Affliction close to signing Tito vs. Babalu

Mean Bro Green · 07-29-2008, 02:23 PM

Affliction close to signing Tito vs. Babalu

By Steve Cofield

Sources have told Yahoo! Sports that free agent Tito Ortiz will fight Renato "Babalu" Sobral in the co-main event at Affliction's next fight card, on Oct. 11 at the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus in Las Vegas. The main event will feature a heavyweight bout between WAMMA champion Fedor Emelianenko and Andrei Arlovski.

Affliction vice president Tom Atencio would not confirm the Ortiz-Babalu fight. He said details for the fight card will be released during an Aug. 6 news conference that most likely will be held in Las Vegas.

Atencio also indicated that he didn't think Affliction could speak with Ortiz until Aug. 4 because of a 60-day non-compete clause in Ortiz's UFC contract. Ortiz's last fight for UFC was on May 24 at UFC 84. If the 60-day clause is accurate, the deal ended last weekend. Atencio said the biggest stumbling block for an Ortiz deal would be the financial terms.

Affliction would seem to have the inside track at signing Ortiz, a former UFC light heavyweight champion (15-6-1, 14-6-1 UFC). He and his girlfriend, Jenna Jameson were conspicuous during the Affliction "Banned' event, sitting next to Affliction partner Donald Trump. Ortiz and Trump developed a relationship during the most recent season of The Apprentice.

Sobral told MMAJunkie.com that Ortiz is the fight he wants.

"That's my dream fight," a smiling Sobral said. "I'm looking for another guy. Wait for the name. It's coming. I think Tom (Atencio) is going to bring a name for me. And I'll be here to kick his ass."

Babalu's relationship with UFC ended in August of 2007. Sobral (30-7, 6-4 UFC) was released from his contract after a controversial win over David Heath. Sobral would not release a choke even after referee Steve Mazzagatti stopped the fight. Babalu won his Affliction debut on Jul. 19 with a unanimous decision over Mike Whitehead.

Because Affliction is not a licensed promoter in Nevada, Roy Englebrecht will serve as the promoter. Englebrecht was the promoter of record of the Banned card at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Mean Bro Green · 07-29-2008, 02:23 PM

i thought Elite would get Tito, Affliction is pulling no shorts in going after recognized names

AJGunns · 07-29-2008, 10:25 PM

I like Sobral but Tito will eat his children for breakfast.

07-29-2008, 02:23 PM	#1
Mean Bro Green gettin it Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 18,660	Affliction close to signing Tito vs. Babalu Affliction close to signing Tito vs. Babalu By Steve Cofield Sources have told Yahoo! Sports that free agent Tito Ortiz will fight Renato "Babalu" Sobral in the co-main event at Affliction's next fight card, on Oct. 11 at the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus in Las Vegas. The main event will feature a heavyweight bout between WAMMA champion Fedor Emelianenko and Andrei Arlovski. Affliction vice president Tom Atencio would not confirm the Ortiz-Babalu fight. He said details for the fight card will be released during an Aug. 6 news conference that most likely will be held in Las Vegas. Atencio also indicated that he didn't think Affliction could speak with Ortiz until Aug. 4 because of a 60-day non-compete clause in Ortiz's UFC contract. Ortiz's last fight for UFC was on May 24 at UFC 84. If the 60-day clause is accurate, the deal ended last weekend. Atencio said the biggest stumbling block for an Ortiz deal would be the financial terms. Affliction would seem to have the inside track at signing Ortiz, a former UFC light heavyweight champion (15-6-1, 14-6-1 UFC). He and his girlfriend, Jenna Jameson were conspicuous during the Affliction "Banned' event, sitting next to Affliction partner Donald Trump. Ortiz and Trump developed a relationship during the most recent season of The Apprentice. Sobral told MMAJunkie.com that Ortiz is the fight he wants. "That's my dream fight," a smiling Sobral said. "I'm looking for another guy. Wait for the name. It's coming. I think Tom (Atencio) is going to bring a name for me. And I'll be here to kick his ass." Babalu's relationship with UFC ended in August of 2007. Sobral (30-7, 6-4 UFC) was released from his contract after a controversial win over David Heath. Sobral would not release a choke even after referee Steve Mazzagatti stopped the fight. Babalu won his Affliction debut on Jul. 19 with a unanimous decision over Mike Whitehead. Because Affliction is not a licensed promoter in Nevada, Roy Englebrecht will serve as the promoter. Englebrecht was the promoter of record of the Banned card at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

07-29-2008, 10:25 PM	#3
AJGunns Say no to Chicken Little. Veteran Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,454	I like Sobral but Tito will eat his children for breakfast.