UFCThe Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts organization, recognized as the largest MMA promotion in the world. The UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada and is owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC. This promotion is responsible for solidifying the sport's postion in the history-books.
UFC is currently undergoing a remarkable surge in popularity, along with greater mainstream media coverage. UFC programming can now be seen on Spike TV in the United States, as well as in 35 other countries worldwide.
While everyone knows that it’s the athletes that make any sport worth watching, there are invariably many behind-the-scenes people that leave their mark. Ask any current UFC fan who those important non-fighters were in UFC history and you will hear names like Dana White, the Fertitta brothers, Joe Silva, maybe even Joe Rogan. Older fans might give you names like Rorion Gracie, Art Davie, Bob Meyrowitz, or John Peretti. One name that might be passed over in many fan’s minds, is Jeff Blatnick.
Amateur Wrestling
Prior to his participation with the UFC, Blatnick had made a name for himself in amateur wrestling. He had been a New York state champion in high school. Ten times in his career, Blatnick earned the title of national champion. He was a member of the 1980 Olympic team, and became an Olympic champion in 1984. That year, he and teammate Steve Fraser became the first Americans to ever win gold at the Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling. It would be his connection to the American amateur wrestling circuit that would define his impact on the UFC. He would be selected by his teammates to carry the county’s flag during the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Olympics. This honor spoke not only to his abilities on the mat, but his character and perseverance. Blatnick’s credentials in broadcasting are not limited to the UFC, either. He has done commentary for NBC, ABC, and ESPN. He has also served on the board of directors for USA Wrestling.
Battles with Cancer
Two years prior to his Olympic triumph, Blatnick was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While many athletes would have their careers ended by a cancer diagnosis, Blatnick battled the disease intent on returning to the mat. Not only did he return to competition, but it would only be two years later that he would be wearing his Olympic gold. This would not be Jeff’s only battle with cancer. The curse would return to him in 1988 and this time the treatment, involving chemotherapy, would be the end of his competitive career. Always making the most of the situation, Blatnick travels and does appearances doing motivational speaking based around his cancer triumphs. He would, later in life, say that he felt guilty for his fame, as it came from his trials with cancer. The Olympic gold medal tells a different story.
UFC Participation
Jeff Blatnick’s first UFC would be the promotion’s fourth show. He would be in the booth with Bruce Beck and Jim Brown. While Blatnick would always work well with the former, the latter would be a source of tension during the broadcast. It seemed as though Brown resented a perception that Blatnick was rooting for Dan Severn, a fellow wrestler. This is ironic, as Jim Brown’s role in the UFC was rarely anything more than rooting for Royce Gracie. There would be more bizarre tension for Blatnick during the week leading up to UFC 5. This time, the manager for Jon Hess would challenge the former Olympic champion to a fight. Thankfully for the dignity of all involved, this did not materialize. During his time as a broadcaster, Blatnick consistently showed a deeper understanding of the action than most of his peers. He foresaw the sport as a single style composed of many different martial arts. At UFC 17, he would become the commissioner of the UFC. This position would be similar to the one currently held by Dana White, but with less responsibility and influence. During his time as commissioner, Blatnick would participate in the fight to get MMA sanctioned by state athletic commissions and legitimized in the public perception. This would include helping to draft early versions of the unified rules now used by the UFC.
Jeff Blatnick may not be remembered as the most important figures in UFC history. Like many of the people in this column, however, he does not deserve to be one of the UFC’s forgotten stories.
A very good article, but I wish they would've included more detail, and possibly an interview with Blatnick. I've always been a fan of Blatnick's early commentary. Even as a fan that knew little to nothing about the sport, I always felt like he was a few notches above the other commentators as far as explaining transitions and just understanding the sport.
Jeff Blatnick was a really good commentator. I'll never get the Blatnick hate because he came off as a good guy, who actually enjoyed what he was watching and explained it well. Did he know all of the moves? No, but he did his best to try. He would also talk about other fights that happened in other organizations, which I always thought was cool. While some commentators sound insincere, Blatnick always came off as genuine.
You guys know that you can hear Blatnick run his mouth on HDnet Fights, right? He and Kenny Rice also do the smaller shows covered by HDNet.
Blatnick's fine, but I still can't stand Kenny Rice. Give me Damon 'The Dog' Perry or 'The Colonel' Bob Sheridan any day.
I may have gone too far...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Rogan
That longing to return to the retarded past can only be born of some collective, subconscious, internal desire to try to turn back the clock on humanity and halt our obvious progression towards the inevitable zombie apocalypse of 2012.
Blatnick was definitly one of the best. He was always ahead of everyone and was never biased. It was nice to see him admit he doesnt understand what is going on instead of make it up as he goes.
I remember in one of the really early shows, Blatnick is telling the booth how he recently studied some BJJ and well trying to explain to them that so and so was in the "Guard" position and that the other guy should try and pass to "Side Control".
Really classic stuff, dudes voice really defined the old UFC's.
A HANDFULL of people also think Quadros is one of the best commentators in MMA.
People are stupid.
fixed it!! i have a hard time believing anymore then that!!! course as my saying goes... "Intelligence in the Universe is a Constant....and the Population Grows Every Day..."
Forgotten Stories of the UFC — Jeff Blatnick
Forgotten Stories of the UFC — Jeff Blatnick
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