GOOD4U Drinks Banned by UFC

kickass32 · 10-19-2010, 01:13 PM

GOOD4U Drinks Banned by UFC -- MMA Fighting

Quote:

GOOD4U Drinks Banned by UFC
10/19/2010 3:00 PM ET By Ray Hui

Ray Hui
MMA Writer
One of the brands that won't be found on Zuffa's list of approved sponsors is the GOOD4U sports drink.

According to the beverage, it was informed Tuesday morning by Lorenzo Fertitta and the UFC that the brand will no longer be welcome in the UFC and WEC, beginning with this Saturday's UFC 121 in Anaheim.

"GOOD4U Drinks is seen by Zuffa as a direct competitor to Xenergy (which is owned by Zuffa) and AMP Energy which advertises heavily on both WEC events and Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter program, and although GOOD4U are sport drinks not energy drinks, they have been taking share from these brands," Double D Beverage Co-President Rick DeBanks stated.

Chris Camozzi, Patrick Cote, Matt Hamill and Jon Madsen were four fighters who would have been sponsored on Saturday.

Former UFC interim champ Shane Carwin, who is sponsored by the drink and is prominent throughout the drink's official website, chimed in on Twitter his disappointment with Zuffa's decision.

"And another worthy, great, honorable company supporting fighters banned from the UFC," Carwin tweeted. "Thank you for making a tough road even tougher."

opethcire · 10-19-2010, 01:34 PM

I understand why the UFC/Zuffa does this, of course they are trying to make money. However this is partially bullshit when it hurts the fighters. Then again Zuffa is the one who pays them who gets paid by AMP and Xenergy sales so. Bleh, thats the corporate buisness.

the_dark_angel_4ever · 10-19-2010, 01:51 PM

Don't really see a problem. It's just like banning Affliction when they were still running shows.

beau420 · 10-19-2010, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opethcire

I understand why the UFC/Zuffa does this, of course they are trying to make money. However this is partially bullshit when it hurts the fighters. Then again Zuffa is the one who pays them who gets paid by AMP and Xenergy sales so. Bleh, thats the corporate buisness.

I completely agree with Shane Carwin.

Sucks for companies who are thinking about sponsoring a fighter.

I am sure Shane has a decent contract with the drink company, now he can't fulfil his contract with the drink company because of the UFC.

If you look at big sports organisations, they have no problems taking money from Coke one night, then Pepsi the next night.

Funny the Xyience just had a big press release today - XYIENCE Extends Brand Ambassador Contract with Mixed Martial Arts Icon Matt Serra

Xyience has been making T-Shirts recently as well...now that Tapout has been sold, it will be interesting to see how long all these t-shirt companies all exist in the UFC before one of them gets dropped.

If I was a company thinking about advertising in the UFC....I would take a long hard look at what other sponsors already exist....like, they already have a fast food sponsor, they have a motorcycle sponsor, etc.

But if the UFC wants to make more money, why not go after the one that wants to pay the most money? Maybe they do....but when it comes to Xyience (a company that had serious financial problems 2 years ago and filled for bankruptcy) the story is different

TheKidInside · 10-19-2010, 02:30 PM

this does take away from the fighter's purses. I think they won't even be getting free samples anymore. I know that Chris Camozzi (who I had the pleasure of interviewing recently) has been getting CASES of the stuff for free and also tweeting that. I think tweeting it will also be forbidden!

GL Jeff · 10-19-2010, 02:41 PM

I think this is to short of notice. To ban something on saturday,and its just tuesday, thats odd. I think the UFC needs to relax with banning sponors, soon enough its going to be Zuffa owned only,and that can really hurt the UFC.

SimpleJack · 10-19-2010, 02:43 PM

The absurdity of this story is how DW justifies low purse pay by talking about how these guys make so much on endorsements....then he turns around and takes away an opportunity for a hard-working guy to make a buck by pulling some New Jersey strong-arm tactics.