affliction_banned-mixed-martial-arts

AFFLICTION BANNED

© Marc Wickert
www.knucklepit.com
July 19, 2008
All photos copyright 2008 Affliction Clothing
Photography by Larry Beard & Garry Green

On July 19, 2008, Affliction Clothing and the Trump Organization, in association with Roy Englebrecht Events, presented one enormous MMA event that will certainly go down in history. Affliction Banned also shocked America and millions of stunned p-p-v fans around the world with the unveiling of ‘The Last Emperor’, Mr. Fedor Emelianenko.

Megadeth whipped up a tempest of head-banging metal that only complemented the action in the ring and got the fans pumped between bouts. Their ‘Killing Road’ was juiced up by lightning solos from Dave Mustaine and Chris Broderick.

But July 19 wasn’t all smooth sailing: In some ways it was a dark night as viewers at home were deprived of the pleasure of seeing the luscious ring girls between rounds. Hopefully this matter will be resolved for Affliction Two.

In earlier matches:

Vitor Belfort def. Terry Martin by KO – 3.12, Round Two.
Paul Bientello def. Gary Goodridge by unanimous decision.
Mark Hominick def. Savant Young by arm bar – 4.25, Round Two.
Gabriel Gonzaga def. Justin McCully by kimura – 1.57, Round One.
Cole Miller def. Jorge Gurgel by triangle choke – 4.48, Round Three.
Justin Buchholz def. Corey Hill by rear naked choke – 3.57, Round Two.

The Battles

Mike Pyle (6’1” 171 lb) vs. JJ Ambrose (5’10” 171 lb)
– Welterweight
Referee: Josh Rosenthal

Mike air-jabbed. JJ attacked with a fist package and backed Mike into the corner. They kneed from the clinch.
4.17: Pyle pushed his way out of the corner and had Ambrose’s back to the ropes.
4.10: Ambrose shoved Pyle into the corner again.
4.00: Mike had the underhooks in.
3.55: He took JJ down before getting side control.
3.46: Mike took the mount.
3.38: JJ surrendered his back and Mike softened him up with g’n’p before fitting him with a rear naked choke.

Result: Mike Pyle by RNC – 2.51, Round One.

Antonio Nogueira (6’2” 205 lb) vs. Edwin Dewees (6’1” 205 lb)
– Light Heavyweight
Referee: Herb Dean

4.52: Edwin commenced a series of leg kicks to southpaw Antonio’s right leg.
4.44: Edwin kicked to the body and followed with a high kick.
4.31: The kicks were contagious: Antonio leg-kicked and threw a left hand. Edwin front-kicked, tried a spinning back kick, then attacked the legs.
3.52: Antonio hurled a left fist that Edwin blocked.
3.57: Dewees was backed into a corner. He grabbed the ropes for support and shot two kicks at Nogueira, before ducking under a left hand, and reversed positions – backing Nogueira into the corner. They clinched.
2.50: The pair broke free. Dewees unleashed a variety of kicks.
2.35: Nogueira closed in with punches flying and Dewees went for the takedown, but it was more like a voluntary collapse, and Nogueira dropped into guard. They exchanged strikes.
1.48: Antonio stood and Edwin followed him up.
1.29: Antonio brought up knees to the body. He stepped back as Edwin grabbed the ropes before kicking out.
1.20: Antonio brought up another knee. He put on a Thai clinch and delivered more knees, elbows and a flurry of fists. Edwin tried to return fire, but Nogueira put him down with a left hook, then followed with g’n’p before Herb Dean pulled it up.

Result: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira by TKO – 4.06, Round One.

Matt Lindland (6’0” 185 lb) vs. Fabio Nascimento (5’10” 185 lb)
– Middleweight
Referee: Josh Rosenthal

Round One

4.50: Southpaw Matt knocked Fabio down with a left hook. From his back, Matt had Fabio in a guillotine.
4.38: They rolled and Fabio was on his back – guillotine still deeply latched on.
4.17: Nascimento turned Lindland onto his back.
4.12: Nascimento was still in the choke after Lindland reversed positions yet again, and applied pressure on the hold from half guard.
3.30: Fabio eased his head free and had Matt in open guard.
3.12: Fabio had Matt in closed guard.
2.50: Matt was g’n’p-ing and dropped a Sakuraba-style double chop on Fabio. Lindland worked Nascimento over with elbows and fists.
1.02: Nascimento got to his feet and both men banged away.

Round Two

4.37: Matt high-kicked.
4.30: They clinched.
4.22: They broke free and traded.
4.16: Fabio caught Matt with a right elbow that shook Lindland and forced him to lock on.
3.52: Nascimento parked another right elbow on Lindland’s dial.
3.09: Fabio was pushed into the corner before Matt secured a double-leg takedown and recommenced his g’n’p treatment. He rained down more damaging elbows, but Fabio hung in there.
0.25: Fabio’s upper body slid under the ropes. Josh Rosenthal had a discussion with the fighters before the round came to a close.

Round Three

Lindland was hot in pursuit; however as he closed in, Nascimento returned fire.
3.40: Lindland had Nascimento cornered and attempted another takedown, but Fabio whacked on a guillotine to avoid going horizontal.
3.30: They were separated and banging it out, toe-to-toe. Matt was outgunning his opponent; however, Nascimento managed to come back with knees and knuckles to Lindland’s midsection.
1.23: Matt went for a takedown as Fabio fell through the ropes and thumped his head on the outside surface.
1.00: The ref restarted them at center ring.
0.24: Fabio hip-threw Matt to the canvas; they sprang back up, and duked it out up to the bell.

Result: Matt Lindland by unanimous decision.

Renato Sobral (6’1” 201 lb) vs. Mike Whitehead (6’1” 206 lb)
– Light Heavyweight
Referee: Jason Herzog

Round One

Mike jabbed and Renato front-kicked. They briefly tied up, then broke free – both men wanted to hammer it out. Renato smacked Mike’s left leg with a kick. They exchanged and Mike forced Renato against the ropes from center ring.
3.51: Whitehead pushed Sobral into the corner and they swapped knees.
3.14: They untied.
2.58: Sobral went for a takedown, Whitehead resisted, they clinched, then went toe-to-toe as Renato popped out jabs.
2.14: Renato leg-kicked.
2.10: He ducked under a right hook and attempted the takedown that Mike warded off before the pair locked up, and Mike backed Renato into the ropes.
1.38: Whitehead forced Sobral into the corner.
1.20: They separated and thumped it out at center ring.
1.04: Whitehead drove up a powerful right uppercut.
0.51: Sobral inside leg-kicked and threw a combo before Mike clinched and shoved Renato into the ropes.
0.37: Mike brought up a knee, released his hold, and unloaded a left and a right hand.
0.32: He hurled a right hook, Renato moved in for a loose clinch, Mike fell back, and Renato followed him down.
0.24: They were free-standing after scrambling on the floor.

Round Two

They swapped leather.
4.32: Whitehead went for the takedown. Sobral stayed upright as Whitehead forced him across the ring and into the ropes.
3.45: They separated.
3.17: Mike attempted another takedown; Renato resisted and appeared to go for a guillotine.
3.03: Mike took Renato down and fought from his guard.
2.23: Sobral’s head was through the ropes and the ref moved the pair before restarting the action.
2.13: Sobral looked for a triangle, then an uma-plata, but Whitehead evaded the holds.
1.37: Mike was on his knees when Renato kicked up at Mike’s head. Whitehead shrugged it off with a laugh, knowing the strike was illegal.
1.24: Jason Herzog stood them up.
1.15: Renato landed jabs before they clinched. He kneed to the body and Mike fired in an elbow as the pair broke free. Sobral replied with a spinning back-fist; however, Whitehead had already moved out of range.
0.48: Mike delivered a jab which caused Renato to clinch. Sobral closed the round with knees to the midsection.

Round Three

They touched gloves.
Jabs were traded before Renato leg-kicked and Mike countered with a right.
4.47: Sobral missed with a front kick. He tried for a left hook and they locked up.
4.36: They were liberated.
4.33: Renato went for the takedown which Mike warded off.
4.28: Mike ducked under Renato’s attempted right-leg axe kick and seized Renato’s left leg. He bulldozed Sobral into the ropes and Sobral went for a guillotine, which contained Whitehead’s right arm. Play was interrupted by the pair falling through the ropes.
4.11: Vertical warfare resumed.
3.45: Whitehead resisted a takedown.
3.24: He then went for a takedown; however play stopped when the pair fell through the ropes again.
3.01: Mike drove Renato into the corner and Renato went for a guillotine.
2.50: Mike got a single-leg takedown and Renato maintained the choke.
2.38: Whitehead popped his head out and moved into Renato’s guard.
2.09: Sobral worked on an uma-plata.
1.52: Whitehead was free. He threw some light punches before the ref ordered them to stand.
1.05: Sobral dispatched knees and a left hook.
0.47: He kicked Whitehead in the jaw with a front kick.
0.39: Renato attempted another kick, but Mike countered with a right cross.
0.29: Renato fired off a spinning back-kick that Mike blocked with his left hand.
0.26: Renato shot in for the takedown and Mike sprawled with his back to the ropes.

Result: Renato Babalu Sobral by unanimous decision.

Josh Barnett (6’4” 256 lb) vs. Pedro Rizzo (6’1” 242 lb)
– Heavyweight
Referee: Herb Dean

Round One

They mixed it up with jabs.
4.30: Pedro tagged Josh with a precision left.
4.12: Pedro caught Josh with consecutive jabs, but failed with a follow-up right.
4.03: Josh dispatched a right front kick to Pedro’s abs.
3.59: He caught Pedro with a left front kick. He tried to follow with another right kick, but Pedro palmed it off.
3.52: Barnett jabbed, then went for a takedown that Rizzo resisted. Barnett kept coming and they tied up.
3.44: They separated.
3.33: Barnett front-kicked.
3.29: Rizzo picked him off with a jab.
3.12: Josh shot out a spinning back-kick.
3.05: He front-kicked to Pedro’s abs.
3.02: Josh threw a hook combo that had Pedro dancing out of the line of fire.
2.45: Josh leg-kicked.
2.42: He failed with a takedown; they traded, and Pedro tagged Josh with an overhand right.
2.32: Barnett body-punched.
2.25: Barnett landed a jab.
2.11: Rizzo inside leg-kicked.
1.42: Barnett leg-kicked.
1.35: Rizzo landed a jab.
1.24: He slipped in two more lefts.
The toe-to-toe continued. Each time Josh went for a takedown, Pedro changed direction and deflected Josh’s attack.
0.35: Josh drove a kick into Pedro’s solar plexus. He followed with a front kick and spinning back-kick. Pedro closed the round with a high kick to Josh’s face.

Round Two

Rizzo jabbed and Barnett leg-kicked. The heat was turned up a notch and both men were scoring with punches.
3.22: Barnett delivered a right hand. He followed it up with a right and a left that leveled Rizzo.

Result: Josh Barnett by KO – 1.44, Round Two.

Andrei Arlovski (6’4” 241 lb) vs. Ben Rothwell (6’5” 264 lb)
– Heavyweight
Referee: Josh Rosenthal

Round One

Ben, with a Jack Nicholson stare, looked across at Andrei like a scene from The Shining. They closed in and hurled leather.
4.49: Ben zapped off a left, right, left package. Andrei replied with outer and inner leg kicks.
4.24: Andrei inside leg-kicked, Ben jabbed, and Andrei threw a left.
4.22: Andrei leg-kicked and Ben answered with a left.
4.14: They were entangled.
3.58: They broke free and Arlovski pumped out a right.
3.47: A left and a right whizzed over Arlovski’s head before the pair clinched.
3.35: Rothwell was pressed into the corner and had a Thai grip on Arlovski.
3.25: Arlovski threw a right hook as they unlocked.
3.11: Arlovski leg-kicked.
2.57: Rothwell closed in with fists flying and had Arlovski pinned to the ropes.
2.42: He had Arlovski pressed into the corner.
2.27: Andrei swept Ben down from the clinch and was in Ben’s guard. Ben spun Andrei off and Andrei switched to a heel hook. But Ben was well versed in escaping this submission after seeing Andrei’s victory over Tim Sylvia in their first meeting.
2.07: Rothwell was free and standing with Arlovski.
2.02: He jabbed as Arlovski leg-kicked. Rothwell leg-licked and Arlovski replied with leather.
1.47: Andrei inside leg-kicked.
0.56: Andrei hit Ben with a barrage of punches. Ben ate the shots and came back with punches and a high kick. Andrei picked away at Ben with hands and a kick, then drove home a big right hand.

Round Two

4.52: Arlovski inside leg-kicked.
4.36: He threw a short, distracting jab before landing an overhand right. Rothwell answered with a volley before Arlovski returned fire.
4.16: Arlovski caught Rothwell with a series of hooks. Ben backed into the ropes with the strikes still coming at him, until 4.05, when he got away.
4.02: Ben mounted a counterattack. But Andrei clinched, got the underhooks in, and swept Ben to the floor before getting the mount.
3.44: Rothwell maneuvered Arlovski into guard. Andrei g’n’ped till 3.13, when the ref freed them from the ropes. They restarted at center ring with Andrei in guard.
2.39: Arlovski dropped back for another heel hook; however Rothwell escaped easily and stood up.
2.35: Ben dropped into Andrei’s guard and slammed down a big right fist, then dumped a salvo of heavy right hands and elbows on Andrei.
1.04: The ref moved them inside the ropes and had Ben back in guard.
0.25: The ref stood them up.
0.18: Andrei came in with a collection of hooks, uppercuts and a high kick. Ben was backed into the corner as Andrei kept thumping away. He brought up a huge knee that would have ironed out anybody – except Big Ben Rothwell. What a hard man!

Round Three

Arlovski offered his left hand and they touched gloves for the first time. Rothwell came after Arlovski, but both men were knackered.
4.53: They clinched.
4.03: Arlovski broke free and dispatched a left knee and a right hook.
3.55: He leg-kicked.
3.51: Andrei lined Ben up for a crushing right hook and a right uppercut that stopped Ben.

Result: Andrei Arlovski by KO – 1.13, Round Three.

Fedor Emelianenko (6’0” 230 lb) vs. Tim Sylvia (6’8” 263 lb)
– WAMMA Heavyweight Championship
Referee: Herb Dean

The ref calls them to center ring and both men look at the floor. There’s no animosity – they’re just two athletes, who happen to be superhuman gladiators, competing for the world heavyweight title.
The room is humming harder as they face off. Fedor extends his left mitt and Tim returns the gesture.
4.53: Tim bops out a jab that Fedor pulls away from. Tim has his hands high, whereas Fedor’s are lower and loose.
4.48: Emelianenko throws out a right hand that pulls down Sylvia’s left guard, then connects with a left hand. Sylvia grips Emelianenko’s neck in a Thai clinch. Fedor grabs onto the back of Tim’s neck with his right hand and brings up a left hook. Fedor throws loops: a left, right, left, right, left, right, left.
4.43: Tim crashes face down. He quickly climbs to his knees, but Fedor crouches over Tim’s back from Tim’s left side and drives in three more looping punches.
4.40: Tim rolls onto his back and cops a right, left, and left before earning another left as he rolls onto his knees.
4.37: Emelianenko straddles Sylvia’s back and punishes him with three big right loops. Sylvia tries to cover up.
4.32: Fedor has his hooks in. He slips his right wrist and lower forearm under Tim’s neck, then grips his hands together.
4.31: Emelianenko turns him over, with his back pulled into Emelianenko’s chest. Fedor has a hands-clasped, rear naked choke in place, rather than the BJJ hand-on-the-biceps style of choke.
4.25: Tim taps.

Result: Fedor Emelianenko by RNC – 0.36, Round One.

Affliction Girls

What an incredible debut for Affliction. Can’t wait to see Affliction Two on October 11, 2008, when Fedor Emelianenko and Andrei Arlovski lock horns.

Fedor Champion

For more on Affliction Banned: www.afflictionbanned.com.

AFFLICTION BANNED
and MICHAEL COHEN

Part 2

Pulling No Punches

Michael Cohen - Executive Vice President and Special Counsel
to Donald Trump

©Marc Wickert
www.knucklepit.com
July 4, 2008

In response to the ongoing debate between UFC and Affliction, and to UFC President Dana White’s recent comments on www.matratz.com about Affliction, www.knucklepit.com contacted the Chief Operating Officer for Affliction Entertainment, Michael Cohen, for his view of Dana’s opinions.

Michael, do you know who the interviewer was questioning Dana White?

“No. Based on his poor performance as an interviewer, I am certain he has no credibility in the world of radio or for that matter, even in his own local market.”

Are you saying that UFC should be afraid of Affliction, or are you saying that everybody can work together?

“First, I believe that the UFC is afraid of Affliction. And that’s been proven by the actions taken by Dana White by hosting a free event on the same night that Affliction is putting on Affliction Banned.”

Who was Dana referring to when he said ‘the idiot who sells T-shirts’?

“He’s referring to the Affliction clothing line.”

But which person?

“There are many people at Affliction Clothing, so to whom he is referring, not only do we not know, but in reality we don’t even care.

“Dana White is truly an embarrassment to executives in any type of business, irrespective of whether it’s high finance, real-estate development, or mixed martial arts. His continuous use of profanities to get his point across, to me indicates that either he’s a wannabe tough guy, or he’s just plain and simply ignorant.

“Executives of billion-dollar companies do not speak the way Dana White speaks. I’m willing to bet that you will never hear Lorenzo Fertitta speak in such a manner. Dana White is an embarrassment to this sport, to the UFC, and to corporate executives.”

Fedor Emelianenko - #1 rated heavyweight in the world

Do you think the real competition is not between the UFC and Affliction, but between MMA and other sports – such as boxing and baseball, or with other activities, such as people goofing off on drugs or whatever… that a number of successful organizations in the sport would be good for the sport, and that the attention should be directed towards other activities that are a distraction from the MMA market?

“I don’t want to get into social ills… What I will tell you is: Donald Trump made a significant announcement, approximately three weeks ago, whereby he notified the world of his involvement in mixed martial arts as an equity partner in Affliction Entertainment. Whenever Donald Trump enters into a business enterprise, those who are already in that enterprise tend to be nervous. As it relates to MMA, I believe that as a result of Mr. Trump’s involvement, Affliction will not only continue to host the best fights, but will sign the best fighters – and ultimately be the preeminent, dominant league in mixed martial arts.”

The ‘interview’ appeared to be more of a staged commercial rather than an actual interview. What are your thoughts?

“It sounds like Dana White has planned this interview and that they are very chummy. No one is here to attack Dana White. Donald Trump and Affliction are here to promote the best fights with the best fighters, and to compensate the fighters appropriately.

“It is without question that Dana White and the UFC have created a fantastic forum for these mixed martial artists to showcase their talents. No one can take that away from them; however I suspect that soon there will be a changing of the guard and you will see a new preeminent force. And that name will be Donald Trump’s Affliction Entertainment Company.”

When we were talking before, I asked you if you expected Affliction to be in complete competition with UFC, or down the track, do you think there will be a more cooperative relationship? You said: “I suspect that in a short period of time, Mr. Trump’s Affliction will surpass the UFC. We are not opposed to co-promoting with the UFC.”

“That’s correct. The goal is to ultimately crown the true champion – not the champion for a specific league.”

It would seem that having another major MMA organization would be healthy for the sport and great for the fans, that both should exist, rather than just Affliction or just UFC, as opposed to a big battle between the organizations… and that the titles should be unified.

“In capital letters: ABSOLUTELY! The goal is to give the fans the best fight that they can see, and to create competition among all fighters – not just fighters in a designated league.”

Affliction Banned - July 19, 2008

For more on Dana White:

http://www.knucklepit.com/mixed-martial-arts-dana_white.htm

For more on Michael Cohen:

http://www.knucklepit.com/mixed-martial-arts-affliction_banned_and_michael_cohen.htm

AFFLICTION BANNED
and MICHAEL COHEN

Pulling No Punches

Michael Cohen

©Marc Wickert,
www.knucklepit.com
June 18, 2008

On July 19, 2008, Affliction Clothing and the Trump Organization, in association with Roy Englebrecht Events, will be presenting what is expected to be ‘A Bigger Bang’ in the world of mixed martial arts with Affliction Banned. And they are leaving no stone unturned to deliver what they are calling “The Greatest MMA Event in the History of the Sport”.

To be held at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, the main event will feature Pride’s undisputed heavyweight champion and M-1 legend Fedor ‘The Last Emperor’ Emelianenko (27-1) against former two-time UFC heavyweight champion and Team Miletich legend Tim ‘The Maine-iac’ Sylvia (24-4).

Also on this star-studded bill will be IFL’s undefeated heavyweight champion, Ben ‘War’ Rothwell (29-5), who is on a winning streak of 13 fights, versus another former UFC heavyweight champion, Andrei ‘The Pitbull’ Arlovski (12-5).

Making his US debut on the night will be Fedor’s brother, Alexsander Emelianenko (13-3), who will be facing Paul ‘The Headhunter’ Buentello (23-10).

Donald Trump confirmed his interest in MMA when he recently stated at a press conference: “I have been a fan of professional sports since childhood, and I am particularly impressed by the athleticism, courage, and strength of these disciplined athletes… This particular sport resembles my business style of being fast paced, strategic, and aggressive…remembering to never give up. I am particularly excited to partner with Affliction and become a major player in promotion of MMA, the youngest and fastest growing sport to emerge in the last century.”

Knucklepit.com caught up with New York-based Michael Cohen (Executive Vice President and Special Counsel to Donald Trump, and more recently, elected Chief Operating Officer for Affliction Entertainment), to give readers a bit of an insight into Affliction Banned, and Affliction Entertainment’s plans for global dominance.

Mr. Cohen says he has a specific passion for this venture in MMA because he enjoys the sport from both the perspective of a spectator and as a participant in the art of Muay Thai. “I love the sport. I believe that with the involvement of Donald Trump, Affliction Entertainment will become the dominant mixed martial arts company,” says Cohen.

Michael, you said, “I’m nearly speechless knowing Mr. Trump and Affliction have the trust in me for an event that features the greatest assembly of MMA fighters for one show in MMA history. This is like having Ali, Frazier, Tyson, Holyfield and other top heavyweights all on the same boxing card.” Will Affliction be focusing primarily on the heavyweight division or is that just the class mainly featured for Affliction Banned?

“No. Future events will include all weight classes. As more and more fighters defect from other organizations, Affliction will continue to sign the best fighters and pit them against one another. This will present the best possible card to MMA fans, nationally and internationally.”

Donald Trump

Obviously Affliction is the clothing company involved, but why ‘Affliction Banned’ for the title of the upcoming event?

“The term ‘Banned’ came from the historical relationship with the UFC. Dana White banned Affliction Clothing from being worn by UFC fighters. For several years, Affliction had been sponsoring many of these fighters’, whose income was significantly derived by the Affliction sponsorship.”

“When Dana White banned Affliction Clothing from the UFC, it dug into the pockets of the fighters. Affliction decided it was time to create their own league for the benefit of the company as well as the fighters.”

How often will your events be held?

“We are planning a number of events throughout the year. As the Affliction family of fighters grows, there will be more and more events scheduled.”

So are you looking at the prospect of one a month?

“Ultimately: It could potentially be even more. If there is a fighter out there today coming up in the world of MMA, I would recommend that he/she not look towards the UFC; but rather, towards other organizations, (such as Affliction), whose contracts are less stringent and provide opportunities for the fighters to be compensated for the services they provide.”

You don’t pull any punches, Michael.

“Why should I?”

Was Donald Trump’s attendance at UFC 85 mainly a PR exercise for Affliction MMA?

“No. It was based upon the relationship he has with Tito Ortiz. As you may be aware, Tito was on The Celebrity Apprentice this past season and Mr. Trump and Tito Ortiz had become quite friendly. Tito requested Mr. Trump to attend the event as his guest. There was no PR stunt involved; simply, it was a request by Tito based upon their friendship.”

It’s a huge card being billed as “The Greatest MMA Event in the History of the Sport”. With such a huge card, is that a sign of the organization’s commitment to the sport?

“The answer would be ‘yes’. Everything that Mr. Trump does, he does over the top, whether it’s erecting a 90-story building, the amenities he provides… Everything he does is the biggest, and this (as well) will be the biggest MMA event ever put on, to date.”

I believe you said of Affliction Banned, “It’s unprecedented and will revolutionize the way MMA fans view this sport.” How do you follow it up?

“You continue by featuring other great fighters. The match-ups are really what make the fights. There are certain fighters who match up well against one another. Our goal is to match the best fighter to the best competitor and put on the best show for the fans.”

Tim Sylvia and Fedor Emelianenko

Do you expect Affliction to be in complete competition with the UFC, or down the track, do you think there will be a more cooperative relationship, like the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, where they made sure they didn’t conflict with the release dates of their albums?

“Currently, the UFC is the preeminent organization in martial arts. I suspect that in a short period of time, Mr. Trump’s Affliction will surpass the UFC. We are not opposed to co-promoting with the UFC, to put their best fighters against Affliction’s best fighters to determine once and for all: Who is the true mixed martial arts champion for that specific weight class?

“We would not be opposed to a ‘co-promote’ down the road with the UFC. We would also prefer the fighters to be allies as opposed to being in an adversarial position with one another: It’s not good for the organization, it’s not good for the sport, and it’s definitely not good for the fans.”

Now that there are so many MMA organizations, will it become like boxing where there is a ‘world’ champion for every organization, rather than a unified world champion?

“That is something we would like to avoid. As we just discussed, we would not be opposed to co-promoting with the other organizations. The goal is create the best fights for the fans. It is important for the long term success of the sport to look beyond the leagues for certain events. It could make for some great championship fights.”

Do you see the MMA athletes and fans being the real winners here?

“Absolutely; without a doubt.”

Is it fair to guess that you guys have been talking with Randy Couture?

“And others, of course.”

Any comment on the outcome, or you can’t at this stage?

“I couldn’t at this time.”

Will we be seeing Affliction on p-p-v in Australia?

“We certainly hope so.”

No news at this stage?

“No news at this specific moment, but we certainly hope so, and it would be on p-p-v direct.”

Michael, what’s next after ‘Affliction Banned’?

“Tom Atencio, the Vice President over at Affliction, is in the process of completing the anticipated fight card for the second event. It is our belief, and I believe it will be the belief of the fans, that the second event card will be equally as impressive as the first.”