Report: Donald Trump to Announce Affliction's Signing of Andrei Arlovski

by Luke Thomas on Jun 4, 2008 5:18 PM EDT in MMA News

MMARated.com has learned that at tomorrow's Affliction press conference, Donald Trump will be announcing that former UFC heavyweight champion, Andrei Arlovski, has officially signed with the upstart promotion. The Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization and the Special Counsel to Donald J. Trump, Michael D. Cohen, confirmed the news with MMARated.com.

Trump will also announce that he has become an equity partner in the Affliction promotion. When asked what percentage of the organization he now owns, Mr. Cohen would only say "a significant amount."

First, the fight with Ben Rothwell is now officially a go. Second, the UFC has now officially lost another top heavyweight talent. Third, it's hard to speculate so early as to what Donald Trump's involvement in Affliction means for their MMA arm or efforts. I sincerely doubt Trump has the sort of commitment to this sport that Dana White has, but nevertheless, add Trump to the growing list of big money heavyweights throwing their hat in the MMA arena. Perhaps Trump can assist in marketing or television opportunities, but for now, we'll have to wait and see.

The plot thickens.

Tweet Comment 21 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Trump adds the missing piece for Affliction

Media attention.
The Donald is overrated as a business man, but no one can question the dude’s ability to get publicity.
With the Donald telling their story and a hell of a fight card and the red hot MMA environment, Affliction just might be able to pull this off.
Maybe.

by Kid Nate on Jun 4, 2008 5:22 PM EDT reply actions

I still don't see...

...what the long term value added will be. Plus let’s see exactly what Trump brings to the table here.

by Luke Thomas on Jun 4, 2008 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Ummm

If Trump add so much, why are so many of his ventures failures? While the Donald likes to point out that he has never declared bankruptcy, his companies – where all his wealth is – sure have.

So if Trump can’t save Trump Water or Trump Steaks or Trump Tower (all flops), how is he going to help Affliction?

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones

by jemaleddin on Jun 4, 2008 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Very few business types have attained a measure of success without multiple failings. That willingness to take a chance and fail, is what sets them aside from most people.

"They said you was hung!!"

"And they was RIGHT!"

by BJJDenver on Jun 4, 2008 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Most business ventures are failures. It’s just a fact of life with regard to entrepreneurship.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Jun 4, 2008 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

To you and BJJD

So again: what makes Trump’s involvement helpful?

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones

by jemaleddin on Jun 6, 2008 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I doubt that it will be.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Jun 6, 2008 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions

see my post below.

"They said you was hung!!"

"And they was RIGHT!"

by BJJDenver on Jun 7, 2008 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions

oh i agree

that the Donald sucks as a business man, but hopefully Affliction is just bringing him on to draw media attention—something he excels at.

by Kid Nate on Jun 4, 2008 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Finally, when asked if Trump’s relationship with Tito Ortiz would help bring the former UFC light heavyweight champion to Affliction, Cohen said:
“Everything that Donald Trump does is the biggest and the best and the “Afflcition: Banned” show will be just that.

They have Lil Nog and Babalu. Tito has mentioned Affliction by name. Seems reasonable and offers some decent matches.

by Brett Jones on Jun 4, 2008 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

Anyone else see whats coming? Tito is gonna sign with Affliction.
-Tito is free agent.
-Tito was on Trumps show.
-Trump liked Tito.
-Trump is involved with Affliction for some unknown reason.

I think Tito got in Trumps ear about the growth of MMA and Trump got a hard on. Not that it won’t fail, but I thinks thats how it will go down.

by szucconi on Jun 5, 2008 2:17 AM EDT up reply actions

done deal

almost makes me wonder how far in advance they had it all planned …

by thetakeover on Jun 5, 2008 3:08 AM EDT up reply actions

just as long as they aren't negotiating yet...

got about 5 months 2 weeks before Tito wouldn’t be in violation of his contract by negotiating.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

"The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls and looking like hard work." -- Thomas Edison

by Brent Brookhouse on Jun 5, 2008 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions

AA to Affliction and Tito done with UFC have got to be 2 of the worst kept secrets ever, lol.

I saw a print ad for Affliction with AA on it over a week ago and the speculation of TBA being AA’s secret identity, has been around for months.

I think Trump will bring venues (free upgrades at his hotels), legitimacy (average American loves The Donald), pizazz (someone mentioned him loaning his signature hairstyle to Fedor), connections (He knows Tito), exposure (I’m sure it will be incorporated with the Apprentice) and a hot daughter (isn’t that really the best kind?).

Seriously, he will bring all those things and maybe some money too.

Along with this, if he is financially vested, he will bring a lot pf pressure for Affliction to turn a profit in the near future.

Affliction has some great fighters, which I feel confident they will add to, and some potentially interesting fights on their future cards.

I still think it is going to take massive cooperation from everyone that doesn’t get a check with Zuffa on it, to give the UFC some real competition. However, we can, at least , start to see how the post Pride mma landscape is forming.

"They said you was hung!!"

"And they was RIGHT!"

by BJJDenver on Jun 4, 2008 5:54 PM EDT reply actions

Donald Trump’s involvement with Affliction can only be beneficial, especially in attracting mainstream media attention and the elusive casual audience. Personally, I felt Affliction was doomed because the fight card lacked serious drawing power among non-hardcore fans. Trump will bring much needed publicity to a card with some very talented fighters that most casual fans don’t know about. I don’t know if it’s enough for Affliction to become a serious competitor, but having a billionaire backer certainly doesn’t hurt.

by Andy R on Jun 4, 2008 6:08 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I agree that the union of MMA and a businessman the likes of Donald Trump will help the sport grow. You mention that Donald Trump will help in “attracting mainstream media attention and the elusive casual audience.” While finalcially this is good, is it possible that there is a certian mainstream audience that we (as in current MMA fans) might not want to attract? The audience I am refering to is viewers who watch MMA for the violence aspect and not for the skills being displayed. Dont get me wrong, I love a good knock-out, but there is something to be appreciated about a well excuted submission or ground game which I feel many casual fans will be somewhat bored with if they do not fully understand it. One of my problems with the movie “Never Back Down” was that it was aimed at these viewers and not already-fans of MMA. On the other hand, if the sport is generating more money, then fighters get paid more, we will have bigger and better fights, PPV’s may cost less, and a number of other benefits. I guess my question is, if MMA becomes more mainstream (and attracts mindless moronic viewers) do the pros outweigh the cons?
Just a note, personally I do support Donald Trump teaming up with Affliction.

by WiltChamberlain on Jun 5, 2008 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the pros outweigh the cons. The casual audience pays the bills, and a little healthy competition is always good for mma. It keeps things honest.

by Andy R on Jun 5, 2008 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s impressive to boast these names on the inaugural card but what will the second outing have to offer? Unless Affliction plans on doing four cards a year they will have a titanic difference in star power from card to card.
I agree that Trump will want a profit early on. But I don’t see that as a good thing. What are the odds that there actually will be a profit in the very near future? Not good. Especially with these names and the money that can be assumed was required to lure them. After a year (or two, or three, or..) without turning decent profits Trump could very easiliy pull out, a move which would likely tank the salary-heavy promotion.

by Simco on Jun 4, 2008 6:18 PM EDT reply actions

I think they will add some fighters, especially lighter weights, which seem to have more of an abundance of viable guys.

I think their first card has good fighters, but some of the match ups could be better. This is the reason I am looking forward to their future cards, Fedor/Randy, Fedor/Josh, Babalu/Lil Nog, Aleks/Rizzo, and so on. That is when I think they can capitalize on the better fights.

"They said you was hung!!"

"And they was RIGHT!"

by BJJDenver on Jun 4, 2008 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the problem for me right now is Affliction looks more like money marks playing MMA and putting together a card with favorites, more than it looks like a serious promotion with belts and divisions. We’ll see over time, one thing Donald can lend is his TV experience, an MMA TV show with Donald Trump involved might just get on TV.

by Michael Rome on Jun 4, 2008 8:21 PM EDT reply actions