The UFC’s present streaming deal is with ESPN, which it signed in 2018. Since Disney owns 80% of ESPN, the global entertainment conglomerate is in a deal with the premier MMA promotion. Disney has been very profitable but is on a slide, and UFC lightweight Grant Dawson has provided his take on the downward slide.
Dawson was undefeated in the UFC before suffering his first defeat in the promotion against Bobby Green at UFC Vegas 80. In addition to being a fighter, Dawson is an avid cinemaholic. As such, he delved into what made Disney suffer losses with recent films and series in his interview on the Fight Bananas Show.
Disney used to be a sniper. Every time they shot, it was a one-shot kill, you know? They were blowing it out of the park. And then the problem is, they made so much money that they turned into a machine gun, and they’re just trying to pump out as much content as possible. They’re trying to be as inclusive as possible, and look, I get it, being inclusive, I’m all for it. But you don’t have to be inclusive in every single thing that you put out.
Grant Dawson via Fight Bananas Show
Dawson felt that current Disney productions focus on keeping a racial quota rather than on good storytelling. As such, he felt the company’s prime objective now is to check the boxes. For Dawson, whenever one worries about checking boxes, their downfall begins. Dawson made his point, stating that Disney movies in the 2000s did not have a big budget or great graphics but had good storytelling, which made them a success.
The UFC’s current deal with ESPN, owned by Disney, is coming up. Dana White and the UFC signed a 7-year $1.5 billion deal in 2018. White recently revealed they were in talks with other streaming platforms. However, he also confirmed that the UFC brass was happy and wanted to continue their current deal with ESPN.
Grant Dawson is excited about two upcoming movie releases
Grant Dawson has a fight scheduled against Joe Salecki at UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey. Headlined by teammate Dustin Poirier and pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev, the PPV promises to provide fireworks, particularly in the main card.
Grant Dawson (Image via: Instagram)Nonetheless, in his recent interview on the Fight Bananas Show, where his wife Elle is also a host. The duo discussed movies and series on the show. Even though he revealed movies, especially the ones made by Disney, were on a downward slide, he eagerly anticipated the release of two films.
There are two big movies coming out that I’m really excited about, and I’m really hoping they don’t ruin them. One being Deadpool, the other being Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes…It doesn’t look too woke. It doesn’t look too inclusive.
Grant Dawson via Fight Bananas Show
Dawson revealed he is a big fan of the first three movies in the Planet of the Apes series. As such, he eagerly awaits the fourth. There are only three perfect trilogies, according to Dawson. They are the Lord of the Rings, the original Star Wars, and the Planet of the Apes.
Nonetheless, Dawson would be looking to rebound from his first UFC loss at UFC 302 against Salecki. Like Dawson, Salecki is coming off a loss via slam KO to Drakkar Klose at UFC Austin. Against Salecki, Dawson has vowed to show something entirely different. As Dawson heavily employs wrestling, he might be insinuating showcasing an improved striking game.
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