Hello UFC PR, Is Anyone There?
Or the UFC refuses to answer, or to even acknowledge, any of my questions
Welcome to the latest C’Mon Now, a newsletter focused on mixed martial arts. This is the place where I’ll share my thoughts on all the goings-on in MMA. Those thoughts could range from media criticism to advice for folks looking to get into MMA writing to why certain fighters or managers are not good for the sport.
Today I’m doing something rather simple, sharing the questions I asked a UFC PR exec. This is the same PR exec that blasted me for having the audacity to report the ratings for a UFC event were low. Included in that email was a threat — not evenly a veiled threat, but just a straight up threat, that my UFC credentials could be pulled. Well, it looks like that happened. I didn’t find out I was denied UFC 244 credentials until 8:34 the night before the event. For the recent UFC card in DC, the UFC didn’t even bother approving or denying my credential request. It just sat in “submitted” status until the day after the card, when it self-destructed and disappear.
Anyway, if you want to read all the details about that exchange, you can go here:
A Detailed Timeline Re: UFC 244 Credential Denial
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The photos I use for the newsletter are things that catch my eye on the Library of Congress site.
Oh, I’m Trent Reinsmith, you can follow me on Twitter.
Aug. 20:
I want to work on something on fighter mental health as it pertains to the UFC. I have some questions for the promotion on the subject.
Is there a dedicated mental health clinician on staff at the UFC PI in Las Vegas? If so, where is the office located and what are the clinicians credentials? If the job is not full-time, how many hours is the clinician available?
How does the UFC communicate mental health topics to fighters, coaches, trainers, etc?
Does the UFC regularly update fighters on mental health subjects? If so, can you share some of the subjects covered?
How does the UFC handle confidentiality when it comes to mental health?
Can a fighter request help confidentiality and if so is that something the UFC would pay for? Does the UFC insurance cover mental health for those that request help either through the promotion or confidentially? Can you describe the steps UFC takes once a fighter request help via the UFC?
If a fighter enters a mental health program or takes a mental health related break, how does that affect their UFC contract? Is the term paused? Is it extended?
I think these questions will be a good starting point for me to work on something.
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Aug. 27:
Can you confirm if Paige VanZant is heading into the final fight on her current contract?
Aug. 29:
Can you comment on Anthony Johnson? If he is going to fight again, will he be welcomed back to the UFC without any issues since he has an active restraining order and a recent plea deal in a battery case?
Do you know something about UFC, USADA, an MMA manager or a fighter, that I should know? You can email me at trent.reinsmith@gmail.com or contact me via secure messaging on Telegram at trentreinsmith.
Sept. 5:
Has BJ Penn been released by the UFC?
Sept. 10:
Do you have an official attendance number for UFC 242 yet? If so, can you please let me know?
Sept. 18:
I just published a story on Abdul Razak Alhassan and his sexual assault case. Does the UFC have any statement on where he stands as a member of the UFC roster or about the charges against him?
Sept. 24:
I'm going to write something up on the homophobic and sexist slurs from Stephens, Rodriguez, Ortega and Velasquez.
Do you guys have any comment on these latest incidents I could add to
the story?
Sept. 26:
Anthony Johnson has completed an anger management course related to his August plea deal, which I published a story on. I was just wondering if the UFC had any comment on him returning to the promotion. Will he be rejoining the UFC once his six-month USADA testing is complete?
Oct. 16:
Does the UFC have a statement on its involvement in China related to the protests in Hong Kong? Are the promotions fighters free to offer their opinions on Hong Kong and China without suffering repercussions?
Oct. 17:
Has Ali Abdelaziz been banned from UFC events? If so, when did this begin and was there a specific reason. If not, are there plans to bar him from events? If not, why?
Oct. 21:
In 2014, Dana White told International Business Times, “Since we started 'The Ultimate Fighter' we've done full background checks on all the guys coming in. If they ever had anything, any violence against women, they didn't get on. We've been all over [the Anthony Johnson case] and when you move as fast as we move, and the things we've been doing, it's hard to police thousands of guys and know what exactly is going on but as soon as we've found information on guys, we've acted. Of course, the way we always react is morally first then the business second."
Oct. 29, Oct. 30, Oct. 31, Nov. 1:
Sorry to bother you with this, but I was hoping you could help me out. My credential application (via Forbes) for UFC 244 is still in submitted status and I was wondering if you could tell me if that is going to be approved or denied. I'm asking because it is getting close to fight night and I need to make arrangements for travel from Baltimore to NYC if it is going to be approved.
Just following up on this.
Do you have an update on my UFC 244 credential request? Just wanted to check in so I can deal with transportation if I do get approved.
Just following up on my UFC 244 credential request.
Nov. 3:
Any comment from UFC on Nate Diaz's use of the n-word twice during his post-fight press conference?
Nov. 4:
To add to Nate's choice of words, does UFC have a comment on Jorge Masvidal using "cocksucker" during his post-fight press conference?
Nov. 6:
In June 2018, Jessica-Rose Clark, who was a victim of domestic violence, spoke out about Greg Hardy joining the UFC. She did not support his signing. On Saturday she is fighting on the same card as Hardy. Did UFC ask her feelings about being on the same card as Hardy, like it did with Rachael Ostovich?
Please let me know if UFC has a comment. I will be writing a story on this before the event.
Nov. 12:
I am wondering if the UFC is offering Vince Murdock any assistance in regard to the brain surgery he is scheduled to undergo. As a contracted UFC fighter, what type of insurance does the UFC provide Mr. Murdock?
I am currently writing a story that will publish later today or tomorrow on this subject.
Dec. 9:
I never received approval or denial on my UFC credentials for the UFC DC event. Honestly, If I am going to be either denied or left in the dark going forward, that's not a problem, I would just like to know so I don't waste anyone's time applying.
I understand that some of these questions might not be to the UFC’s liking, but to be honest, the PR department should be willing to answer more than positive inquires. I know that might be hard for the organization to handle, but some folks do want to be more than an outside voice of free PR for the UFC.
I should add that this is not a complete list. There are several stories that I am working on independently.
