Fedor to the UFC.......finally?!?!?!

[Mike D]

August 1st show cancelled. Affliction done as a promoter, back with the UFC as a sponsor, and major announcement next Friday.


Today's earlier report of a deal between Affliction and the Ultimate Fighting Championship has been officially announced.

Affliction, which launched a fight series in 2008 after it was banned as a UFC sponsor, today canceled its latest show, "Affliction: Trilogy," which was scheduled for Aug. 1 in California.

As expected, Affliction will no longer promote MMA shows and instead will return to the UFC octagon as an officially approved sponsor.

"We are excited about the return of Affliction to the UFC and look forward to seeing our fighters once again walk into the octagon wearing the Affliction brands," UFC president Dana White stated. "Affliction is an innovator of mixing fashion with this sport, and we are looking forward to working together to promote the sport."

White often criticized Affliction once it launched its fight promotion, which hosted two very prolific (but hardly lucrative) shows to date. With Fedor Emelianenko in both shows' headline fights, the cards drew big names and proven stars but came with hefty disclosed fighter payrolls of nearly $3.5 million each. White often referred to Affliction vice president Tom Atencio as the "T-shirt guy" and criticized company officials for saying Affliction would go head-to-head with the UFC.

Fences have apparently been mended.

"Our brand is synonymous with the 'Live Fast' approach to life, and UFC is the perfect venue for us to market our brand," Affliction co-founder Eric Foss stated. "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."

When asked whether the UFC would acquire fighter contracts from Affliction as part of the deal, White was noncommittal during a radio appearance on ESPN1100 today. However, he said the organization has a major press conference tentatively planned for July 31 in which the UFC will make a "laundry list" of major announcement.

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The UFC is on the verge of some major announcements.

During a guest spot today on the ESPN 1100 Radiothon, a 24-hour fundraiser for The Caring Place cancer charity, UFC president Dana White said the organization will soon hold a major press conference, tentatively planned for July 31.

He referenced the media event when asked about reports of Affliction halting operations and becoming a UFC sponsor, the possibility of the UFC acquiring Affliction contracts, whether or not Fedor Emelianenko could be signed to the UFC, and whether a rumored deal with ESPN could come to fruition.

"We're working on some big things," White said without going into specifics. "It's going to be a lot of crazy things. ... There will be a laundry list of things addressed."

On the show, White also confirmed that ESPN executive John Skipper, widely regarded as the "No. 2 guy" at the sports-media powerhouse, was in attendance at UFC 100.

Sources have told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that discussions have taken place regarding the possibility of ESPN airing live UFC shows at some point, though nothing appears definitive and official confirmation has been impossible to get. On the radio spot, White simply referred to the increased coverage ESPN can bring to its existing events, which air on pay-per-view and Spike TV.

"He got it," White said of Skipper's UFC 100 trip. "He saw the people. He saw the energy. All the things you get from the UFC live event, he felt, and that's why we're starting to get more coverage on ESPN."

As for Emelianenko, who was slated to fight at the Aug. 1 "Affliction: Trilogy" event before its cancellation earlier today, White said he's definitely interested in the fighter.

"My job is to put on the best fights with the best fighters and give fight fans the fights they want to see," White said. "What I think ... doesn't matter. I've been trying to get this guy in the UFC. I want it because you (fans) want it."

Additionally, if Emelianenko is signed, expect him in a championship bout immediately.

"He'll fight for the title first," White said.

Finally, as for Affliction, White remained tight-lipped and wouldn't confirm today's earlier report that the UFC would again allow the company to sponsor fighters (with the organization ceasing the promotion of MMA events).

However, he dropped a big hint.

"These guys are good at making clothes," he said. "They're not in the fight business. We are."


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[Icer]

That would be great, Fedor is by far the best fighter in the world and for him not to be in the world's premier MMA organization is a shame.
Brock vs Fedor
Couture/Nog winner gets next title shot

Big match ups for the HW division

[K-Met57]

Originally Posted by Mike D

August 1st show cancelled. Affliction done as a promoter, back with the UFC as a sponsor, and major announcement next Friday.


Today's earlier report of a deal between Affliction and the Ultimate Fighting Championship has been officially announced.

Affliction, which launched a fight series in 2008 after it was banned as a UFC sponsor, today canceled its latest show, "Affliction: Trilogy," which was scheduled for Aug. 1 in California.

As expected, Affliction will no longer promote MMA shows and instead will return to the UFC octagon as an officially approved sponsor.

"We are excited about the return of Affliction to the UFC and look forward to seeing our fighters once again walk into the octagon wearing the Affliction brands," UFC president Dana White stated. "Affliction is an innovator of mixing fashion with this sport, and we are looking forward to working together to promote the sport."

White often criticized Affliction once it launched its fight promotion, which hosted two very prolific (but hardly lucrative) shows to date. With Fedor Emelianenko in both shows' headline fights, the cards drew big names and proven stars but came with hefty disclosed fighter payrolls of nearly $3.5 million each. White often referred to Affliction vice president Tom Atencio as the "T-shirt guy" and criticized company officials for saying Affliction would go head-to-head with the UFC.

Fences have apparently been mended.

"Our brand is synonymous with the 'Live Fast' approach to life, and UFC is the perfect venue for us to market our brand," Affliction co-founder Eric Foss stated. "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."

When asked whether the UFC would acquire fighter contracts from Affliction as part of the deal, White was noncommittal during a radio appearance on ESPN1100 today. However, he said the organization has a major press conference tentatively planned for July 31 in which the UFC will make a "laundry list" of major announcement.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------


The UFC is on the verge of some major announcements.

During a guest spot today on the ESPN 1100 Radiothon, a 24-hour fundraiser for The Caring Place cancer charity, UFC president Dana White said the organization will soon hold a major press conference, tentatively planned for July 31.

He referenced the media event when asked about reports of Affliction halting operations and becoming a UFC sponsor, the possibility of the UFC acquiring Affliction contracts, whether or not Fedor Emelianenko could be signed to the UFC, and whether a rumored deal with ESPN could come to fruition.

"We're working on some big things," White said without going into specifics. "It's going to be a lot of crazy things. ... There will be a laundry list of things addressed."

On the show, White also confirmed that ESPN executive John Skipper, widely regarded as the "No. 2 guy" at the sports-media powerhouse, was in attendance at UFC 100.

Sources have told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that discussions have taken place regarding the possibility of ESPN airing live UFC shows at some point, though nothing appears definitive and official confirmation has been impossible to get. On the radio spot, White simply referred to the increased coverage ESPN can bring to its existing events, which air on pay-per-view and Spike TV.

"He got it," White said of Skipper's UFC 100 trip. "He saw the people. He saw the energy. All the things you get from the UFC live event, he felt, and that's why we're starting to get more coverage on ESPN."

As for Emelianenko, who was slated to fight at the Aug. 1 "Affliction: Trilogy" event before its cancellation earlier today, White said he's definitely interested in the fighter.

"My job is to put on the best fights with the best fighters and give fight fans the fights they want to see," White said. "What I think ... doesn't matter. I've been trying to get this guy in the UFC. I want it because you (fans) want it."

Additionally, if Emelianenko is signed, expect him in a championship bout immediately.

"He'll fight for the title first," White said.

Finally, as for Affliction, White remained tight-lipped and wouldn't confirm today's earlier report that the UFC would again allow the company to sponsor fighters (with the organization ceasing the promotion of MMA events).

However, he dropped a big hint.

"These guys are good at making clothes," he said. "They're not in the fight business. We are."


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the title is a little misleadings. Since Affliction is out of the game, the obvious thoughts are for Fedor to come to the UFC...but the truth is they may be as far or further apart as they ever have been. What happens to Barnett now? i think thats a much more realistic possibility for the UFC.

[Mike D]

Originally Posted by K-Met57

the title is a little misleadings. Since Affliction is out of the game, the obvious thoughts are for Fedor to come to the UFC...but the truth is they may be as far or further apart as they ever have been. What happens to Barnett now? i think thats a much more realistic possibility for the UFC.

What makes you believe they're further apart? After UFC 100 Dana addressed Fedor while he still had 1 fight left with Affliction. Now with Affliction back in the UFC as a tshirt company it opens up the door. Barnett is blah, should-be-suspended and White made some interestign comments recently about him as well.


Let's see what happens Friday.





It's a years-old discussion, and one that is at times maddening.

Widely regarded as the world's top heavyweight fighter, Fedor Emelinanko has proven to be the one commodity the UFC hasn't been able to land, and the strained relations between UFC president Dana White and the Russian's management have often been anything but amicable.

But with the collapse of Emelianenko's recent fighting home, Affliction Entertainment, his manager, Vadim Finkelchtein, says negotiations with the UFC are again underway.

"This the moment of truth that the UFC has talked about," Finkelchtein stated in a recent release issued by his company, M-1 Global. "Fedor and I are here in the States. If they want to come out and fly here, we are ready to conduct negotiations."

With M-1 Global's recent announcement of the Aug. 28 event, "M-1 Breakthrough," many MMA observers have speculated Emelianenko may appear on the company's first edition of the "new premium fight series."

Finkelchtein said his fighter is looking at a number of options.

"We are now with Fedor in the U.S., and we hope to make a decision about his next fight within the next few days," Finkelchtein stated. "There are many business meetings and negotiations planned with all the major promotions. We will explore the possibility of Fedor fighting (Josh) Barnett and will even look into whether the fight can take place as soon as August (since Barnett has not been suspended)."

While the excitement surrounding the long-awaited matchup between Emelianenko and Barnett certainly took a step back with "The Babyfaced Assassin's" recent positive drug test result, it would still be a bout between two of the world's best heavyweights. But with Brock Lesnar's impressive win at UFC 100 and White's apparent commitment to bringing the Russian into his organization, fans will most certainly be clamoring for Emelianenko to sign with the UFC.

While Finkelchtein's latest statement seems to lend some hope for that result, the terms of a potential contract may still prove impossible for the UFC to consider.

"Of course, it still doesn't imply we are ready to accept any conditions they'll throw at us," Finkelchtein said. "We want to talk to the UFC about having Fedor compete against some of their fighters, but only within the framework of co-promotional efforts with M-1 Global."

[AlwaysGreenAlwaysWhite]

Fedor / Lesnar is a gigantic card that White knows will pull in a ton of money and put a huge spotlight on the sport...

I don't see how he can't give in, at least a little to what Fedor is demanding...

If he aligns this fight, say, 10 months from now and GSP announces he'll jump to fight Silva...

Geebus Christ...

[Mike D]

Fedor has a press conference tomorrow..Hmmm..

[K-Met57]

la times reporting deal is good as done....

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/spor...zing-deal.html

also heard GSP today on the radio, really doesnt sound like he is fighting anderson

[Mike D]

Very very cool.