Affliction Folds MMA Promotion, Will Sponsor UFC; Fate of Fighters Unknown
Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports has updated his earlier report, which said a merger between Strikeforce and Affliction was already or nearly completed, to instead reveal that Affliction will no longer promote MMA events and will instead become a UFC sponsor, though at this moment the fate of its contracted fighters is unknown:
Later on Friday, Affliction opted to get out of the promoting business and, in a joint statement with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, announced it would become a sponsor of the UFC. The fate of the fighters under contract with Affliction is not known yet.
A formal announcement by Affliction and the UFC is expected to be issued shortly and should include additional details, but according to the earlier report, the UFC recently declined a deal to acquire the contracts of Affliction’s fighters in exchange for allowing the clothing company to return as a UFC sponsor. It appears that the UFC has since changed its mind, and will allow Affliction to return as a UFC sponsor, though it is not yet clear whether the promotions may have reached a broader agreement that could include select fighter contracts.
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Ha ha. Dana is right yet again. Awesome.
Wow dude, i have been silenced. I didn’t think that dana would agree to this. Have I been naive about the fact that dana’s quest for domination is 99% driven by the almighty $?
I hope some of the fighters get a chance to compete and prove themselves int he UFC.
Good. Now sign Fedor god damnit!
I think it’s complete bull**** that Lesnar gets 9 months off in between title fights/defenses.
Carwin vs Valasquez with the winner getting a title shot next year against the winner of Fedor vs Lesnar who will fight in December.
Bank it!
Fedor-lesnar has to happen now, or it should happen. It kinda all depends on what Fedor wants to do beause if it were up to the UFC they would have signed him by now.
Affliction is lucky that this deal happened, because if it didn’t they would have lost waayy more, but they have managed to make the most of this situation.
Just like EliteXC bet the whole company on Kimbo, Affliction banked it all on Fedor, this is what happens when you think one guy can carry the whole organizarion.
Bring in Belfort to fight Bisping!!!!
MK4 – howzabout we give the Count a chance to develop a complete MMA skillset before throwing him into the cage with a guy that learned BJJ under the Gracies and now trains with Xtreme Couture, hm?
Just sayin’…
yeah yout right jcohl, it wouldn’t be ethical to put Bisping against another good fighter, he needs to work on his game a bit more before he gets put to sleep again.
Exactly.
Bisping is essentially a former LHW Euro-kickboxing champion trying to transistion into MMA.
He’s made some good headway, and gotten a huge promotional push thanks to TUF and the whole “UFC conquers the UK” thing, but other than that Bisping is quite a ways away from guys like Belfort, or [obviously] Hendo.
And IMO he’s seriously hamstrung by training at Wolfslair.
The guy needs some serious mat time with both a BJJ and wrestling coach, someone like maybe Dean Lister?
Now Hendo-Belfort is a fight I’d pay to see at 185…
There are so many awesome matchups that could be put together at 185. Hopefully the UFC can grap Belfort Mousasi and maybe Filho, Santiago, and Manhoef over time.
I’m sure Tapout is really pleased with this. (of course, I’m being sarcastic) I know they’re big into loyalty over there, and just like that, Affliction is going to be a UFC sponsor? I wonder where Tapout stands…
GarRUle,
that’s what i was trying to say but you said it better dude.
Thanks, dude…
dude the Tapout guys are not selfish, and i’m sure their bussiness isn’t going to really lose anything because Tapout is huge as hell, Affliction is one of things that has no staying power, it might have been cool for some people when it first started, but like every other fad, it goes away. In this case it won’t go away but it’s not as “cool” or popular as it was before.
MK4 – on a financial level you’re probably right about TapOut not taking a big hit, but on a personal level, I have to believe they are pi$$ed beyond compare.
They’ve had a tough year losing Mask, and now they have to market-share with Affliction more than they already do?
And their good buddies over in the UFC are good with that?
Sorry, but no way that’s going to be cool after a beer or two, like a lot stuff sometimes is.
Unless there are some real issues in the TapouT business that no one outside of the UFC and TapouT know about…
Great Great Point GarRule
What?
Wait a minute.
Affliction MMA folding I understand,but does this mean UFC fighters will be wearing Affliction walkout wear again?
That sucks for a company like Silver Star, which was really getting some traction within the MMA community.
What does the UFC get out of this deal?
Cash?
They probably could have gotten that before if they’d lifted their Affliction embargo on their merchandise.
Also, Fedor has 1 fight left on his Affliction contract, so I’m assuming with that promotion going under he’s freed from obligation to them?
I guess we’ll all have to wait and see how this thing shakes out, and give the conspiracy theorists a chance to post all of their “Dana White paid Josh Barnett to destroy Affliction from within” stuff.
look at what you’ve started
I would imagine that the contracts are still under the Affliction umbrella. Just because one division of the overall company flounders and sinks doesn’t mean that the contract with the overall company is null and void. In the best case scenario, the UFC could negotiate with Affliction for the right to have first negotiation with the fighters and then make a decision on their fighting fate. For the example of this, look at what happened with the folding of ProElite and EliteXC. However, it sounds like Strikeforce is currently in the lead for this right. Affliction clothing may be coming back to the UFC, but it is likely that the fighters won’t.
Gotcha, bsbiz. Thanks for the clairification.
I also wasn’t sure if Fedor’s contract was with Affliction MMA, or the parent company.
I also know that Fedor’s contract is tied into M-1, the Russian Presidium, LukOil, Yakov Smirnoff, and Lord knows who else…
Just remember that there is a blueprint for what will happen with the personal services contract that these fighters have/had with Affliction MMA. Bids will be made (by Strikeforce and maybe UFC)for the right to negotiate or right of first refusal for any fighters they are interested in. It is then up to the highest bidder to secure the fighter to a contract with their organization. I highly doubt that Fedor will sign with the UFC and will probably not even sign with Strikeforce. I would really like to Vitor come to the UFC. Is there anyone else out there? Not really.
It all depends on how much the UFC is willing to shell out and would the fighter like to work for them. The UFC, with its greater financial abilities, will be able to outspend Strikeforce. We shall see over the next few months who goes where.
Oh, and technically, Yakov Smirnoff was Ukrainian. Close enough, though.
Ohh my goodness the conspircay therorists have possible points and I shall feed into it why not!!
What if UFC paid the NSAC to say “Barnett was on Riods”!!! And cause Affliction to fold!!
Yes Yes
What if Josh Barnett proves he wasn’t on Riods like Sean Muscle shark and he comes back 6 months later to fight in the UFC??!!
Yes Yes
What if they did pay Kimbo to take a dive and cause Elite to fold!!
Yes Yes
What if Brock Lesnar was paid to beat up Randy and its all a big Conspiracy all planned and Executed by Vince McMahon!!!!!!
If Yahhh SMELLLLLLLLLLLLL What The OT1 is cooking!!
i’m big on loyalty and i have to agree with jcohl, tapout should be a little bothered by this to say the least.
But i agree with mk4, give bisping belfort! That’s a great idea, and it would be granting bispings wishes anyway. He wanted a top me, give him one. I can imagine the demolotion of bisping if this fihgt took place!
Jazzkok – not to blast you or anything, but I think Bisping means he wants a “top guy” HE CAN ACTUALLY FIGHT [and half at least half a chance to beat], not a “top guy” thats going to run him into the cage, ground him, and either pound him out or submit him.
Either of which is easily possible with Belfort’s experience and skillset.
In all honestly I don’t see Bisping doing appreciably better agsint Belfort than he did against Hendo.
Bisping should fight Patrick Cote, or some other striker so that he can put on a good show for the UK locals, and then once he’s back on the winning track he can hopefully start scouting around for a new training camp, and/or some sort of ground game instructor.
What? A top guy he can beat? Top guy means one of the best … he feels he is one of the top guys and wants to prove it. Let him try. Isn’t he a core member of the wolfs lair with Ram and Chek?
CC, trust me, Michael Bisping wants no part of anyone with a good ground game, whether it be wrestling g-n-p or BJJ.
When Bisping says “top fighter”, what he means is, “top striker”.
Hes probably hoping for Mcfedries, Quarry, or Irvin. To bad there all busy.
Looks like the Brock vs Fedor fight actually might happen now.
If this move doesn’t force UFC and Fedor to finally come to terms… Nothing will. Fedor is going to be losing out on close to a million dollars due to this fight being squashed. On top of that, a waste of 4-5 months of training and he is currently fight ready. This last week of training would have been tapered off and been a rest week for him. Basically Fedor is sitting at home in fight shape with no pay cheque coming his way. Sucks to be Fedor. Sucks real bad.
So he and Dana should sit down. Negotiate a contract. Have Fedor fight no later then September. Find him a UFC opponent to destroy. Then pit Fedor vs Lesnar for the Heavyweight title in the year ending December pay-per-view. Winner of Carwin/Valasquez fights for the title April/May 2010.
What does everyone else think?
Given how much he makes in his sambo and M1 sponsored matches (and by matches, I mean freak shows), I hardly think the money is first and foremost in his mind.
Also, there is that slight issue of the contract he signed with M1 that says that he can fight anyone he wants as long as it’s in Russia. Given that the sites for UFC events are already spoken for until at least 108, having him fight in September ain’t gonna happen.
Getting him to come to the UFC (besides the fact that it’s just not going to happen no matter how much wishing upon a star you do) is not as simple as Dana White waving his magic wand, speaking to Tinkerbell, or single handedly pulling a Rambo and taking out the entire Russian Mob (and by Russian Mob, I mean M1).
Sorry to be the cold shower on your wet dream. In the end, it’s good for you.
I just think the whole thing is a big joke . You mean to tell me that you can’t put on a quality frickin MMA show for less than $6 million ???? WTF ????
As I sit here typing the commercial for TRILOGY is still playing advertising Fedor vs Barnett …….
There must be no effort in any way to plan ….. just lots of money being spent with hopes it comes back somehow . It would be better to start a company out with a open weight 8 man Gran Prix style tourney with a good payout to catch interest (not absured payouts) Give each guy 15,000 with a 15,000 win bonus for each round until the final where each gets 25,000 with a 100,000 win bonus . Gets the fresh new guys to compete instead of picking through the same old lot of fighters that get shuffled around .
Jazzkok, yes you are correct, Dana is driven by the all mighty $$$$. But give the man is due, he is also in to make MMA the 1# sport World Wide and one day might do it!! Its companies like Affliction and Elite that think they can just walk into the MMA world and make money that are stupid. Learn from Strikeforce started small but is now on Showtime and there shows are awesome!!
@dr doom – I just noticed the same thing.
Affliction:Trilogy ads are still running most everywhere, and a lot are still pimping a Fedor-Barnett fight.
Unreal.
As far as Fedor coming to the UFC, he’s had his opportunities and he’s passed on them. He clearly wanted no part of fighting Randy Couture in a cage, because he loves SAMBO more, or he was too busy being a former Soviet superhero, or needed a million/million per fight contract, or he just loves Japanese food too much, or some such, and now people are thinking he wants to take on a ultra-violent and Neanderthalic super HW opponent that’s actually learning some catch-wrestling stuff from the guy that taught Josh Barnett, and just walked over Couture and Frank Mir?
Please.
I’ll believe Fedor fighting in the UFC when I see Herb Dean asking him if he’s ready to go in the middle of the Octagon…
Looking back at Affliction, it’s pretty sad. You got a huge clothing company, and backing from Donald Trump, the number 1 heavy weight in the world, and you fold after just 2 events. This is what happens when you base your company off of one fighter.
Also, looking back, Barnett and Fador were both schedueled for this even but Affliction said that they were not going to fight each other. Who were they trying to get before they gave up and used their back up plan(Barnett). Well, that just blew up in their face.
I LOVE YOU DANA WHITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now Gun
You gotta say
“I WANT FEDOR’S BELT”!!!!
lol Rumors UFC 103 Main Event Rich Franklin VS Rich Franklin
We have a clone fighting the original.
Speaking of clones, Why dont Affliction clone Brock Lesnar to fight Fedor. That would fix this whole problem! Hell, you could even pay the clone in food.
Perhaps we should just have a card with just Thiago’s and Silva’s
Sad day for the fans….I was looking forward to the last minute counter programming on SPIKE.
Lol
It probably would have been the Machida/Rashad card.
(note: I have not read most of the other comments.)
Wow. This is just crazy, I feel like I’m in Bizaro world. First Dana and Tito “make-up”, Lance will likely not win tour 8, stock market is going up, now Affliction finally folds so they can make a deal with the UFC. Well, now T~shirt guy can go back to being just that, well and maybe still a fighter.
If all this stuff has got Justin doing a double-take, imagine how the rest of us feel?
It’s like I’m on a ride at SixFlags and the safety rig isn’t locked down tight…
Just had a thought… wonder if either Tito or allowing Affliction to sponsor again were the “big deal” Dana was in CA working on. (sorry if this has been said…still haven’t had a chance to read comments.)
Exactly what I was thinking but you beat to it Justin.
sidenote justin… where else can the stockmarket go? its been pretty dammn low. im with jcohl on the fedor thing. ill believe it when he is locked in the octagon and the ref asks if hes ready. i think the two fighters that should come over are mousasi and vitor. they would add to the talent in their respective divisions. isnt mousasi still a top 5-10 mw according to the various mma rankings?
Ya some rankings still have him realy high. MMAPlayground for example has him at #6
True on the stockmarket, but from what I’ve seen (and I’m not exactly in tune with the SM) things have been surprisingly good the last few days.
Mousasi and Vitor have both expressed interest in fighting for the UFC, and I wouldn’t mind seeing them in the org. Mousasi is still ranked well at MW in some rankings, but he doesn’t fight at MW anymore and says he can’t make the cut. At 205, I’m just not sure how dangerous he really is, we shall see whenever he fights his next fight, however. The concern for Mousasi in coming to the UFC is that he is still under contract with FEG/DREAM to my knowledge.
Just wanted to say a couple of things here from what I’ve noticed above…
A) Tapout will not be as heated as you think, they still have the TUF deal and this is no different than allowing other brands like Ecko, Deathclutch, etc. to sponsor fighters. Tapout still has deals with a lot of fighters directly tied to Affliction. From what I’ve been hearing other brands will not be allowed into the octagon unless they do agree to provide the UFC with some compensation for using their fighters/video games as billboards. So Tapout in all honesty still has the best deal of any of the brands.
B) Don’t forget Extreme Couture is a division of Affliction.
C)Mousasi has said he will not return to 185 and is planning on staying at 205 and/or moving up to Heavyweight at some point
D) I really want to see Dan Lauzon and Horodecki in the UFC
E) Almost all of the contracts with Affliction are non-exclusive contracts and many of the fighters we actually committed to other organizations so don’t get your hopes up.
F) if this means more Tim Sylvia I’m going to go ahead and off myself
G) does this mean no more F-WAMMA from FR… how sad
and finally “I WANT JOACHIM’S BELT!!!”.. what we aren’t yelling out random champs names here…
“F-WAMMA” will probably stick around as WAMMA is not directly tied to Affliction, they just made their “championship” debut by naming Fedor Champ… remember their only other paper champ is Aoki (never mind that he is not even a promotional champ) who fights for DREAM.
With Caplan and Miletich leaving WAMMA they don’t have much to stand on anymore, also no real MMA fan take them seriously, During the spat between BE and WAMMA, BE proved that they (WAMMA) are a ridiculous by product of greed and arrogance
F~WAMMA
I too want to see Lauzon v Chris in the WEC or UFC I don’t care that fight deserves to happen
“Extreme Couture” is copyrighted by Randy himself I believe and now we will see it back in the UFC
TapouT will be ok
In the forums section I put my knowledge of the fighters and what org they are tied too check it out..
Aoki will take HellBoy’s belt so no you can’t have it
Mousasi is no longer a MW he is to believed to be LHW now should be interesting, I think he is ducking Kendall Grove, hence the move up in weight class
Timmmehhhhh could definately come back, that is Fing crazy
OMG so sad… what about the AFFLICTION fighters?