Thought Bryce Mitchell’s sermon to the Etihad Arena choir was strange?
Thought it was strange for spectators at Etihad Arena reportedly hitting the exits during the Robert Whittaker/Reinier de Ridder UFC Abu Dhabi on ABC main event?
Truth is stranger than fiction in today’s fight politics. And we’ve seen a few wild & wacky things over our nearly thirty years of experience at The MMA Draw.
This week’s edition of The MMA Draw podcast has two simple themes but one very complex and winding political narrative that requires a PhD in finance, law, and political science. Leave the dirty work up to us so you can get a better grasp on what is really going on.
With Top Rank’s final ESPN broadcasting from MSG airing over the weekend, the decks are clearing for TKO Zuffa Boxing to make a big splash. But first, the Ali Act needs to get amended to give Ari Emanuel the quasi-antitrust exemption that would turbo-charge TKO’s already dominant fight monopoly.
The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act is simply a puzzle piece in a much larger picture of Ari Emanuel’s complete and total control of the American political system. Whatever he wants from the White House or Congress, Ari Emanuel gets. He’s one of the five most powerful political brokers in the United States. The Emanuel Brothers have four decades of major league political experience and are fully flexing their muscle. There are billions of dollars at stake.
It’s bewildering enough for the average American to understand. Now imagine what it must be like for someone who’s not in the TKO/WME Group network of the rich and elite.
The marriage of world governments as fight co-promoters has led to some very strange political and business dealings. The Skydance/Paramount merger is proof positive of Ari Emanuel’s power and how he utilizes UFC as a tool in his arsenal. It was UFC 314 in Miami that proved to be a pivotal flashpoint for Skydance/Paramount discussions with President Trump.
Now that Ari Emanuel has (once again) won brownie points on a big business deal, his next act is to take over the global boxing landscape. A big shoutout to Brian Campbell and Sean Zittel for having the courage to say out loud what the rest of the US sports media won’t say about The Ari (Emanuel) Act amendment introduced in Congress.
If you’re completely and totally confused about how TKO’s new Ali Act amendment is part of their master plan to monopolize boxing, listen to this week’s MMA Draw podcast. If there was ever a time for a sober, thorough, and complete analysis of the American political landscape, our podcast is here to give you some answers.
We are also here to give the boxing community a heads-up on what is about to happen should this new amendment to the Ali Act pass. The MMA Draw gives you a road map on some clues and characters to focus on moving forward.
You can check out The MMA Draw Podcast on Substack via the following feeds:
Nate Wilcox is Editor-in-Chief of The MMA Draw. He founded BloodyElbow.com in 2007 and sold it in 2024.
Zach Arnold is a lead opinion writer for The MMA Draw on Substack. His archives can be read at FightOpinion.com.
