WSOF owner Sig Rogich has close ties to Fertitta's, Ratner, & NSAC... may be in cahoots with Zuffa

Trapped: Ben Askren’s limited options
By Zach Arnold | November 15, 2013

He’s the best free agent welterweight fighter available for any promotion in MMA to sign. In a sport-first climate, Askren wouldn’t be sitting on the sidelines. However, combat sports is and always will be entertainment-first. That’s especially true for Mixed Martial Arts, which is heavily reliant on pro-wrestling fans.

During his run in Bellator, Askren made it clear that he wanted to fight the best in the world and that meant going to the UFC. After he was granted his release from Bellator on Thursday, he reiterated his desire to go to the UFC to beat the best fighters. The problem is that UFC apparently isn’t interested in signing Ben Askren. Dana White seems too busy egging on Rory MacDonald to leave his training partners at Tri-Star in Montreal in order to set up Rory vs. GSP should St. Pierre beat Johny Hendricks on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Rory should ask Rashad Evans how Dana’s gym-busting shenanigans worked out for his career.

If the UFC won’t sign Askren, it means he will have to either go back to Bellator and cut a deal or else sign with UFC stalking horse World Series of Fighting. WSOF is bankrolled by Sig Rogich, top Nevada political fixer who is one of the men responsible for Keith Kizer having his job security at the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Rogich is very close to Marc Ratner & Lorenzo Fertitta. WSOF is UFC’s unofficial bastard child and exists for experimentation in different markets and to sign talent so that they don’t land in Bellator.

The problem for Ben Askren is that he’s all about credibility and relevancy. He didn’t view the competition in Bellator as being on his level. He’ll likely feel the same way about WSOF. Askren is stuck because he doesn’t possess much leverage at the moment with no bidding war on the horizon. Perhaps he (and many other fighters) should read this Cage Potato article about learning lessons from the sport of boxing when it comes to building leverage at the negotiating table.

If he wants to maintain exposure to MMA fans, Bellator remains his best option. If he wants to convince himself that going to UFC stalking horse WSOF means he’s a step closer to getting to the big show, then he’ll take the risk — but it is a mighty risk. He’ll be facing guys like Jon Fitch, Josh Burkman, and Steve Carl. UFC would love to see Askren in WSOF, as it would give them access to file tape to use to promote Askren on television should they decide to bring him in down the road.

All of this is irrelevant if UFC is hoodwinking everyone and is ready to bring Askren in as a surprise. That said, there are plenty of reasons the UFC legitimately isn’t interested in Ben Askren. His fight style is boring for their (shrinking) audience. He’s one of the good guys when it comes to calling out the rampant drug usage in the sport and that is a no-no in the organization that publicly backs anabolic steroid passes for certain fighters. UFC’s track record of bringing in guys from Bellator has been mixed.

So, where does Askren go from here? Bellator’s contracts are onerous but the Viacom-owned league remains his best option to stay relevant and in the public spotlight. If Bellator was gone from the MMA picture, he would have nowhere to go but to WSOF. Interesting to note how WSOF swept right in with a contract offer right after Dana White said they weren’t interested. Let’s see how many people in the press will connect the dots about the UFC/WSOF relationship.

Exit question: Is money really an issue in regards to UFC not wanting to sign Askren? Hard to believe, but this is the same operation that cut bait with Jon Fitch. They look like geniuses now for doing so, but at the time they got creamed for saying Fitch was too expensive. This is an operation that is making $90 million a year from Fox Sports and solid PPV revenue even if the buy rate numbers are in decline.


http://www.fightopinion.com/2013/11/15/ben-askren-ufc-bellator-options/

i don't like the sound of all that.

ive read that before, fightopinion.com credibility well?

they have backing money from wealthy peopel, that doesnt mean they have ties with zuffa!!!

Rey sefo is a close friend of Dana's

Doesn't mean its a front for ufc lmao

Wsof nowhere is owned by zuffa or any of its staff.

Wsof is a seperate entity and what a horrible reporting job LOL.

For some reason, I've always thought WSOF and UFC were on good terms. There was some little happening a while back that led me to believe that. I can't remember specifically what it was, but this guy practically reinforces my suspicions. It's one reason I've been hesitant to support WSOF. I hope this is all wrong though.

So, where does Askren go from here? Bellator’s contracts are onerous but the Viacom-owned league remains his best option to stay relevant and in the public spotlight. If Bellator was gone from the MMA picture, he would have nowhere to go but to WSOF.

Simple answer: M-1

KSW wrote:

So, where does Askren go from here? Bellator’s contracts are onerous but the Viacom-owned league remains his best option to stay relevant and in the public spotlight. If Bellator was gone from the MMA picture, he would have nowhere to go but to WSOF.

Simple answer: M-1

askren will sign with wsof and face fitch, palhares and burkman...

backdoor to zuffa wrote:For some reason, I've always thought WSOF and UFC were on good terms. There was some little happening a while back that led me to believe that. I can't remember specifically what it was, but this guy practically reinforces my suspicions. It's one reason I've been hesitant to support WSOF. I hope this is all wrong though.

dont be hesitant, they dont have anything to do with each other!!!!

the thing is that wsof is not only concentrating in the us market, they like japan,canada,uk, they have their own tv deal, its not like bellator that airs inthe same cable spot that zuffa used to...

there is no animosity between the 2 thats all!!

i support wsof 1000, because ray sefo and ali both are good guys and threat fighters with respect, you have seen fighters like fitch, volkmann, taking shots at zuffa being in the wsof roster, if they were run by the same people they would not allow that

MR.WILLIE wrote:

KSW wrote:

So, where does Askren go from here? Bellator’s contracts are onerous but the Viacom-owned league remains his best option to stay relevant and in the public spotlight. If Bellator was gone from the MMA picture, he would have nowhere to go but to WSOF.

Simple answer: M-1

askren will sign with wsof and face fitch, palhares and burkman...

That´s cool to me but the journalist who wrote this seems to think mma outside the US doesn´t exist.

That would suck if they have business ties to Zuffa. I don't think they do.

They had problems with the feds looking into their shit when they purchased SF. They won't want to draw that kind of attention to themselves again. I think they may have silently with their stooges got control of Invicta without out no one sayin' nothin'.

It may just be that the Italian mob brothers are the real money behind WSOF. Even bigger market share to try shutout Viacom and cock-block Bellator form getting certain fighters. You sure don't hear Dana saying shit about WSOF. That's not like him.

Ah... All of the clear and corrupt conflicts of interest going on here...

There is zero way in the NFL that a former head of the league which is the regulatory body... would be allowed to purchase his own team after stepping down. Not a chance. What would congress say? What would fans say about the potential for corruption? How about if one of the largest casino gambling & online gambling companies wanted to purchase and NFL team? Haha. What if a former NFL commissioner who now owns one of the biggest gambling casino & online gambling companies wanted to purchase a team??? Ahahahaha!

KSW wrote:

MR.WILLIE wrote:

KSW wrote:

So, where does Askren go from here? Bellator’s contracts are onerous but the Viacom-owned league remains his best option to stay relevant and in the public spotlight. If Bellator was gone from the MMA picture, he would have nowhere to go but to WSOF.

Simple answer: M-1

askren will sign with wsof and face fitch, palhares and burkman...

That´s cool to me but the journalist who wrote this seems to think mma outside the US doesn´t exist.

i agree!!!! now you see the shit quality of this piece by fightopinion that doesn embrace international mma

Dagwood wrote:They had problems with the feds looking into their shit when they purchased SF. They won't want to draw that kind of attention to themselves again. I think they may have silently with their stooges got control of Invicta without out no one sayin' nothin'.

It may just be that the Italian mob brothers are the real money behind WSOF. Even bigger market share to try shutout Viacom and cock-block Bellator form getting certain fighters. You sure don't hear Dana saying shit about WSOF. That's not like him.

Ah... All of the clear and corrupt conflicts of interest going on here...

There is zero way in the NFL that a former head of the league which is the regulatory body... would be allowed to purchase his own team after stepping down. Not a chance. What would congress say? What would fans say about the potential for corruption? How about if one of the largest casino gambling & online gambling companies wanted to purchase and NFL team? Haha. What if a former NFL commissioner who now owns one of the biggest gambling casino & online gambling companies wanted to purchase a team??? Ahahahaha!

dag with all respect, we sound paranoyd now!!! there is nothing between wsof and ufc....because dana is not sticking his nose there doesnt mean they are from the same people! this is a bull shit article by fight opinion without proof of nothing!!!

ive never seen dana attacking hd net fights and they promote every company in the world so i dont think is not new that he and wsof are cool with each other because in the end of the day they can co exist.

strikeforce was growing fast and bellator is in spike so dana likes to used to and to fuck with them but ray sefo and ali have never being saying shit out there against zuffa and the respect is mutual so far!!!

wsof has gone out and add talent that zuffa was interested inn, they will compete and will fight for free agents, if they were from the same people that would not happen.

jessica aguilar for instance is the top girl in the lower classes, ufc will debut their womens 118 next year, the obvious aguilar to zuffa, no she went with wsof in a 6 fight 2 year deal, she is locked with them, georgi karakhanyan was offered a 4 fight 20k with zuffa plus bonusses, he refused and went to zuffa on a 4 fight 40k deal! scott barrett was offered by zuffa a 1 fight deal as a replacement so was richard odoms, both refused and signed longer deals with wsof, if they were the same company, that would have never happened...

Dana and ray sefo are good friends ray admitted he use part ufc infrastructure but not business practices LOL.

Wsof isn't a threat to ufc its defacto #3 in America but no one in America really watches wsof I'm certainly guilty of forgetting about a card or two.

Wsof has ZERO marketing I've literally seen more commercials fir that stupid bare knuckle boxing 2 actually I've never seen a wsof advertisement accept online.

But then again what are they advertising .....Anthony Johnson in catchweight fights or arlovski????

I get it I understand wsof COULD be big with its global expansion and new roster bulge but the general American audience doesn't give 2 wet farts about prospects they never heard of and hardcores see a bunch of ufc castoffs headlining.

Dana and ray sefo are good friends ray admitted he use part ufc infrastructure but not business practices LOL.

Wsof isn't a threat to ufc its defacto #3 in America but no one in America really watches wsof I'm certainly guilty of forgetting about a card or two.

Wsof has ZERO marketing I've literally seen more commercials fir that stupid bare knuckle boxing 2 actually I've never seen a wsof advertisement accept online.

But then again what are they advertising .....Anthony Johnson in catchweight fights or arlovski????

I get it I understand wsof COULD be big with its global expansion and new roster bulge but the general American audience doesn't give 2 wet farts about prospects they never heard of and hardcores see a bunch of ufc castoffs headlining.

KSW wrote:

MR.WILLIE wrote:

KSW wrote:

So, where does Askren go from here? Bellator’s contracts are onerous but the Viacom-owned league remains his best option to stay relevant and in the public spotlight. If Bellator was gone from the MMA picture, he would have nowhere to go but to WSOF.

Simple answer: M-1

askren will sign with wsof and face fitch, palhares and burkman...

That´s cool to me but the journalist who wrote this seems to think mma outside the US doesn´t exist.

Unfortunately a lot of people in the states think this way too Johan....but whatever they are missing out! And I agree Willie this shit about WSOF being in bed with Zuffa sounds like paranoia Dana has not started talking talking shit about them yet because they aren't big enough yet. When they get bigger he will start to get pissy and if we are believing this article then I guess that means Pancrase is under Zuffa's wing too if there is no proof I don't believe it.

delete

mmainamerica wrote:http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/12/1/5162878/ufc-friendly-wsof-dana-white-ray-sefo-mma-news-gossip

Damn, who knows.  Could be some Zuffa ties to WSOF. Still not sure though.

kayneoTheRisingWarrior wrote:Have you guys talked to @nhbew  and tell him if fighter opinion are legit site?
I know you guys are not sure but it is  better to ask than not be sure.

Good idea

mmainamerica wrote:http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/12/1/5162878/ufc-friendly-wsof-dana-white-ray-sefo-mma-news-gossip

WOW dude.

Thanks for the link my man.

I hope they aren't in bed with ZUFFA. That'll suck.

That's true.

Any fan with half an IQ point can go online and look up Ben's record seeing that he has won all of his fights.

It's just Dana's ego. Bellator let him loose so he doesn't want the UFC to look like Funky's rebound girl, despite Dana saying he was interested a few months prior.

That cybernetics cat is right, they really do think their fans are retarded; and many are.

MR.WILLIE wrote:

KSW wrote:

MR.WILLIE wrote:

KSW wrote:

So, where does Askren go from here? Bellator’s contracts are onerous but the Viacom-owned league remains his best option to stay relevant and in the public spotlight. If Bellator was gone from the MMA picture, he would have nowhere to go but to WSOF.

Simple answer: M-1

askren will sign with wsof and face fitch, palhares and burkman...

That´s cool to me but the journalist who wrote this seems to think mma outside the US doesn´t exist.

i agree!!!! now you see the shit quality of this piece by fightopinion that doesn embrace international mma

BiasOpinion is horrible. 99% of the posters are zoofa zombies (especially the zombie known as 45 Puddle) who will justify the actions zoofa take. Arnold may criticize zoofa here and there but he won't stick his neck out and REALLY call them out, like Eddie Goldman has done. Plus he repeats their PR ("Ronda Rousey is the best female fighter in the world", etc, etc).