Affliction's Expensive Antics: Andrei Arlovski, Josh Barnett, Fedor Emelianenko

by Kid Nate on Oct 2, 2008 9:55 AM EDT Comment 8 comments

Couple of news items crossed my path this morning. First off, Dave Meltzer reports in the Wrestling Observer:

It’s an expensive commercial for Affliction because they are paying for the fight and Arlovski will be earning in the range of seven figures if he wins.

This means Affliction was just desperate to keep their relationship with Andrei Arlovski in good shape. They'd promised him a pay day in October and now he'll get one. And it won't be as hard-earned a pay day either because they "couldn't reach Josh Barnett" he'll get to fight IFL vet Roy Nelson instead.

Not only that, but Josh Barnett's manager is throwing cold water on rumors that Barnett will fight Fedor Emelianenko on a January Affliction/Golden Boy card.

...no fights have been confirmed for the January show, Tom Atencio, vice president for Affliction, told me this week. And in an e-mail message, Barnett's representative, Shannon Hooper, cast doubt on his prospects of fighting Emelianenko in the near future: "It is unlikely that Josh and Fedor will fight within the next few months."

I have to hand it to Affliction, they do get out there and take chances, they are willing to work with other organizations, but they still have that stench of being a sucker with too much money.

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PRIDE vs UFC

I want to see Affliction keep in mind the big fights between the old rivalry. Arlovski vs Fedor is a match that is more exciting than Barnett vs Fedor. It would a huge win for either side of the old PRICE vs UFC debate. Those are the match ups that are the most fun.

by EazyEismydad on Oct 2, 2008 9:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just my pennies

I hope you’re on the PRIDE side of that particular debate or preparing for sadness. :)

Arlovski is very good, and a personal favorite of mine, but his will is not his strongest asset. Fedor’s MMA/SAMBO boxing is on a different level from Andre’s admittedly good western-influenced style, despite his own SAMBO background. Even blocking a few of them is gonna break him.

It’d be neat if I was hella-wrong though.

by asa on Oct 2, 2008 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The idea Affliction was “just desperate” to please Arlovski is dubious and short-sighted. They’re putting him in a showcase fight on CBS because millions of people are going to see him (hopefully) in a dominant, crowd-pleasing win. Then they can parley any added popularity with AA into a big match with Fedor. Its an added cost, but a worthwhile one if they can lure another 50k-100k in PPV buyers for their next show.

by smoogy on Oct 2, 2008 1:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Let’s say the cost for Affliction is $1 million for Arlovski vs. Nelson on CBS.

With a PPV at 45 dollars and taking into account a 50% take for the PPV provider, it would take 50 thousand extra buys on their next show for Affliction to get to even for this fight on CBS.

With the reports of Affliction 1 bringing in 75k-100k and not breaking even, getting 150k and still not breaking even does not provide much for Affliction’s long-term success.

by Eugene Schelfaut on Oct 2, 2008 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m pretty sure they’d gladly spend a million on the Arlovski fight if it meant an additional million in PPV buy revenue. It might not get them any more in the black, but it would pump up their PPV totals, not to mention give them one more piece of highlight reel footage for Arlovski (presumably)

by smoogy on Oct 2, 2008 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would agree, but I think they have more to lose than to gain overall.

If they had a show to push, it would be different.
But this will only abstractly push the Affliction brand, and hope that carries over when people hear about their next show.

So, i don’t know.

by Eugene Schelfaut on Oct 2, 2008 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly how is having Arlovski fight on CBS a bad move? Seriously, they could pay him 2 million and all that it will be is a 2 hour commercial for Affliction clothing ON NATIONAL TV, and they have basically just mended fences with the 2nd highest profile organization outside UFC. You think EliteXC is gonna prevent fighters from wearing Affliction shirts anymore? NU-UH. According to a video on MSNBC Affliction has tentatively agreed to allow another Affliction fighter fight on the next ELITE card also. (Lindland vs Shields or Babalu vs Tito if he signs with Elite?)??

Now the bonus to being allow to market their clothes on national TV. If Arlovski has a dominating performance Affliction will be all over the casual fans lips Monday morning. Casual fans will see a dynamic (I don’t even like AA but I won’t deny his offensive arsenal is top of the food chain good) heavyweight and from there they find Fedor… Barnett… and everybody else that Affliction is willing to work with. Oh and guess what, they like boxing a little bit too – whats that? Affliction is partnered with Golden Boy? I might have to check out this next card. This is the best advertising money can buy and an absolute steal to get their clothing and organization marketed to the Kimbo fan that likes standup fighting first and foremost with one of the worlds most exciting heavyweights.

by skwirrl on Oct 2, 2008 7:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As quoted from Smoogy

“The idea Affliction was "just desperate" to please Arlovski is dubious and short-sighted. They’re putting him in a showcase fight on CBS because millions of people are going to see him (hopefully) in a dominant, crowd-pleasing win. Then they can parley any added popularity with AA into a big match with Fedor. Its an added cost, but a worthwhile one if they can lure another 50k-100k in PPV buyers for their next show.”

On top of his game understanding the big picture.

by skwirrl on Oct 2, 2008 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs