Thursday, January 29, 2009

Affliction MMA is Done: Strong Rumor (Update: Atencio Denies)



Update from Bloodyelbow:
Tom Atencio denies all rumors of Affliction closing its doors. He denies even appearing on the Tom Leykis show or talking with the UFC.

"Things are moving forward...as long as people are talking about me I must be doing something right."



It appears that Affliction Clothing Company probably won't be promoting fights anymore. Rumblings around the MMA world are that they are just losing too much money. MMALogic and Michael Rome from Bloodyelbow first heard the possibility.

Affliction MMA is Done.

Tom Atencio will be making an announcement soon.

Everyone is making money here (Trump, Golden Boy, the fighters, etc...) at the expense of Affliction losing millions.

With Affliction footing virtually the entire bill and after PPV distributor: Showtime and Promoter Golden Boy taking their cut - Affliction is left with less than $13 per PPV buy to cover expenses.


Michael Rome update.
Update from Michael Rome: I have been digging at this story for the last 3 or 4 hours since I first heard it. I believe it to be true. I learned in the last hour from someone high up at the UFC that Lorenzo Fertitta was contacted today by Affliction looking for a "beneficial" way out. Realistically, they want back in the Octagon.

The problem for Affliction is they have very little to offer Zuffa. The contracts for their fighters are non transferrable, and the video library has little value. An insider at Zuffa told me, "the only way Zuffa will settle is with some sort of equity stake in Affliction (clothing)...at the end of the day Affliction does not have a fighter that the UFC needs, just 2-3 that would be nice to have."


This is not exactly a shocker to anyone, of course the big question is where will Fedor go? I summon the MMA gods to make it happen, Fedor in the UFC.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Alistair Overeem in Talks with UFC, Wants Fedor, Lesnar, Bonjasky and Mir


Alistair Overeem is challenging everyone these days and you got to admit he seems to be a much better fighter now then in his Pride days. In an interview with DreamFighters.com he talks about who he wants to fight(everyone) and the possibilty of fighting for the UFC.

DreamFighters.com: What is next for you? UFC, Lesnar, Fedor, what?

Alistair Overeem: Well I chellenged Bonjaksy on k-1 rules and yes Fedor and lesnar or on my list, Mir as well!


Overeem said he is planning on attending UFC 93.

DreamFighters.com: Who would you like to fight next?

Alistair Overeem: I am going on a holiday as I really trained hard whole 2008, beginning of february I will start training again, my management is in negotiations now, I might visit the UFC in Ireland on January 17th.


Overeem also discussed his future fighting plans.

DreamFighters.com: Have you had any talks with Dana White or the UFC - Any interest fighting for the UFC or Affliction?

Alistair Overeem: My management has been in contact with Affliction as well as the UFC, I am a fighter and i concentrate on fighting, I am very happy with Golden Glory!



The big question with Overeem in his Pride days was his suspect chin, but he seems to be a whole new animal now. He always had good striking, but his ground game has vastly improved over the years. His decision to move to heavyweight really changed his whole career around. Dominating and knocking out one of the best kickboxers on the planet(Badr Hari) at his own game is extremely impressive. Overeem seems to be on the right path to reaching the elite level of fighters.