What: Affliction: BANNED
When: July 19, 2008
Where: Honda Center in Anaheim, CA
Watch: Pay Per View
Here’s the latest on Affliction: BANNED:
Main Card
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia @ HW
Josh Barnett vs. Pedro Rizzo @ HW
Matt Lindland vs. Fabio Negao @ MW
Ben Rothwell vs. ??? @ HW
Renato “Babalu” Sobral vs. Mike Whitehead @ LHW
Rodrigo Rogerio Nogueira vs. Vernon White [...]
Affliction — one of the most recognized and popular clothing brands out right now — made its bid to become the latest mixed martial arts promoter official today during an episode of “Inside MMA” on the HDNet network.
It’s been known for some time now that Affliction would throw its hat into the MMA ring. In fact, the UFC and Elite XC recently banned their fighters from wearing Affliction gear during events because of the looming competition.
And if the proposed inaugural pay-per-view (PPV) fight card slated for the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. on July 19 is any indication of things to come, then Affliction will indeed pose some stiff competition.
Here’s what we can expect thus far:
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia
Josh Barnett vs. Pedro Rizzo
Matt Lindland vs. Fabio Negao
Renato “Babalu†Sobral vs. Mike Whitehead
Ben Rothwell vs. TBA
That’s one hell of a star-studded line up … and there’s more than likely still more to come.
Of course, it will be interesting to watch this all unfold — successful MMA promotions are a dime a dozen. It must also be noted that Affliction will have to clear a few regulatory hurdles, too, which the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) is mandating for the show to go on.
In particular, according to SportsIllustrated.com, the “CSAC requires a bond that covers twice the fighters’ costs.” That’s no small feat, considering some of the unconfirmed salaries that are being tossed around (Fedor is rumored to be making more than $1 million guaranteed and Sylvia is set to pocket at least $800,000).
Do the math … and that’s just the possible main event purses.
In addition, the CSAC will request urine tests from Sylvia and Barnett — both fighters have tested positive for the banned performance enhancer earlier in their careers.
Regardless, if Affliction can get all its ducks in a row — and not blow its wad straight out of the gate — this could be something special. Let’s just hope those in charge realize this is a marathon and not a sprint.
Check out a video snip of Affliction Clothing Vice President Tom Attencio on “Inside MMA” after the jump.
Former UFC heavyweight champion and PRIDE superstar Josh “The Babyface Assassin†Barnett (21-5) will face fellow UFC veteran Pedro “The Rock†Rizzo (16-7) on July 19 at the first mixed martial arts event under the Affliction banner according to reports from both Sherdog and MMAWeekly.
In addition to being one of the most sought-after free agents in mixed martial arts (this side of the Iron Curtain), Barnett has already tasted victory at Sengoku where he defeated Judo master Hidehiko Yoshida via heel hook back in March.
Now he gets to a chance to avenge his first career loss when he faces the heavy-handed Brazilian who knocked Barnett out way back at UFC 30 — more than seven years ago.
Aside from that loss to Rizzo, Barnett has only been defeated by two other men: Current UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro†Nogueira and three losses to promotion-hopper Mirko “Cro Cop†Filipovic.
First however “The Babyface Assassin” must concentrate on his upcoming bout against Jeff Monson at World Victory Road’s Sengoku II on May 18.
From Barnett:
“I said after he knocked me out with one of those really nice, well put together Pedro Rizzo right hands, I stood right there for the challenge and said you know what, I’m going to come back here, I’m going to fight him again and next time I’m knocking his ass out. So I’ve got to make good on my promises and I’ve got to stick to my word. As much as I love my buddy Fedor, it’s going to suck for him because I’m stealing the show.”
Rizzo has fought sporadically since his UFC days and despite having hands of steel, is a mediocre 5-6 since his first match with Barnett. Still, “The Rock’ is on a two-fight winning streak, having outpointed Justin Eliers at Art of War 1 last March and stopping Jeff Monson at Art of War 3 in September.
From Rizzo:
“I was hoping to face him due to the fact that he is one of the top five heavyweights, a very tough guy. This is my chance to return to the top, and I will seize it the best way. I was training all the time and relaxed last week. This Monday I came back, and now there are 11 weeks to the fight. I think it’s the perfect time to get well technically, get in order and make a great fight. I think this fight should be better than [the first]. Our fight was seven years ago and was very good. Today Josh is a much better fighter than at that time, as am I. I think the public can expect a big fight again.”
Whether or not he’s been competing at a high enough level to once again topple Barnett remains to be seen. Barnett’s personality may not be for everyone, but there is no denying he is one of the sport’s elite heavyweights and a very complete fighter.
The Affliction event is headlined by former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko (27-1) vs former UFC heavyweight champion Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia (24-4). Matt Lindland is also rumored for the card but an opponent has yet to be named.
Another high-profile matchup has been added to Affliction’s July 19th debut card (Location TBA), as Josh Barnett confirmed last night that he’ll be taking on Pedro Rizzo. It’ll only be Barnett’s second match on U.S. soil since UFC 36 (3/22/02), where “The Babyface Assassin” knocked out Randy Couture to win the UFC’s heavyweight belt, but was stripped of the title directly after for failing a steroid test; Barnett then re-launched his career in Japan, where the drug policies were, shall we say, less judgmental.
Adding to the drama is the fact that the two fighters have previously met. Barnett suffered his first career loss at UFC 30 (2/23/01) against Rizzo, who knocked out the Seattle native in the second round. Said Barnett:
“[A]fter he knocked me out with one of those really nice, well put together Pedro Rizzo right hands, I stood right there for the challenge and said you know what, I’m going to come back here, I’m going to fight him again and next time I’m knocking his ass out. So I’ve got to make good on my promises and I’ve got to stick to my word.”
Regarding Affliction 1’s current lineup — which includes Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia, and Matt Lindland vs. TBA — Josh was his usual sardonic self:
“As much as I love my buddy Fedor, it’s going to suck for him because I’m stealing the show.”
Barnett is consistently ranked among the world’s top ten heavyweights by any MMA news outlet with an opinion (this one included), despite the fact that he hasn’t had an impressive win since 2006. Beating Rizzo would help remind American MMA fans who he is, but a bout with the Brazilian UFC/PRIDE vet isn’t quite the return match we were hoping for. Rizzo has gone 2-2 since leaving the UFC in 2003; true, he scored both of his recent wins last year, but he’s also old enough to have fought Tank Abbott at Ultimate Brazil. Is anyone else getting a “Masters Superfight” vibe from this one?
Video of Barnett vs. Rizzo at UFC 30 is after the jump…
The Art of War promotion held “Art of War III” in Dallas, TX last night in front of a reported 8,000 fans.
Pedro Rizzo defeated Jeff Monson in the show’s main event via a third round TKO.
Jeremy Horn fought on the card as well but was submitted Jorge Santiago in the first round. Horn tapped to a triangle choke and it was just the second time Horn has lost via submission since the turn of the century.
Other notable results include Ron Waterman defeating Mario Rinaldi via TKO and Alex Andrade TKO’d Fabiano Capoani in round two.
