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Ant Evans spent 13 years working administratively for the UFC under the capacity of media manager and Fight Pass president.
In his first ever interview; Ant gives us an incredible look into what was being said behind the scenes when the UFC became the global leader of mixed martial arts.
This is an interview of the year candidate and we hope that you enjoy it as much as we did.
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This should be interesting. I was watching a lot during that time
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Thanks NWG
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New MMA History Podcast let’s go!
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There is some explosive revelations on this one
Frank Shamrock being in/out of the hall of fame
Tito Ortiz - Lee Murray fight
Cage Rage drug culture
Why ADCC was on/off Fight Pass
It’s fucking nuts
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cant wait
This is fascinating for those interested in what it’s like to work for the UFC. It’s a dream job for a hardcore fan. I’ll probably listen to this a few times.
LIVE
This interview was fantastic! I knew of Ant Evans, but wasn’t totally clear on what he did for the UFC. This is very “inside baseball” detailing his position with the company and things only he and few others may have been been privy to.
Had no idea the current format of the UFC HOF was his vision. I think it’s great the way it’s formatted with the various wings depending on the era of competition along with contributor and classic fight wings. I have struggled to fully legitimize the UFC HOF due to certain people not being in it. Two at the top of my list have always been Frank Shamrock & John Perretti, and interestingly enough both are discussed. I’d never heard that Dana was on board inducting Frank along with Tito for their fight. That surely would have led to a full-fledged induction for Frank Shamrock at some point. If all of this is true regarding Frank’s demands, etc. it’s a shame. Maybe Frank just doesn’t see it as a priority. At least until Dana is out of the picture someday.
Loved the Lee Murray story as well. I never get tired of hearing the different variations on how the street fight with he and Tito went down. It’s legendary at this point!
very cool LDG
I clipped the ADCC stuff and am dropping it tomorrow
Updated
Ant Evans, former UFC Head of PR during the golden era, returns to the MMA History Podcast for episode 329. In this explosive 2+ hour conversation, Ant delivers an unfiltered look at 2009 — the year mixed martial arts truly exploded.
He breaks down the Brock Lesnar UFC 200 surprise return, the Ariel Helwani leak that rocked the company, Dana White’s denials, and the internal accusations that followed. Ant reveals how managers were the real source of leaks, the brutal realities of PR horse-trading, and the dramatic cultural shift from the close-knit Zuffa family atmosphere to today’s TKO corporate money-grab era.
You’ll hear legendary behind-the-scenes stories including the full details on GSP vs BJ Penn and the infamous Greasegate at UFC 94, Dan Henderson vs Rich Franklin in Dublin, the chaotic UFC 99 event in Cologne and battles with the German athletic commission, Michael Bisping’s rise, Marcus Davis and the “Irish Hand Grenade” nickname controversy, UFC 100 as the biggest card in company history, Kimbo Slice negotiations, the Hector Lombard signing, and much more. Ant also shares his candid thoughts on John Fitch, Dana White’s evolving role, and why 2009 felt like the UFC could do no wrong.