UFC lose UK Broadcaster, Setanta, Thanks to Recession

From MMAjunkie.com: After weeks of rumors of its potential collapse and questions about the station's ability to air UFC 99 earlier this month, the Ultimate Fighting Championship today officially announced it has terminated its agreement with Setanta Sports. The UFC today released a press release in which UFC UK Division President Marshall Zelaznik stated that the decision was made to assure U.K. fans won't miss any future UFC events, including next month's historic UFC 100 card. Zelaznik stated the UFC will announce a new broadcast partner "shortly." The UFC and Setanta first joined forces in January 2008. The partnership fueled the UFC's move overseas and into a variety of U.K. and other European markets. "They were the right partner for us at the right time as we continued to build the sport of mixed martial arts and our brand," Zelaznik stated. "Throughout the last few weeks, we have been kept informed of the situation at Setanta, and therefore, we are in a position to ensure our U.K. and Eire fans will not miss any of this summer's huge UFC events, commencing with UFC 100 in July." Setana reportedly lost millions of dollars while denouncing rumors of a potential demise. However, BBC News today reported that the company has entered into administration, ceased its U.K. operations and will lay off 200 employees following sagging subscription numbers and missed payments to partners such as the English Premier League; The rights have since been purchased by ESPN. (O'DEA NOTE: Read that full article here.) Zelaznik wished Setanta well. "On behalf of the UFC I want to wish the team at Setanta all the strength to get through what must be very difficult times," he stated. "We have worked very closely with the entire Setanta team over the past years and wish them the best of luck in the future." Prior to the June 13 UFC 99 event in Cologne, Germany, UFC President Dana White posted multiple Twitter updates to reassure fans that the event would be available on Setanta despite the station's problems. The event did air without incident, though no assurances could be made for future events.

Wrestling Quote #17: I'm Built like a Black Man

From NoDQ.com: The latest issue of Maxim Magazine features an interview with UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar and you can read it online over at Maxim.com. Earlier this week, Brock Lesnar was quoted in the UK Sun saying he's doing MMA for the money and it's just the job. In the Maxim interview, he set the record straight - he likes to fight. "I like to punish people," Lesnar said. "It's a feeling you can't get anywhere else, really. If I did it to somebody on the street, I'd get sued or arrested." Lesnar was asked about an interview he did with ESPN last year where he got pissed off after being asked about taking steroids. Lesnar told Maxim, "I bet you I've taken over 60 steroid tests. In college I had 15 random drug tests in two years. I've taken drug tests for the NFL, the WWE, the UFC. I must be pretty good at masking steroids. God gave me this body: Are you jealous of it or what? Give me a break. I got the genetics of—not to get into racism or anything—but I'm built like a black man. Would you say so?" The Maxim interviewer brought up an issue that angered Lesnar during that ESPN interview, saying "There's a difference between saying, 'I've never tested positive,' and saying, 'I've never taken steroids,'" the Maxim interviewer pointed out. Lesnar responded, "How isn't it the same thing? It's all genetics. I wouldn't say we're all created equal. That's just to make the other guys feel good who don't have what you've got."