Affliction and Trump: The New HW’s in MMA
Posted on | June 7, 2008 | No Comments
By: Holli Yargo Hearne
One of the most exciting things to happen in MMA, short of Randy Couture coming out of retirement to win and successfully defend the UFC heavyweight title, is Affliction’s expansion into fight promotion. As if signing most of the world’s cream of the crop heavyweights wasn’t enough, they have also partnered with none other than Donald Trump. With a checkbook and business savvy like that behind them, it is difficult to see how they could fail.
The Honda Center in Anaheim, CA (otherwise known as “The Pond”) is the chosen venue for Affliction’s debut event, dubbed Affliction: Banned. No doubt, the title is a pun on the fact that UFC has been banning all Affliction products from its own events for over a year (and some of its fighters are banned from the UFC, as well). Not to be outdone but its nemesis, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the show will also be broadcast live on pay-per-view, July 19.
The debut card is no joke, either. Not only have they locked in the best heavyweights from UFC, Pride, and the IFL, they also did something the UFC failed miserably to do. They signed Fedor Emelianenko, who is without question the number one, all time greatest heavyweight in the world.
The line up, as it is currently scheduled, features a main event fight between Fedor and former UFC HW champ Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia. While Sylvia has much better game than most give him credit for, I still have trouble wrapping my head around him not being outclassed. That’s no slam against the giant, either. I have difficulty wrapping my head around anyone not being outclassed by the Russian, except for perhaps Couture. I see Fedor winning by murder.
A grudge match between Josh Barnett and Pedro Rizzo is also on tap. Rizzo already has a win over Barnett in UFC so it stands to reason the latter has a lot to prove. Nevertheless, the Brazilian is not likely to take his opponent lightly.
IFL’s Big Ben Rothwell is set to fight the newly signed and former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. Rothwell, a really big man, performed nearly flawlessly in the IFL but I see him getting his backside handed to him by The Pitbull.
The main card rounds off with Paul Buentello vs. Aleksander Emelianenko, Matt Linland vs. Fabio Nascimento, and Renato “Babalu” Sobral vs. Mike Whitehead. While all are undeniably great contenders, my picks are Emelianenko, Linland, and Sobral. Sobral chose wisely not to wait for the UFC to forgive him for unsportsmanlike behavior.
The under card pits Ray Lazama vs. Justin Levins (I pick Levins), Mark Hominick vs. Savant Young (Young), J.J. Ambrose vs. Patrick Speight (not sure if Ambrose’s skills are honed but he’s a really strong wrestler with heavy hands on the ground), and Brett Cooper vs. Mike Pyle (Pyle).
In all, this promises to be an amazing card and I, for one, am very excited. There is no doubt that on July 19, you will certainly find me at my local wings and beer sports pub watching this fight. Or maybe Affliction could hook a sister up with a press pass so I can be there live….
Tags: Affliction > Donald Trump > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA
New Partnership: Trump in Affliction’s Corner
Posted on | June 6, 2008 | No Comments
Arlovski added to “Affliction Banned” MMA Show
July 19 PPV show in Anaheim
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (June 5, 2008) – Affliction, the premier fashion label for men who love hard rock and fast living, pulled out its Trump card today when the company officially announced its partnership with Donald J. Trump at a press conference held in Trump Tower. Trump addressed the press and outlined his involvement with Affliction and their entry into the world of professional mixed-martial-arts (MMA) with its first event named, “Affliction Banned,” scheduled for July 19, 2008 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California in association with Roy Englebrecht Events.
“We are very excited to be partnering with the most recognized and accomplished business mogul in the world,” Affliction vice president Tom Atencio said. “Trump is a true visionary who shares our belief in the future of MMA.”
“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,” Donald J. Trump remarked. “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.”
“I’ve been a big fan of fighting for years, going back to when Mike Tyson was in his heyday, and ‘The Battle of the Billionaires’ was the biggest wrestling event of all-time,” Trump continued. “July 19th will be an amazing event. MMA is exploding.”
It was also announced today that former UFC® heavyweight champion Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski has officially signed to fight former IFL® heavyweight title-holder “Big” Ben Rothwell. The match has been added to the already star studded July 19th MMA show on pay-per-view.
“I’m excited about participating in this new promotion with all of these great fighters,” Arlovski called in to say. “I’m looking forward to fighting Ben Rothwell.”
“Affliction Banned” will be headlined by the much-anticipated return of Russian heavyweight superstar and former undisputed PRIDE® champion Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko (27-1) in association with M-1, against former 2-time UFC® heavyweight title-holder Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia (24-4), fighting out of Iowa by way of his native Maine.
“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.
In 2005, Arlovski beat Sylvia (SUB1) for the Interim heavyweight title (champion Frank Mir was injured in a motorcycle accident) and Andrei followed with successful Interim title defenses against Justin Eilers (TKO1) and Paul Buentello (KO1). Arlovski was promoted from interim to undisputed heavyweight champion on December 8, 2005 when Mir wasn’t fully recovered from a motorcycle injury. The Belarus-native Arlovski now lives in and fights out of Chicago.
The exciting All-World undercard is stacked with Josh “The Baby Faced Assassin” Barnett (22-5), 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, takes on 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, battles Brazilian favorite Fabio “Negao” Nascimento (8-3).
Tickets for “Affliction Banned,” ranging between $50.00 and $1,000.00, are on sale at the Honda Center box office and also online at Ticketmaster.com.
Official Affliction Banned event shirt is on sale now at: http://www.afflictionclothingstore.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13_2&products_id=900
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. (www.afflictionclothing.com)
The Trump Organization
The Trump Organization encompasses global real estate development and global licensing, sales and marketing, property management, golf course development, entertainment, entertainment and product licensing, brand development as well as restaurants and event planning. Donald J. Trump is the Chairman and President of the Trump Organization, a privately held company in New York. (www.Trump.com)
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June 5th interview with TOM ATTENCIO, VICE-PRESIDENT OF AFFLICTION AND AFFLICTION ENTERTAINMENT
Posted on | June 6, 2008 | No Comments
by: Jack Bratcher
Tom Atencio, the vice-president of Affliction and Affliction Entertainment spoke today with Gorgeous George and Frank Trigg over at Tagg Radio.
Donald Trump is an equity partner in Affliction Entertainment. When asked by radio host, Frank Trigg what “The Donald” brings to this whole thing, Tom Atencio, vice-president of Affliction replied that Trump brings a horde of media interest in the event. At the Affliction press conference held just prior to this interview, Atencio said that Trump brought 75% of the media that was there today. Without Trump’s involvement, the large “buzz” surrounding this Affliction: Banned event within mainstream media would not exist.
Frank Trigg said that he can’t think of a fight card that has been as big as the Affliction: Banned card scheduled for July 19th, in the history of MMA and I have to agree. The fight event’s undercard will be an hour long show live on FOX Sports. Alex Emelianenko vs. Paul Buentello is the main event on the undercard. The main card will be on Pay-Per-View with the main event being Tim Sylvia facing the number one heavyweight in the world, Fedor Emelianenko.
Tom Atencio confirmed that Frank Trigg will be one of the commentators for the Affliction: Banned card. The other commentators who may be involved were not named. Tom went on to say that he thinks the EliteXC show on CBS on May 31st did nothing but good things for the sport.
The Afflicion: Banned show is scheduled for July 19th. Affliction’s second show is scheduled for October, possibly November, and the third show for February.
Atencio responded to this question about Affliction getting involved with MMA, “Is this an ad campaign for the clothing line or are you really trying to make money on the fights themselves?” Tom said they are definitely trying to make money and be successful financially with the fights and that he had never heard of someone running a business that they didn’t want to succeed. Some people have doubts that Affliction can earn back a profit considering the expense it is taking to put on a Mixed Martial Arts event of this magnitude, the likes of which have never been seen. But with Donald Trump and a TV deal involved, the sky’s the limit on what they can possibly accomplish.
Tags: Donald Trump > Frank Trigg > The Donald
Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Tony “TNT” Grano in toughest test vs. Leroy Childs
Posted on | June 6, 2008 | No Comments
NABF Top Prospect Remillard vs. Magallon headlines June 13th card in Hartford
HARTFORD (June 5, 2008) – Unbeaten Hartford heavyweight prospect Tony “TNT’ Grano, one of New England’s most popular fighters, steps up in class June 13th when he takes on Missouri knockout artist Leroy Childs in the 8-round co-feature on “Connecticut Conquest” at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.
NABF Top Prospect of the Year, WBC World Youth featherweight champion Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard (11-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of nearby Manchester, headlines in his first title defense versus Mexican challenger Jose Magallon in the 10-round main event.
“Connecticut Conquest,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., (CES) will be taped live and air Saturday, June 14 at 8 PM/ET on CN8,The Comcast Network, as well as Friday, June 20 at 8 PM/ET on Cox Sports Television.
Grano (13-0-1, 11 KOs), 2005 U.S. Nationals champion, faces his toughest test in Childs (13-1, 12 KOs), who has stopped 12 of his 13 career victims.
“Childs can really hurt people,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield noted. “This will be Tony’s toughest fight of his career and you have to give him and his team a lot of credit for accepting the challenge to fight Childs. Team Grano wants to make an impact in the heavyweight division, starting with his June 13th fight against Childs. What better way to do it than fighting a very tough opponent at home in front of his family, friends and fans? I know they can’t help him in the ring, but Tony will take care of that himself.”
Hartford’s popular boxer Israel “Pito” Cardona injured his elbow, forcing him to withdraw from his scheduled June 13th fight against Jason Pires, but former world title challenger Cardona will be inducted into the CES Ring of Honor during a special ceremony. Former USBA super bantamweight title-holder Pires (20-3, 9 KOs), now a fulltime New Bedford (MA) police officer, returns to the ring in a 6-round junior welterweight bout after a five-year absence.
The newest member of the CES stable, former world middleweight title challenger Kingsley “Sharp Knuckle” Ikeke (23-3, 13 KOs), makes his CES debut in a six-round super middleweight clash. Ikeke is a former NABF, NABO, NBA and WBC FECARBOX middleweight champion.
Others fighting on the undercard include Hartford favorite and prison guard, junior welterweight Addy Irizarry (4-2, 2 KOs), coming off a very close loss by decision in Germany, undefeated, top super middleweight prospect Brian Macy (3-0, 1 KO), of Ledyard (CT), the 2000 National PAL amateur champion and University of Connecticut graduate vs. Adrian Redmond (3-5-1, 3 KOs).
Tickets are on sale now. The $150.00, $100.00 and $55.00 tickets have been sold out. Limited $35.00 (VIP Bronze) and $80.00 (VIP Gold) tickets are still available. To purchase tickets go to or call CES (401.724.2253/2254), Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.000), Manchester PAL (860.645.6261), Willy’s Gym (860.614.2281), Connecticut Restorations (860.528.6800), Strikezone Gym (860.444.2845), L.A. Boxing Gym (860.221.5987) and 401 Boxing (401.261.9800).
For more information call CES (401.724.2253/2254), the Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.6000), or go on line at www.cesboxing.com. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout 7 PM/ET.
-CES-
RAGE IN THE CAGE REPORT
Posted on | June 6, 2008 | No Comments
Desert Diamond Presents:
RITC #111 – Fickett Returns
Desert Diamond Casino
Saturday June 7, 2008
Doors Open: 7:00 PM, Fight Time: 8:00 PM
Rage in the Cage tickets on sale at the Desert Diamond Box Office (
520-393-2799 or 866-DDC-Wins ) and through TicketMaster ( 520-321-1000
or 480-784-4444 ). Advanced tickets are $25, $40 and $100. $5 higher
on fight day.
Rage in the Cage is pleased to announce the return of 7X UFC veteran
Drew Fickett to fight in his Tucson hometown. It’s been almost 8 years
since Fickett last fought in Tucson. In the interim, Fickett has posted
impressive wins against Florian, Koscheck, Hallman, Dewees, Pellegrino
and Neer to name a few. Fickett is the current EliteXC/Strikeforce #1
WW contender with an overall record of 33-5.
Facing Fickett will be former RITC MW Champion and former Toughman
Champion Jeff Horlacher.
Also headlining this card is a RITC MW Championship bout featuring local
fighter Eddie Arizmendi ( 6-3 ) against Champion Luke Hodges ( 6-1 )
Fight Card:
Drew Fickett ( 175 ) vs Jeff Horlacher ( 180 )
Eddie Arizmendi ( 185 ) vs Luke Hodges ( 185 ) RITC MW Title
Eric Regan ( 170 ) vs Nic Stone ( 170 )
Ari Hooper ( 210 ) vs Alan Roberts ( 235 )
Joshua Ramos ( 160 ) vs Victor Meza ( 165 )
Orion Cowell ( 155 ) vs Steve Maultsby ( 155 )
Philip Aguilar ( 165 ) vs Roman Salazar ( 160 )
John Long ( 165 ) vs Keywan Sepassi ( 165 )
Aaron Wilson ( 185 ) vs Zac Matthews ( 200 )
Giovani Cherico ( 170 ) vs TBA
Abraham Cortez ( 145 ) vs Shane Badia ( 145 )
Nick Marus ( 155 ) vs Sean Downey ( 155 )
Morgan Holland ( 145 ) vs Justin Cuevas ( 145 )
Fight Card subject to change.
Upcoming events:
RITC 112
Tim’s Toyota Center
Saturday July 26, 2008
Prescott, AZ
RITC 113
Santa Ana Star Center
Saturday Aug 2, 2008
Albuquerque, NM
For directions and more information visit: http://www.celebritytheatre.com/
For fight information, free RITC tickets and view the RITC & Female Foxy boxing tune to: www.rageinthecage.com
Specials:
Spring Special $750 one year Unlimited training! Saving of $400.00
Spring special $99.00 per month Unlimited training! Saving of $50.00
Enter and receive free one week training, or win a free year of training: Tune to www.rageinthecage.com
RITC TRAINING CENTER# 1
1848 E. University Dr, Tempe (480) 557-7482
RITC TRAINING CENTER#2
610 N. Alma School Rd, Chandler (480) 782-6800
www.ritctrainingcenter.com
RITC TRAINING CENTER #3
14924 Jimmy Kerr Bl, Casa Grande (520) 450-1191
AMERCIAN MIXED MARTIAL ART CENTER
714 W. Dunlap Rd, Phoenix (602) 319-0797
If interested in competing in RITC events please contact: ritc@rageinthecage.com
Traveltickler.com the Official RITC travel sponsor
Offical RITC Commercial Custodial Services
Note: You are receiving this information because you have been identified as either a member of the RITC events. If you no longer wish to receive this info, simply respond to ritc@rageinthecage.com with the word “Remove” in the subject line and you will be deleted instantly.
Tags: fights on tv > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > Rage int he cage
“Fright Night” Features Oakey vs. Francis June 13
Posted on | June 6, 2008 | No Comments
Tony Oakey steps into his hometown ring on Friday, June 13, 2008 on a card billed as “Fright Night”, to defend his British light heavyweight title against Commonwealth champion, the hard punching Dean Francis.
Both of these fighters know that only one of them can go forward and loss will surely end any ambitions the 32 year old Oakey, 25-2-1 (7), has on challenging for the European title and you could say the same for Dean Francis, 29-3 (23). Not only are there two titles on the line, but there is so much pride at stake as well.
Oakey’s last championship performance in Portsmouth ended with him losing his WBU title to the unfashionable Matthew Barney in 2003 and that was followed by Oakey being sidelined for a year.
“I know I went off the rails and nearly messed up my career but I got it back together again and it’s great to be the champion,” said Oakey. “There is no way I want to lose in front of my home crowd a second time.
“My ambition is to fight for the European title here at the Mountbatten Centre and I’m nearly there. After this fight it will be up to my promoter Frank Maloney to deliver. He hasn’t let me down yet and I’m not going to let Frank or the people of Portsmouth down.”
Dean Francis was once one of the most feared punchers in British boxing until forced off-track by a shoulder injury. But the Basingstoke man has now got it back on the rails and remains focused on the British belt of Oakey.
“I’m only thinking of one thing and that’s a win for Dean Francis,” said the resolute 34 year old.
The undercard has some interesting fights with Salisbury’s super featherweight Henry Castle, 17-4 (9), who will be cheered on by large vocal support, against London’s Lee Cook, 9-0-1 (3). Both these guys are pushing to challenge Kevin Mitchell, the current British and Commonwealth champion.
Another fascinating fight features Sam Webb, 10-1 (3), in his second outing since rejoining the Maloney stable, against local boy Paul Dyer, 18-8 (1), who knows this is his final throw of the dice as well.
It’s a show with a lot of twists and turns and while there will be some happy people leaving the Mountbatten Centre on June 13, there will be as many sad fighters who know their careers have come to an end and any dreams they had of championship fights will have been shattered on the south coast.
Frank Maloney Promotions presents “Fright Night”, the British and Commonwealth light heavyweight title fight between Tony Oakey and Dean Francis with full undercard on Friday, June 13, 2008 at the Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth, England.
Tickets are priced at £80 and £40 and are available by logging onto www.frankmaloney.com or by calling the Box Office at 0871 226 1508.
Sky Sports will televise live on SS2 at 9:30PM.
For any further information or press credential requests to any Frank Maloney promotion, please send inquiries to maloneypress@yahoo.com
The British heavyweight title fight between Danny Williams, 39-6 (31), and John McDermott, 25-3 (16), will now take place on July 18, 2008 at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham, England. Tickets will go on sale this coming Friday.
Tags: Boxing > british > Danny William > Dean Francis > England > Francis > Frank Maloney > Goresbrook > Matthew Barney > Oakey > s Dagenham > United Kingdom > WBU
ISRAEL VAZQUEZ HOSTS KIDS BOXING CLINIC ON WEDNESDAY IN SANTA ANA
Posted on | June 6, 2008 | No Comments
LOS ANGELES, CA (June 4, 2008) World Boxing Council Super Bantamweight Champion Israel Vazquez will host a youth boxing clinic at the TKO Boxing Club in Santa Ana on Wednesday, June 4th at 4pm. The club is located at 726 S. Center St. in Santa Ana, California.
Vazquez will speak to the kids about his career in boxing and demonstrate some training techniques that have made him one of the sport’s elite fighters.
“Luis Ramos is a training partner of mine, he and Hector Lopez who runs the gym asked me to come and spend some time with the kids in the boxing camps” said Vazquez.
Said manager Frank Espinoza, “ Israel is taking a nice break from the rigors of training for a fight, he’s got some friends who run TKO and he was happy when they asked him to come to the club and speak to the kids.”
Vazquez is coming off a legendary three fight trilogy with Rafael Marquez that saw “MAGNIFICO” demonstrate the highest levels of skills and heart, culminating in their third bout on March 1, 2008, won by Vazquez when he scored a knock down in the final brutal round.
After losing the first bout on March 3, 2007, Vazquez won the second matchup in spectacular fashion on August 4th with a devastating sixth round knockout in a bout that was named 2007 “FIGHT OF THE YEAR” by Ring Magazine.
The trilogy has become amongst the most talked about series of bouts in the annals of the sport with each fighter winning one by stoppage and Vazquez winning the third bout by decision.
Continued Espinoza, “It’s only been three months since the grueling last fight with Marquez. Izzy’s enjoying the time off with his family. When the time is right, he’ll get back to training and prepare once again to give boxing fans his finest performance.”
In addition to holding the WBC title, Vazquez is also rated on the “Pound for Pound lists; # 6 with Ring Magazine and Yahoo Sports and #8 by ESPN.
In a final word to his fans, the classy Vaszquez said, “Please don’t forget about me, I’m just taking a little bit of time off to spend with my family. I’m looking for big fights and great things in the future and as always thanks very much for your continued support.”
For more information on Israel Vazquez, please his website at www.israel-vazquez.com and the Espinoza Boxing Club website at www.espinozaboxingclub.com.
PURECOMBAT UPDATE
Posted on | June 6, 2008 | No Comments
VISALIA, CALIFORNIA–PureCombat is in town from today thru Saturday getting ready for this event…Tickets are selling real good and we’re very excited about being back..Dont forget about the weighins going on at the Cellar Door in downtown Visalia Thursday night June 5th. Its a great time to hang out in the atmosphere of competitors and passion, meet your favorite fighter from the area, get some pictures and a few autographs. They officially start weighing at 8PM but come early and enjoy yourself…relax in a big over stuffed couche, have a beer or glass of wine and be a part of the excitment that has come to Visalia.
The event of course is June 6th…doors open at 6:00 and the fights start at 7:30..We’ll have “Big Daddy” Joe Stevenson UFC and Ultimate Fighter fame…there to do the commentating and to talk to the opponents in the cage about their winning moves…Inside MMA will be there again filming for their show on HDNET TV…Our May 9 event was their feature segment on prospering promotion companies and we are very proud to be associated with them..Check it out at..
http://www.sherdog.com/videos/videos.asp?v_id=1603 and see what Ken Shamrock, Kimbo Slice and Jared Shaw Vice President of EliteXC had to say about it…
Check out an article done by Bloodymahem.com with Elvis Franco talking about his re-match with the “Pride of Tulare” Hector Alatorre…This fight means alot..their last fight Feb 29th with PureCombat ended in a draw…and its all about the finish now….very exciting.
http://www.bloodymayhem.com/elvis_franco_interview_team_ochoa.html
Lastly….dont forget about the After Party in the Ballroom immediatly following the event…6 OZ Gloves will be playing for the remainder of the evening and it will be a time to mingle with the fighters and other fight fans, dance, drink and be merry….we just dont want the nite to end and neither will you….We here at PureCombat want to thank you again for signing up for our VIP newsletter and hope to see you on our forum talking about the show and about MMA…..Because we’re fans too!!!
Shelly Matlock
Administrator
PureCombat LLC
www.myspace.com/purecombat
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