Affliction Offers New Contract to Vitor Belfort?

by Kid Nate on Jul 18, 2009 1:18 PM EDT in MMA News

Affliction_vitor_belfort_240x230_20081222_medium MMA Weekly reports:

...when MMAWeekly.com caught up last week with Belfort at Xtreme Couture as he prepped for his battle with American Top Team standout Jorge Santiago at Affliction "Trilogy," the two-time UFC champion hinted his time with the California-based promotion was not soon to end.

"I'm happy with Affliction," he said. "So far, they've put in a new contract with my manager; that's what I heard. I'm a very happy guy with what I have."

Color me skeptical but who knows? Perhaps Affliction will continue to put on fights. It's also possible that they will keep fighters under contract and continue to place them on other promoters' bills. They've done this with Andrei Arlvoski (Strikeforce, EliteXC), Chris Horodecki (Ultimate Chaos) and could very well keep doing it. It would basically be a very expensive way to sponsor fighters.

It keeps them in position to put on a fourth Affliction event should they manage to re-sign Fedor and decide they want to keep ~~pouring money down the drain~~ investing in MMA promotion.

I really shouldn't be so hard on Affliction, I've enjoyed both of their events tremendously as a fan and that's really all I can ask of a fight promotion -- put on good fight cards.

However, I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I want UFC to steal Vitor Belfort and Fedor Emelianenko away from them. Provided Belfort beats the very tough Jorge Santiago at Affliction: Trilogy on August 1.

It's also worth noting that the only two fighters -- Vitor and Fedor -- that I've heard anything about Affliction moving to re-sign are those that Dana White has publicly discussed bringing back to the UFC.

Affliction: Trilogy coverage

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No, you’re right. Affliction’s shows have been great, but they don’t have a sustainable business model and they’ve come too far to change it significantly. I’m taking a similar “believe it when I see it” approach to their signings of Fedro & Vitor, or future shows, for that matter. I have a hard time believing that they’re signing their highest paid fighters to extensions without knowing how well they’ll fare in the third show.

"The reason a rabbit outruns a fox is because the rabbit is running for his life and the fox is running for his dinner."

by Blackout612 on Jul 18, 2009 1:22 PM EDT reply actions

i hope you are right. i have also enjoyed the affliction shows, except that they are so far apart. but at the end of the day, i want to see fedor and vitor both in ufc ASAP

by bluejitz on Jul 18, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Have they signed any of their highest paid fighters to extensions?

I know I keep hearing them say they have offered this guy and that guy a contract but I don’t remember anyone actually signing them. Something has to be up with the fact that they keep saying they are offering this guy and that guy a contract but yet nobody is actually signing them. I’m not sure what the exact reason for it is but if they keep offering guys contracts and nobody seems to be signing them then they aren’t very good offers or Affliction isn’t committed to running more shows past this one and is just blowing smoke up people’s asses with these offers to appear to be viable till after this last upcoming show.

by mattman73 on Jul 18, 2009 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s where the “believe it when I see it” part of the equation comes in. No one has seemingly signed shit.

"The reason a rabbit outruns a fox is because the rabbit is running for his life and the fox is running for his dinner."

by Blackout612 on Jul 19, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

When the hell is mmaweekly going to put out Rankings that aren't batshit insane?

by Lewish on Jul 18, 2009 1:36 PM EDT reply actions

affliction gives a good dose of MMA action.

i would definitely say bankrupting their awful t shirt company to put on great fights is one of the best ideas ever.

by DirtyML on Jul 18, 2009 2:01 PM EDT reply actions

Vitor should be in the UFC

He is the one Middleweight that could believably pull off the upset against Anderson Silva, and there are SO many other fights that I would like to see him in the UFC. Belfort vs any of these Middleweights would be cool: Nate Marquardt, Demain Maia, Dan Henderson, Goran Reljic, Wanderlei Silva, Yushin Okami, etc.

by chrisbboy82 on Jul 18, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

ya a dan henderson rematch would be sweet. i want to see that at 185

by bluejitz on Jul 18, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Henderson vs Belfort would easily be a co-main event of any UFC PPV. I can also see that headlining a free UFC numbered card or an overseas card. There are some decent Middleweight fights for Belfort outside of the UFC, but the best fights for Belfort in the Middleweight division would undoubtedly be in the UFC.

by chrisbboy82 on Jul 18, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe UFC should offer him a contract benefiting of the one Middleweight that can beat Silva

by bignerd on Jul 18, 2009 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions

^ F'ed that up

by bignerd on Jul 19, 2009 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions

I am not saying that Vitor WILL beat Anderson Silva, but that Belfort is one of the only Middleweights that is a threat to him (Demian Maia being another possible threat). I would pick Anderson over Belfort any day.

by chrisbboy82 on Jul 19, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Wasn’t Dana talking about signing Barnett? I wonder if he would even if he loses to Fedor

fightlockdown.com

by The Legend on Jul 18, 2009 2:10 PM EDT reply actions

I believe he said if he wins.

Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin

by ufc4 on Jul 18, 2009 4:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Aww that's cute

Tito brought Jenna’s little brother on-stage with him to stand next to Vitor, his favorite fighter.

by Scott Haber on Jul 18, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

LOL

by Baki_hanma on Jul 18, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

I was thinking it was Josh’s son :)

("you don’t like Brock" – helping Weobo out)

by mythbuster on Jul 18, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I really shouldn’t be so hard on Affliction, I’ve enjoyed both of their events tremendously as a fan and that’s really all I can ask of a fight promotion — put on good fight cards.

This.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 18, 2009 2:35 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

However, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I want UFC to steal Vitor Belfort and Fedor Emelianenko away from them.

Thiser.

How's the weather up your own ass? - Stephen Colbert

by Derek Suboticki on Jul 18, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s also worth noting that the only two fighters — Vitor and Fedor — that I’ve heard anything about Affliction moving to re-sign are those that Dana White has publicly discussed bringing back to the UFC.

Thisest

by Zack Gobie on Jul 18, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Winnest.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Jul 18, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

This be speculation. They have more fighters under contract still, after their 3rd event.
=)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 18, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Who will they still have under contract after their 3rd event?

by mattman73 on Jul 18, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions

You can read below, but fighters signed 3 fight deals with Affliction, and not every fighter has fought or will fight in all 3 shows or have a combined total of 3 fights in or out of Affliction combined. As for examples, Din Thomas, Lil Nog, Mousasi, Vlad, L.C. Davis, etc.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 18, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Read below where? I don’t see no list below of who they will have left.

They can barely sell 100k PPVs with the bigger names they got and haven’t resigned there is no way they are putting on a PPV with the guys you listed as them still having under contract.

Why is it that they keep saying they have offered this guy and that guy a contract but nobody is signing them? Are the contracts they offering just not very good or what?

by mattman73 on Jul 19, 2009 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions

I gave you some examples, that is all. Just sit and watch as it all unfolds.
=)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 19, 2009 3:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh, and when I said read below...

I meant below this post:

I’ve heard some rumors that there is quote a lot shaking up behind the scenes of Affliction.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 19, 2009 3:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Vitor would get crushed by Anderson Silva. Would love to see him back in the UFC.

by Bandaka on Jul 18, 2009 3:23 PM EDT reply actions

I disagree completely

I think Silva’s way overrated, beating the cans in the UFC Middleweight division doesn’t prove to me that he’s the best p4p fighter, by a longshot.

Doesn't anybody think before they speak/post anymore?

by Big Boob Lover on Jul 18, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I really hope you’re kidding. I’m sure you are, but there is that slight possibility that you aren’t.

by Zack Gobie on Jul 18, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Are you serious?, first off if the UFC MW’s are cans what are the non-UFC MW’s because they are almost all UFC washouts that would get crushed by middle of the pack guys like Okami. Silva even though I can’t stand him because of his latest antics, has cleared out the entire division and beaten studs like Hendo, Frankling and Marquardt there is no question about his p4p ranking.

by Raker on Jul 18, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Okami is middle of the pack...?

Probably would go in a favourite against everyone except Silva I dare say.

by Well Read Idiot on Jul 20, 2009 5:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Wow.

How's the weather up your own ass? - Stephen Colbert

by Derek Suboticki on Jul 18, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think he’s number one either, because GSP is. That said, he’s definitely number two.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Jul 18, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

LOLZ

Bewbz.

"The reason a rabbit outruns a fox is because the rabbit is running for his life and the fox is running for his dinner."

by Blackout612 on Jul 18, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

The last two guys were not worthy of a title fight, I will give you that. He’s beat up Franklin and Henderson . . . oh and his own flawless reputation.

by bignerd on Jul 19, 2009 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ve heard some rumors that there is quote a lot shaking up behind the scenes of Affliction.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Jul 18, 2009 3:57 PM EDT reply actions

Please elaborate

Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin

by ufc4 on Jul 18, 2009 4:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Just some hints from knowledgeable people on the UG that there is something happening behind the scenes of Affliction, along the lines of new management and they sounded optimistic.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Jul 18, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

In other words, they found some other sucker who thinks they can go head to head with the UFC?

No other reason to keep Affliction going, there isn’t any business model in the world that can succeed with the current makeup of fighters they have.

by Foxskinrug on Jul 18, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

One of the people is well known for connections with the UFC and she sounded pretty happy about it.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Jul 18, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Golden Boy and Trump JR were mulling taking this over because Affliction decided to stop footing the bill.

That has subsided alot but affliction could send out all the contracts they want – Unless they (affliction) actually signs a contract there is no commitment.

A contract with only a fighters signature is only a POTENTIAL deal which they can then take to other parties (golden boy, etc…) and say "ok this is what we have, yada, yada, yada)

This is absolutely the last show affliction puts on.

Bidding against Zuffa is also a part of this – But so is Zuffa’s “interest”. Affliction could get contracts signed by fighters but if the terms are worse than what caused affliction to lose millions it wont look very good trying to take these contracts to other suitors.

by mmalogic on Jul 18, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m guessing that means they rehired Todd Beard.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Jul 18, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Wouldn’t mind seeing Beard Vs Belfort.

Keep firing Assholes!

Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.

by Ubernoober on Jul 18, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

or Beard vs Attencio? We know Attencio can fight.

("you don’t like Brock" – helping Weobo out)

by mythbuster on Jul 18, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I just want to see Vitor Belfort ruin Todd Beard’s shit.

Keep firing Assholes!

Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.

by Ubernoober on Jul 18, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Can he?

I heard he got mashed up his last time out.

"The reason a rabbit outruns a fox is because the rabbit is running for his life and the fox is running for his dinner."

by Blackout612 on Jul 19, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

He did, but he still won. He pulled a Noguiera

Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin

by ufc4 on Jul 19, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Horodecki looks like a kid.

by Meshuggeth on Jul 18, 2009 4:21 PM EDT reply actions

thats becuase he is a kid.

by Bandaka on Jul 18, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

well, he's 21

but he looks 12.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Horodecki

("you don’t like Brock" – helping Weobo out)

by mythbuster on Jul 18, 2009 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Fedor and Vitor in Affliction does nothing for MMA.

It would be one thing if the UFC didn’t pay out just as much as Affliction…. But Lesnar is a $3 Million guy now. GSP & Mir each made over a million for the last event.

I like to see guys like Fedor and Vitor fight the UFC guys then be in Affliction and potentially only fight every 7 months.

by AlwaysRelaxing on Jul 18, 2009 6:15 PM EDT reply actions

If Fedor wanted to fight twice a year in the UFC he could. BJ does it, Nog, Brock only has 1 fight this year etc.

You act like there aren’t good fights for Fedor outside the UFC. It doesn’t hurt MMA at all. Although Dana will look stupid after he talked shit about boxing “politics” and he couldn’t come to terms with Fedor.

by gunranger on Jul 18, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

People in Affliction can fight wherever they want outside of Affliction, for example, Strikeforce. They could fight 4-5 times a year if they wanted, two of those times being in Affliction, of course.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 18, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Having said that, things will change after their 3rd show, so you will see what happens.
=)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 18, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

If Brock has the same ppv cut structure as Randy had with his old contract then if ufc100 did 1million buys he would have made aprox 2.75 million. If it did 1.5 he would make 4.25 million.
And this is assuming the ppv cuts hasn’t gone up.

by Pontus on Jul 18, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions