Your 15 minutes in UFC Operations

[Valhoven]

We have had over the years a number of platforms (reads, podcasts, tweets, vlogs etc.) where we got glimpses into UFC business operations.

Whether by the Baldfather himself or a fighter sharing some behind-closed-door experiences, it's always been really interesting to see clauses in actual contracts or even a few minutes of what Sean Shelby's workday entails; for example, that it is he primarily who scutters to keep a card together when injuries strike, not Joe Silva; related, interesting or no to see Dana's phone blowing up live with messages while holding court with press after Jones tested positive @ 200? The whole fight world was watching this unfold and you know you wanted to see what was coming in on that screen - we all did.

If a single Sherbro shies away now from having ever fantasised over being in an executive's office and making the final call on match-ups, go dunce-cap in the corner with pants aflame and count to three fiddy.

The term business operations covers a range of administrative processes, to incl.

- contracts/legal
- finance
- match-making
- fighter recruitment
- fighter retention and negotiation
- business growth and development
- public affairs; B2B communications; lobbying
- videography; promo-editing; marketing (for you poster fiends or tenth-dan shoopers)
- human resources
- drug-programme oversight/USADA-liaison

...and so on.

What aspect of UFC business operations would you be most interested in getting an in-depth look at from behind the scenes (that perhaps you feel has been best kept out of the limelight), or even be a part of yourself should that opportunity present itself?

 

[91 seconds]

Matt Hughes is doing a fine job with his position. Maybe his fellow Christian Jon Jones can help him out while he's not fighting and help Matt lecture the roster on what good conduct is and how to act appropriately.

 

[Ether13]

I'd be interested to see if there are direct discussions regarding keeping fighter pay low, or maybe it's under the guise of more money for the company runners.

Like the notion of many businesses, if the workers are willing to accept minimal compensation, the company won't do anything about it. Companies don't purposely try to lose money.

 

[Failwani]

Either scouting or match-making.

 

[Credo]

I'd like to have a look in Lorenzo's top drawer.

 

[Valhoven]

Either scouting or match-making.

Good one, mate. Do you enjoy the final segments of LFAF? Have thought the same thing over myself; I'd be honoured just to be at the local shows and shaking hands with guys, knowing what makes their dream a reality...is you.

 

[cooks1]

It would all be interesting.

Finance would be the most intriguing to me. I know there is a very, VERY interesting, likely stranger than fiction story behind the UFC's financing and P/L. If nothing else, I would know how much more fighters could be paid, etc.. But alas, 15 minutes would not be nearly enough time to get to the bottom of it. I would need a couple days at least.

If I only had 15 minutes, i would have to go with fighter acquisition. I would set up a legends division and gobble back up all the old fogies still scrapping elsewhere. (Tito/Rampage/Ken/Frank/Jens Pulver,Randy etc) Maybe pull out some retired UFC loyalists (Liddell, Hughes, Serra)

I think a Senior/Legends (Over 40 or whatever) division would bring in decent #'s with the right fighters. You just can't have them fighting legit contenders. One or 2 carnival fights on every card.

 

[Valhoven]

I'd like to have a look in Lorenzo's top drawer.

You have one of two things on your mind:

or,

 

[ortizgnp]

Be Nick the Tooth for a day.

Videography / promo's would be best suited for me.

 

[LilChuckLil]

I'd like to have a look in Lorenzo's top drawer.

I wouldn't be surprised if you found large pieces of Rondas skin

 

[Straightcross]

I thought Dana did all the things you listed himself

 

[Valhoven]

Be Nick the Tooth for a day.

Videography / promo's would be best suited for me.

Is there an event poster or two you always fancied, whether recent or from the UFC vaults?

I have been more impressed with some of the fan art at times than what graphic designers have been making for the UFC lately.

 

[ortizgnp]

Is there an event poster or two you always fancied, whether recent or from the UFC vaults?

I have been more impressed with some of the fan art at times than what graphic designers have been making for the UFC lately.

I used to do some motion graphics a couple of years ago and played around with some minor hobby edits.
I don't think I have any favorite posters or promos though.

Their recent Lawler v Woodley promo is beautiful.

 

[Valhoven]

I used to do some motion graphics a couple of years ago and played around with some minor hobby edits.
I don't think I have any favorite posters or promos though.

Their recent Lawler v Woodley promo is beautiful.

Thanks for that; first time seeing it myself. That nursery rhyme was a bit creepy, lol. They could in place have used London Bridge 's Falling Down for two knockout artists like Robbie and Tyron...

Would you have kept that grey-scale they used? Not sure I was feeling that aspect, or the fading-in-and-out background of tree-canopies or whatnot...what even is that?

Not a Conor fan myself but this was a fan-made poster that I thought was proper done. José on the jumbovision; war-torn national flags; lights reflecting about...I was feeling this, Ortiz:

 

[Valhoven]

It would all be interesting.

Finance would be the most intriguing to me. I know there is a very, VERY interesting, likely stranger than fiction story behind the UFC's financing and P/L. If nothing else, I would know how much more fighters could be paid, etc.. But alas, 15 minutes would not be nearly enough time to get to the bottom of it. I would need a couple days at least.

"15 minutes" more in expression; take as long as you need, brother, lol. Finance was actually what I found most intriguing too. How much one earns is one's own business (unless you are Norwegian, lol), but this is in essence a legitimate way of seeing what guys are taking home in both dollars and benefits (it's become such a red-button issue the last couple years) and what is smoke and mirrors.

If I only had 15 minutes, i would have to go with fighter acquisition. I would set up a legends division and gobble back up all the old fogies still scrapping elsewhere. (Tito/Rampage/Ken/Frank/Jens Pulver,Randy etc) Maybe pull out some retired UFC loyalists (Liddell, Hughes, Serra)

I think a Senior/Legends (Over 40 or whatever) division would bring in decent #'s with the right fighters. You just can't have them fighting legit contenders. One or 2 carnival fights on every card.

Most fans want see these bouts but few admit it; you would have to be right careful here though. That Dada 5000-Ferg' episode...mate, avoid like plague. I reckon you would need a veteran marketing team tailored to managing the public image of that division, which might in turn piss the finance guys off for the budget increase you will be requesting in also hiring me and @ortizgnp.

 

[Shintothecup]

I'd love to be in fighter recruitment just imgaine being paid to scout for new talent at amateur shows. Also matchmaking would be great

 

[ortizgnp]

Thanks for that; first time seeing it myself. That nursery rhyme was a bit creepy, lol. They could in place have used London Bridge 's Falling Down for two knockout artists like Robbie and Tyron...

Would you have kept that grey-scale they used? Not sure I was feeling that aspect, or the fading-in-and-out background of tree-canopies or whatnot...what even is that?

Not a Conor fan myself but this was a fan-made poster that I thought was proper done. José on the jumbovision; war-torn national flags; lights reflecting about...I was feeling this, Ortiz:

Good fan poster. If anything that shows how far you can get with some stock footage (Action Essentials 2, I pressume)
Could use some (more) color correction on Conor to fit the environment. Still a good looking fan poster though.

 

[Valhoven]

I'd love to be in fighter recruitment just imgaine being paid to scout for new talent at amateur shows. Also matchmaking would be great

Who would you have sought after upon hearing Jon's results and your phone started blowing up with MWs, LHWs and HWs texting you, ready to step up and party?

"Baldfather, this is your homeboy, Shin, meet me in conference room A of the T-Mobile Arena pronto; we got a MF situation...and bring some steaks."

 

[AP_RESURRECTION]

contracts / negotiations obv - also media / press relations strategy - that would be HILARIOUS to see them strategize how to tell us idiots whats what

 

[Valhoven]

contracts / negotiations obv - also media / press relations strategy - that would be HILARIOUS to see them strategize how to tell us idiots whats what

Mean you butting heads with fighters that tell you what they're worth, how they should be marketed etc?