At some point, I’m going to use this website again. I know I’m blogging on Substack, but I still like the idea of having a website. So I’m keeping it.
What’s on my mind today is the UFC’s gambling issue. I am not a gambler, and there is nothing compelling to me about gambling on sporting events. This doesn’t mean I’m against people having fun; if your idea of fun is gambling, go for it.
But it’s a vice. It’s a very serious vice where an undisciplined person can get into a lot of trouble. James Krause found out.
Suspicious betting patterns and misguided bravado from Krause himself led the feds directly to his doorstep.
This man is on the hot seat. Investigation ongoing.
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What makes fighters go on Ariel Helwani’s show bragging about their income streams? If you’re selling 10,000 shirts a month, great. These nosy people don’t need to know what’s in your pockets. If you’re selling naked pics and feet pics on OnlyFans, that’s your business, too. But I guess the tendency is to brag about it.
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Who’s next to get caught up in the financial dragnet? Fighters visiting Chechnya? Those placing public wagers with each other? Those making public donations to each other’s charity? All suspect.
If you and a friend want to place a bet on the Wonderboy fight this weekend, would you go on Twitter to ask your friend to accept your bet? Let’s say I live in Los Angeles and I knew someone in Atlanta who is well known and tweeted at him, “hey let’s place a bet on the Dodgers vs Braves.” He’s not connected to the Braves and I’m not connected to the Dodgers, so it’s all good.
But what if two fighters place a bet on the Wonderboy fight and discuss it on Twitter? That’s suspicious. How much inside information do they have? And why so public?
I’m not even going to repeat my concerns about those charitable contributions. Again, suspicious.
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Will he sign again with UFC? I’m talking about Francis Ngannou. The baddest man on the planet still complaining to fans about his contract. I wish he’d leave. We all know at this point how UFC operates, but we can’t escape this sorry story. Yes, he can make lots in the boxing ring, but it’s a risk. He should take that risk and get 3-4 fights. If it works out, great. If not, he can always go to PFL or Bellator. But I am not sure Dana allows him to walk away, as the heavyweight division is a shambles without him.
I don’t have patience for people crying about money while the country is in a recession, we are funding a proxy war in Ukraine, inflation rising like crazy, EU and UK in a cost of living crisis with energy costs sky high. That’s real stuff we’re all dealing with and some man is complaining that he only made $600k for his last fight and turned down $7m.
He’s an athlete, sure. But I am sorry I can’t listen to stuff like this. He’s very fortunate to be in his position. He risked everything just to get to the US to train in combat sports, and now he’s the heavyweight champ. It’s a fantastic story. But in these times of severe financial stress, he should keep the details to himself and let the negotiation process play out between his representatives and the UFC.
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And with that – have a good night.
I think I might start posting my random thoughts here and keep post-event wraps on Substack.
M
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