Weekly MMA Roundup: Tapout Sold, Karalexis out

Announced Monday, Tapout, the most recognizable MMA clothing company, has been sold to Authentic Brands Group. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The firm also acquired Silver Star Casting Company and Hitman Fight Gear. Authentic Brands Group is a “brand development and licensing company” whose goal is “to acquire, manage and build long-term value in prominent consumer brands.”

TUF vet Alex Karalexis is out of his WEC 51 bout against Tiequan Zhang. He will instead be replaced by Jason Reinhardt, who you may remember for being submitted quickly by Joe Lauzon in the first round of their UFC 78 bout. No reason has been given for the change. Zhang is the first fighter from China to be signed to the WEC.

While there are multiple examples for why Yves Lavigne is not the best referee in MMA, the recent controversial statements about Josh Koscheck and Georges St. Pierre appear to be false. Lavigne appeared on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani today and stated that he never gave the interview that has riled up many MMA fans and fighters, and that he is in constant contact with his lawyers about where to go from here. The interview has been removed from the internet, but likely the damage done is hard to erase.

Former UFC light heavyweight champ Forrest Griffin stated on The MMA Hour to Ariel Helwani that his goal is to win a fight before the year ends. Currently just 14 weeks out from a shoulder surgery, Griffin hasn’t fought since winning a decision over Tito Ortiz last year. If Griffin doesn’t fight before the year ends, it will officially be the longest layoff of his career. Griffin also stated that there has been very little contact with the UFC and he has been offered no opponent.

Slow week for MMA, but soon we will have The Ultimate Fighter on Wednesdays, Bellator on Thursdays, and Ultimate Fight Night 22, UFC 119, Dream 16, and WEC 51 all taking place this month.