Affliction Trilogy: M-1 Challengers Added to Undercard Plus The Importance Of Developing Young Talent

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 17, 2009 11:23 PM EDT Comment 31 comments

One of the bigger criticisms that Affliction has received over the years is the lack of organization and talent development to make the fights meaningful to the fans. Developing young talent is something that every promotion struggles with, specially with the aging MMA superstars that are now starting to exit their prime. Tom Atencio, as well as other promoters, know the importance of developing the next set of superstars and talent, and Affliction is able to accomplish that with their partnership with M-1 and HDNet. The M-1 Challenge, which is shown on HDNet, is a stage where M-1 recruits talent from all over the world to be developed. Once that talent has matured and they are ready for the big stage, those fighters will get their chance to shine on an Affliction show (the undercard which is shown on HDNet).

For example, on Affliction's last show, Day Of Reckoning, Kirill "Babu Fedor" Sidelnikov (5-3) got a chance to show off where he was in his development progress against a crafty and highly regarded veteran in Paul Buentello. Although, Kirill was outmatched, he was given the chance to shine on the big stage, and now knows that he needs to improve and work his way up again.

Along with the UFC and their Ultimate Fighter and Ultimate Fight Night cards, and Bellator's ground breaking first season of tournaments to find talent and crown champions, Scott Coker and Strikeforce are also accomplishing the same feat by using their ShoMMA Strikeforce Challenger Series on Showtime to develop young talent. EliteXC was effectively able to create stars like KJ Noons, Shayna Baszler, Eddie Alvarez, Paul Daley, Mamed Khalidov, Wilson Reis, Jared Hamman, Dave Herman, Poai Suganuma, Aaron Rosa, Fabricio Camoes, Shande Del Rosario, Giva Santana, Bao Quach, Rosi Sexton, etc. Strikeforce is hoping for the same, and as we can see by the increased popularity of the fighters previously mentioned, it is HUGE for promotions to give some air time to these young fighters.

M-1's ability to find, sign, and develop young talent will be crucial to their existance, as well as Affliction's, and for the future development of MMA around the world. The M-1 talent has been improving as their seasons progress. For example, the USA Team West consists of Raphael Davis, Dave Jansen, Fabio Nascimento, Giva Santana, and Shane Del Rosario. They are currently 2-0 and have only lost 2 matches out of 10. They also have other talents in development such as Karl Amaussou (10-2), Kirill Sidelnikov (5-3), Jason Jones (8-5), Daneil Tabera (12-2), Alexey Oleinik (24-4), plus many more. M-1 even holds a Russian tournament for Russian Gyms to determine who will represent Russia in the following years M-1 Challenge.

HDNet can use the M-1 Challenge show to introduce these fighters to the average MMA fan, fortunate to have HDNet, and be able to follow them as they appear on Affliction PPV shows, since the Affliction Undercard will also be shown on HDNet. So, in terms of syncrony, HDNet is a great medium for M-1 and Affliction to introduce new talent, simlar to how the UFC uses Spike and how Strikeforce now uses Showtime. Even Sengoku is taking this approach of developing talent in Japan by using TV Tokyo (Sengoku G) and the new TUF like TV show (Project Gold Rush) to further develop their talent pool.

After the jump, we will take a look at the new talent that will be put on display by Affliction and M-1.

1st M-1 Challenge Matchup Added:

LHWs: Mikhail Zayats (8-3) vs Lucio Linhares (12-4)

* This fight will be an M-1 Challenge rematch, considered to be one of the best M-1 Challenge fights in its short history. The rematch will take place on the Undercard of Affliction Trilogy.

Mikhail Zayats (8-3) Highlights:

http://www.m-1global.com/en/media#/video/337

Notable Victories:

Lucio Linhares

Lucio Linhares (12-4) Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L7CB_IVzDQ

Notable Victories:

Sean Salmon, Karl Amoussou.

Notable Losses:

Thales Leites, Tomasz Drwal.

2nd M-1 Challenge Matchup Added:

HWs: Jessie Gibbs (7-2) vs Rob Broughton (10-4)

Jessie Gibbs (7-2) Highlight:

http://www.m-1global.com/en/media#/video/84

Notable Victories:

Denis Stojnic, Akhmed Sultanov.

Notable Losses:

Aleksander Emelianenko, Alexey Oleinik.

Rob Broughton (10-4) Highlights:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7dzz4_robert-berry-vs-rob-broughton_sport

Notable Victories:

Neil Grove, James Thompson, Yusuki Kawaguchi.

Notable Losses:

Ricco Rodriguez, Tengiz Tedoradze.

Other Undercard Fights:

LWs: Chris Horodecki (12-1) vs Dan Lauzon (12-2)

LW: Chris Horodecki (12-1)

Up Next:

Will be taking on four time World Muay Thai title-holder William "The Bull" Sriyapai (12-4) at Ultimate Chaos, followed by a matchup up against Dan Lauzon at Affliction Trilogy.

Notable Victories:

Ryan Schultz, Bart Palaszewski.

LW: Dan Lauzon (12-2)

Up Next:

Will be taking on Ex IFL LW Champion Chris Horodecki at Affliction Trilogy.

Notable Victories:

Bobby Green.

LW: Deividas Taurosevicius (10-3)

Notable Victories:

Dan Lauzon, Savant Young, Bart Palaszewski.

Notable Losses:

Frankie Edgar, Ryan Schultz.

Up Next:

Fighting at Affliction Trilogy against a yet to be announced opponent.

WW: Brett Cooper (9-4)

Notable Victories:

Rory Markham, Jason Von Flue, Conor Huen.

Up Next:

Rumored to be fighting Takanori Gomi, although, the fight was ultimately scrapped. Looking for new opponent to fight at Affliction Trilogy.

FW: Mark Hominick (16-8)

Notable Wins:

Savant Young, Jorge Gurgel, Yves Edwards.

Notable Losses:

Hatsu Hioki, Mike Thomas Brown, Rani Yahya.

Up Next:

Fighting on Affliction Trilogy (Rumored to be taking on Din Thomas).

HW: Chase Gormley (6-0)

Up Next:

Will be looking to step up into the HW limelight taking on two top 20 HWs in Jeff Monson and Ben Rothwell.

Notable Victories:

Eric Pele, John Murphy.

Updated Affliction Trilogy Card:

AFFLICTION 3: AUGUST 1, 2009
venue: The Honda Center in Anaheim, California

- Fedor Emelianenko (30-1; #1 HW)* vs. Josh Barnett (24-5; #2 HW)*
- Gegard Mousasi (25-2-1; #6 MW)* vs. Renato "Babalu" Sobral (32-8; #9 LHW)*
- Paul Buentello (27-10) vs. TBA (Gilbert Yvel/Pedro Rizzo winner)
- Jorge Santiago (21-7; #8 MW)* vs. Vitor Belfort (18-8; #10 MW)*
- Jay Hieron (17-4; #19 WW)* vs. Paul Daley (21-8-2)
- Dan Lauzon (12-2) vs. Chris Horodecki (12-1)
- Ben Rothwell (30-6) vs. Chase Gormley (6-0)
- Jessie Gibbs (7-2) vs. Rob Broughton (10-4-1)
- Lucio Linhares (12-4) vs. Mikhail Zayats (8-3)

- Mark Hominick (16-8) vs TBA
- Brett Cooper (9-4) vs TBA
- Deividas Taurosevicius (10-3) vs TBA

Rumored:

- Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (17-3; #8 LHW)*
- Din Thomas (24-8)
- Takanori Gomi (30-5; #14 LW)*

* Based on Bloody Elbows Consensus World MMA Rankings

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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Comments

WW: Brett Cooper (9-4)

Notable Victories:

Personal Hygiene

Due to Cheick Kongo's atrocious takedown defense....
Walla walla walla, I’m an idiot

by ufc4 on Jun 17, 2009 7:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thats a Notable Loss

If I am not mistaken.
=)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 17, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

by bignerd on Jun 17, 2009 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m a bit shocked Antonio Rogerio Nogueira doesn’t have a fight on this card.

by bignerd on Jun 17, 2009 8:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He's on the PPV portion of the card...

He just doesn’t have an opponent yet. I am assuming that Affliction is keeping it hush hush for now, or, they haven’t found one for him yet.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 17, 2009 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One of the bigger criticisms that Affliction has received over the years is the lack of organization and talent development to make the fights meaningful to the fans.

Years?

Keep firing Assholes!

Out out, you demons of stupidity!

by Ubernoober on Jun 17, 2009 9:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

2008-2009

That’s enough to speak in the plural, right?

by bignerd on Jun 17, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I need to be more specific, to really drive the point home.
=)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 17, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Affliction 1 was on July 19/08, you’re speaking in plural about a month too soon.

Keep firing Assholes!

Out out, you demons of stupidity!

by Ubernoober on Jun 17, 2009 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Over the years = 2008 – 2009.
Over a year span = 12 months.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 17, 2009 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still a stretch

Keep firing Assholes!

Out out, you demons of stupidity!

by Ubernoober on Jun 17, 2009 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

News Around The MMA World:

1) Mayhem Miller vs Jacare III set for September in DREAM. (Mayhems Twitter)

2) Arona will Make his return on September in Brazil in a Vale Tudo promotion.

The fight will take place at “Amauri Bitetti Combat” event, the first Vale Tudo (MMA) show inside Rio de Janeiro in a while since its banishment several years ago.

3) Gina Responds Back To Cyborg Choking Out Reporter:

Sending a message of intimidation this week, Santos put a male Internet reporter into a sleeper hold.

“I just watched it,” Carano said. “I respect ‘Cyborg,’ she’s extremely aggressive. … I’ll have to switch my game plan a little bit to combat her, but I’m not stressing too much. I know I’ll have a good game plan.”

“People don’t think I’m as strong as I am,” she said, laughing. “I know what I can do.”

“I’m feminine sometimes and I’ve done roadwork to get myself exposure and attention for the sport. But I started in this to test myself versus the best. And now, finally, it’s caught up to why I originally started it. I still feel like I can beat the best.”

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 17, 2009 9:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why the fuck does Arona not just SIGN WITH SOMEONE? I don’t even care if it’s Zuffa (I know, GASP, right) – put him against Lil Nog. Just fucking put that guy in front of a camera and let me watch him fight!

I think Gina is cruising for a bruising.

by subo on Jun 17, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no interest in watching Arona fight ever again. Unless of course its the Sokoudjou, Rampage and Shogun replays until the end of time.

by SamCupitt on Jun 17, 2009 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That dude gave Fedor as much trouble as anyone Fedor has ever fought.

by subo on Jun 17, 2009 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was like a thousand years ago when Arona’s one technique was equal or greater than Fedor’s one technique. He would get eaten today by Fedor.

by SamCupitt on Jun 17, 2009 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

arona took advantage of rings rules to be competitive. that fight is a example why they had banned punches and elbows to the head on the ground. kinda like how in pancrase everyone wore boots and couldnt stomp or low kick or use gnp, so they went for kneebars every 30 seconds.

by nigelzackit on Jun 18, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You don’t think elbow to the head on the ground might have helped Arona, considering he was on top of Fedor for a good chunk of that fight?

by subo on Jun 18, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it could have. difference is that arona was never known for gnp even when he could use it. fedor was.

in any case it doesnt matter now. arona lost his last two fights, hasnt fought forever, and the only things ive heard about him since involve surfing or steroid abuse.

by nigelzackit on Jun 18, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

talent?

I have no idea how after wathing these guys (Zayats, Linhares, Gibbs, Broughton) fights anyone can think of them as new talent. None of them will ever be a world class fighter, they got their spot on the card only because of their ties to M-1. At least they fight each other so we won’t see mismatches like Barnett vs. Yvel or Buentello vs. Sidelnikov.

There are some legitimate prospects who participate in M-1 Challenge like Hacran Dias, Dave Jansen or Raphael Davis, but they’re not M-1 managed so they won’t get their chance on the big stage.

by Venom77 on Jun 18, 2009 4:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i dont mean to be a dick, but these guys pretty much suck that are being added in from m1. i mean, okay, theyre alright fights for m1 challenge, but not a ppv. gibbs and broughton is actually a joke. broughton will just end up taking him down and using his fat to lay on him, because gibbs is hopeless as a grappler. i saw that fight with the russian that beat him by ezekial choke without a gi. i mean, thats practially impossible. somehow he managed to lose that way though.

by nigelzackit on Jun 18, 2009 10:29 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

The point was that they are developing talent and finding it around the world, not that Gibbs, Broughton, or Zayats are the next superstars of MMA. Also, these fights will be shown on the HDNet undercard portion, not PPV portion.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 18, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah if theyre on free tv, hey, thats fine. i just hope to god they arent on the ppv. that would be embarassing to go from rothwell/arlovski to that.

by nigelzackit on Jun 18, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, they are not on the PPV at all.

PPV:

Fedor vs Barnett
Santiago vs Belfort
Mousasi vs Babalue
Paul Buentello vs Yvel/Rizzo
etc…

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 18, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the problem is that they are not talent. Linhares is 35 years old, his stand-up is awful, Zayats is not much younger, has no cardio and was recenetly knocked out by some Korean dude. Broughton is maybe ok, just a little bit fat :) Gibbs has no cardio and zero ground game. They are not developing talent, they are devoloping their M-1 brand.

by Venom77 on Jun 18, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Have you seen their entire roster? They have some real talent on there.
Just look at the Brazilian, Holland, and USA teams. There is a lot of good talent there.

And if you speak of age, just look at how old the contestants in the TUF 10 season are.
What I am saying is that this is a good talent development league for Affliction and M-1. Mousasi fought in M-1 Challenge, and finding fighters of that caliber is the goal..

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 18, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh

And of course they are trying to build their brand. What company trying to make a profit isn’t?

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 18, 2009 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I already wrote two posts earlier that there are talented fighters in M-1 Challenge, but these are not the ones who are on the Affliction card. My point is that they’re not developing talent bringing this guys to Affliction. Linhares, Zayats or Gibbs just don’t belong there and never will. If they put Hacran Dias or Dave Jansen they’d do both: develope talent and their brand.

btw. When Mousasi fought in M-1 he was already a Pride vet with impresive wins over Takimoto and Lombard, you can’t say he was somehow found there.

by Venom77 on Jun 19, 2009 4:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The other point is that HDNet fans who watch the M-1 Challenge will already be familiar with some of these fighters, so, showing on the HDNet portion of the under card makes sense. The other plus for Affliciton is that they keep their payroll down without filling the undercard with high priced fighters that won’t even appear on the PPV portion.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 18, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs