We received word from multiple inside sources that Full Tilt Poker is “banned” from the UFC as a sponsor in the octagon or on its fighters. Whether or not this ban is permanent or temporary is not yet known.
However, in its place, we are hearing that competing online poker site UltimateBet, who just last year was involved in a major cheating scandal (video of the site’s founder, Russ Hamilton, refusing to answer questions about it all here), will be the new exclusive sponsor for the rest of 2009.
Developing…
UPDATE: It appears as if UltimateBet’s sister site, Absolute Poker, will be part of this deal, although we’re awaiting confirmation. The real shame here is the UFC is screwing over its fighters yet again. Full Tilt was spending good money on sponsorships, and limiting the competition does them no favors.
UPDATE II: UFC.com hasn’t removed its FTP affiliate banners yet. And speaking of…for the geniuses on Sherdog who think Full Tilt bought an ad in this post (below), that would also be an affiliate banner. You really couldn’t figure that one out on your own?
ugh, Ultimate Bet. I hate that site.
And I hate phil helmuth too :p
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