Thread by @ninaandtito, In honor of @SenJohnMcCain, today I'm going to write about the Ultimate [...]

In honor of @SenJohnMcCain, today I'm going to write about the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and its ties to the MOB.
wait wut?
yep.
John McCain was a champion FOR boxers. http://www.latimes.com/sports/boxing/la-sp-mccain-boxing-20180825-story.html

John McCain’s support for boxing, including Ali Act, is remembered before championship match in...

A saddened fight crowd was shaken and prepared to silently bow for a 10-count honoring their Sen.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/boxing/la-sp-mccain-boxing-20180825-story.html

As a champion of boxers, not just the sport of boxing, McCain fought for financial transparency from promoters- this was TO PROTECT BOXERS.
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D2F95B28-EC7D-4CD5-9CE1-D3FFAEA893BB

In 2016, @RepMullin, a former MMA fighter, introduced a bill to expand the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act from 2000 to Mixed Martial Arts.
TO PROTECT FIGHTERS. http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/15589773/bill-aims-expand-muhammad-ali-boxing-reform-act-mma

U.S. Congressman looking to expand boxing's Ali Act to MMA

Rep. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, a former mixed martial artist, is expected to introduce to Congress an amendment to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, which has drawn concerns from the UFC.

http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/15589773/bill-aims-expand-muhammad-ali-boxing-reform-act-mma

In 1996, John McCain called MMA "human cockfighting."
His views on the sport evolved, as the safety rules in the sport evolved-in direct response to his sharp criticism of the LACK of safety focus in the sport. https://www.foxsports.com/ufc/haymaker/story/ufc-has-grown-on-one-time-enemy-mccain-020414

UFC has grown on one-time enemy McCain | FOX Sports

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) used to be the UFC's biggest adversary in the late 1990s. Over 15 years later, he told UFC lightweight champ Jon Jones on Tuesday that he'd be watching his championship fight...

https://www.foxsports.com/ufc/haymaker/story/ufc-has-grown-on-one-time-enemy-mccain-020414

In 2014, John McCain and Harry Reid joined together to promote traumatic brain injury research- the Cleveland Clinic's Professional Fighters Brain Health Study https://www.foxsports.com/ufc/story/ufc-teams-up-with-senators-mccain-reid-to-support-brain-health-study-at-the-cleveland-clinic-020114

MMA and boxing execs, Senators McCain and Reid team up to support brain health study | FOX Sports

On Tuesday, the UFC, Golden Boy Promotions and luminaries from other combat-sports organizations will introduce new support and funding along with Senators John McCain and Harry Reid to help the...

https://www.foxsports.com/ufc/story/ufc-teams-up-with-senators-mccain-reid-to-support-brain-health-study-at-the-cleveland-clinic-020114

In 2016, McCain said he favored expanding the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act to MMA - TO PROTECT FIGHTERS. https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/4/26/11513956/sen-john-mccain-favors-extending-the-muhammad-ali-act-to-mixed

Sen. John McCain favors extending the Muhammad Ali Act to mixed martial arts

The former presidential contender told MMA Fighting on Tuesday he favors extending the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act to MMA.

https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/4/26/11513956/sen-john-mccain-favors-extending-the-muhammad-ali-act-to-mixed

UFC and Viacom (owner of Bellator) have spent hundreds of thousands to lobby AGAINST expanding the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act to MMA. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/the-battle-to-protect-fighters-in-the-fastest-growing-least-regulated-sport-in-america/2016/04/22/b9484fe0-fc21-11e5-886f-a037dba38301_story.html?utm_term=.4a77b193ecd7

The battle to protect fighters in the fastest-growing, least-regulated sport in America

UFC is a financial powerhouse, and some of its athletes want a larger share of the windfall.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/the-battle-to-protect-fighters-in-the-fastest-growing-least-regulated-sport-in-america/2016/04/22/b9484fe0-fc21-11e5-886f-a037dba38301_story.html?utm_term=.4a77b193ecd7

I think of the bill as a workers' rights protection bill.
But there's too much money at stake for UFC et al to agree to protecting their fighters from being taken advantage of BY UFC ET AL.
They spent $2M to get the State of NY to legalize MMA.
https://www.foxsports.com/ufc/story/ufc-spent-over-2-million-to-successfully-lobby-new-york-legislators-033116

UFC doesn't want to share its pie with its workers/fighters.
And how big is that pie?
Pretty freaking huge: https://www.forbes.com/sites/trentreinsmith/2018/05/08/ufcs-750-million-deal-with-espn-a-reminder-that-fighters-dont-get-a-negotiated-share-of-revenue/#87c81dd7ac13

UFC's $750 Million Deal With ESPN A Reminder That Fighters Don't Get A Negotiated Share Of Revenue

Unlike other major sports, the UFC's athletes are not covered under a collective bargaining agreement.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/trentreinsmith/2018/05/08/ufcs-750-million-deal-with-espn-a-reminder-that-fighters-dont-get-a-negotiated-share-of-revenue/#87c81dd7ac13

It's a multi-billion dollar pie. https://money.cnn.com/2016/07/11/news/companies/ufc-sold/index.html

UFC owners turn $2 million into $4 billion

Ultimate Fighting Champions sold for $4 billion, making it the most expensive sale of any sports franchise.

https://money.cnn.com/2016/07/11/news/companies/ufc-sold/index.html

And what familiar name profits from UFC not providing financial transparency to their fighters?
Oh! Donald Trump's agent, Ari Emanuel!
Fancy.
That. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2016/07/20/how-ari-emanuel-danced-on-debt-and-grabbed-the-ufc/#4a503d9f9bd8

How Ari Emanuel Danced On Debt And Grabbed The UFC

It made a lot of sense for Ari Emanuel to buy the UFC, but he already was carrying a considerable amount of debt from WME's acquisition of IMG, while UFC was highly leveraged, too. Here's how he...

https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2016/07/20/how-ari-emanuel-danced-on-debt-and-grabbed-the-ufc/#4a503d9f9bd8

Who else joined in on the $4bn purchase of UFC?
Have a look-see:
https://www.foxsports.com/ufc/story/ufc-sold-new-owners-ari-emanuel-wme-img-patrick-whitesell-4-billion-071116

And now, let's look at the origins of UFC.
Because, of course, it's MOB AF. And we'll see longtime Trump and Manafort friend, Tom Barrack appear. (his dirty fingers are in nearly every mob pie)
UFC = The Fertitta Brothers. https://www.forbes.com/sites/noahkirsch/2017/05/01/after-cashing-in-on-ufc-fertitta-brothers-launch-500-million-investment-fund/#5327f8b67d94

After Cashing In On UFC, Fertitta Brothers Launch $500 Million Investment Fund

Less than a year after selling mixed martial arts promoter Ultimate Fighting Championship in one of the richest sports deals in history, Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta are looking to further grow their...

https://www.forbes.com/sites/noahkirsch/2017/05/01/after-cashing-in-on-ufc-fertitta-brothers-launch-500-million-investment-fund/#5327f8b67d94

Where does their money come from?
Casinos!
Their dad Frank Fertitta Jr. founded Station Casinos.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Station_Casinos

Here's Frank Fertitta Jr.'s obituary https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/station-casinos-company-chief-frank-fertitta-jr-dies-at-70/

Station Casinos company chief Frank Fertitta Jr. dies at 70

To long-time Station Casinos employees and patrons, Frank Fertitta Jr., the patriarch of the gaming company, was affectionately referred to as "Mr. Fertitta."

https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/station-casinos-company-chief-frank-fertitta-jr-dies-at-70/

Frank Fertitta Jr's obit gives the Fertitta family's wealth a nice origin story.
Except.
It leaves out the MOB parts.
The Maceo-Fertitta Organized Crime Family. https://books.google.com/books?id=bil3CQAAQBAJ&pg=PT44&lpg=PT44&dq=Olivia+and+Frank+Fertitta&source=bl&ots=g9PKKJLJWC&sig=PJAs_I_UVTzTlZYfSPfz-wT8cZQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj-4c7s5KHdAhWRuVkKHeEaDZ44ChDoATABegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=Olivia%20and%20Frank%20Fertitta&f=false

Galveston's Maceo Family Empire

https://books.google.com/books?id=bil3CQAAQBAJ&pg=PT44&lpg=PT44&dq=Olivia+and+Frank+Fertitta&source=bl&ots=g9PKKJLJWC&sig=PJAs_I_UVTzTlZYfSPfz-wT8cZQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj-4c7s5KHdAhWRuVkKHeEaDZ44ChDoATABegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=Olivia%20and%20Frank%20Fertitta&f=false

The @BleacherReport article screenshotted here is nowhere to be found on the Bleacher Report website anymore- but the rest of @xyiencesuckscom's articles are still up.
Odd, no?
http://archive.is/uQpy9

Enough with the mob origins cover-up; we can dig more on that later.
I did promise you some #FuckingTomBarrack, did I not?
I always deliver.
Colony Capital = Tom Barrack (WHO HAS BEEN FRIENDS WITH MANAFORT FOR ~40 YEARS) http://articles.latimes.com/2007/feb/27/business/fi-casino27

Station Casinos to be bought for $5.4 billion

Neighborhood casino operator Station Casinos Inc. said Monday that it had agreed to be acquired by a private equity group that includes key members of its founding family for about $5.4 billion.

http://articles.latimes.com/2007/feb/27/business/fi-casino27

Fun one:
7/2016: "Peter Thiel, Scott Baio and UFC president Dana White are among the star names who will speak at the upcoming Republican National Convention***, which gets underway Monday."
***did anything treasony happen at the RNC? i can't remember.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/scott-baio-billionaire-peter-thiel-910987

Scott Baio, Billionaire Peter Thiel and UFC's Dana White to Speak at GOP Convention

The Republican convention runs Monday through Thursday at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/scott-baio-billionaire-peter-thiel-910987

Things get super fun because I'm a database nerd.
Let's #FollowThePR for UFC.
Hi Farragut Partners! I recognize you.

One of your clients, right, Farragut Partners? https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/05/the-privacy-coalition-that-wants-to-trim-data-regulations-for-telecom-giants/456477/

The 'Privacy Coalition' That Wants to Trim Data Regulations for Telecom Giants

The 21st Century Privacy Coalition is funded by companies including Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon.

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/05/the-privacy-coalition-that-wants-to-trim-data-regulations-for-telecom-giants/456477/

Hi Brownstein Hyatt!
Ah Access Industries = Len Blavatnik, yah?
Cool.

LOL
"Alliance for Investment Transparency"
But....lobbying against financial transparency which would benefit UFC/MMA Fighters?
Cool guys, cool.

Tee hee.
#ItsAllConnectedAllOfIt.
And with that, I'm off to spend time outside, enjoying some SUNLIGHT.
Love ya, non-mobsters, and KISS MY ASS, MOBSTERS! https://twitter.com/ninaandtito/status/1036731513713438723

https://twitter.com/ninaandtito/status/1036731513713438723

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