AFFLICTION NYC PRESS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS “BANNED” KICKOFF EVENT

Posted on | May 27, 2008 | No Comments

“Affliction Banned” takes Big Apple by storm and pulls our their Trump card!

NEW YORK (May 22, 2008) – A large, enthusiastic crowd welcomed some of the world’s top mixed-martial-arts fighters to New York City at today’s “Affliction Banned” press conference in Trump Tower.

Donald Trump welcomed everyone to Trump Tower. “These are all tough guys,” he said as he looked across the head table. “We’re all tough, right? I asked one of these guys how long I’d last and looked at me like I was kidding. Affliction is going to do very well and I look forward to being there for it.”

Affliction will make history July 19 presenting its own Mixed-Martial-Arts pay-per-view event in association with Roy Englebrecht Events, appropriately named “Affliction Banned,” featuring the much-anticipated return of Russian heavyweight superstar Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko in association with M-1, supported by an All-World caliber undercard, at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

“July 19th is going to be a milestone for both Affliction and Mixed Martial Arts,” remarked Tom Atencio, Vice President of Affliction. “For fans of Affliction and core fans of MMA this event not only features an incredibly stacked card with the best fighters in the world, but, more importantly, it marks the emergence of a new era in MMA. Affliction Clothing is proud to be at the forefront of this new time, when promoters and fighters can come together and produce the fights that fans want to see. Our mission is simple: support the people who have supported us and bring the fans of MMA the best fights possible with the best fighters from around the world. Ladies and gentlemen, I formally announce to you Affliction’s entry into the arena of MMA and I’m extremely excited to introduce you to the fighters of Affliction Banned.”

Fedor (27-1), the former undisputed PRIDE® heavyweight champion and Russian M-1 legend, has been universally recognized the past five years as the most dominating heavyweight in the world. He will fight former 2-time UFC® heavyweight title-holder Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia (24-4), fighting out of Iowa by way of his native Maine.

The exciting four-fight undercard is loaded with Josh “The Baby Faced Assassin” Barnett (21-5), of Seattle, facing-off stateside for the first time in two years in a grudge match against the only opponent to ever knock him out, Brazilian strongman Pedro “The Rock” Rizzo (16-7). Three-time All-America wrestler Mike Whitehead (20-5), of Salt Lake City, will battle Brazilian sensation Renato “Babalu” Sobral (29-7), of Costa Mesa, California. 2000 Olympic wrestling silver medalist Matt “The Law” Lindland (20-5), of Oregon City, faces Brazilian favorite Fabio “Negao” Nascimento (8-3). Former IFL® titlist “Big” Ben Rothwell (29-5), of Kenosha, Wisconsin, is scheduled to fight an opponent to be determined in this groundbreaking event.

Tickets for “Affliction Banned,” ranging between $50.00 and $1,000.00, are on sale at the Honda Center box office. More than $250,000 in ticket sales was reportedly sold within the first 30 minutes of release this past Tuesday. Tickets to the event are currently available online at Ticketmaster.com.

“Affliction Banned” will be distributed on Pay-Per-View and air live (9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT) on cable and satellite viewing in the USA and Canada via iN DEMAND, TVN, Shaw Communications, Viewer’s Choice Canada, DirecTV, DISH Network, Bell ExpressVue and Star Choice for a suggested retail price of $39.95. The telecast will be available in both standard and high definition television. The PPV telecast will be available in both standard and high definition television.

Fox Sports Net television will broadcast a non-paying per view undercard live, including fighters such as Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Fedor’s brother, Aleksander Emelianenko, leading into the monster pay-per-view event.
True to its foundation in fashion, Affliction passed out thousands of T-shirts and posters to the crowd. The eight fighters, including Fedor and Sylvia, were able to meet-and-greet fans as well as sign shirts following the press conference.

To download all video, photos and PR related media go to: http://www.afflictionbanned.com/media.html
Affliction

Already a mainstay for the most elite athletes, heaviest bands, A-listers and the fashion conscious, Affliction Clothing’s ability to set the bar high in fashion is evident in its collection’s indulgence of style and design, focus on quality, and its trademark series of divinely executed, dark and powerful themes.

PRESS CONFERENCE FIGHTER QUOTES

Fedor Emelianenko: “I want to thank Affliction for giving me this opportunity to fight the strongest athletes in the world. My respect to Tim. I’m sure you’ll all love the show on July 19th.”

Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia: “July 19th is going to be a great show. I’m fortunate that Affliction got me on this card. A lot of people have been after Fedor and I got him. He’s a great athlete and fighter deserving of everything he’s received. I’ve been known to throw a money wrench into the worlds and I plan on doing it again. The whole card is stacked and that’s what fans want. Tune in July 19th for an awesome show in Anaheim. I’m no sacrificial lamb. A lot of guys won’t fight Fedor but I will. He’s been like a myth. This will be only his second fight in the United States. If I do my best I believe I’ll be victorious. He’s 6-feet, I’m 6-8, so I want to fight standing up.”

Josh “The Baby Faced Assassin” Barnett: “It’s nice to have a press conference like this. I just got off a plane from Japan (where he won a fight). I’d like to stress that this event crosses over to all sports and entertainment, not only the MMA community. You can have all of the fireworks but it’s up to us (fighters) to make the biggest bang. We will be spending a lot of time in the gym to give everybody everything they want. It’s not enough to just have a fight. We want to give fans an event that they’ll talk about for a long time.
“You play football. You play basketball. You don’t play fighting. Playing isn’t involved in this sport. We take it to the extreme – the people out there believe a kick in the head, or a punch in the eye, is extreme – but we get to know who we really are and see true characters even in this violent sport. I love Pedro; he’s a wonderful guy. I love him so much I’m going to hug him to death on July 19th.”

Pedro “The Rock” Rizzo: “Affliction has put together a great card. It’s going to be the best of the year, maybe ever, on July 19th.”

Mike Whitehead: “I want to thank Tom and Todd (Affliction) for giving me this opportunity. Fans who’ve followed me throughout my career know that I’ve always wanted to get into a fight like this against a tough guy like ‘Babalu.’ The best way to show respect is to be the best we can be for fans who will be there or watching on pay-per-view. I’m meeting ‘Babalu’ and when we get in there it’s going to be like cartoons – dusts and fist flying and we’ll see what happens when the dust settles.”

Renato “Babalu” Sobral: “I’m very proud to be here with all of these stars. My opponent is a very tough guy. This
show is going to sellout in my backyard, Orange County.”

Matt “The Law” Lindland: “I’m so excited to be part of this show. I’m excited to get back in the gym. It’s been since April against since I fought this guy (Fedor). I don’t know why I moved up to two divisions to fight him. I’m honored to be part of this great card. I love fighting in this arena more than in politics (last Tuesday Matt won the Republican nomination for House District 52 in Oregon). I know who my opponent is in the ring. I look him right in the eyes.”

Fabio “Negao” Nascimento: “I’m happy to be part of this great event. It’s going to be a great honor
fighting the caliber of fighter like Matt Lindland. It’s a great honor to fight for all of you guys.”

“Big” Ben Rothwell: “It’s an epic card. I’m honored to be on it and up here with all of these great fighters. Affliction has stepped up to give fans what they deserve. July 19th is going to be one helluva show.”