Affliction VP finds UFC counter-programming "flattering"

T-Bone · 07-02-2008, 09:41 PM

Yup, the UFC wouldn't do this if they didn't think they really needed to. I won't complain about a free event. It's not like Bisping v. Leben is the main event on PPV or anything.

There's some $ behind Affliction...let's just hope they work on the marketing.

Affliction VP finds UFC counter-programming "flattering" | MMAjunkie.com

Quote:

Many MMA fans have demonized the UFC for launching an event on Spike TV to counter Affliction's debut show. However, Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio said the move only confirms that the world's largest MMA promotion views Affliction as a legitimate threat.

Atencio talked about UFC Fight Night 14 and "Affliction: Banned" today during a media conference call with main-event fighters Josh Barnett, Matt Lindland and Mike Whitehead.

"It's flattering," Atencio said of the counter-programming. "Obviously, it means they're paying attention to us. And it obviously means we're a threat of some sort to them."

"Banned," which is headlined by longtime PRIDE champion Fedor Emelianenko vs. former UFC champ Tim Sylvia, features one of the deepest fights card in MMA history. As MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) previously reported, "Banned" features three ex-UFC heavyweight champs and a number of notables.

"Our card is stacked from top to bottom," Atencio said. "Every one of our fights could be a main event. It's just an unbelievable card, and people want to see it. There's very, very few people out there that are even criticizing the card."

The UFC has countered with a Spike TV event headlined by UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva vs. James Irvin in a non-title fight at 205 pounds. Brandon Vera, Hermes Franca and Frankie Edgar are also on the card, but a total of 10 fighters will make their UFC debuts.

Despite the lack of known talent, the UFC event has a big advantage over the Affliction event: it's free on basic cable. Although Affliction will air two fights for free on FSN, the main card comes with a $39.95 price tag.

Still, Atencio believes fans won't be swayed by the UFC event. He believes everyone who wants to see "Banned" will order it, anyway. The UFC's event will simply cater to those who don't, he said.

"People who weren't going to watch our fight now have something to do," he said.

So, will the UFC continue going head-to-head with Affliction in the future (Atencio confirmed the organization will host another event around Nov. 1 and again in February)? It's possible. The first-ever EliteXC event to air on network television (May 31) was countered by a Chuck Liddell special the UFC commissioned for Spike TV, and according to Yahoo! Sports, another Spike TV special is being planned to counter EliteXC's follow-up event on July 26. EliteXC's May 31 event averaged 4.85 million viewers (peaking with 6.51 million), and Spike TV averaged just a third of that. But the counter-programming surely makes at least a small impact.

Atencio also downplayed criticism that the organization's follow-up events won't be nearly as stacked as "Banned." He was confident plenty of talent will be on display and said future events, which could include overseas shows, will feature winners from "Banned" and new fighters.

"We have a lot of fighters," he said. "We have a lot of fighters we're talking to right now."

WanderleiSliver · 07-03-2008, 07:21 AM

I agree it's a great show but every fight could be a main event?, not so sure about that.

SmashingMachine · 07-03-2008, 09:22 PM

I agree...I don't know about every fight, but certainly a lot of them. What remains to be seen is how well they'll follow it up.