Smooth34 Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 After promoting two critically acclaimed but financially disastrous mixed martial arts cards, Affliction on Friday first canceled its pay-per-view card scheduled for Aug. 1 and then opted to get out of the promotional business. Affliction released a statement Friday evening in which it announced ?a collaboration with the UFC.? It confirmed that it will cease operations as a fight promoter and that its clothing division will become a UFC sponsor. ?Our brand is synonymous with the ?Live Fast? approach to life and UFC is the perfect venue for us to market our brand. We have come to an agreement with the UFC which we feel will be the best for the sport and will help the UFC continue delivering the highest caliber of fights.? said Eric Foss, co-founder of Affliction. Affliction had a card slated for Aug. 1 with a main event of Fedor Emelianenko, the No. 2 fighter in the Yahoo! Sports mixed martial arts rankings, against former UFC champion Josh Barnett at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. But Barnett tested positive for an anabolic steroid and on Tuesday was denied a license to fight by the California State Athletic Commission. That left Affliction scrambling to find a replacement for Emelianenko. With no viable alternatives ? the best was former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort, who was already down to 195 pounds for a scheduled middleweight fight ? Affliction early Friday opted to scrap the show. Later in the day, Affliction came to terms on a deal with the UFC in which it would quit promoting fight cards. The UFC is likely to absorb the contracts of all Affliction fighters except Emelianenko. Emelianenko?s contractual status is not known, though UFC president Dana White said Friday he is trying to negotiate a deal with the Russian. Multiple sources had indicated to Yahoo! Sports that Affliction was on the verge of a deal with Strikeforce for some sort of merger, but that fell apart in the last 24-48 hours. That?s when talks began anew between White and Affliction. They had spoken earlier in July about such a scenario, but were unable to come to a deal. Kevin Lole - Yahoo Sports Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeandBreighton Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 Emelianenko?s contractual status is not known, though UFC president Dana White said Friday he is trying to negotiate a deal with the Russian. I can hear Dana now, one for you, two for me, one for you, two for me......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattM Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 I mentioned it before that if the other semi-popular organizations don't find a way to work together for each others benifit the UFC would wait for their opening to take them out. These organizations have a hard time surviving as it is with just a small amount of popular talent and hype. It only take a small mess up to bring them down and the UFC is just waiting for that oppertunity so they can continue to prosper. To paraphrase what Ben Franklin once said these organizations can realize they must hang together against the dominating force of the UFC or surely they will hang seperately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navy80 Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 Dana said he has alot of big things to say at his press conference, though i dont know when it is Tito ortiz is back, well almost back Dana and Affliction are getting along, Seems to me that Dana is starting to humble himself to make things right for the future of the ufc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeandBreighton Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Tito ortiz is back, well almost back That's not enough to hold a press confrence for, unless him and Chuck are going to start a senior UFC org! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navy80 Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Tito ortiz is back, well almost back That's not enough to hold a press confrence for, unless him and Chuck are going to start a senior UFC org! Its supposed to be a few announcements not just tito Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeandBreighton Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Tito ortiz is back, well almost back That's not enough to hold a press confrence for, unless him and Chuck are going to start a senior UFC org! Its supposed to be a few announcements not just tito Oh I figured that, but if Mr. Jenna Jamison can't beat Chuck, why would they even bother. There are plenty of other fighters out there they haven't had thier shot yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TripleB Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Because Mr. Jameson puts butts in the seats and is 1-1-1 vs. the last 3 205lb champs. And minus the ridiculous loss of a point would be 2-1.He took Machida the distance on one knee. I've always thought that Liddel was in Tito's head, something that Tito just couldn't overcome. A Tito/Wanderlei rematch would be big, a Franklin/Tito match would be big, hell even a Coleman/Tito could headline an UFN or one the throw away cards. Lots of intriguing match ups out there for Tito Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB145 Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Tito would and will sell tickets. The fact we are all discussing his return for the good or the bad is prime example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drooke Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Yo, BB. Hit me up if you need a 205lb to fill an amateur card or possibly up to 230. I've got a buddy in Tenn. that is always up for a new fight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB145 Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 send me a message with record and info. i know alot of promoters in tenn and if he wants to travel here in indiana. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drooke Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 You have mail BB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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