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Post-Affliction Speculation Round-up: Where Will Affliction Fighters Go?

Trilogy-nyc-press2_mediumMMA's craziest news day has come and gone. Since all the speculation as to what's going on is running rampant everywhere, here's a rundown of the current rumors surfacing regarding what may possibly happen in the coming month.

As first reported by MMAWeekly, the prospect of some of the undercard match-ups and possibly main card battles on the Affliction: Trilogy card may actually be moved to M-1 Global's Breakthrough event that is taking place on August 28th in Los Angeles. MMASpot reported that they had been in contact with some fighters who may actually end up on the M-1 Breakthrough card:

MMA Spot has learned that M-1 officials notified several fighters about participating on the M-1 Breakthrough event on August 28.

Of the fighters being mentioned in the notice were, Mikhail Zayats, Rob Broughton, Lucio Linhares and Jessie Gibbs. Other reports have also surfaced that Gegard Mousasi has been contacted to also appear on the card; however those reports are unconfirmed at this time.

Kevin Iole reported a potential merger between Strikeforce and Affliction during the day, but Scott Coker's absence on his Italian vacation may have actually caused the deal to fall apart since Coker was unable to sign paperwork. Iole then reported that the UFC and Affliction were now back on good terms with Affliction sponsoring the UFC via their clothing line and Affliction vowing to never promote MMA fights again. 

Where are we now? The rampant speculation flying around everywhere is fairly interesting. Some of the things I've heard:

  • Affliction and the UFC actually worked out a deal in which the UFC would get first crack at the contracts of Affliction fighters. The major problem here is that most Affliction fighters have contracts overseas as well, but this would give the UFC the ability to sign a guy like Paul Daley or Vitor Belfort instantly.
  • Affliction will simply find events for their roster of fighters from Trilogy to battle on such as M-1 Global's Breakthrough and Strikeforce's Aug. 15th event. After those match-ups, the fighters will likely become free agents.
  • Affliction will throw contracts out and all fighters will be in the free agency market, although I doubt this will happen as M-1 was their partner to begin with.
  • Iole actually asked White during the ESPN radio broadcast when Affliction fighters would be in the UFC. Dana stated he would be out of the country, back on Thursday, and major announcements would be made on Friday... further adding to speculation that the UFC is either dealing with Affliction fighters already or they have first dibs on the contracts.
  • Per the Iole question above, many fans believe Dana is going to fly to Russia and try to work a deal with Fedor.. hence the comment about an event "bigger than UFC 100". I am skeptical here considering Fedor was actually landing in L.A. yesterday according to Michael Davis Smith's Twitter. Why not just make the trek to L.A. to talk to Fedor? I doubt this has any merit.
  • Sherdog has an article stating that Affliction may be trying to compensate fighters by actually giving them t-shirt deals instead of actual paychecks...
  • There are also some outlandish arguments stating that Affliction has sold the video library to the UFC, giving Dana the Fedor vs. Sylvia and Fedor vs. Arlovski footage to either promote Fedor in the future or simply hold onto it so no one else can touch it. In any case, I still think Zuffa's contracts will ultimately be a huge roadblock for a Fedor signing.

Star-divide

The major problem that most fans are dismissing in regards to a possible deal between the UFC and Affliction for fighter contracts is the fact that MANY of those fighters have contracts overseas. Gegard Mousasi, Fedor, Jorge Santiago, the list goes on... it'll be impossible for the UFC to swing deals with any of those athletes, but they could grab up Vitor, who has expressed blatant interest to fight in the UFC.

The other interesting news on the table is that of Dana's Twitter message regarding Tito Ortiz coming back to the UFC:

I am going on espn 1100 in vegas at 6pm. I will be talking anything mma. Call in number is 702 364 1100! Oh yea and welcome back tito

The radio interview revealed that Dana White wouldn't actually confirm that Tito Ortiz was signed, but stating that there would be a press conference on July 31st with "a lot of crazy things" to be announced. Most likely, Ortiz will be stepping back into the Octagon. The most speculated match-up right now is a UFC 103 showdown with Rich Franklin. White stated in the ESPN Radio interview that his job is to put on the fights that fans want to see, and that we should stay tuned. This comment was in regards to the UFC 103 main event, which hints that the main event will change. I'm fully expecting a Rich Franklin vs. Tito Ortiz showdown.

In any case, it sounds like the UFC has a huge handle on everything that went down yesterday. I imagine that they have worked something out with Affliction in regards to some of the contracts, but even if they did... most of the elite talent is tied up with Japanese contracts and non-exclusivity. White and Co. will need to re-negotiate with those fighters, but it does ultimately set up the UFC for some unbelievable bouts. Remember all those writers saying UFC 100 was the climax of MMA? Get ready for some unbelievable events.

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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the bigger than 100 card was probably/maybe/hopefully about the ESPN thing Rome reported..

and Mousasi said that he is still under contract with dream.. so that’s a let down for all the guys wanting him in the UFC..

by Anton Tabuena on Jul 25, 2009 8:45 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

MDS was saying that the ESPN guy regularly goes to events, so it may be jumping the gun… although it seems odd that he went to a UFC event.

Also, yes… Mousasi isn’t going to be signed, as stated in the article. I think Belfort and Daley are really two guys who could sign, but who knows. I imagine the UFC may be announcing a ABC-UFC partnership on July 31

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 25, 2009 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

for what it's worth Dana had this to say,
“He got it,” White said of Skipper’s UFC 100 trip. “He saw the people. He saw the energy. All the things you get from the UFC live event, he felt, and that’s why we’re starting to get more coverage on ESPN.”

by Anton Tabuena on Jul 25, 2009 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah… I’m thinking a deal might be imminent, but who knows. Maybe they are just thinking about it.

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 25, 2009 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not sure if that is good or bad, lol!

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Jul 25, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh it is good.

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

by iiowyn on Jul 25, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He saw the people

sarcasm directed at this mainly, lol. I would LOVE to see UFC on ABC/ESPEN/The Ocho!!!

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Jul 25, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

ESPN

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Jul 25, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think a lot of people are getting confused about the deal that actually went down. As far as we know, it only involves Affliction ceasing to promote fights and being allowed to sponsor fighters in the UFC again. There may well be more to the deal, but we don’t know anything for sure yet.

As to where Affliction’s fighters will go, I suspect they’ll scatter. I assume Zuffa will wait for them to become free agents and cherry pick who they want. The rest will end up in Strikeforce, Japan, or wherever.

by Andy R on Jul 25, 2009 9:23 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Hence why the title says “Speculation”

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 25, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah I wasn’t accusing you, I trying to make a general statement. You know how quick these things can get carried away.

by Andy R on Jul 25, 2009 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fedor will probably go back to the Japan freak circuit.
Mousasi, Belfort, Herion, Daley, Babalu, etc. will probably end up in the UFC.

All the ex-UFC heavyweight castoffs like Arlovski, Sylvia, Buentello, etc would end up in Strikeforce.

Keep firing Assholes!

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

by Ubernoober on Jul 25, 2009 9:24 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Mousasi is tied up for two more fights. Hieron may fight Diaz. Daley is a possibility. Babalu, who knows.

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 25, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Babalu is still contracted to SF, no?

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Jul 25, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think the UFC buying out Affliction is another Pride debacle. I think with them taking out Affliction who was going to fold anway is not that good of news. Most of the top fighters are with Dream, Strikeforce or M-1. Faces like Mousasi, Babalu, Fedor are going to be extremely difficult to acquire because of the contracts that they already have. You could see Jay Hieron, Paul Daley, Vitor Belfort, Jorge Santiago, Gilbert Yvel enter the UFC again (minus Daley) but I don’t think they will land the main stars. But one name to keep an eye out for is Josh Barnett. You never know.

by "Mr. NC-17" on Jul 25, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

oka Yvel and Santiago are under contract with other organizations.
Other possibilities for the UFC.
Takanori Gomi
Rafaello Oliveira
Lil’ Nog
Ben Rothwell
Dan Lauzon
Chris Horodecki
L.C. Davis

by "Mr. NC-17" on Jul 25, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lil’ Nog now please.

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Jul 25, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

x10

"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 25, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I highly doubt the UFC paid anything to Affliction, it is most likely in the other direction if at all.

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

by iiowyn on Jul 25, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

If so, not much

They agreement appears to allow Affliction to become a major sponsor again in the UFC. They still need each other. MMA is huge audience for Affliction and for UFC major sponsors don’t come around every day (especially in this economy) so you lock them up or piss away additional sponsorship money for each event.

by bignerd on Jul 25, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And being a sponsor in the UFC is free right? I wouldn’t doubt Affliction is paying quite a bit more than other UFC sponsors for the right to advertise. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Zuffa got some stake of Affliction the apparel company in concession as well.

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

by iiowyn on Jul 25, 2009 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don’t think this was a “buyout” along the lines of Pride, and that none of the contracts will transfer. Could be wrong, we’ll see.

I will be surprised if we ever see Barnett fight in the US again, unless it would be a on a reservation for a small promotion.

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Jul 25, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Willing to wait for the b sample on Barnett but yea it looks like he may of really screwed his entire career with this.

by who me on Jul 25, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Has there ever been a time where the B sample showed something different? I’m sure there is, but I used to follow cycling quite a bit there and I don’t ever recall that happening and they had what 10000 positive tests for stuff? Also Barnett didn’t really deny this so he doesn’t really deserve the benefit of the doubt.

by SES 84 on Jul 26, 2009 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You’re really not supposed to hear about it when it does happen, because cycling and the olympics and whatnot try to not announce anything until both samples get back. So I’m sure it’s happened, it’s just going to be hard to read about it.

by Phildo on Jul 26, 2009 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It’s not giving him the benefit of the doubt to wait on the confirmation test it’s what you are supposed to do. That’s the entire reason a b sample exist in the first place. Besides what does it matter if a fan wants to wait for the entire testing process to be finished before you decide if you will shun him forever?

by who me on Jul 26, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don’t think it was a buy out at all, it was a trade. Affliction agrees to quit promoting MMA forever (which is actually good for both sides considering the money Affliction was losing) and the UFC allows Affliction to return to the UFC as a sponsor(which is good for both sides and the fighters in the UFC).

I can’t imagine the UFC would even want the Affliction contracts, they would want to sign fighters to UFC contracts. The only other thing of value in the mix is the very small video library of two events, Affliction is going to keep it’s name brand. It’s a very different situation than the UFC buying Pride assets.

by who me on Jul 25, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well

Some of the Affliction contracts are probably back on price point. Fedor is going to cost $2 million per fight at least, Vitor’s next contract is probably worth $250-$350k per fight and so on. The bad contracts were Lindland, Arlovski, Barnett and probably Rothwell.

by bignerd on Jul 25, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

They might control those contracts (we don’t know at this point) but they won’t want guys to fight in the UFC under those contracts. They will sign guys to new “UFC” contracts with standard UFC terms and clauses and new negotiated pay. There is more to it than just the money.

by who me on Jul 25, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

There are reasons besides the money why Zuffa wouldn’t want to touch those contracts.

by Phildo on Jul 25, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fedor/Lesnar at The Ultimate 2009 alongside Silva/Belfort

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 subo on Jul 25, 2009 2:11 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

I think UFC needs to make that Silva vs Belfort fight happen ASAP.

by bignerd on Jul 25, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

UFC will sign new contracts with the fighters it wants and the rest will go to other orgs.

Fedor is on a worldwide exclusive with Affliction – so he aint fighting anywhere unless Zuffa says so. The other characters can fight overseas but not in north america – and then there are some guys who have contracts with strikeforce already – which zuffa doesnt care about. There are also “permission” clauses in the contracts for fighting anywhere besides affliction making the “non-exclusive” aspect a murky.

Basically Zuffa now has the leverage that Strikeforce had with the elite xc fighters only Zuffa didnt have to buy shit.

Fighters can wait out a year or so to settle things to become “free agents” or they can come to terms with Zuffa and either be released or signed to new Zuffa contracts.

by mmalogic on Jul 25, 2009 4:28 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Does anyone know if Zuffa has also acquired the media that was owned by Affliction?

If so, when/if Fedor fights in another promotion the only material to use for highlight footage will come from HMC and Lindland.

by Simco on Jul 25, 2009 4:33 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I think M-1 already had an angle on that themselves.

It ends in an armbar or a strangle regardless.

by capital L on Jul 25, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Zuffa has the entire library… M-1 only has rights to fedors overseas.

by mmalogic on Jul 25, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

IF you understand “CONTRACT LIMBO” then you’ll realize where all these fighters will go.

by mmalogic on Jul 25, 2009 4:58 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Hey Logic,

Can you explain the worldwide exclusive with Affliction, and that Fedor won’t fight unless Zuffa says so?

I’m taking it to mean that under the Affliction contract, Fedor was allowed to fight outside the Aff. promotion, but only if it was directly approved by them (which is what I already thought). The part I’m trying to figure out, is it seems like you’re implying that Zuffa is now in control of that contract, and that Fedor won’t be fighting anywhere unless he negotiates with them.

Basically, does Zuffa now control Fedor’s contract?

"The path to enlightenment is through suffering"

by RearNakedChoker on Jul 25, 2009 5:45 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

No, they don’t. He was signed non-exclusively, and likely is controlled by M-1.

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 25, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Logic’s saying in other threads that Affliction had an exclusive worldwide contract with Fedor.

http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com

by Beer Monster on Jul 25, 2009 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Probably best to wait for a confirmation. Sorta a big enough news item to know someone will confirm and report it as quickly as they can.

by bignerd on Jul 25, 2009 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

If they can, contract talk is generally hush hush.

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

by iiowyn on Jul 25, 2009 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

There is no way Finkie agreed to that. I’m sure they had some sort of exit clause. Doesn’t look like the UFC bought the contracts though.

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 26, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

There’s still issues.

Affliction prevented Fedor from fighting this past new year’s eve in Japan so he could fight at Day of Reckoning.

by Phildo on Jul 25, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

after affliction 1 Vadim and his utter disease of renegotiating got himself a contract and Affliction got a worlwide exclusive to Fedor of which Fedor owes one more fight.

Can Fedor get out of it? sure… but he’ll be tied up in court for a year doing so. and even if he wins the contract is with basically a “shell company” not Affliction clothing (the company with the actual assets).

Zuffa now controls a defacto “negotiating” exclusive for fedors next fight – which is really going to be a negotiation for a new Zuffa contract with Fedor.

by mmalogic on Jul 25, 2009 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

the expectation for 103 is franklin-tito but i would be happier with henderson-belfort for middleweight contender

by ldglass on Jul 26, 2009 9:58 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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