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[jhell]

The Going Gets Tougher For Affliction

By: arielhelwani
09/02/08

When I think of Randy Couture's impending return to the UFC, I can't help but feel a little bad for the Affliction crew. It was no secret that Affliction was hoping to promote the Fedor Emelianenko vs. Randy Couture dream match of all dream matches but now it appears as if they lost the biggest fight they could possible have.

Much like any startup promotion, Affliction is surely experiencing some growing pains. However, a closer look shows that the last month has been one to forget:

1. Fedor pulls out of the October 11th main event against Andrei Arlovski

2. Vitor Belfort pulls out of a proposed Matt Lindland bout

3. Tito Ortiz signs with Affliction, then he doesn't, then he might...Ortiz will not be fighting on their second show.

4. They sponsor a Nascar racer who finishes in 35th place

5. Randy Couture returns to the UFC

And that's without mentioning the money lost on their first show back in July and the fact that they refuse to announce how many people bought the pay-per-view which leads to me believe it wasn't a favorable number (despite what Affliction VP of Entertainment, Tom Atencio, says).

I don't mean to pile it on Affliction but this Couture news has to sting considering they, you know, set up an elaborate photo/video shoot to promote a fight that will never happen under their banner.

Sucks for them. I was and still am hoping for them to succeed. Nice to have some variety.

[los_pantalones]

It certainly sucks for Affliction, no question. But I think slowly, people are starting to see why the UFC does what it does with fighter contracts and promotional clauses in their contracts. Signing all of these non-exclusive deals with fighters and letting them do what they want in the off time is good for fighter relations, but not so much on the business end.

[JimG]

The Affliction pay-per-view was a much better show than most UFCs and I was looking forward to them growing... This sucks that they are having difficulties.

[Ubermensch]

It is no big deal unless they cant handle it. Lets remember the UFC lost money the first 5 years that Zuffa owned them. Affliction needs to use Trump to do some leg work and get them on Network TV and they will be fine.

[STruC1x]

I'm a big MMA fan, and UFC fan since 1993.

UFC cage and rules are the BEST for this sport.

The ring and some tweaked Affliction rules kinda made me think it's like second grade show.

[los_pantalones]

Originally Posted by Ubermensch

It is no big deal unless they cant handle it. Lets remember the UFC lost money the first 5 years that Zuffa owned them. Affliction needs to use Trump to do some leg work and get them on Network TV and they will be fine.

I definitely agree they need to use Trump as much as possible if they're going to make it, but the fact is they can't last 5 years like Zuffa did when they were losing money. They had a casino business backing them, with the MMA side being a future investment. Affliction is relying on a t-shirt company to keep them afloat during the tough times. It's not quite the same thing.

[leedogg900]

Well I'm sure this isn't a huge surprise to the Trumps. I think if they looked at the UFC and other organizations and how they started, they must know at first they will have losses. This is what's great about having the Trumps behind it because they have big pockets. They might think they will lose money for awhile trying to establish themselves and get sponsors, but if their committed and believe they can make the organization profitable I don't think this will affect them at all.

The UFC opened up the market by getting mma legalized in all these different places. I think fighter-wise Affliction is starting to mold a good promotion. Of course they have work to do but already they are putting on good shows. They need to work a little more on their production and getting organized.

I think the worst thing that could happened to Affliction right now is one of their top fighters gets injured.

[Ubermensch]

Originally Posted by STruC1x

I'm a big MMA fan, and UFC fan since 1993.

UFC cage and rules are the BEST for this sport.

The ring and some tweaked Affliction rules kinda made me think it's like second grade show.

Sure you are big guy thats what everyone says. Affliciton rules where great and the atmosphere was more Pride like and the Ring well that was around way before the ufc for Shoot Fighting (cough) MMA fights.

[jhell]

Originally Posted by leedogg900

Well I'm sure this isn't a huge surprise to the Trumps. I think if they looked at the UFC and other organizations and how they started, they must know at first they will have losses. This is what's great about having the Trumps behind it because they have big pockets. They might think they will lose money for awhile trying to establish themselves and get sponsors, but if their committed and believe they can make the organization profitable I don't think this will affect them at all.

The UFC opened up the market by getting mma legalized in all these different places. I think fighter-wise Affliction is starting to mold a good promotion. Of course they have work to do but already they are putting on good shows. They need to work a little more on their production and getting organized.

I think the worst thing that could happened to Affliction right now is one of their top fighters gets injured.

You make some good points. I just hope that Trump isn't just more of a name backing than financial as I'd heard rumored before.

[Ubermensch]

I think he is more than just a name behind it hell he shells lots of money in to Ms. USA pageant and that is not even Ms. America.

I don't think his son would have called out Tito if he wasn't financially behind it. he just uses it like Chess because if it is a failure he will just distance his name form it. Just like he did by not talking shit about Tito's stupid demands himself.