Is Fedor Emelianenko or Josh Barnett the Kimbo Slice of Affliction?
by Kid Nate on Jul 24, 2009 3:47 PM EDT
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With Affliction: Trilogy collapsing around Tom Atencio's ears like a house of cards, two big questions need to be asked:
- Is this the end of Affliction as a ppv fight promoter?
- If so, who is more to blame? Josh Barnett for failing a drug test or the entire model of building an entire promotion around one fighter -- let's call it the Kimbo Slice model.
I suspect that Showtime PPV was the decision maker who finally pulled the plug on Affliction. Check this:
However, none (of the potential replacement opponents) would have the drawing power of Barnett, and a source close to Showtime PPV, which is Affliction's pay-per-view partner, told MMAjunkie.com www.mmajunkie.com) it's a major reason the show was canceled.
Executives from the show's co-promoter, M-1 Global, are flying into Anaheim, Calif., today. An additional announcement from the Russian-based promotion could be made later today that could give information about Emelianenko's next fight. It's possible, of course, some of the "Trilogy" fighters could be shifted to M-1's Aug. 28 card, which takes place in Los Angeles as the first event of the company's newly launched "premium fight series."
The fact that Showtime PPV and M-1 Global -- Affliction's key partners -- are both talking to the press while Affliction is silent reminds me ominously of EliteXC. Like that doomed promotion, Affliction's fate ultimately lay in the hands of their business partners.
After Kimbo Slice was dropped by Seth Petruzelli at EliteXC's final CBS show, it was CBS/Showtime's decision not to continue investing in the doomed promotion that closed the books on EliteXC.
Ultimately, Affliction was vulnerable to this kind of disaster because they had one draw fighter: Fedor Emelianenko. Despite the money and effort they put into signing a who's who of MMA stars -- Vitor Belfort, Renato "Babalu" Sobral, Matt Lindland, Andrei Arlovski, Tim Sylvia, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Gegard Mousasi, Takanori Gomi, Chris Horodecki, etc etc -- all that did was inflate their expenses since what was selling the PPVs was the prospect of seeing Fedor face the top heavyweights in the world.
EliteXC at least had Gina Carano to complement Kimbo Slice, but the utterly anemic ratings they produced on their sole network card to feature neither of their stars testified to the weakness of their approach. Building a fight promotion around a star fighter creates a corollary problem -- you must find a credible opponent for that star to sell the event. And unless you want to kill the goose that laid the golden egg, the opponent shouldn't be too dangerous or you might lose your drawing power if your star takes a loss.
Ironically, that need to rely on opponents for the star proved to be the Achilles heel of both promotions. In EliteXC's case, aging star Ken Shamrock seemed like the perfect opponent to continue getting Kimbo over with fans. Shamrock was on an embarrassing losing streak and seemed to present no actual threat to beat Kimbo while being a name that would draw casual fan interest.
Unfortunately, Shamrock injured himself hours before the fight under very suspicious circumstances. (Next time Gary, pay the man what he wants) and Seth Petruzelli was pulled up from the undercard to face Kimbo. Shamrock had a long record of botching main events going back to UFC 3, and EliteXC fell prey to the same Sharmock karma. The rest is history and so is EliteXC.
In Affliction's case, they hoped to close out their trilogy by pitting Fedor Emeliananko, the consensus #1 heavyweight in the world against the one top heavyweights he'd never faced in PRIDE, #2 heavyweight Josh Barnett. Unfortunately for Affliction, Barnett's star-crossed history of failing steroid tests came back to bite them in the ass.
Once Barnett was gone, so was the credible opponent and despite a couple of days of aggressive floundering on Tom Atencio's part, it was too late to pick up the pieces. Sorry, Vitor Belfort, Jeff Monson, Don Frey, et al, there won't be a Seth Petruzelli of Affliction.
UPDATE: Kevin Iole has some big news, looks like Strikeforce will be the beneficiary of Affliction's collapse just as it benefited from EliteXC's end:
[NOTE from Kid Nate: The following tparagraphs were included in Iole's original post but have since been removed. VERY Interesting.]
Affliction itself is fighting simply for survival. Several sources have said that Affliction and Strikeforce will have some type of merger with Strikeforce retaining its name. Affliction’s Tom Atencio denied any merger is imminent, and Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker is in Italy on vacation and couldn’t be reached for comment.
However, two independent sources told Yahoo! Sports a deal is either completed or on the verge of completion.
White said an Affliction attorney flew to Las Vegas only days after UFC 100 and offered to fold and turn its contracts over to the UFC if the UFC would remove its ban on its fighters wearing Affliction T-shirts.
“I told him, ‘I hope you idiots stay in business,’ ” White said. “We had a record year in 2007. We had a record year in 2008. And we’re going to have an even bigger record year in 2009. I said, ‘I hope you … stay around in 2010 and burn every dollar you have.’ What they do is of no concern to me.”
Graphic via MMAJunkie.com.
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Dana White is my hero. How people hate the guy, I’m not sure…wonder how much Affliction will have to pay to get back into the UFC…
by mjw2e on Jul 24, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Be Mr. White’s personal masseuse for 4 years.
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
Completely ridiculous to even suggest
poor promoting was the problem witht this promotion and even more so with EliteXC. I have to go to work I wish i had time to expand upon that because its clear to me.
he was injured. injured bad.
“to feature either of their stars”
think you meant neither
“no actual threat to beat Ken while”
think you meant Kimbo
Let the autopsy begin.
"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
Like Leland Said.. M1 Show in August and Strikeforce...
Will heavily benefit from this.
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2009/7/24/961721/m-1s-breakthrough-and-strikeforces
Strikeforce will as well, and if Iole is right, Strikeforce will get the match-ups they want.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Jul 24, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
The Reason Why All This Can Work..
Showtime influences both promotions and made things like Arlovski from Affliction to Strikeforce possible.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 24, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
The Reason Why This Might Not Work...
…M-1, which promotes Fedor, has a brand new deal with HDNet…who would have an interest in broadcasting Fedor-Barnett from Japan.
Well, HDNet can still televise the undercard, which Showtime doesn’t.
Am I right? =) Strikeforce also had a deal with HDNet not too long ago.
Also, HDNet will be televising the M-1 Aug card, so, I guess we will see if they are playing nice.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 24, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think Kimbo, Seth or even Ken took down EliteXC, but StandGate probably had something to do with it, as did marketing a newbie fighter as a world-beater.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
Barnett was the draw?
I find it hard to beleive anyone was watching this to see Barnett…sure it would have been a rare test for Fedor, but the PPV buys would have been pretty close regardless of opponent.
Fedor was fighting Brock Lesnar?
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 24, 2009 5:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
That was the draw for casual buyers but lets be serious, casual fans know UFC they have no idea what affliction is. The bulk of the people buying that card would be hardcores like us and most hardcore fans know barnett is not the #2 heavywieght in the world. Fedor vs whoever is the draw for most of the poeple buying that card (hardcore fans).
Affliction itself is fighting simply for survival. Several sources have said that Affliction and Strikeforce will have some type of merger with Strikeforce retaining its name. Affliction’s Tom Atencio denied any merger is imminent, and Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker is in Italy on vacation and couldn’t be reached for comment
However, two independent sources told Yahoo! Sports a deal is either completed or on the verge of completion.
It’s really a byproduct of the one-fighter business model, but another thing to consider is that they really loaded up and swung for the fences with each show. Paying Little Nog $150,000 to fight on the undercard? Insanity. There was never a thought to spread out their fighters so that they had people available when the inevitable happened.
Sometimes a solid line-drive single is what you need to keep going.
that's why
Scott Coker’s performance with Strikeforce has been so impressive. He’s never directly challenged the UFC, instead of trying to put on the “BIGGEST BADDEST” event, they put on solid events fans want to see featuring fighters on their way up to the UFC or who have already left the UFC for one reason or another.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
definitely one of their biggest mistakes
its like they never ran a business plan
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Kid Nate on Jul 24, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think this is so true. I think they sort of half-assed went into this, and only determination / stubbornness kept them afloat. I really think these guys were flying by the seat of their pants. Hence the lack of forsight to have backups should something go wrong.
I love me some Sexyama!
Nobody backs up their main event. Doesn’t anyone remember the Mayweather-Marquez fight getting postponed, or…I don’t know…LESNAR-MIR? The difference is that UFC is trying to build a pseudo-league with monthly events, so rescheduling is easy, while Affliction is an event promoter trying to get by on two or three events a year, so rescheduling is hard,
Not really the same, no one is going to replace Mayweather, and Lesnar/Mir was to unify the belts so they had to reschedule that fight, not replace one fighter (plus they did a good job of replacing both of them and didnt have to cancel that UFC). UFC has had main event fighters drop out with injuries plenty of times and been able to replace them.
The difference is the UFC isn't dependent on any one fighter
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 24, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
The UFC is scarcely dependant on any fighters at all.
Even for many somewhat well-informed fans, the hook is the UFC itself.
It ends in an armbar or a strangle regardless.
Not buying it!
Barnett is promotable, but Monson not? Monson is better know than Barnett. Monson recently fought in the ufc. Last minute fighter withdrawls happen and you deal. No one cancels a show because one fighter can not fight.
the fact that they can say
Fedor is #1 in the world and Barnett is #2 in the world made a huge difference with the PR for the event.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
I still don’t feel like they were losing casual buys because of this. Hardcores were going to watch for Fedor, Santiago/Belfort, and Mousasi, Babalu anyway. Casuals either weren’t aware or buying because OMGFEDOR
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
few casuals were buying PPVs
that was the dirty little secret — and there are cheaper ways to market crappy overpriced t-shirts.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
It's the business model
If losing one fighter on one card jeopardizes your entire business model, it ain’t the fighter’s fault.
I’m a little surprised Dana wasn’t more receptive to Affliction’s offer.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 24, 2009 4:28 PM EDT reply actions
I think he was open to working out a deal
after the first Affliction event did 100K buys (supposedly) but then Todd Beard fucked it all up.
And in the meantime, UFC signed Harley, Bud Light, Burger King….
Affliction who?
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Kid Nate on Jul 24, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Truth
I’m thinking he’s betting he’ll get a discount if he lets their current contracts lapse and then picks them up as free agents.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 24, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The “merger” wouldn’t necessarily bring all the fighters over. Fedor’s contract in particular is extremely complicated, and the costs at the moment are much higher than Strikeforce can afford.
UFC turning them down is kind of humorous, the real reason is they have no confidence they’d get Fedor out of it, and even if they did it would just be for one fight. No benefit.
by Michael Rome on Jul 24, 2009 4:43 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Yeah, that’s the only true benefit I saw in the UFC even considering pulling Affliction into the fold. Most of Affliction’s fighters are UFC hasbeens or neverbeens, but Fedor was the money fighter. Considering how complicated things have been with Fedor, with no guarantee Fedor would be held under contract for more than one fight, they probably did the right thing.
"I told him, ‘I hope you idiots stay in business,’ " White said. "We had a record year in 2007. We had a record year in 2008. And we’re going to have an even bigger record year in 2009. I said, ‘I hope you … stay around in 2010 and burn every dollar you have.’ What they do is of no concern to me."
Ouch. Dana’s scortched-earth policy is enough to scare anyone out of their mind. No wonder everyone would rather play ball than go against them.
Question: Does anyone know just how much the Affliction T-shirt business is tied to the Affliction promotion business? Are they one and the same, thus using all of the T-shirt money to help fund their shows, or were they sort of kept separate? Cause at this point, I’m wondering if Affliction will even have a pot to piss in once this is all said and done, considering having effectively spent so much money, and now forever shut out of the number one MMA organization in the world.
I love me some Sexyama!
Interesting…
The quote has since been taken out of the article.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Jul 24, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Even still, there’s no denying that bringing in all of those fighters from Trilogy to beef up their August and October cards (especially if the October card is on CBS, as was previously rumored), is a pretty big deal.
Plus, now we’ve had it confirmed that fans care about Rogers-Fedor. I’d consider making that fight for the CBS show, even if they crown an Interim Heavyweight Champion or #1 contender on the August 15th show.
especially because
i suspect Affliction would be paying much of the tab.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
I can’t speak for others, but the only reason I’d be OK with Fedor/Rogers is because it was on short notice. A planned, marketed fight would make me throw up in my mouth a little bit.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
by Mike Fagan on Jul 24, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
assuming that was meant as a reply to me...
… i should clarify that i don’t expect ALL the contracts to be picked up (ESPECIALLY fedor). just glad the wheels are in motion this quickly, which was not the case with elitexc, as we all remember.
Affliction lost way more long term by being kicked out of the Zuffa umbrella than they did with the 2 shows they lost millions on.
Affliction was done at “hello” before their first show they were done… it just took them a while to realize it.
by mmalogic on Jul 24, 2009 5:00 PM EDT reply actions 6 recs
I was wondering where you were
please sprinkle some scoops in amidst the well earned gloating.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
You were right, we were wrong.
You are smart, we are dumb.
You are good looking, we’re not very attractive…
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by Ubernoober on Jul 24, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
It’s interesting Iole removed the quote, probably at Dana’s request. I bet it was a confidential conversation and Dana spouted off without thinking.
LOL! It sounded like something odd to quote in the first place.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 24, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
http://mma.fanhouse.com/2009/07/24/gegard-mousasi-maybe-ill-go-to-ufc/
Mousasi: Maybe I’ll Go to the UFC
“Well, what can I say. It’s ridiculous because one idiot we all have to pay for that. F*ck it. Maybe I … I don’t know. Every time … Maybe I’ll go to the UFC. It’s ridiculous that this has to happen. I’ve been preparing for weeks now.”
by Nick Thomas on Jul 24, 2009 5:07 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
He vs Rich Franklin as the UFC 103 main Event would have been much better.
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jul 24, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
mousasi has zero draw in the states
as far as the casual fan knows mousasi vs franklin could be petruzelli vs franklin.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
True.
But It would be a great fight for the Hardcore fans
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jul 24, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
hardcore fans don't get to influence who's in main card fights
those are aimed at the casuals by necessity.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
Yeah, they make up the majority of the PPV buys. But man i would love to see the UFC Build up Mousasi to the casual fan and He take on Machida.
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jul 24, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think Mousasi would beat
Rampage, or Machida…. and he’d be an underdog against most of the UFC LHW’s imo… It would be a great addition tho… start him off against a Cantwell type, then maybe Vera, Jardine, Franklin, etc…
Replace Diaz-Riggs Title fight With That title fight and move welterweight title to the October Card
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jul 24, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Yaaaay
And boo to Atencio for fucking over every fighter that didn’t fail a drug test.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 24, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Looks like Affliction is back with UFC now Though
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jul 24, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
This is why the UFC is going to win, and why this whole Affliction experiment probably did more harm than good for the fighters. Yes, some of them got nice paychecks for a few fights, but when they come and try to sign a contract with dana, he’s going to say (rightly, I might add), “here’s less money than (insert name of the next, next Pride here) is offering, but realize that we’re not going to cancel the show 10 days before you’re supposed to fight” and the result is just another piece of leverage for Zuffa when they go to the negotiating table.
"It’s ridiculous that this has to happen"
Perhaps the most true words spoken regarding this event.
It ends in an armbar or a strangle regardless.
by capital L on Jul 24, 2009 5:08 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
damn another reply failure
That was in Mousasi I was quoting
It ends in an armbar or a strangle regardless.
Bout time one of the fighters put the blame on Josh /barnett
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jul 24, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
List of potential fighters going to UFC
Mousasi
Yvel
Buentello
Belfort
Santiago
Hieron
Fedor* IDK tho
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jul 24, 2009 5:16 PM EDT reply actions
For some Reason i see the UFC KInda treating him like Roy Nelson
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jul 24, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Then he really missed the TUF boat. Oh well, Strikeforce needs HW’s too.
It ends in an armbar or a strangle regardless.
I really wanna see Jay Hieron mix it up with some top UFC Welterweights
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jul 24, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Wha?
Santiago is signed to Sengoku.
Buentello also has a fight left with Strikeforce.
Hieron was already in talks with Strikeforce.
Mousasi and Yvel are linked to M-1.
That leaves maybe Vitor.
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 24, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks
I wasn’t even taking into account their contracts…
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jul 24, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
In talks? Linked?
Mousasi JUST SAID he might come to the UFC.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 24, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I didn’t realize Buentello had a fight left. Yvel has spoken to his desire to go to the UFC and win a “big belt” though.
It ends in an armbar or a strangle regardless.
Yup, Yvel and Mousasi have expressed interest, but I am not sure how that will work since they are M-1 fighters.
I assumed thats why Mousasi mentioned “down the road” as a possibility for him.
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 24, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions
sounds like they might end up on the M-1 card.
"It would appear that the strain was more than he could bear".- Doc Holliday
by MyFistYourFace on Jul 24, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh yeah. I am pretty positive the M-1 fighters will fight on the August 28th show.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 24, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Strikeforce should just use Buenetello to replace Overeem.
"It would appear that the strain was more than he could bear".- Doc Holliday
by MyFistYourFace on Jul 24, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
That would be a helluva grappling contest BUT it might make the casual fans sleepy.
"It would appear that the strain was more than he could bear".- Doc Holliday
by MyFistYourFace on Jul 24, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Nobody cares but us, and most of us watch it illegally anyways. The only thing this affects are those receiving huge paychecks to fight Fedor.
by ronniebonnie on Jul 24, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I watch legally buddy
"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2008
Not so much this time, though
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 24, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Plenty of opportunities still.
I hear Machida vs Shogun is around the corner as well.
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 24, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Doesn’t mean I am not a Machida or Shogun fan.
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 24, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
you really tried on that one
"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2008
by lovingmma25 on Jul 24, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
What about if a bear poops in the woods does he use Barnett to wipe?
"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2008
Most bears use Charmin, at least thats what their research department says.
by ronniebonnie on Jul 24, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
No, but he does wipe his Barnett.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 24, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Strikeforce merger??? most of the fighters on the affliction cards were strikeforce fighters anyway. The rest are M-1 fighters and the remainder nobody gives a shit about…
Really there’s only 2 fighters zuffa wants and possibly another zuffa may bid on. Strikeforce can have the rest.
by mmalogic on Jul 24, 2009 5:24 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
There is at least 7 if not 8 that the UFC would like to have
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jul 24, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
names?
"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2008
Look right above and i have 7 listed
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jul 24, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
your list is short and off
Mousasi — yeah UFC wants him
Yvel — Not so much
Buentello — Been there done that
Belfort — Yes
Santiago — Been there done that, needs to win a few more to come back
Hieron — Been there done that, needs to win a few more to come back
Fedor* IDK tho
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
I had hopes that the Yvel/Buentello bout could serve a good push for one of them.
It ends in an armbar or a strangle regardless.
Well just my opinion but i also see what your saying.
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jul 24, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Logic is referring to Belfort and Fedor as the guys they want, and Mousasi is the guy they might bid on.
by Michael Rome on Jul 24, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Huh??
I’ll agree with you on all points except for Santiago. You’re telling me that UFC would say no to him? I’m not saying that their throwing out huge numbers, but let’s get real. At this point in his career Santiago would fit right in with the top MWs in the UFC.
I’d tend to believe logic on something like this.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Jul 24, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
from MMA For real Matt Bishop
Kevin Iole reporting live on Lights Out Radio that Affliction is out of business and will now become a sponsor of the UFC.
by The Bronzeville Bully on Jul 24, 2009 5:26 PM EDT reply actions
he has not done a post yet, he still doing the show
by The Bronzeville Bully on Jul 24, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh please let it be true
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 24, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
UFC 108
Fedor vs Lesnar
UFC 103 could also get a better Main event
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jul 24, 2009 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope merger
is just a word they are using. I wouldn’t let Tom have any managerial influence in any business other than a lemonade stand. Coker needs to stand firm and maybe just buy the “assets” Affliction has.
Oh I’m sure he’s done. I speculate that their current investors will allow the Atencio bunch to promote the product anymore, hence the cancelled card and the potential sale/“merger”/folding.
It ends in an armbar or a strangle regardless.
More Awesome News, From M-1:
There is a chance that Josh Barnett all, can get admission to the fight with Fedor Emelianenko. There is information to doubt the results of doping tests and the required completion of an independent examination …
Moreover, there is information that the sample was taken in violation of existing legal rules, for unduly long period before the date of presentation athlete, which may have recognized the results do not influence the decision to grant a license athlete.
LOL
MMA media is going to blow up after all these story lines.
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 24, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe this is old, or new, who knows. The dust needs to settle soon.
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 24, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
There is a chance that I, in fact, do not exist.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 24, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Link the quote, this has bitten you in the ass several times, you should know better by now.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
Are You Sure You Want Me To Do That?
Here you go:
http://mixfight.ru/news/2009/7/25/Fedors-fight-postponed/
Also, Fedor will make an announcement soon.
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 24, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I caught the end of the radio call and they were disucssing the possible matchups now with ufc and affliction fighters.
Does this mean The UFC has Acquired the Affliction Contracts
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jul 24, 2009 5:53 PM EDT reply actions
From Kevin Iole
Later on Friday, Affliction opted to get out of the promoting business and, in a joint statement with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, announced it would become a sponsor of the UFC. The fate of the fighters under contract with Affliction is not known yet.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 24, 2009 5:56 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Rec'd for you posting that
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 24, 2009 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Affliction had been on shaky footing almost since its inception, when it paid lavish salaries to fighters on its debut card a year ago. Several sources have said that Affliction and Strikeforce had been working on some kind of a deal, though that clearly fell through.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 24, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I want to say I am sorry.
I know you put a lot of time and effort into your Affliction posts. I hope you can continue your enthusiasm towards MMA and all of the promoters. I wanted Affliction to die. I wanted it to die because Tom was bad for the sport. I still would have bought this card if it was Fedor vs Zulu II.
No problem.
My name is MMASupremacy, not AfflictionSupremacy.
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 24, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually your handle here is MMASuPreMaCy.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Jul 24, 2009 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I didn’t want to press the shift key that many times.
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 24, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Then why did you do it in the first place? =P
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
Tom Atencio wasn't exactly "good for the sport", but I'd hardly say he was "bad for the sport"
He wasn’t great for Affliction the promotion, and the canceled/delayed cards are rotten for the fighters, but bad for the sport would be worked matches or unsanctioned events or something that actually harms the sport.
Plus, he gave Megadeth work! (Ok, that might have been bad for the sport.)
It ends in an armbar or a strangle regardless.
I’m thinkin the UFC will get the Contracts but Affliction will pay a portion of them
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jul 24, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Megadeth is the Kimbo Slice of Affliction
Josh Barnett is the Ken Shamrock of affliction
Fedor Emelianenko is the Gina Carano of affliction
Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes
Brock Lesnar is the Steroids of Josh Barnett's Affliction
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
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