Affliction "Banned" Show Card (Unofficial)

dsver1 · 05-10-2008, 01:15 AM

I guess USA Today now has an MMA Blogger and he seems to have the unofficial line-up for Affliction's first show.

Affliction rolls dice with top talent

Quote:

Affliction rolls dice with top talent
Posted 5/9/2008 11:40 AM EDT
Big names, big gamble: Don't accuse Affliction of lacking ambition.

The clothing company made a splash in mixed martial arts by sponsoring several MMA stars, including at least six current or former major champions. But the company wants to go beyond just selling T-shirts and jewelry to MMA and heavy metal fans.

Affliction made waves last month when it announced a July 19 show, to be headlined by Pride FC's last heavyweight champion, Fedor Emelianenko, against two-time UFC title-holder Tim Sylvia. Affliction has since signed several more fights, bringing the tally of confirmed bouts to eight:

• Fedor Emelianenko - Sylvia
• Josh Barnett - Pedro Rizzo
• Renato Sobral - Mike Whitehead
• Matt Lindland - Fabio Nascimento

Non-pay-per-view fights:

• Savant Young - Mark Hominick
• Justin Levens - Ray Lazama
• J.J. Ambrose - Patrick Speight
• Mike Pyle - Brett Cooper

Ben Rothwell, who became a star in the International Fight League before signing with Adrenaline MMA, is also scheduled to fight on the pay-per-view card, though an opponent hasn't been found yet, Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio told me Friday.

The event also reportedly includes Strikeforce heavyweight contender and UFC veteran Paul Buentello against Fedor's brother, Alexander Emelianenko. But Affliction is still waiting to get back signed contracts from them, Atencio said.

If everything comes through, Affliction's inaugural show can boast of a heavyweight card whose depth rivals the best Pride FC tournaments of yesteryear.

Adding to the Pride echoes will be the fighting surface itself. Instead of a cage, Affliction will use a traditional ring, which should suit both competitors in the main event — Fedor has spent most of his career fighting in rings; Sylvia could welcome a chance to pin someone in a corner and tee off with his long jabs and heavy hands.

All things considered, the July a show that could leave longtime fans of mixed martial arts drooling, but it remains an enormous risk for a newcomer to MMA promotion.

The decision to stage its own shows has alienated UFC and EliteXC, effectively shutting off the biggest TV marketing vehicles for Affliction's core products. Affliction has responded by using the titled "Banned" for the July 19 show, but Atencio insists he doesn't threaten other fight promoters.

"We're not looking to compete with anybody," he said. "We're in the entertainment business. ... It's a lifestyle, it's a culture with us."

But it's hard to see how Affliction isn't competition for other MMA promoters, because few people can afford to buy every event. Most fans have to be selective, and it's still an open question whether they will choose Affliction.

Despite the talent-laden roster, Sylvia remains the only fighter on the card who has been in the main event for a pay-per-view that hit a six-figure buy rate. Fedor didn't draw well last year for BodogFight — another company that portrayed MMA promotion as part of its "lifestyle" business — and many casual U.S. fans wouldn't even know his name if not for Randy Couture's dogged pursuit of a fight with the Russian star. Meanwhile, Barnett and Rizzo have had great fights, but their UFC primes came before Zuffa's glory days.

And their drawing power could be moot point if Affliction doesn't settle its TV situation.

The company is still negotiating with HDNet, Atencio said, despite earlier reports that talks have collapsed. The marquee fights will be on pay-per-view, for about the same price that UFC costs — typically $45 to $50 in the United States, depending on the cable or satellite provider — but Affliction wants to air the undercard live on a non-PPV outlet as a teaser. The entire show would be replayed several days later on a non-pay outlet.

Atencio did confirm reports that the show will take place at The Pond, in Anaheim, Calif., though the company also considered San Jose or Chicago. Tickets go on sale May 20.

Affliction has plans for at least three shows, Atencio said. The next one would be in October, with the winners of Fedor-Sylvia and Barnett-Rizzo meeting in the main event, he said.

kbtat2 · 05-10-2008, 06:01 PM

So we'll probably get to see a Barnett vs Fedor in October.

opsy · 05-23-2008, 04:38 PM

I guess we can just use this thread as the card changes.

Little Nog vs. Vernon White has just been added. So this is what the card looks like as of right now:

* Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia
* Josh Barnett vs. Pedro Rizzo
* Ben Rothwell vs. TBA
* Matt Lindland vs. Fabio Nascimento
* Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Vernon White
* Renato "Babalu" Sobral vs. Mike Whitehead

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Paul Buentello vs. Aleksander Emelianenko
* Ray Lazama vs. Justin Levens
* Mark Hominick vs. Savant Young
* J.J. Ambrose vs. Patrick Speight
* Brett Cooper vs. Mike Pyle

Stealthrida · 05-28-2008, 03:44 PM

You could now add ben rothwell vs Andrei arlovski

Ben Rothwell Confirms Upcoming Fight Against Andrie Arlovski - FightLine.com

SWIBC · 05-28-2008, 04:46 PM

lets just hope Affliction has some little blue pills ready considering they are going to shoot their wad with this card.

giguer · 05-28-2008, 09:37 PM

Hope to see Hominick win