Affliction: “Trilogy” Canceled – Affliction back to sponsoring UFC and its Fighters
After leaking money over the last year due to extremely high payrolls and not enough return from gate or PPV the promotion was forced to shut up it’s doors after Josh Barnett’s positive drug test for anabolic steroids. This news came shortly after hearing that the third event, Trilogy was off.
It is now expected that Affliction will return to being solely an apparel company. It is also expected that because the company is no longer competing with the UFC they will be allowed to sponsor fighters once again since being banned last year.
It is not known as of yet whether or not the fighters will be paid for training months on end to be told eight days in advance that they won’t be fighting. It is also not known as to what will become of the Affliction fighters. Most of them, that are still under contract, should see themselves in Strikeforce which would be amazing for what could be considered the second best promotion in the world. If Strikeforce were to get any of these fighters they would instantly rise in the minds of the hardcore.
As for Fedor Emelianenko, I am listening to the ESPN Radio 1100 live feed from Las Vegas. Dana White is currently on the show and he says he is looking at trying to sign Fedor because it is what the fans want. We all know Fedor’s feelings on the contract the UFC offers its fighters… Any chance they will let the exclusive clause die out to get the Last Emperor into the UFC.
Josh Barnett Tests Positive for Anabolic Steroids (Drostanolone) Fight With Fedor is off
Josh Barnett has been denied his fighting license by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) after testing positive for Drostanolone, a form of anabolic steroid.With Barnett’s fight against “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko only 10 days away the bout has been canceled leaving Affliction Entertainment looking for a last minute replacement.
There have been many names thrown into the middle about opponents that could step up to, at the very least, put on a show against the WAMMA Heavyweight Champion. Some of the names that still seem to be in the mix are middleweight Vitor Belfort, undefeated heavyweight prospect Brett Rogers and Jeff Monson. Two fighters who were believed to be opponents who could be selected but have denied the opportunity are Tito Ortiz and Bobby Lashley.**It seems though that while in the process of writing this post that Brett Rogers will not be fighting Fedor.
I will keep updating this post with more information as it arrives. Hopefully Affliction will be able to get a worth opponent (please don’t let it be Belfort).
Official Press Release:
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Luis Farias (916) 826-6069
July 22, 2009
CALIFORNIA STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION DENIES LICENSE TO MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FIGHTER JOSH BARNETTAugust 1 Scheduled Bout Against Fedor Emelianenko Not Approved
SACRAMENTO – The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has denied a license to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Josh Barnett after Barnett tested positive for a banned substance.
Barnett’s June 25 drug test came back positive for 2a-methyl-5a-androstan-3a-ol-17-one, an anabolic steroid. CSAC learned of the results July 21 and immediately denied a license for Barnett. CSAC also informed the promoter of Barnett’s August 1 bout against Fedor Emelianenko that the bout would not be approved.
“The license of Josh Barnett was denied pursuant to rule 303 of Title IV of the California Code of Regulations,” said CSAC Interim Executive Officer Dave Thornton. “That rule prohibits the use of certain substances, including anabolic agents, by any boxer or MMA fighter.”
Barnett’s test was observed in the presence of a CSAC representative and the sample was sent to the World Anti-doping Agency test facility at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on June 25 for processing. CSAC was notified of the results yesterday.
Barnett has the right to appeal the denial of his license.
“Our primary concern is for the health and safety of fighters,” said Thornton. “Anabolic agents and other banned substances put the users of those agents at risk, as well as their opponents. The commission simply will not tolerate their use.”
CSAC has among the toughest drug testing standards of any Athletic Commission in the country. It is the only commission that requires drug tests to be observed and in the presence of a commission representative prior to a bout.
Five Minute Promo for Affliction Trilogy
Affliction ‘Trilogy’ Video Trailer: Emelianenko vs. Barnett
Affliction: Trilogy
Affliction: Trilogy Saturday, August 1, 2009, at 9 p.m. ET on PPV
Location: Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
Announced Match-up’s
- WAMMA Heavyweight Championship bout: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Josh Barnett
- Heavyweight bout: Tim Sylvia vs. Paul Buentello
- Welterweight bout: Jay Hieron vs. Paul Daley
- Lightweight bout: Dan Lauzon vs. Chris Horodecki
Affliction Trying Some UFC Techniques For Third Show
So whenever any MMA organization starts getting a bit of a fan-base and heads off on to TV or PPV the UFC try whatever they can to stop people from watching that event.
It happened at Affliction “Banned” with Ultimate Fight Night 14. It happened for “Day of Reckoning” too.
It’s not just Affliction that the UFC have been going after though. They also tried to stop viewers from tuning into EliteXC by showing a Chuck Liddell show at the same time.
It seems now though that Affliction will try to strike back. According to Five Ounces Of Pain Affliction 3 will be held on the same day as UFC 100 and broadcast on cable to avoid too much of a contest with the UFC.
It is also expected that this third show would be the last one to come out of Affliction. Hopefully they end up putting on a star studded show featuring all of their top names as a final goodbye and just to prove that anyone can take market share from Zuffa.
I really hope that it will not be the last show from Affliction. MMA needs more competition between organizations. Affliction has been one of my favorite MMA companies outside of the UFC. It seems they don’t care about how much money they waste as long as they get their name out there. Obviously that sort of strategy would not work for ever but my fingers are crossed for it xD.
Compustrike Stats for Affliction “Day of Reckoning” – Arlovski doubled Fedor
Compustrike just released all of their stats for the Affliction “Day of Reckoning” event. It features all of the main card bouts including the main event between Andrei Arlovski and Fedor Emelianenko.
Fedor may have been the victor via a stunning KO punch but as expected Arlovski led in the stats landing 18 skrikes on Fedor. Fedor on the other hand landed 9 on Arlovski which lends meaning to the famous saying “Quality not quantity.”
Matt Lindland obviously came off worst on the stats landing 1 of 1 punch. It may equate to 100% but I doubt he even remembers the event let alone being beat. Vitor Belfort was the victor in the fight landing one amazing shot just 30 seconds in that put an end to Lindlands night. Belfort landed 6/7 strikes for an 86% rating.
Affliction “Day of Reckoning” Live Results and Live Blogging of Arlovski vs. Fedor
Results from Affliction “Day of Reckoning” will begin to roll-in within the next few minutes (7:30EST). Main card results should be here starting from 9:30EST but could be a bit delayed until around 11EST but bear with us. We will be here to live blog Fedor vs. Arlovski.
Affliction “Day of Reckoning” Live Results:
WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko destroys Andrei Arlovski via KO caught Arlovski in mid-air and laid him out on the mat. 3:14 into round one
Josh Barnett defeats Gilbert Yvel via submission (strikes) at 3:05 of round three
Vitor Belfort defeats Matt Lindland via knockout (strikes) at 0:37 of round one
Renato “Babalu” Sobral defeats Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou via submission (anaconda choke) at 2:36 of round two
Dan Lauzon defeats Bobby Green via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:55 of round one
Paul Buentello defeats Kiril Sidelnikov via technical knockout (doctor stoppage) at 4:18 of round three
Affliction Day of Reckoning HDNet Live Results:
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira defeats Vladimir Matyushenko via (T)KO round 2
Jay Hieron vs. Jason High
LC Davis defeats Bao Quach via unanimous decision (29-28 All 3 judges)
Albert Rios defeats Antonio Duarte via unanimous decision (29-28 All 3 judges)
Brett Cooper defeats Patrick Speight via (T)KO 4:10 into round 2
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Andrei Arlovski (265-pound limit)
Round one: Here it is. The main event of the evening and the opening few minutes Arlovski is looking like the dominant fighter throwing leg kicks and dodging those huge hooks from Fedor. Tito Ortiz a quick not Fedor does not equal “Theodore”. The two were doing a bit of dirty boxing in the corner and referee “Big” John McCarthy separated the two. Fedor threw a right and knocked the shit right outa Arlovski. It was just so quick my mind is all over the place. Still a minute after the fight Arlovski is sat on the ground.
In comes the WAMMA belt and the ring announcer tells us “Fedor Emelianenko is real.”
On the replay you clearly see that Arlovski went for a flying knee and the so called “Theodore” smashed him in mid-air knocking Arlovski unconscious.
Final result:WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko destroys Andrei Arlovski via KO caught Arlovski in mid-air and laid him out on the mat. 3:14 into round one
Donald Trump Jr. on Larry King to Promote Day Of Reckoning
Donald Trump Jr. on Larry King talking about the upcoming Day of Reckoning. Affliction Day of Reckoning is live this Saturday night (Jan 23rd, 2009). The preliminary bouts can be seen on HDNet and the official event will be on PPV around the world starting at 9PM EST. The main event bout features Fedor Emelianenko (current WAMMA Heavyweight champion) defending his title against Andrei Arlovski.
Affliction “Day of Reckoning” Weigh-In Results
See Sherdog.com for more images from the Affliction Day of Reckoning weigh-ins
Heavyweight: WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko (230) vs. Andrei Arlovski (237)
Heavyweight: Josh Barnett (248) vs. Gilbert Yvel (240)
Middleweight: Matt “The Law” Lindland (186) vs. Vitor Belfort (184)
Light-Heavyweight: Renato “Babalu” Sobral (204) vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (205.25)
Heavyweight: Paul Buentello (244) vs. Kiril Sidelnikov (229.5)
Lightweight: Dan Lauzon (155.5) vs. Bobby Green (155.5)
Light-Heavyweight: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (204.75) vs. Vladimir Matyushenko (204.5)
Welterweight: Jay Hieron (170) vs. Jason High (169.25)
Featherweight: Bao Quach (145.5) vs. L.C. Davis (143.75)
Featherweight: Albert Rios (145) vs. Antonio Duarte (145)
Welterweight: Brett Cooper (169) vs. Patrick Speight (169)