Rumor: Fedor off Affliction II

by Michael Rome on Aug 2, 2008 11:20 AM EDT in News Comment 36 comments

There are rumors going around right now that Fedor is off Affliction II, and the main event will be Josh Barnett vs. Andrei Arlovski, with the winner (maybe) fighting Fedor. Sam Caplan posted the story here:

A reliable source speaking condition of anonymity revealed...that Emelianenko has been dealing with a lingering hand injury that will make it virtually impossible for him to be ready in time for Affliction's October show...

This will be a big blow to the momentum of the second show, because Fedor's streak was really their ace in the hole. This puts Tito Ortiz in an even better bargaining position too, if true.

Also, while the hand injury probably really is the reason he is off, I can't help but wonder if it has more to do with his unaffordable price tag.

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Its his hand. We don’t even know how much he makes per fight, maybe he just signed for a big bonus.

by smoogy on Aug 1, 2008 9:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah…he didn’t. They signed onto one fight, which is why they’ve been in negotiations since to set it up again.

It probably is the hand. I have my doubts we’ll ever see Fedor again in Affliction though, especially if he fights in Dream in December.

by Michael Rome on Aug 1, 2008 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A hand injury?

A hand injury that doesn’t heal within two months? There’s more to this than meets the eye… perhaps Fedor doesn’t want to take a 50% pay cut? Why pay some guy 1.6 million when he doesn’t even bring in 100k buys?

by cyph on Aug 1, 2008 10:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dude, Fedor was out for all of 2006 with a hand injury.

by smoogy on Aug 1, 2008 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hand injuries are...

...seriously one of the worst…longest lingering injuries you can end up with. If you come back too quick you just end up hurting it again…

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by Brent Brookhouse on Aug 2, 2008 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm sure a hand injury is way worse than Shogun's broken arm.

I don’t doubt he’s the best heavyweight in the world. However, I have to question his or his manager’s decision to keep it that way by carefully handpicking his opponents since 2005:

Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, (no ground game) Mirko Filipovic, (no ground game) Zuluhino, (no ground game) Mark Hunt, (over the hill) Mark Coleman, (middle weight) Lindland, (no ground game) Hong Man Choi, (no ground game) Tim Sylvia. It’s much easier to fight fighters that are at a distinct disadvantage to you.

He needs to fight either Barnett or Arlovski and break the cycle of carefully hand picked opponents. This “hand injury” seems to follow the same script. I don’t doubt that he’s injured it, but his next fight needs to be with either one of these guys, not some can in Japan.

by cyph on Aug 2, 2008 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because if they make $30 per buy and he brings in 55 thousand buys, thats 1.65 million which is a net positive.

Fedor on the card was responsible for a LOT of Allfiction’s ppv buys. He should be paid a lot. Its guys like Lindland and Sylvia who arent bringing in more than 20 buys each that are GROSSLY overpaid.

Calling out Fedor for what he makes is dumb, because he actually brings in ppv buys to justify what he is paid.

by Day Man on Aug 2, 2008 4:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They don’t make 30 a buy. The UFC gets half whatever the cable company charges, and that’s because they’ve worked out a special deal with the PPV companies because they do so many buys, Affliction would be lucky to get 40%.

After looking at the reported PPV numbers and thet gate, it’s safe to say everyone on the card was overpaid.

by Phildo on Aug 2, 2008 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh… It… We… have no response. That was perfect.

by Day Man on Aug 2, 2008 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Atencio can’t keep these top tier heavyweights under the Affliction banner, what is left of Affliction? Their whole promotion is based on having the best heavyweights in MMA. I know Tito’s a big draw, but I don’t see how he fits into the picture. Maybe he gets a one off deal. You know he’ll want a ton of money.

by Cannon Jacques on Aug 1, 2008 10:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Are any of these HWs actually “Affliction guys”??

Rothwell-Adrenaline
Sylvia-Adrenaline
Barnett-WVR
Fedor-M1
Buentello-SF??
Rizzo-
Aleks-M1
AA-

I know we’re not talking about exclusive contracts, but isn’t their first obligation to other promotions, in many of these cases?

"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'"

by BJJDenver on Aug 1, 2008 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The first obligation for all of those guys is to make chedda, and Affliction is where the chedda is at. How is Monte Cox going to pay a half million or more to Sylvia or Arlovski under the Adrenaline banner?

by smoogy on Aug 1, 2008 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, it’s where 50% of the chedda is, lol.

I mean these guys are under multi-fight contract to these other orgs. If Monte says no, they can’t fight for Affliction. Not that he is going to say no, just an example.

"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'"

by BJJDenver on Aug 1, 2008 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What I was asking, is, does Affliction actually have any guys under multi-fight contracts?

"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'"

by BJJDenver on Aug 1, 2008 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So would AA/Barnett be for the Interim WAMMA title, lol?

"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'"

by BJJDenver on Aug 1, 2008 11:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think

most if not all the fighters we’re just signed to 1 fight deals

by asmiley420 on Aug 1, 2008 11:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Does

anybody remeber the date Affliction can start talking to TITO?

by asmiley420 on Aug 1, 2008 11:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

August 5th, I’m pretty sure that is it.

"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'"

by BJJDenver on Aug 1, 2008 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks..

Tito got $210,000 for his last fight in the UFC against Machida. I would bet that he would probably be expecting somewhere around 400,000 to 500,000 to fight for affliction. What does everybody think?

by asmiley420 on Aug 1, 2008 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you are about right. 400k wouldn’t be to outrageous for a headliner and ppv draw like Tito. But Sylvia got 800k so who knows.

I also think EXC is a better fit for him, but what do I know, lol?

"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'"

by BJJDenver on Aug 1, 2008 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also, after seeing what they paid the guys first time out, I wonder how free agents like Tito are going to take it when they offer him a lot less??

"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'"

by BJJDenver on Aug 1, 2008 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They’re not going to like that shit. Actually, Tito may be the one guy they could sign that would be worth big money. I don’t know who he’s going to fight besides Babalu, but maybe it doesn’t matter. The question is can Tito save Affliction.

by Cannon Jacques on Aug 1, 2008 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I posted in one of the other threads, that imo, they NEED Randy/Fedor asap and maybe for Randy to fight a few more times. That combined with an intriguing match up for Tito could help them get to the break even mark, assuming they cut their costs some. And I mean a match up on par with his fights with Shamrock, where people really got into it. And NO I’m not calling for Tito/Ken 4, lol!!!

I just feel they set a dangerous precedent with those salaries for Banned.

I wonder what the most Timmy got paid by the UFC was?? I feel pretty good that it was probably not half of what he got from Affliction. Point being, Affliction probably could have paid the fighters very well and still not be near what they wound up paying them.

"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'"

by BJJDenver on Aug 2, 2008 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They do need Randy/Fedor. If that fight doesn’t do well for them, nothing will. Although, another Randy/Tito fight would have some star appeal. I think Fedor would demolish Randy. That might get people here in the U.S. excited about Fedor. The question I have is how well will any of these guys (i.e. Tito, Randy) draw without the UFC behind them? I know they’re popular and have branched out into other things, but they really don’t have a track record outside the UFC. Whether you like it or not, the UFC brand is a huge selling point.

by Cannon Jacques on Aug 2, 2008 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No this is wrong. He made 950,000+ on the Machida fight after PPV bonus. I don’t know why people still think the disclosed number is the actual number.

by Michael Rome on Aug 2, 2008 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really don’t give a crap about watching Tito anymore. Been there and done that., to me he is not a draw anymore.

Rob Dib
http://www.break-your-face.com

by Rob Dib on Aug 2, 2008 12:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I can

see them giving Tito big money but if they can’t really get any of the other salaries down, i don’t think tito can get them the 200k -300k buys alone for PPV

by asmiley420 on Aug 2, 2008 12:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

you're right

they who need AT LEAST 1 more big name or fight. Something that can be promoted (and better than the 1st time) to the casual fan.

by asmiley420 on Aug 2, 2008 12:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

who = would…..sorry I’m tryin to watch the Giants-Padres game at the same time.

by asmiley420 on Aug 2, 2008 12:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's cool.

Just don’t start driving or something.

by Cannon Jacques on Aug 2, 2008 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tim Sylvia

got $160,000 for his last fight in the UFC…

by asmiley420 on Aug 2, 2008 12:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Affliction did it's job

Even if Affliction doesn´t have more then 5 shows, i can´t see why it was not worthy.
I remember seeing a lot of guys saying Fedor was overrated, at least Affliction wrote history in mma, it helped a lot of MMA fans that only knew UFC to see that MMA is greater than UFC, now every1 agrees that Fedor is the best Heavy in the world.

by bigcherry on Aug 2, 2008 1:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Too true. That’s what I wanted from Affliction: hws from different orgs fight. I don’t care about Rothwell or Babalu, I want to see Fedor/Barnett, Fedor/Arlovski, and Fedor/Randy.

by asa on Aug 2, 2008 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is .....

40% hand injury 60% to close to new years eve. I know Fedor desprately wants to fight on new years eve in Japan, and if he fights in October with an injured hand, there is a good chance he will not be able to participate on New Years. I think that was the deciding factor. Just my $0.02

by Nick Travaglini on Aug 2, 2008 3:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you.

However, don’t cast doubt on Fedor here. Fedor is always on the up and up. There are no politics involved whatsoever. If Fedor says it’s his hands, its inconceivable that it’s anything but. It’s also not a negotiating tactic…oh no, never that.

by cyph on Aug 2, 2008 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

could be a blessing in disguise

If Fedor was only on a one fight contract I doubt he will return.

There are 2 things that will almost certainly put you out of business.

1. trying to compete with the UFC.

2. dealing with fedor’s management.

I suggest you all find and read the back story on how pride went under. Fedor was actually held hostage by his management after every title defense in the later years.

I knew after that performance fedor’s stock just went up, and finkelstiens heart started to beat faster on pondering just how much more he can get now.

You need to understand how these guys do business.

there is one and only one rule: “everything is negotiable” contract or no contract.

Dealing with them is a never ending negotiation.

Affliction is in trouble and everyone knows it except tom etencia.

Tom Atencia is now like “comical ali” from iraq… when he was screaming the americans are in retreat whilst US abhram tanks were rolling past him in the background.

There are now reports that dream hasn’t paid certain american fighters and its been over 3 months.

Sometimes it may be better to take more realistic pay and be certain that you’re actually going to get paid.

by mmalogic on Aug 3, 2008 2:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs