two parties did not come to a consensus on contract language for revealing test results.  As such, VADA believes that it was a matter of medical ethics with respect to privacy. On the other hand, Golden Boy Promotions believes there was a contract in place in which it should have reported the test results.  Golden Boy head Richard Schaefer states that emails with VADA (via ESPN) reflect that it was to disclose information of a failed drug test.  If it had known sooner, it could have taken the steps to request the process to be sped up, or in the alternative, find a replacement for Petersen.

Keith Kizer, in an interview with BoxingScene.com indicated that he did not know why VADA did not alert Golden Boy and/or Team Khan.  Kizer references the Alistair Overeem drug test in which the UFC and JDS’ camp were alerted immediately of the results of Overeem’s test.

VADA’s statement on the controversy is below:

VADA’s mission is to help protect the health and safety of athletes who are willing to demonstrate their commitment to clean sport. As a voluntary organization, we depend on those who share our vision to help rid boxing and MMA of PEDs. VADA understands and shares the disappointment that is felt by Golden Boy Promotions, Amir Khan, the undercard fighters, HBO, and the thousands of fans who were looking forward to Khan-Peterson II. This unfortunate situation, however, serves to underscore the need for PED education and the high-caliber testing procedures that VADA offers.

VADA has respect for Richard Schaefer, GBP, and their commitment to clean sport. However, VADA disagrees with Mr. Schaefer’s characterizations of the contractual relationship between GBP and VADA. The facts are as follows.

There was never a final or signed contract between GBP and VADA. When VADA became involved with the Peterson-Khan fight in March, the individual athletes signed up for the VADA program and executed the proper documentation.

VADA was told that GBP also wanted a contract so that GBP would be authorized to receive the testing results, including the preliminary results from an “A” sample analysis. It is important to understand that “A” sample results are only preliminary, do not legally stand up by themselves, and under commonly accepted anti-doping procedures are typically released only to the athlete.

In order for VADA to release the preliminary “A” sample results to a third party such as GBP, VADA requires an executed authorization allowing us to do so. VADA sent GBP a draft contract for its signature which would have authorized the preliminary “A” sample results to be released to GBP. This initial draft (which was never signed) contained a clause pursuant to which GBP would have represented that it had obtained the necessary authorization from the fighters. GBP’s legal team rejected this clause and instead suggested making the fighters signatories to the contract with their signatures being the necessary authorization. VADA’s counsel made it clear to GBP that, if GBP wanted to handle it this way, GBP must take responsibility for obtaining the athlete’s signatures. Unfortunately, and to VADA’s dismay, GBP never obtained the signatures.
Various versions of a draft contract were sent back and forth between GBP and VADA. The contract was never finalized. Richard Schaefer may, or may not, have been aware of this situation. The bottom line is that VADA had no contract with GBP. This is not a mere technicality. It involves issues of medical ethics. VADA needed a signed contract in order to deviate from its Results Management Policy (posted on our website) and release the preliminary and personal medical information to a third party. VADA still has never received a signed contract or signed athlete authorization from GBP.
 VADA would have been happy to inform GBP of the preliminary “A” results. But we needed a signed authorization allowing us to do so, which we never received.

It has also been asked why it took so long to test the “B” sample after the first positive test result. When VADA notified Mr. Peterson of the adverse finding on April 13, Mr. Peterson had one week to challenge the “A” test result and ask for the “B” sample to be tested. During that time, Mr. Peterson also had the opportunity to supplement his earlier written submissions to VADA with regard to drugs and other medications that he had used prior to the testing. Mr. Peterson’s representatives waited eight days (until Saturday, April 21) to respond. At that time, they did not communicate any of the “exculpatory” material later offered to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Instead, they chose to challenge the positive test result, asserted their right to be present when the “B” sample was tested, and asked that the “B” sample be tested on Friday, April 27th. The UCLA laboratory said that Friday was an inappropriate day to begin testing because four consecutive days are needed to complete the test. The sample “B” test began on Monday, April 30th.

VADA has complied in every way with all signed contracts that we had and will continue to do so. VADA welcomes the discussion about the dangers of PEDs to those who use them and to their opponents. We also reiterate our contention that it is imperative for the managers, promoters, and friends of these brave athletes to assist in the education about PEDs. VADA will help in every way we can. Our hope is that there will come a time when every test is negative.

Payout Perspective:

The cancellation is a dent into HBO’s boxing schedule although it should have Khan for his June 30th bout.  While the promotion will have to refund tickets, it was unlikely that paid attendance was a huge concern.  The most hurt out of this would be the undercard fighters who will now miss out on a payday.  This rematch had some appeal considering Petersen’s strong showing in their first bout.  Now, the outcome of that fight may be doubted considering Petersen’s positive drug test.  For Khan, avenging the loss would have helped as he may be on track to be next for Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

The discrepancy over when VADA should have released the results is a bigger issue than the actual cancellation.  This is highlighted by the fact that NSAC’s Keith Kizer questioned why VADA did not release the info as the NSAC did when Alistair Overeem failed his test.  Knowing ahead of time, the UFC was able to insert a replacement for Overeem.

The contractual relationship between VADA and Golden Boy poses the interesting question about releasing the medical information of an individual to outside parties.  It also underscores the need for a standard set of rules when it comes to drug testing.  MMA has had as many issues related to drug testing, but the timing of releasing the information to a promoter and/or opposing fight camp is a unique twist. Just like most medical places, health information cannot be given to third parties without consent.  It appears that the issue here was what entity would ask the fighters about releasing the information.  It seems  like that there should have been something in the fight contract that would allow Golden Boy/HBO notice of a failed drug test to allow for alternatives to be planned.  Still, when dealing with third parties, the fighters would have likely had to sign off on this.  We shall see if the VADA/Golden Boy situation turns into a legal battle.

In an unprecedented move, one of the biggest names in mixed martial arts, “King Mo” Lawal, has signed a deal to compete in Spike TV’s two major sports properties, Bellator Fighting Championships and TNA’s IMPACT Wrestling. “King Mo” will join the stars of TNA this summer and resume his mixed martial arts career next year when Bellator Fighting Championships moves to Spike TV from its current television home, MTV2.  The deal was jointly announced today by Kevin Kay, President, Spike TV along with Bjorn Rebney, Chairman & CEO, Bellator Fighting Championships and Dixie Carter, President, TNA Entertainment.

“‘King Mo’ is an incredible athlete and a great addition to the Bellator family.  He immediately adds prominence and star-power to our light heavyweight division,” said Rebney.

“‘King Mo’ is the perfect athlete for this type of alliance.  He is the real deal in MMA, and his bold personality and world class wrestling accomplishments are unparalleled.  I’m confident he will have a major impact in both sports,” stated Carter.

Lawal (10-1-1) launched his mixed martial arts career in 2008, and after four straight wins, he faced off against his toughest challenge, renowned fighter Mark Kerr.  “King Mo” knocked out Kerr in the first round, and eight months later he defeated Gegard Mousasi in a Light Heavyweight world title fight.  Lawal also holds an impressive KO victory against multiple Brazilian jiu-jitsu world championship winner Roger Gracie in September 2011.

“This deal is a dream come true for me,” Lawal said. “Bjorn and Dixie have given me the opportunity to engage in my two great loves, mixed martial arts and professional wrestling, at the same time.  And, to have it all on Spike TV is really buttercream icing on a big ol’ cake – not that whipped cream stuff either!”

Lawal rose to grappling acclaim as a NCAA Division I All-American wrestler at Oklahoma State University in 2003 and a three-time U.S. National Champion (2005, 2006, and 2008) in the 84 kilogram division.  In 2007, as a member of the US National team, he brought home a gold medal at the Pan American Games and a silver medal at the World Cup.

A native of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Lawal lives in San Jose, Calif. and trains with the prominent American Kickboxing Academy.

Payout Perspective:

There aren’t too many options for MMA fighters nowadays since Zuffa purchased Strikeforce last year.  King Mo was one of those fighters that benefited from Strikeforce’s existence back when he was fighting for Sengoku in Japan and as a free agent, signed a flexible and favorable contract with the San Jose based promotion despite being courted by multiple promotions.

This time around, King Mo – who has had previous interest and has actually tried out for Professional Wrestling years ago – signs a simultaneous deal to compete for both Bellator and TNA.  This is Spike TV’s pocket Aces, giving professional fighters another option to make a living within MMA in the sports and entertainment industry.  Some who are purist MMA fans may cringe at the idea of MMA fighters also dabbling in Pro Wrestling, but this has been a constant in MMA for quite some time.  From Dan Severn, to many Japanese fighters, to Josh Barnett, Pro Wrestling and MMA have gone hand-in-hand for quite some time.  Plus, let’s not forget the UFC’s biggest PPV draw Brock Lesnar – who is now back with WWE – and Ken Shamrock who spiked up everyone’s interest in MMA when he signed with the UFC after competing in WWE.

The history has always been there and it has been a black eye to many that have wanted the sport to be legitimized by mainstream, but we are seeing something new here.  Something innovative, if you want to call it.  Spike TV is using both of their properties to not only cross-promote, but to embellish the partnership as an alliance and expand their audience. To not only grow Bellator and TNA as individual entities as a union, but to anchor the M18-34 flag on the Spike TV network. It’s innovative, it’s controversial, and its getting people’s attention. Its exactly what Spike TV want’s to do as it continues it’s preparations for the transfer of Bellator from MTV to Spike TV in 2013.

Jason Cruz:

In comparison, UFC on Fox 2 Prelims scored a 144,000 viewer average in January.  Its the first time that the average viewership has dipped below 100,000 for a live prelim event airing on Fuel.  

Payout Perspective:

The numbers are low but almost expected considering the 3 hour broadcast went up against the Kentucky Derby and the NBA and NHL playoffs. It also had to deal with the Mayweather fight hype.  The ratings coupled with the lower UFC on Fox 3 ratings make one wonder whether it was the card or the date of the card that was the issue.  The first weekend of May is traditionally a huge weekend for sports so the competition had to be anticipated.  But, the lack of a big name, big fight or title defense also contributed to the lack of appeal.  Knowing that it was going up against some stiff competition, the card lacked the appeal for a casual viewer.  The ratings for the Fuel broadcast are forgivable but the broadcast on Fox must be addressed for the UFC’s next appearance this summer.

Bellator 66:  109,000 viewers
Bellator 65: 163,000 viewers
Bellator 64: 175,00 viewers
Bellator 63:  140,000 viewers
Bellator 62:  175,000 viewers
Bellator 61:  108,000 viewers
Bellator 60:  169,000 viewers

Payout Perspective:

The Season 6 ratings average is at about 150,000 viewers which is down from this past summer’s ratings on MTV2 which averaged 186,000 viewers.  Like TUF Live, Bellator is experiencing growing pains with its move to Friday nights.  It appears as though Bellator is grooming its product for a big 2013 on Spike TV.  One thing that it must work with is the swings in its viewership.  TUF Live has remained steady (albeit disappointing) in its viewers.  Yet, Bellator’s ratings are unpredictable which can be a concern as it continues on.

State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told the Daily News that the thought of legalizing MMA is “evolving” among politicians and was optimistic that passage of legislation could happen in the near future.

Of course, the UFC expressed disappointment with the fact an “up or down” vote was not made.

Via NY Times:

“All I want is a vote on the Assembly floor,” Mr. Ratner said. “If it doesn’t pass, it doesn’t pass. Not to get a vote by the full Assembly, to me, is un-American.”

Ratner cited the hotel worker’s union of New York in solidarity with the Culinary Worker’s Union as the main impediment to the legislation.

In addition to the New York news, Connecticut indicated that it would not vote to legalize MMA this year.

Payout Perspective:

While legalizing MMA through the political process may have to wait another year, the belief is that more people are warming up to the idea.  So, perhaps the lobbying and the UFC on Fox is helping with people getting used to the sport.  Zuffa’s lawsuit against the state still looms although no word yet on New York’s motion to dismiss portions of the lawsuit.