Rumor: UFC to ban fighters that sign on for EA's MMA

by David Hinkle { Jul 1st 2009 at 8:00PM }

There's been a pretty crazy rumor floating around. originating from the mixedmartialarts.com forums. The rumor states that UFC will blacklist any fighter that chooses to be a part of EA's upcoming game, MMA. That means should any fighter sign up to be represented in EA's game, they won't ever be endorsed by the UFC or asked to join. Crazy, right?

It makes sense, though, considering how well UFC 2009 Undisputed sold. UFC has a bona fide franchise on its hands, and will likely begin prepping for a sequel soon (if not already), and doesn't want that threatened by EA's game. But, hey, can't we all just get along? This isn't football, after all.

We've put in word to UFC corporate about the rumor and will be sure to get back to you as soon as we hear something.

[Via BloodyElbow; Thanks, Ryan!]

Tags: ea, mixed-martial-arts, mma, rumor, ufc, ufc-2009-undisputed

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Osman @ Jul 1st 2009 8:04PM

she's there again.....

whylekat @ Jul 1st 2009 9:38PM

Who's where again?

Papa Midnight @ Jul 2nd 2009 2:29AM

Easy as hell spot

Ben @ Jul 1st 2009 8:04PM

brilliant. u should hide her like this every time. makes for good hunting :P

Vespene @ Jul 1st 2009 8:05PM

I'm all for memes, but isn't this one a bit forced?

Linkario @ Jul 1st 2009 8:10PM

Nope. Thanks for stopping by though.

Tim @ Jul 1st 2009 8:52PM

Yep, it's more forced than spamming, "SPACE LANCE!"

DangerMouse @ Jul 1st 2009 9:12PM

I'm just happy that i haven't seen any lolcats lately.

Brian @ Jul 1st 2009 10:39PM

so about the topic
im glad. ea always runs out other competitors. now it happens to them

MrKlorox @ Jul 2nd 2009 2:27AM

Holy shit you people. How completely starved must a sense of humor be to actually enjoy this retarded DSG meme?

Brian @ Jul 2nd 2009 9:07AM

Is it's a meme. Get back to /b/

Brian @ Jul 2nd 2009 9:08AM

wow typing fail.

*it isn't a

Quentyn @ Jul 1st 2009 8:05PM

Lol what is up with this screaming lady thing???

valgas @ Jul 1st 2009 8:16PM

Joystiq morons seem to think it's still funny (or that it ever was).

DaRabidDuckie @ Jul 1st 2009 8:25PM

@valgas

You must be talking about something else. I have no idea what you're talking about. What is he talking about?

Hello? Is this Bowflex support? My little brother is stuck in the Bowflex.

ArchiGamer @ Jul 1st 2009 8:26PM

Joystiq commenter finds joke not funny.

More at 11.

MrKlorox @ Jul 2nd 2009 2:32AM

It's a trolling mechanism. Everybody knows it's shit, but only non Joystiq fanatics make mention of the fact, thereby asking to be trolled by the residents.

Spike941 @ Jul 2nd 2009 7:31PM

Wow, way to be a bunch of dicks just because the Joystiq crew wanted to have some fun with their job. I'm glad I don't have to deal with your kinds of people in the real world.

msuanderson @ Jul 1st 2009 8:06PM

lyoto's inside leg kick leaves DSG terrified...more news at 11

ArchiGamer @ Jul 1st 2009 8:06PM

30+ articles with DSG and it still doesn't get old! lol

MrKlorox @ Jul 2nd 2009 2:33AM

Is this what it's like to feel pity?

Trippy Haps @ Jul 2nd 2009 7:11AM

@MrKlorox.

I don't know, let me check.

-Looks over your post history-

Yes.

Rodrigo @ Jul 1st 2009 8:07PM

ssssshhhhhhh!!!!! she is enjoying the fight

-Vexx- @ Jul 1st 2009 8:07PM

Hey look we are fr-

SHE IS IN THE DAMN CROWD AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

jaredgood1 @ Jul 1st 2009 8:09PM

If true, this doesn't seem that surprising at all. I don't remember the specifics, but I do remember some talk that the likeness rights for this game/franchise were pretty damn lengthy. Also, given the whole Cro Cop/UFC/Dream issue and him being in 2009, the idea of Dana White wanting to lock down some exclusivity seems even more plausible to me.

Brythefry @ Jul 1st 2009 10:19PM

Dana White being Dana White. He kicked Jon Fitch out of the UFC for not signing a 100 year game image rights deal (or whatever the number). Dana will bull his guys out of EA's game and with UFC being the biggest stage for the fighters, they'll have their hands tied to refuse any deals proposed by EA.

barc0de @ Jul 1st 2009 8:09PM

Dead Space Girl is the new Waldo.

pr_master @ Jul 1st 2009 8:13PM

you know this meme is not new, Engadget did this
last Friday 13 with Jason face. But i have to say this
face is hilarious.

MowDownJoe @ Jul 1st 2009 9:12PM

They do that every Friday the 13th.

And let the Joystiq crew have some fun. They never get to do silly stuff like that. For them, video games are SERIOUS BUSINESS.

Hexen @ Jul 1st 2009 8:14PM

Joystiq is doing a great job at promoting Dead Space E even if it isn't their intend(I think).

tmacairjordan87 @ Jul 1st 2009 8:14PM

Dana White is a pretty big asshole, so I wouldn't be surprised if this is true.

handlas @ Jul 1st 2009 8:22PM

doesn't make him an asshole imo...why wouldn't he do this?

I doubt he would go through with it but just making the threat would make the fighters not want any part of EA's MMA. Why would he let HIS fighters by in someone else's game that is not involved with the UFC.

Makes perfect sense but I knew there would be stupid comments like yours.

Jeff Smith @ Jul 1st 2009 8:32PM

@ Handlas

Did you even read? Dana's not talking about his fighters, as he already has them under contract. The article said, "should any fighter sign up to be represented in EA's game, they WON'T EVER be endorsed by the UFC or asked to join."

That's a pretty big blow to any MMA star right now not signed with the UFC. If they're not with the UFC, they would probably jump at an opportunity to be in a game like this to get their name out, but now Dana is threatening that he'll never sign them if they do . . kinda some BS tactics if you ask me.

handlas @ Jul 1st 2009 8:41PM

uh huh...and like EA's MMA game is gonna put in a no-name fighter anyway. Oh wait, yes they will...because they HAVE to now...lolz

Tonicboy @ Jul 1st 2009 9:21PM

It's a ruthless move but it's smart and if I owned UFC, I would fire Dana White if he DIDN'T do it. That would be like having back control and not going for the guillotine choke.

WINterfang @ Jul 1st 2009 8:14PM

Damn EA and their monopoly, I miss SEGA sports.

Voshempa @ Jul 1st 2009 8:31PM

My agreement meter is maxed. I couldn't agree more.

whylekat @ Jul 1st 2009 9:44PM

I miss the dreamcast =/ bring powerstone to XBLA!!

Kyattsuai @ Jul 1st 2009 8:20PM

UFC definitely has the higher ground right now, and shouldn't have to resort to this. When Bob Burnquist left the Tony Hawk series after THPS2 to be in his own game, he wasn't blacklisted from later THPS titles after his game flopped horribly. Neversoft just said "haha, you suck" and welcomed him back in THPS4.