UFC gives the finger to Affliction

Fluid1 · 06-18-2008, 05:18 AM

Anderson Silva fighting at 205(!) against none other than James Irvin. FREE on Spike TV at the same time as the debut Affliction PPV. What a kick in the balls.

Dana White today confirmed rumors that UFC would be running a live Spike TV special July 19, head-to-head with the debut of the Affliction company's pay-per-view debut, and announced the hook would be middleweight champion Anderson Silva moving up to light heavyweight to face James Irvin in the main event of a show at The Palms in Las Vegas.

Silva, 21-4, ranked by Yahoo! Sports as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, will not be vacating his middleweight title. At this point the plan is for Silva to use this as a test as a light heavyweight but still defend the middleweight title later in the year.

If all goes right, this could set up Silva to face the likes of Chuck Liddell in what has potential to among the biggest money fights in MMA history.

"I love this guy," said White about Silva. "He'll fight anyone. He wants to fight six times a year. It makes my job harder but I love it. It's the Titos (Ortiz) of the world that ruined the fight game. This guy and Chuck Liddell don't care, they'll fight whoever you put in front of them."

Irvin, 14-4, is primarily a stand-up fighter, who is coming off an eight-second knockout win over Houston Alexander on April 2 in Broomfield, Colo., among the quickest in company history.

The semifinal will feature the return to UFC of Hermes Franca, 18-6, against Frankie Edgar, 8-1. Franca had asked to be released from his UFC contract after testing positive for steroids in a July 7 lightweight title challenge against Sean Sherk. But he recently inked a new deal to return after the completion of his one-year suspension. Franca vs. Edgar had been tentatively scheduled for the Aug. 9, event in Minneapolis.

Wednesday will be a major day for the company as at noon Pacific time, White is going to make the much-talked about major announcement to his staff. He conceded that a lot of fans will think it's a disappointment, but in his view, it's huge, comparing it to the announcement of the Bud Lite sponsorship deal earlier this year, which he thinks as a corporate partner was gigantic but it was not a major story within the MMA world.

It is also the final episode of the season of Ultimate Fighter, which apparently features the craziest season ending in the show's history and will determine the key match on a Saturday night live Spike TV special.

"Within five-to-eight years, this will be the biggest sport in the world," White said. "It will be bigger than the NFL and bigger than World Cup soccer."

Affliction, the latest challenger to UFC, is putting one of the most costly undertakings of any UFC rival with a pay-per-view event July 19 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

The card features Fedor Emelianenko, generally conceded as the best heavyweight in MMA history, facing what would be his toughest test in nearly three years against former UFC champion Tim Sylvia. The show features several other former UFC heavyweight stars with Josh Barnett, a former champion, facing Pedro Rizzo, and Andrei Arlovski, another former champion, facing for International Fight League heavyweight standout Ben Rothwell.

White also confirmed Liddell vs. Rashad Evans as the headliner for the company's Sept. 6 show, a debut at Phillips Arena in Atlanta.

imonlykidden · 06-18-2008, 05:24 AM

Damn. So what now?

Fluid1 · 06-18-2008, 05:29 AM

I'm not sure what you mean Kev..... what now for who?

03Tour6Spd · 06-18-2008, 06:44 AM

Lol Affliction = Officially Owned!

k1653d · 06-18-2008, 07:03 AM

I'm going to have to be flipping back and forth to watch them both. Kind of wish they werent on at the same time like that.

DVR FTW but my harddrive is not working....

Fluid1 · 06-18-2008, 07:36 AM

I have two different DVR systems, one upstairs and one downstairs. Each of those have two channels they can record on. I'll be watching every second of both events without fail! (generator in the attic is ready too!) lol

skooly · 06-18-2008, 08:10 AM

I see Dave Meltzer wrote an article about it, but has it been confirmed on the UFC webpage?

Silva-Irvin strikes me as the strangest move for Anderson that I could ever imagine. Silva needs to be careful he doesn't get ruined fighting at heavier weights, like Sakuraba did. And why James Irvin, or all people? In my opinion, he should continue to lord over the MW division.

zdrift78 · 06-18-2008, 09:48 AM

^^He's going to. Dana already said that he'll be defending his MW title later this year. This fight is just to see how he does at LHW(and to cause much FIAL for Affliction). I'm guessing that if Silva is successful at both weights, he may just jump around much like Hendo.

Fluid1 · 06-18-2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skooly

I see Dave Meltzer wrote an article about it, but has it been confirmed on the UFC webpage?

Silva-Irvin strikes me as the strangest move for Anderson that I could ever imagine. Silva needs to be careful he doesn't get ruined fighting at heavier weights, like Sakuraba did. And why James Irvin, or all people? In my opinion, he should continue to lord over the MW division.

Yeah Irvin could score an early KO and it would completely screw AS. I don't see what AS has to gain by taking this fight.

tig488 · 06-18-2008, 12:02 PM

its just a marketing ploy by dana to screw affliction, silva is the biggest name they have right now, so he wanted to gather interest to take viewers away. i personally hope sylva gets demolished and Danas golden boy drops down a few notches.

i didnt know tim went to affliction too.

Fluid1 · 06-18-2008, 12:12 PM

How did you not know that?!??! lol

tig488 · 06-18-2008, 03:47 PM

lol, i havent really been paying attention to affliction, looks like i need to.

DaProdigy · 06-18-2008, 05:39 PM

i respect silva for going up to 205 and fighting... but sometimes it's works against you... he'd lose alot of speed... agility... stamina i'd assume.... but hell i'm still voting for silva... as for affliction getting t-bagged.... lol funny stuff...

USN HM 350Z · 06-18-2008, 05:47 PM

funny stuff, but I think AS will have his work cut out for him in this fight.

Kal_El · 06-18-2008, 07:55 PM

I would still pick the Affliction fight, that card is sooooo stacked. TVO the Spike and order the Affliction, fans win either way!

BhamZMan · 06-18-2008, 07:59 PM

"Within five-to-eight years, this will be the biggest sport in the world," White said. "It will be bigger than the NFL and bigger than World Cup soccer."

White is clearly an idiot if he honestly believes this.

ZU L8R · 06-18-2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BhamZMan

"Within five-to-eight years, this will be the biggest sport in the world," White said. "It will be bigger than the NFL and bigger than World Cup soccer."

White is clearly an idiot if he honestly believes this.

Kal_El · 06-18-2008, 08:14 PM

+2

Quote:

Originally Posted by BhamZMan

"bigger than World Cup soccer."

White is clearly an idiot if he honestly believes this.

lol, I don't think any sport will ever be bigger than soccer....

06-18-2008, 09:22 PM

good thing i have the motor skills to be able to flip back and forth between channels

06-18-2008, 09:25 PM

wait a minute the fedor afflication card is on PPV not HDnet? then **** im watchin UFC on spike then the PPV on mmatko

06-18-2008, 05:18 AM	#1
Fluid1 Hater Join Date: May 2005 Location: The End of The Line Posts: 10,824 iTrader: (17)	UFC gives the finger to Affliction Anderson Silva fighting at 205(!) against none other than James Irvin. FREE on Spike TV at the same time as the debut Affliction PPV. What a kick in the balls. Dana White today confirmed rumors that UFC would be running a live Spike TV special July 19, head-to-head with the debut of the Affliction company's pay-per-view debut, and announced the hook would be middleweight champion Anderson Silva moving up to light heavyweight to face James Irvin in the main event of a show at The Palms in Las Vegas. Silva, 21-4, ranked by Yahoo! Sports as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, will not be vacating his middleweight title. At this point the plan is for Silva to use this as a test as a light heavyweight but still defend the middleweight title later in the year. If all goes right, this could set up Silva to face the likes of Chuck Liddell in what has potential to among the biggest money fights in MMA history. "I love this guy," said White about Silva. "He'll fight anyone. He wants to fight six times a year. It makes my job harder but I love it. It's the Titos (Ortiz) of the world that ruined the fight game. This guy and Chuck Liddell don't care, they'll fight whoever you put in front of them." Irvin, 14-4, is primarily a stand-up fighter, who is coming off an eight-second knockout win over Houston Alexander on April 2 in Broomfield, Colo., among the quickest in company history. The semifinal will feature the return to UFC of Hermes Franca, 18-6, against Frankie Edgar, 8-1. Franca had asked to be released from his UFC contract after testing positive for steroids in a July 7 lightweight title challenge against Sean Sherk. But he recently inked a new deal to return after the completion of his one-year suspension. Franca vs. Edgar had been tentatively scheduled for the Aug. 9, event in Minneapolis. Wednesday will be a major day for the company as at noon Pacific time, White is going to make the much-talked about major announcement to his staff. He conceded that a lot of fans will think it's a disappointment, but in his view, it's huge, comparing it to the announcement of the Bud Lite sponsorship deal earlier this year, which he thinks as a corporate partner was gigantic but it was not a major story within the MMA world. It is also the final episode of the season of Ultimate Fighter, which apparently features the craziest season ending in the show's history and will determine the key match on a Saturday night live Spike TV special. "Within five-to-eight years, this will be the biggest sport in the world," White said. "It will be bigger than the NFL and bigger than World Cup soccer." Affliction, the latest challenger to UFC, is putting one of the most costly undertakings of any UFC rival with a pay-per-view event July 19 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. The card features Fedor Emelianenko, generally conceded as the best heavyweight in MMA history, facing what would be his toughest test in nearly three years against former UFC champion Tim Sylvia. The show features several other former UFC heavyweight stars with Josh Barnett, a former champion, facing Pedro Rizzo, and Andrei Arlovski, another former champion, facing for International Fight League heavyweight standout Ben Rothwell. White also confirmed Liddell vs. Rashad Evans as the headliner for the company's Sept. 6 show, a debut at Phillips Arena in Atlanta. __________________ Originally Posted by MC: if shamrock KO's kimbo i'll tap dance on the hood of my GTR in high heels.

06-18-2008, 05:24 AM	#2
imonlykidden SHIFT_JeaLous-z Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: My own world! Posts: 7,418 iTrader: (10)	Damn. So what now? __________________ Almsot everything I say, is about a 1/4 of the way thought through.

06-18-2008, 05:29 AM	#3
Fluid1 Hater Join Date: May 2005 Location: The End of The Line Posts: 10,824 iTrader: (17)	I'm not sure what you mean Kev..... what now for who? __________________ Originally Posted by MC: if shamrock KO's kimbo i'll tap dance on the hood of my GTR in high heels.

06-18-2008, 06:44 AM	#4
03Tour6Spd Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Millbury,MA Posts: 441 iTrader: (0)	Lol Affliction = Officially Owned! __________________ 03 PPW Touring 6Spd- Borla, Tein

06-18-2008, 07:03 AM	#5
k1653d Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 457 iTrader: (2)	I'm going to have to be flipping back and forth to watch them both. Kind of wish they werent on at the same time like that. DVR FTW but my harddrive is not working.... __________________ Check out my Nav install and tell me what you think. http://my350z.com/forum/audio-video-electronics-diy/354914-install-guide-bose-kenwood-dnx7100-pac-roem-nis2-03-cubby-painted-cubby-monitor.html

06-18-2008, 07:36 AM	#6
Fluid1 Hater Join Date: May 2005 Location: The End of The Line Posts: 10,824 iTrader: (17)	I have two different DVR systems, one upstairs and one downstairs. Each of those have two channels they can record on. I'll be watching every second of both events without fail! (generator in the attic is ready too!) lol __________________ Originally Posted by MC: if shamrock KO's kimbo i'll tap dance on the hood of my GTR in high heels.

06-18-2008, 08:10 AM	#7
skooly Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Down South Posts: 4,890 iTrader: (0)	I see Dave Meltzer wrote an article about it, but has it been confirmed on the UFC webpage? Silva-Irvin strikes me as the strangest move for Anderson that I could ever imagine. Silva needs to be careful he doesn't get ruined fighting at heavier weights, like Sakuraba did. And why James Irvin, or all people? In my opinion, he should continue to lord over the MW division. __________________ Down by law.

06-18-2008, 09:48 AM	#8
zdrift78 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ontario,ca Posts: 320 iTrader: (0)	^^He's going to. Dana already said that he'll be defending his MW title later this year. This fight is just to see how he does at LHW(and to cause much FIAL for Affliction). I'm guessing that if Silva is successful at both weights, he may just jump around much like Hendo.

06-18-2008, 12:02 PM	#10
tig488 Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: bama Posts: 3,738 iTrader: (18)	its just a marketing ploy by dana to screw affliction, silva is the biggest name they have right now, so he wanted to gather interest to take viewers away. i personally hope sylva gets demolished and Danas golden boy drops down a few notches. i didnt know tim went to affliction too. __________________ proud owner of the first APS powered 240sx, not no more, im reaoch beaotch!

06-18-2008, 12:12 PM	#11
Fluid1 Hater Join Date: May 2005 Location: The End of The Line Posts: 10,824 iTrader: (17)	How did you not know that?!??! lol __________________ Originally Posted by MC: if shamrock KO's kimbo i'll tap dance on the hood of my GTR in high heels.

06-18-2008, 03:47 PM	#12
tig488 Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: bama Posts: 3,738 iTrader: (18)	lol, i havent really been paying attention to affliction, looks like i need to. __________________ proud owner of the first APS powered 240sx, not no more, im reaoch beaotch!

06-18-2008, 05:39 PM	#13
DaProdigy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: ATLANTA Posts: 1,349 iTrader: (3)	i respect silva for going up to 205 and fighting... but sometimes it's works against you... he'd lose alot of speed... agility... stamina i'd assume.... but hell i'm still voting for silva... as for affliction getting t-bagged.... lol funny stuff... __________________ "FRESH! Buncha little G's on my kicks... imma dawg.... you're all a buncha fleas on my D!CK!"

06-18-2008, 05:47 PM	#14
USN HM 350Z Super Moderator MY350Z.COM Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: San Diego 92119 Posts: 19,162 iTrader: (108)	funny stuff, but I think AS will have his work cut out for him in this fight. __________________ -2008.5 Nissan Titan SE CST 4" spindle lift/Bilstein Shocks/JBA Exhaust/Volant Intake/HyperTech Beta Test Unit/N-Fab Steps/HID Lights Headlights & Driving lights/ BullBar with KC High Lights -2006 Mazda Miata MX-5* Bilstein shocks/ Eibach springs -1975 S30 Right Hand Drive Fairlady Z(Project Car)* SR20DETT swap coming soon -2004 Nissan 350Z JWT TT (Gone, but not forgotten)*

06-18-2008, 07:55 PM	#15
Kal_El Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 606 iTrader: (25)	I would still pick the Affliction fight, that card is sooooo stacked. TVO the Spike and order the Affliction, fans win either way! __________________ IHI Powered Twin Turbo Special thanks to:www.technosquareinc.com, www.shineautoproject.com, Seven7Apple

06-18-2008, 07:59 PM	#16
BhamZMan Wooooo! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 425 iTrader: (1)	"Within five-to-eight years, this will be the biggest sport in the world," White said. "It will be bigger than the NFL and bigger than World Cup soccer." White is clearly an idiot if he honestly believes this. __________________ Borla TD-Headers / Fast Ints Res TP's / Injen Intake / Motordyne 1/2" Spacer / Stillen Rear Spoiler / SGI Rotors / Hawk Pads / SS Brake+Clutch Lines / JWT Clutch-Flywheel / UTEC / 06 LED Tails / Hotchkis Sways / UR Pulley / Rota P45R's Flat Black / Toyo T1-R 275-35;295-35 = 281.6 WHP

06-18-2008, 09:22 PM	#19
** Guest Posts: n/a	good thing i have the motor skills to be able to flip back and forth between channels

06-18-2008, 09:25 PM	#20
** Guest Posts: n/a	wait a minute the fedor afflication card is on PPV not HDnet? then **** im watchin UFC on spike then the PPV on mmatko Last edited by ; 06-19-2008 at 12:02 AM.