The UFC has dissolved its anti-piracy division in its latest round of cuts.
The anti-piracy division has been crucial in shutting down websites like ChannelSurfing, Justin.tv, and other well known streamers over the past several years.
UFC President Dana White has been outspoken about UFC events being pirated for years now, even helping the United States Government arrest over 500 people for prating UFC events in 2009.
Dana White said the following statement at the time of the arrests.
“We are committed to standing toe-to-toe with anyone trying to illegally broadcast or stream UFC events,” White said. “Today’s announcement further drives home the fact that we are fully prepared to pursue any business or individual that steals our programming. (Piracy) hasn’t cost us anything compared to what it’s going to cost us to go after these guys.”
While the UFC piracy division is currently obsolete, it is entirely possible that the division will be replaced by a division chosen by the UFC’s new owners, WMG-IME.