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UFC president Dana White, COO Lawrence Epstein detail new UFC APEX facility

BAD MMA News — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 13:18:08 +0000

The UFC will soon unveil their new, state-of-the-art UFC APEX center in Las Vegas. But what should fight fans expect from the UFC APEX?

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UFC president Dana White, COO Lawrence Epstein detail new UFC APEX facility – MMA Junkie

UFC outspent PGA, MLB, NASCAR and NBA with 2012 lobbying efforts

BAD MMA News — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 20:45:00 +0000

Only the National Football League spent more on lobbyists than the Ultimate Fighting Championship this past year on Capitol Hill. The industry-leading fight promotion shelled out $620,000, double the amount of Major League Baseball and nearly five times the National Basketball Association’s payout, according to the Center for Responsible Politics . The NFL dwarfed all major sporting organizations with $1.14 million. The UFC’s 2012 figures represent a 51 percent increase from the previous year, in which parent company Zuffa spent $410,000 in Washington, and a 158 percent increase from $240,000 in 2008, when CRP first tracked lobbying records. This year, Zuffa has spent $110,000. Records for the most recent fiscal quarter are not yet available. A pair of firms – Brownstein, Hyatt, Faber and Schreck LLP, as well as SB Consulting – represent the UFC. The promotion’s co-chief operating officer, Lawrence Epstein, told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the firms are used to educate legislators on MMA and to push for tougher anti-piracy laws that could stem financial losses from illegal streaming. In late 2011 and early 2012, the lobbyists also discussed Zuffa’s “competition policy,” filings show. Epstein said the designation refers to an anti-trust investigation by the Federal Trade Commission, which closed in January 2012. As of late, legislative turnover in both houses of Congress and fierce opposition to recent anti-piracy legislation have made changing the law a tough fight. “I think we’ve got a lot of work to do,” Epstein said. “There is a general sort of bias that has anything to do with intellectual property because of the fallout from [the Stop Online Piracy Act] and [Protect IP Act].” This past year, Zuffa took a gut punch when the controversial anti-piracy bills were shot down amid public outcry.

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UFC outspent PGA, MLB, NASCAR and NBA with 2012 lobbying efforts – MMA Junkie

UFC’s ‘best representatives’ – fighters – turn out for Boys Town Nevada event

BAD MMA News — Sat, 06 Jul 2013 05:15:00 +0000

LAS VEGAS – In the 115-degree heat of Las Vegas, the snow cone truck parked on Fremont Street probably looked like a mirage. But for 100 at-risk kids from Boys Town Nevada, it was more of an oasis, as the UFC teamed up with online shoe retailer Zappos to hold a community event as part of the fight promotion’s “Fight Week.” The icy treats were a big hit, of course, but every kid also got a new pair of shoes. Among others, Zappos has teamed up with the West Coast Basketball Conference to give shoes to needy kids . The UFC also gave out free merchandise at the event. “It’s a great message about the community giving back, Boys Town Nevada rep Howard Olshansky told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). Founded in 1917, Boys Town is a not-for-profit organization that cares for children with emotional and physical problems and advocates for change in the current child care system. UFC fighters Phil Davis , Luke Rockhold , Forrest Griffin , Benson Henderson , Carlos Condit , Urijah Faber , Joseph Benavidez and Daniel Cormier attended the event and put kids through a mini-workout. Afterward, they answered questions, took pictures and signed autographs. UFC co-COO Lawrence Epstein said the promotion has worked with Boys Town almost since parent company Zuffa took control of the company in 2001. He declined to put a number on the money contributed to the charitable organization, but said Zuffa has donated 10s of millions of dollars to good causes over the years. “It’s important to write checks, but it’s also great to give kids an experience that they’re going to remember forever,” he said. “I was really proud of our guys. There’s so much controversy right now about the moral fabric of athletes, and our guys are awesome. Everybody makes mistakes, but we’re proud of our fighters, and frankly, they’re our best representatives.” On why contributing to organizations like Boys Town is an important part of Zuffa’s business, Epstein, said, “This is what real institutions do

UFC’s ‘best representatives’ – fighters – turn out for Boys Town Nevada event – MMA Junkie