Kevin Kay recalls warning UFC that sponsors might shun early cage fights

What was said

""There’s a bloody canvas, there’s a steel cage. And John McCain called it human cockfighting. And all of that aside, because I love it. I would love to do it, but I don't think I can get any advertiser to put their, you know, Budweiser's not coming in here and slapping their logo on a bloody canvas.""

Kevin Kay recalls early talks to bring the UFC to Spike TV, saying he warned executives that mainstream advertisers might be put off by the blood, cage setting and political criticism. He says he urged an alternative introduction to the sport, which helped lead to The Ultimate Fighter reality format.