Affliction and Negativity

by Michael Rome on May 26, 2008 3:55 PM EDT in News Comment 9 comments

Sam Caplan has a piece up at CBS taking umbrage with those focusing on the financial follies of Affliction:

However, in spite of the abundance of talent this show stands to offer, there are still some Internet curmudgeons who have taken issue with Affliction and the amount of money they intend to spend on the card, which has been reported to be anywhere between $4 million to $6 million.

Which begs the question: Who cares?

Because, after all, it's not our money. If Affliction has it and wants to spend it generously, where's the downside? If someone wants to toss around millions of dollars for the benefit of the MMA fan, I'm all for it.

First of all, I plan to attend this card, and I am really looking forward to it. That being said, here are the reasons I care:

1. "Wow this card looks awesome" is easy for anyone to say, bloggers and writers should be looking deeper into cards than that. It's hard to really get into analyzing fights when it's likely we won't see any long term impact from results or champions because the company will be gone by mid 2009.

2. I want to have a legitimate number 2 promotion. A company like Affliction that signed Fedor could be that promotion if they weren't insisting on making dumb moves and ensuring their own quick demise. We all lose when companies quickly go out of business.

3. The card is being seriously overrated. Besides Fedor and Tim, which is a good fight, every fight on the card with a name is a serious mismatch and a borderline squash fight. I understand why they do it and it makes sense, but nothing on the card excites me at all except the main event, which is frankly only exciting because it's been so long since Fedor fought anyone of note. If they add Arlovski/Rothwell, that's a second good fight, but still this card doesn't even hold a candle to UFC 84.

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This is what I posted there, in response to the article and a comment saying they were using all their talent on this show:

"Using all of their best talent on the first show (their only talent actually) is going to make future cards way more difficult."

I respectfully disagree. They need to get these guys exposure for future shows. And let’s face it, they are not putting the best match ups on this card.

I’m sure they will sign more talent and they can do better fights.

Randy/Fedor–you know they are counting on this being big for them.
Josh/Fedor–long awaited fight
AA/Aleks
Babalu/Lil’ Nog

and there are many lighter weight fighters out there with non-exclusive contract/co-promotion/free agents.

Atencio has stated that he doen’t expect to make money right away. Imo, the question is "how long are they willing to lose money, counting on future success?".

I think they NEED to get a decent TV deal and I’m sure they are rooting for EXC on Saturday.

"They said you was hung!!"

"And they was RIGHT!"

by BJJDenver on May 26, 2008 4:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m not as bullish on the Affliction card either. However, I don’t think Emelianenko/Sylvia is “only exciting because it’s been so long since Fedor fought anyone of note.” I mean, come on. If you can’t get excited for Emelianenko/Sylvia, then outside of Couture and maybe Barnett, who can Fedor fight? The fact is that it’s two top 10 heavyweights, former Pride and UFC champions, and a fight that has been talked about for a couple of years. This is a very relevant fight, irregardless of Fedor’s recent opponents.

I’m also interested in what you think Affliction SHOULD be doing. I agree that I don’t think they have a sustainable model, but I also think that an upstart promotion signing Fedor kind of dooms them from the start. You’re going to have to pay him up around $1m if not more, you’re going to get flak if you don’t put him against reasonable competition (and as noted, there’s only really a handful of interesting fights), and he isn’t marketable enough at the moment to carry a PPV.

by Mike Fagan on May 26, 2008 4:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Irregardless or regardless? :)

by Luke Thomas on May 26, 2008 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

JAPAN/RUSSIA??

Anyone know if they are marketing this there and if it will be televised or PPV overseas?

Fedor is huge there, so maybe they can recoup a little there.

"They said you was hung!!"

"And they was RIGHT!"

by BJJDenver on May 26, 2008 4:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The reason why MMA fans should care whether Affliction is doing things right or not, beyond the big payrolls, is if this sinks Affliction, which it probably will without a real TV deal, then it looks bad for MMA in general. This sort of thing only feeds into MMA detractors and their belief that MMA is a flash in the pan and not a serious sport. We need serious promoters with solid business plans to bring forth quality products to ensure longevity, and give the UFC a run for their money. Now I’m not saying Affliction isn’t serious, but they just have a crappy business plan.

by pud333 on May 26, 2008 4:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i can see where Caplan is coming from….. the internet makes Meltzers of us all. simply enjoying the fights isn’t possible anymore when such a voluminous amount of info is out there and its easily consumable.

by robnashville on May 26, 2008 4:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They need to ask Aleks if he fears the consequences during his pre-fight montage. I hope Buentello wins just so he calls out Fedor. Buentello’s post-fights are hilarious.

by ilostmydog on May 26, 2008 4:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs