Jessamyn Duke Signature T-shirt

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UFC's New Insurance Policy Creates Influential Shift in Talent Acquisition

(from Bloody Elbow)


On Monday, the UFC announced that all fighters under the Zuffa banner would be covered by accident insurance effective June 1st of this year. The policy has no restrictions on where a fighter resides, nor does it exclude fighters who do not have a signed fight contract for an upcoming event. Approximately 350 fighters will be covered under the new policy, giving them up to $50,000 per year with premiums being paid by Zuffa. The move is a monumental milestone in combat sports, making the UFC an even more prominent destination for aspiring stars of the cage.

Talent acquisition has been a topic of discussion among fans for years, mainly focusing on the up-and-coming talent that may have a shot at greatness in more prominent promotions. For many of those fighters, money is a significant reason why they may sign with one organization over another, but the UFC is typically the end game. Maximum Fighting Championships, Bellator, Shark Fights, Tachi Palace Fights, BAMMA, the list goes on of credible organizations who can shell out the cash to acquire the services of solid prospects or older veterans hoping to prove they can still hack it in the UFC.

Zuffa's new insurance policy may change the way in which prospects think about their future, specifically the loved ones they may be helping support or their own well-being. We've heard stories about the struggles of professional fighters in the past. Injuries can wreak havoc on families, putting extreme pressure on fighters to perform, work through injuries in training, and show up to fights less than 100%. Let's not forget the added stress of finding a way to pay for training camps and training partners that were brought in to help you succeed.

The UFC may not be paying what regional promotions are shelling out to lock up touted prospects, but the insurance policy is a security blanket that is worth a substantial amount. In my opinion, it should be a deciding factor for many prospects who are offered less money to fight for the UFC while being offered the potential of a Bellator payout or possibly higher payouts in their first fight by promotions like MFC or Shark Fights. In essence, the UFC may have caused an influential shift in how they acquire talent. Talent won't be waiting to be noticed. They'll be banging on the UFC's door to let them in.

A bargaining table that includes the UFC, Bellator, MFC, and various other organizations is now heavily lopsided in favor of the UFC. Even if they are offering $5,000 to show, $5,000 to win while MFC is offering up $10,000/$10,000 or even $15,000/$15,000, the UFC is the better deal. Why?

Fighters headlining regional cards aren't making a living on their wages alone. They are normally working as instructors at their gyms or working a regular blue-collar, or sometimes white-collar, regular paying job on the side. It may be slowing their progression in becoming top talents, but for now -- it's what needs to be done to support themselves and their families. Injuries can affect both their personal jobs, their fighting careers, and the loved ones they support. No other promotions can offer that kind of commitment. In my mind, the UFC just one-upped any promotion hoping to sign talent that has the UFC's watchful eye already interested

Absolute Action MMA offers ticket deals

I spoke to the Absolute Action guys last night. They told me they were offering deals on pre-sale tickets to the shows on the 4th in Lexington and the 18th in Florence.

You can get general admission tickets to both shows for $45
or
A VIP ticket to both shows for only $60

The more pre-sale tickets you buy the more you save. Get yours now at aamma.net

Fighting Words With Mike Straka - Rich Franklin

If you missed this when it aired on HDNet check it out.

AAMMA 13 Post fight

This past Saturday night at the Midwest Sports complex was electric. All the fans rushed in from the rain and patiently waited in line for the doors to open. Once they got everyone in the door and the lights began to dim I started to get nervous. I was doing the commentary and post fight interviews. I never seem to worry about screwing that up until just before the show starts. The night of completion started off with the first three bouts not making it out of the first round. Then Skelton and tsunami went to war in what some people said was the fight of the night.
I think the show just kept getting better as the night went on. My Cage Passion Radio homies Mr. Billy Donovan and Dr.Parag Patel spared no expense on the production and the match making was top notch.
I want to thank Absolute Action MMA for allowing me to host the PPV broadcast. And I would like to thank my broadcast partner for most of the show pro fight Rob Nickerson. He did an awesome job and really knows his stuff. Also Cage Passion Fight wear of course for sponsoring the event. Also I want to give a shout out to Bluegrass MMA and Warcry Wear for sponsoring ammy fighters. Fighters at this level have a had time get sponsors so you guys stepping up is awesome in my book.

Fight of the night:

Robby Malof vs Chris Myers

I had to think long and hard on this because there were so many great bouts. I really enjoyed this fight not only because of the great BJJ on the part of Malof. But also because of the defense displayed by Myers. Robby was all over him in this fight and Chris refused to be finished. Myers took this fight on short notice but you couldn't tell. Robby Malof is yet another JG guy that is going places. I look forward to seeing both of these fighters in the cage again. Malof won by unanimous decision.

Submission of the night:

Doug Ballinger vs Jeremy Philpot

Lots of submissions happened Saturday night. Given that this bout was for the 145lb title and that these two had went to war so many times made this one stand out tho. Ballinger got a sweet armbar on Philpot at the 00:53 mark in the first round. Now both Ballinger's titles are vacant as he is making his pro debut June 4 in Lexington.

Knock out of the night:

George Oiler vs Dom Steele

This was not really a knock out it went down as a tap to strikes. From where I was sitting tho I seen it like this, Dom Steele was all over Oiler in this fight. During some ground and pound Oiler ended up with his nose busted and blood was covering both fighters. Dom clinched Oiler on the cage in front of our broadcast table and landed a high knee square in the face of Oiler. George fell to the ground and covered up and Steele was relentless with his stikes till Oiler tapped. I really feel it was the knee that did him in tho.

If you missed this show it sucks to be you. I had alot of fun and really enjoy seeing all my fight friends at these events. I look forward to AAMMA's summer tour and seeing new fighters and new fans. Be on the look out for new episodes of Cage Passion Radio because you never know when the dynamic duo are going to have another big announcement.

Steven Seagal talks about magical Black Box front kick

Turtle's UFC 129 picks

Ok so tomorrow is the big day UFC 129. This is the biggest UFC event ever really, with 55,000 seats sold. I had hoped to post my thoughts on all of these fights in detail,But I am really pressed for time today. So that being said Here are my picks for UFC 129.

Sean Pierson vs. Jake Ellenberger

I am going with Ellenberger on this. Dude is just crazy and I have never been a Pierson fan.

Nate Diaz vs. Rory MacDonald

I am torn on this one. Macdonald is a very talented fighter and so is Diaz. With Nick Diaz just havin a fight and Shields in this main event I am left to wonder how much of the camp was focused on Nate. I am going to go with Diaz by Sub. It would not surprise me if Rory takes this tho.

Mark Bocek vs. Ben Henderson

Henderson....next

Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jason Brilz

Will somebody please tell me why this fight is on the main card? Do you care? Cause I don't. I am taking Brilz I do not believe Matyushenko should even be in the UFC.

Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida

So Randy says no matter what this will be his last UFC fight. I have to say I think Randy's style could be bad for Lyoto. In his fight with Rampage, Jackson got him on the cage but could not keep him there. I think Randy can. Machida's counter style is not going to work well against Couture. I think Randy will take it on the score cards.

José Aldo (c) vs. Mark Hominick

Kick kick boom. Aldo all day.

Georges St-Pierre (c) vs. Jake Shields

Ok so here it is the main event. I am a huge GSP fan and not a fan of Shields at all. That being said I think Shields will win this fight. I do not think that GSP has the power to finish Shields on his feet. And I also do not think he can stop Shields take downs. I question if Shields can make GSP tap tho. So I think this may be a rather boring fight for the casual fan with Shields winning the decision.

So thats what I think for whatever it's worth. Enjoy the fights everybody and I'll talk to you on Cage Passion Radio Sunday Night at 11pm for a recap.

Fighting Words with Mike Straka Preview - Rich Franklin

This will finally air Friday night on HDNet.