UFC site hacked over support for US 'censorship' bill

For a few moments last weekend, the website of popular mixed-martial arts promotion Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was hacked to redirect visitors to the attackers' website.

 

An article posted Monday (PHL time) on tech site The Next Web cited an email from the hacking group that stated that they believed the UFC supported the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).

 

“They happened to be vulnerable and we were lead to believe they are for SOPA,” The Next Web quoted the group as saying in an email.

 

At the time the UFC site was hacked, visitors were redirected to the site of the Underground Nazi H4ck3rGr0up.

 

The hackers' site featured an image of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

 

But The Next Web said Dana White, the UFC’s current president and the face of the company, downplayed the attack.

 

"Don't give a shit! Lol" White said on his Twitter account.

 

UFC's site appeared normal as of Monday morning (PHL time).

 

The Next Web noted the UFC has been supportive of SOPA, a bill introduced to fight online trafficking of copyrighted content.

 

Several artists and Internet companies have opposed the SOPA and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA), saying the bills threaten to stifle freedom of expression.

 

Last week, the US Congress suspended deliberations on the bills due to the protests.

 

The Next Web noted the UFC is "notoriously ambitious" with its attempts at pursuing sites that post streams to its live events.

 

It said the UFC has taken popular online streaming sites such as Justin.tv to court in the past.

 

Most recently, a piece written by Lawrence Epstein, Executive Vice-President and General Counsel for UFC's parent company Zuffa again defended his company’s position regarding the controversial proposed bill. — Adrian Dy/RSJ, GMA News