James Werme UFC Dark Era
James Werme was a UFC employee from the Ultimate Ultimate 1995 to UFC 35.
James Werme was originally hired by SEG’s David Isaaks as an assistant; behind the scenes Werme quickly developed into bigger rolls eventually becoming an on air personality.
James takes us through the Wild West of the No Holds bar era and its transition into becoming “Mixed Martial Arts”.
James Werme UFC Dark Era
0:00 Lytes out intro
0:19 guest introduction
0:30 interview start
0:35 background working for SEG
1:59 chaos that goes on behind the scenes
2:44 family reaction after joining the UFC
4:44 working with David Isaacs
6:29 attending first UFC event
7:37 UFC 8 being cancelled
11:03 Buddy Albin IFC controversy
14:46 UFC 9 issues
16:09 Art Davie and Bob Meyrowitz relationship
21:32 UFC 10
23:49 Bruce Buffer UFC announcing debut
24:57 finding an opponent for Mark Coleman
25:56 wanting Igor Vovchanchyn in the UFC
27:37 talks of replacing Art Davie
28:58 extreme fighting battlecade 2 fighter arrest issues
30:32 manager Robert DePersia pressuring Mark Hall
33:07 experience with Richard Hamilton
34:41 Charlie Anzalone rumors
35:26 John Perretti getting the blame for New York not wanting MMA
37:28 moving UFC 12 to Dothan Alabama on 24 hour notice
40:07 moving the cage on an airplane
46:38 dealings with Dana White
47:35 Mark Coleman vs Maurice Smith
54:07 Bruce Beck UFC departure
55:08 Art Davie fired after UFC 15
57:43 fighters leaving to fight in Japan
58:30 working with the Yakuza for UFC 15.5
1:01:25 Conan Silveira vs Kazushi Sakuraba
1:04:21 reactions to John Perretti hiring
1:06:00 Coining the phrase “mixed martial arts”
1:08:22 Pat Miletich losing outside of the UFC
1:09:38 Tito Ortiz vs Guy Mezger
1:11:11 Frank Shamrock retiring to get out of his contract
1:13:14 UFC champions retiring while still having the belt
1:17:00 UFC Japan
1:20:29 Kevin Randleman vs Pedro Rizzo
1:23:19 Dana White at UFC 27
1:24:25 negotiations of selling the UFC
1:29:14 Dan Lambert helping fund the
UFC
1:30:30 John Perretti fired after UFC 29
1:35:56 issues at the weigh ins at UFC Japan
1:37:12 Dana White introduced to fans at UFC 30
1:40:39 UFC 33 being the worst event
1:46:58 staff getting food poisoning at UFC 35
1:48:16 UFC working behind the scenes with WWE
1:51:40 interview wrap up/ outro
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“Art was always on the hustle” hahahaha 100% lol
Bruce Beck was extraordinary!!! Loved him.
I met James at UFC 37 in Bossier City, Louisiana. I told him he was doing a great job. I could tell he was a legit fan of the sport, not just a media guy. Robbie Lawler debuted that night against Aaron Riley. I remember James telling me he was concerned for Riley, who looked two weight classes below Lawler.
Wasn’t me, man. 35 is my last show. Never been to Bossier City.
Another top notch interview. Paula Romero would be another interview worth listening to. She had personal relationships with all the fighters back then and dealt with the memorabilia that is worth so much money today plus paid cash to fighters as up front money before they even fought the event. Saw this first hand at UFC 24 when i picked up my tickets and Rizzo and Ruas was in the room.
That is true Dana didn't manage Tito until years after UFC 13. He didn't have a manager at the time. A guy named Sal managed him after that till UFC 19.
Awesome content here. No matter how many times I hear someone tell the UFC 12 relocation story, there’s another element to it. It really never gets old. That show should retroactively be titled “The Miracle in Dothan.”
You know what When a producer finally comes along for free We will group the interviews with a segway to how things transpired Great name for what took place
I always called it the midnight run to Dothan. Incredible story and experience. Amazing team effort.
Another amazing interview!! Keep’’em coming ! Can’t get enough of reminiscing and picking a part the history of NHB/MMA and the individual journeys of the fighters and the ppl involved in the early days ! 👊🇨🇦
Awesome
You were cited in one of the questions
I love Todd's show!
Todd tracked me down and convinced me to do his show several months ago. Glad he did, it has been fun reliving those memories. Everyone should check out his show.
We need to hear from Carlos Newton!!!!!!!
We got him recorded Once again, Perretti came through big time
@@LytesOutClips Perretti was, is and always will be “the man” lol. Love that fella.
John Perretti is the definition of renaissance man I just finished his book and I will read it again because his writing style is a bit cryptic for a man of average intelligence but it is a fascinating read Thank you guys for the great contentm
I always saw it just as James explained. The whole reason Maurice Smith challenged Coleman for the title, because he was the champion of the other biggest organization in MMA. I never understood the logic behind “trying to get Coleman beat”…. It was just like the WBC champ in boxing challenging the WBA or IBF champ in boxing unifying or becoming the undisputed champ…. and that’s how it went.
That’s just 1 solution to a multi layered problem The one sided rule enforcement by BJM is something that needs to be addressed
The rule changes that took place prior to the event had a huge impact on the fight. I remember this time... there seemed to be a big push for stand-up fights and those who took to the ground and pound were frowned upon. That being said, Colman admits not preparing for the fight the way he should have but the rule changes were designed to put the ground and pounders on notice to change their style of fighting.
@@LytesOutClips 🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎
Another amazing interview from the dark ages of nhb/mma. Thank you gentlemen for doing I always get excited. I saw where you mentioned karate combat I believe the president owns a gym in Mexico I believe.
His loyalty to the UFC was crazy.
It was my life during that time.
@@JamesWerme Not many people can say they helped build a multi-billion dollar company. But you can.
Ran one of the legs. Dana and Fertittas made it explode. So proud of what they have accomplished. We all knew it could be huge.
@@JamesWerme you shouldn't be proud of them, they have destroyed the old UFC and tournaments we all loved, it's now a political sport.
Great interview- loved the deep dive. I thought James Werme just did interviews. No idea he was behind the scenes.
Thanks! Worked on UFC 1995-2002…32 live shows and 8 taped shows. Did 10 shows on broadcast team 1999-2001.
You know what really SUCKS . I enjoyed the torment style. But all the cool fights we missed out on from the old days fighter's 😪 They could've been multiple big matchings 😢
That's cool that he worked for both SEG and Zuffa.
Only staffer to do it. Passed the baton from SEG to Dana and the Fertittas. Good times on both sides.
1:46:30 they started losing even more money and almost got bankrupted when they did UFC in London
This is really awesome James is a super great dude I wish he gotten more recognition
Thanks!
@@JamesWerme I truly would love to Interview you too myself one day James 👍
Your gonna get me in trouble....i was parked in front of a customer home for 30 mins...my office called and said the customer etc lol...
Hahahaha
Monday fluid checks.
Start with the shirt he wore in the cage, La Nova. Why did he wear that shirt, who owns La Nova? Then you will answer all your questions.
i must comment
Sincerely appreciate this Thank You
The ufc greatly favored Coleman, they changed the rules about kicking a downed opponent to take that away from Mo
There is a series of things that took place involving Coleman and the UFC that are incredibly suspect - taking away headbutts I will get Coleman back on and go through point by point as to what the issues are Bro, you are one of the most knowledgeable posters on the UG, Thank You for coming over to post
@@LytesOutClips It's true they took headbutts away from Coleman, that and kicking on the ground were going to be sacrificed anyway in the attempt to placate the enemy
Thumbnail looks like dude tht owns aew