JNPO Classic: Bjorn Rebney and forecasting the big 2011 MMA TV moves
On my continued unearthing of the WGMA MMA Show archives, we head back to June 23, 2011, for a show that talked a lot about the future of TV for the sport.
If you’re new to these shows, the WGAM MMA Show was a weekly show that ran on a New Hampshire ESPN affiliate, co-hosted by myself and producer PJ Huot.
On the docket back on June 23:
– We previewed the upcoming UFC on Versus card headlined by Nate Marquardt vs. Rick Story and how Spike decided to counterprogram the event with…a Marquardt marathon.
– We lauded the efforts of young Matt Mitrione and how UFC was bringing him along in his early MMA career.
– Before we were joined by Bjorn Rebney, we talked about impending TV deals and the potential shifts that were happening with everyone (UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator, etc)
– Then-Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney stopped by to talk about the Summer Series on MTV2, the tournament format, the rumors of his promotion moving to Spike if UFC left, the rumor of Eddie Alvarez vs. Michael Chandler, and his philosophy on signing free agents.
– We were then joined by then-UFC welterweight John Howard who was prepping for a fight against Matt Brown. This wasn’t the best interview, but we eventually got to some interesting topics like his friendship with then-Boston Celtics forward “Big Baby” Davis and training kickboxing with him.
Click below and jump back in the time machine for 45 minutes:
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.