Affliction Banned Payouts........

[Schadenfreude]

Holy shit, Arlovski and Timmah made bank.........Fedor WTF?!?
Rothwell pulling down as much as Randy/Chuck?!?!?


http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=6742&zoneid=2

The California State Athletic Commission on Monday released the fighter salary information for Affliction “Banned,” featuring Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia, which took place on Saturday, July 19, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

The following figures are based on the fighter salary information that promoters are required by law to submit to the state athletic commissions, including the winners' bonuses.

Although mixed martial arts fighters do not have collective bargaining or a union, the fighters' salaries are still public record, just as with every other major sport in the United States. Any undisclosed bonuses that a promoter also pays its fighters, but does not disclose to the athletic commissions (specifically, pay-per-view bonuses, fight of the night bonuses, etc.), are not included in the figures below.

In the listings below, "Main Event Fighters" are defined as fighters who compete in the main event of a show. "Main Card Fighters" are defined as fighters whose fights appear on the main card, but not in the main event. "Preliminary Card Fighters" are defined as fighters whose matches take place before the live broadcast goes on the air, regardless of whether or not those matches end up airing on the TV or Internet broadcast.


MAIN EVENT FIGHTERS

– Fedor Emelianenko ($300,000/no win bonus) def. Tim Sylvia ($800,000)


MAIN CARD FIGHTERS

– Andre Arlovski ($750,000/$250,000 win bonus) def. Ben Rothwell ($250,000)

– Josh Barnett ($300,000/no win bonus) def. Pedro Rizzo ($70,000)

– Mark Hominick ($10,000/win bonus was $5,000) def. Savant Young ($7,000)

– Renato “Babalu” Sobral ($90,000/win bonus was $30,000) def. Mike Whitehead ($50,000)

– Matt Lindland ($300,000/win bonus was $75,000) def. Fabio “Negao” Nascimiento ($20,000)

– Antonio Rogerio Nogueira ($50,000/no win bonus) def. Edwin Dewees ($15,000)

– Mike Pyle ($20,000/win bonus was $5,000) def. J.J. Ambrose ($5,000)


PRELIMINARY CARD FIGHTERS

– Vitor Belfort ($140,000/win bonus was $70,000) def. Terry Martin ($30,000)

– Paul Buentello ($80,000/win bonus was $20,000) def. Gary Goodridge ($25,000)

– Justin Levens ($6,000) vs. Ray Lizama ($3,000)*

*Bout did not take place. Total pay was negotiated.


AFFLICTION “BANNED” DISCLOSED FIGHTER PAYROLL: $3,321,000


Edit: Sorry I didn't see that this had already been posted in the Post Affliction Thread.

[S.R.]

It probably deserves it's own thread anyways.

Big Daddy made some nice coin for being a replacement in one day.

[NutzOnUrFace]

Yeah, you're not seeing all of what Fedor made.

[Left Hook]

Yeah, you're not seeing all of what Fedor made.

You aren't seeing half.

[S.R.]

This reminds me of when the PRIDE 32 payouts were released in Oct 2006 and after years of speculation that PRIDE fighters made millions, we found out the highest paid fighter was Fedor at $100K and then the excuse was that he wasn't given all his purse because of tax reasons in the USA and he would instead be paid in a solid gold wardrobe that he could pawn as he saw fit once he returned to mother Russia.

[Schadenfreude]

Attendance and Gate Receipts

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=6743&zoneid=13


The California State Athletic Commission on Monday released the attendance and gate receipts for the debut mixed martial arts event of Afflcition, dubbed “Banned.” The event took place on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

According to the CSAC, Banned had a paid attendance of 11,242; complimentary attendance of 3,590; and was left with 740 deadwood or unsold tickets. The total attendance of the event was 14,832.

Gross receipts for paid attendance was $2,085,510 compared to a total fighter payroll of $3,321,000. The total value of the complimentary tickets was $600,500. The total value of unsold tickets was $157,400.

Affliction “Banned” Paid Attendance/Gross Receipts*:
$2,085,510

Affliction “Banned” Fighter Payroll*:
$3,321,000

*As reported to the California State Athletic Commission.

[S.R.]

So is that good or bad? UFC usually doesn't reach a sum through live gate to pay for fighter payroll, so is Affliction now hoping for a good PPV buyrate?

[Left Hook]

This reminds me of when the PRIDE 32 payouts were released in Oct 2006 and after years of speculation that PRIDE fighters made millions, we found out the highest paid fighter was Fedor at $100K and then the excuse was that he wasn't given all his purse because of tax reasons in the USA and he would instead be paid in a solid gold wardrobe that he could pawn as he saw fit once he returned to mother Russia.

Except we know they do that. Maybe not that extreme, but it does happen.

[NutzOnUrFace]

This reminds me of when the PRIDE 32 payouts were released in Oct 2006 and after years of speculation that PRIDE fighters made millions, we found out the highest paid fighter was Fedor at $100K and then the excuse was that he wasn't given all his purse because of tax reasons in the USA and he would instead be paid in a solid gold wardrobe that he could pawn as he saw fit once he returned to mother Russia.

If you think that's all Fedor made for this fight, you're retarded.

[DCBooks]

Depending on what the PPV buys were, this could have been a big money pit in spite of a decent gate. They probably need a half a million PPV buys to see black on this one. With a UFC playing opposite for free I've got a bad feeling they're deep in the red.

[Left Hook]

They don't need to see black, just not a huge crushing blow.

[BobbyBrez]

So is that good or bad? UFC usually doesn't reach a sum through live gate to pay for fighter payroll, so is Affliction now hoping for a good PPV buyrate?

That's pretty good for being in Anaheim. I'd be willing to bet that more of the event was papered (comp'd) than they reported, because the ticket brokers were the ones with the elite seats. When I went on the system on Sat morning, there were still a thousand or so tickets floating around that people were trying to dump.

These numbers don't include concessions obviosuly, which represents normally about 1/5th of net proceeds for any live event. I imagine the PPV #s will be somewhere in the 100,000 ballpark (I don't think they're already reported). Affliction ultimately made a lot of money while paying their fighters 3 times the rate of UFC.

These payroll numbers reflect the closest a MMA event on American soil has ever come to boxing.

Depending on what the PPV buys were, this could have been a big money pit in spite of a decent gate. They probably need a half a million PPV buys to see black on this one. With a UFC playing opposite for free I've got a bad feeling they're deep in the red.

Not entirely accurate. It depends what they had to pay for the Pond arena. Normally for fights, the arena wants a bigger piece of concessions from companies like Aramark than they want to host it due to liquor sales.

There is no way it sold 1/2 million PPVs for this domestically.

[EndlessFighter]

That seems like a recipe for financial disaster,IMO. Good thing their apparel is incredibly overpriced.

[Flagg]

That's some crazy shit right there.

I'm all for higher fighter's salaries, but those numbers are silly. Someone needs to explain to Affliction that they are supposed to negotiate salaries down, not up.

No better way to drive yourself right out of business then pay everybody more than you need to.

[Bev]

They clearly paid what they had to in order to lure Syliva and Arlovski away from the UFC. Sylvia had to be released with multiple fights left on his contract, and Dana made a real run at re-inking Arlovski. The only way to complete that sort of talent raid is to overpay, and that's what we saw here.

[Flagg]

They clearly paid what they had to in order to lure Syliva and Arlovski away from the UFC. Sylvia had to be released with multiple fights left on his contract, and Dana made a real run at re-inking Arlovski. The only way to complete that sort of talent raid is to overpay, and that's what we saw here.
I can understand that, but how do you explain Rizzo, Lindland, Martin, Belfort, Barnett, Buentello, Goodridge, etc.?

All those guys have no name recognition in the US, or have been on the shelf for an extended period of time, or both. You can't tell me most of those guys wouldn't have fought for a whole lot less than they got.

[NutzOnUrFace]

So, let me get this straight. People bitch about fighters not making enough money, and when they make a little bit of cash, people bitch about the promotion paying too much....

[Flagg]

I've never said fighters don't get paid enough. I believe in a free market economy and you should be paid the very minimum to keep you working.

If you want to survive, you need a sustainable business model. The IFL is a perfect example of what happens when you blow your brains out on fighter salaries and over zealous expansion.

If Affliction thinks paying $125,000 for the Buentello/Goodridge fight is a money making decision, they won't be in business for much longer. And that isn't good for the sport or fighters salaries.

[Merlin]

So, let me get this straight. People bitch about fighters not making enough money, and when they make a little bit of cash, people bitch about the promotion paying too much....

It's more about us wanting Affliction to succeed and this being detrimental to that than actually being upset the fighters got paid so much. I'd like to see every fighter make $250k if Affliction could honestly make a good profit by doing it.

[NutzOnUrFace]

Does anybody know if they lost money or how much they lost? (I'm assuming it was a deficit)

[Left Hook]

I've never said fighters don't get paid enough. I believe in a free market economy and you should be paid the very minimum to keep you working.

If you want to survive, you need a sustainable business model. The IFL is a perfect example of what happens when you blow your brains out on fighter salaries and over zealous expansion.

If Affliction thinks paying $125,000 for the Buentello/Goodridge fight is a money making decision, they won't be in business for much longer. And that isn't good for the sport or fighters salaries.

Agree. Some of these numbers scream stupid.

[Deaths Head]

– Fedor Emelianenko ($300,000/no win bonus) def. Tim Sylvia ($800,000)

What a crock of shit

[DAZEDJELLYLEGS]

Keep in mind that figures like that are likely to give a few of the UFC fighters itchy feet.

Affliction are looking to be big. They need big fighters and they have just hung an almighty carrot in the air.

[5acrossYOeye]

wonder how much fedor and sylvia paid in sanctioning fees.

[EndlessFighter]

Affliction are looking to be big. They need big fighters and they have just hung an almighty carrot in the air.

The cost of dangling that carrot is a pissload though.

[Left Hook]

Keep in mind that figures like that are likely to give a few of the UFC fighters itchy feet.

Affliction are looking to be big. They need big fighters and they have just hung an almighty carrot in the air.

But if they can't sustain it will be meaningless. Dumping money where they shouldn't was a bad move.

[Merlin]

But if they can't sustain it will be meaningless. Dumping money where they shouldn't was a bad move.

I'd like the think the guys behind this (Donald Trump, Mark Cuban, etc.) have more business sense than us.

[Nova]

Anyone remember if the UFC's alleged 2 million dollar offer to Fedor was per fight or over a period of fights?

Either way, he's making more than is reported there "officially," hands down.

[NutzOnUrFace]

But if they can't sustain it will be meaningless. Dumping money where they shouldn't was a bad move.

If you look at the people who are behind this operation, you better believe they can afford it.

So, it may make some business sense, as they will be able to lure some decent to very good fighters away from the UFC and other organizations.

[Bev]

Tito has a recent win over Forrest Griffin. With the kind of money Affliction is throwing around, we could see some serious yapping leading up to his signing, and (if they're smart) build towards a showdown with Babalu.

Tito headlining a fight card=Money.

You're talking about the Donald hyping it up. Tito's skanky girlfriend doing PR. Tito on shows like Howard Stern and ESPN broadcasts.

*crosses fingers*

[dragomort]

I'd like the think the guys behind this (Donald Trump, Mark Cuban, etc.) have more business sense than us.

Cuban wasn't involved though and Donald just lent his image to the promotion as far as I saw, or else we'd've seen more advertisers on the mat if nothing else, I'd hope.

[Left Hook]

I'd like the think the guys behind this (Donald Trump, Mark Cuban, etc.) have more business sense than us.

So would I, but I think we all know that those are the kind of men that don't like losing money. You obviously have to lose early, but if you lose to much some just won't support it. Also are most of them figure heads in this situation?

If you look at the people who are behind this operation, you better believe they can afford it.

So, it may make some business sense, as they will be able to lure some decent to very good fighters away from the UFC and other organizations.

Sure but pay the decent to very good fighters accordingly. If scrubs like this make that much, what do the others expect to make?

[NutzOnUrFace]

Scrubs such as who?

Besides Mike Whitehead getting 50k

[Merlin]

Cuban wasn't involved though and Donald just lent his image to the promotion as far as I saw, or else we'd've seen more advertisers on the mat if nothing else, I'd hope.

Cuban owns HDNet.
Trump, at the very least, has been heavily involved in raising capital, even if it's not entirely his own money.
They both take dumps larger than a UFC payday.

Trump: "...I’d predict that [Affliction will] get bigger and bigger and better and better. Again, it’s a very strong group of people in terms of the finances, so that’s never going to be a problem.”

[Mia]

Why in God's name did Sobral make less money than Rothwell and Woogie (who looked like poo)? =/

[NutzOnUrFace]

If I remember correct, which I doubt, Babalu didn't look very good either.

And, Woogie, although looking like shit, is one of the better MW's in the world.

[Left Hook]

Scrubs such as who?

Besides Mike Whitehead getting 50k

Buntello, Goodridge, and Vitor made way to much money.

[dragomort]

Cuban owns HDNet.
Trump, at the very least, has been heavily involved in raising capital, even if it's not entirely his own money.
They both take dumps larger than a UFC payday.

Trump: "...I’d predict that [Affliction will] get bigger and bigger and better and better. Again, it’s a very strong group of people in terms of the finances, so that’s never going to be a problem.”

Can't argue that, I just don't know how deep they're involved with it at all. Seems rather hazy on how things work on those levels, to say the least. My hopes are high, but my expectations are being drowned in cynicism from past experiences :(

[NutzOnUrFace]

Buntello, Goodridge, and Vitor made way to much money.

Buentello's not terrible. I mean, he was in the 10 for a while, and half decent HW's are hard to come by.

Vitor has a cult following (for some fucking reason) and people love to watch the guy. I don't like him personally, but he's a pretty big name and also someone who Affliction could promote was an ex-UFC champion.

Goodridge fought on 3 days notice, give the guy a break. By the way, what happened with Aleks?

[dragomort]

If I remember correct, which I doubt, Babalu didn't look very good either.

And, Woogie, although looking like shit, is one of the better MW's in the world.

Woogie certainly didn't look like one of the best last night. Doubt he put his all into training while he was running for office, honestly. Babalu looked good to me, honestly. He didn't light the ring on fire, but he was composed and effective, winning all aspects of the fight against an underrated Whitehead. The only problem for him was the shitty ropes and large planks outside the ring.

[dragomort]

Goodridge fought on 3 days notice, give the guy a break. By the way, what happened with Aleks?

Goodridge was supposedly training for another card that got cancelled around the same time. Don't remember where I saw or heard that, but still thought it was worth throwing out. Neither of them looked hot at all, but it had it's moments.

Aleks had a medical issue that HIPAA will never allow us to know.

[Left Hook]

Buentello's not terrible. I mean, he was in the 10 for a while, and half decent HW's are hard to come by.

Vitor has a cult following (for some fucking reason) and people love to watch the guy. I don't like him personally, but he's a pretty big name and also someone who Affliction could promote was an ex-UFC champion.

Goodridge fought on 3 days notice, give the guy a break. By the way, what happened with Aleks?


Buentello sucks. I am not blind. I love Vitor, bu fuck 140,000 for that?

[Mia]

If I remember correct, which I doubt, Babalu didn't look very good either.

And, Woogie, although looking like shit, is one of the better MW's in the world.

Babalu looked very good.

[Left Hook]

Babalu looked very good.

Falling out of the ring? ;)

He didn't look bad, but he didn't look good. Very mediocre against a mediocre opponent. Compare that to Arlovski, Josh, and Fedor blowing up people.

[BigJ383]

Does anybody know if they lost money or how much they lost? (I'm assuming it was a deficit)

It's not a question of if they lost money it's how much they lost. First they need a lot of PPVs to break even on just paying the fighters. Not to mention what they have to pay the commentators, Michael Buffer, the Camera Men, the stadium rental fee, travel and accomidations for the fighters and their cornermen, insurance for all the fighters, the crew that set up crew for the ring ramp and stage plus they have to pay Megadeth. They also have to pay for advertising the production spent on their commercials as well as the billboard in time square.

[Mia]

Falling out of the ring? ;)

He didn't look bad, but he didn't look good. Very mediocre against a mediocre opponent. Compare that to Arlovski, Josh, and Fedor blowing up people.

Umm.........what about him didn't look good?

[Left Hook]

I will give you winning is winning, but what exactly was he doing that was exceptional, especially against such an opponent.

[DAZEDJELLYLEGS]

But if they can't sustain it will be meaningless. Dumping money where they shouldn't was a bad move.

Any largescale startup business loses money during the initial startup period. You then reap the rewards of the initial marketting and create a customer base. The problem with failed MMA orgs is that the initial spend hasnt boar any fruits and they have continued to lose not stepping back into the black which is the next step.

I cant see Affliction failing in the same way. They already have solid branding from the clothing line, Donald Trump in there corner, the best fighter in the world and seemingly the UFC are a little worried hence the free FN show.

The difference between Affliction and Dream/Pride is that Affliction are in the same marketplace. The Japanese and USA market can coexist without stepping on eachothers toes but Affliction are going directly against UFC and seemingly matching them for entertainment after just one show.

[Mia]

I will give you winning is winning, but what exactly was he doing that was exceptional, especially against such an opponent.

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/3493/abanned28rz3.jpg

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/8408/abanned31wn0.jpg

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/9185/abanned33yj9.jpg

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/7724/abanned34bp4.jpg

EASILY!

[KD=KO]

Affliction is going to run themselves into bankruptcy, holy shit. Unless Dana White and the Fertitta bros really turn out to be the biggest blood sucking mother fuckers in business. Everyone talks about how fighters deserver bigger payouts, but 1 million dollars for Arlovski to fight and win? LOL

[Mia]

but 1 million dollars for Arlovski to fight and win? LOL
And now he is going to be a boxer. :confused:

[Phla Les]

There are certain explanations for these numbers

1) Affliction used this event as an ad campaign for their overpriced merchandise. This card turned a lot of heads and he name now has recognition. Affliction may have been the company that expected to take a loss overall, but in the end it was no different than buying some time on TV to advertise your crap.

2) This promotion is thinking long term. If Trump is actually funding this, or if they know they can take some losses for a little while, they'll eventually start to draw away some of UFC's fighters. It's simple economics. However, the UFC can more than afford to raise contracts for their fighters, seeing as how like 10% of total revenue (or close to it) is what fighters get paid. Either way, the fighters get a boost.

3) The promotion simply wanted to make a huge splash and turn heads, and they certainly did. From this point on they may start to limit 6 figure pay days to maybe 2 or 3 fighters per card, and watch their finances more carefully.

4) This was nothing more than irresponsible spending. The fact that Lindland got paid that amount of money, on a card where nobody gave 2 fucks about him or his opponent, is insane. I don't care what you are trying to do, what sense does it make to give this dude that kind of money? He's buried on the undercard and he's boring as fuck. His manager must have sucked some serious junk to pull this off.

I think it may be a combo of some of the above.

[Cleaver]

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/3493/abanned28rz3.jpg

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/8408/abanned31wn0.jpg

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/9185/abanned33yj9.jpg

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/7724/abanned34bp4.jpg

EASILY!
http://sherdog.com/thumbnail_crop.php?image=http://www.cdn.sherdog.com/_images/pictures/35/34815.jpg&width_size=600
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j108/joatishere/MMA/chuckandrenato.jpg
http://www.mmatko.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/chuck-baba.jpg

EASILY!

[Left Hook]

Any largescale startup business loses money during the initial startup period. You then reap the rewards of the initial marketting and create a customer base. The problem with failed MMA orgs is that the initial spend hasnt boar any fruits and they have continued to lose not stepping back into the black which is the next step.

I cant see Affliction failing in the same way. They already have solid branding from the clothing line, Donald Trump in there corner, the best fighter in the world and seemingly the UFC are a little worried hence the free FN show.

The difference between Affliction and Dream/Pride is that Affliction are in the same marketplace. The Japanese and USA market can coexist without stepping on eachothers toes but Affliction are going directly against UFC and seemingly matching them for entertainment after just one show.

I know they always lose money. The question is how big of a shot can they take.

[Randjob]

Looking at those ridiculous numbers, I seriously wonder how long Affliction is going to be able to keep this going. Im with DCBooks in thinking that they probably didnt do all that great in the PPV market despite taking in a nice gate at the event.

[chuck]

This reminds me of when the PRIDE 32 payouts were released in Oct 2006 and after years of speculation that PRIDE fighters made millions, we found out the highest paid fighter was Fedor at $100K and then the excuse was that he wasn't given all his purse because of tax reasons in the USA and he would instead be paid in a solid gold wardrobe that he could pawn as he saw fit once he returned to mother Russia.

nope. Fedor was paid out in other ways. same as Sakuraba was paid for office duites. its just a tax scam.

[Kilroy]

In total Chuck made like 3 million dollars from the UFC in his second fight with Tito, PPV bonus and stuff.

Cuck vs. Randy 3 they got around a million dollars each.

Just to put things into perspective.
We have no idea what kinda money the UFC fighters actually get paid based on their public numbers.

Im sure that is true to some extent here as well.

[Necrocide]

Those concerned with this being a money pit, remember that Trump is involved as a backer along with the Affliction boys. The Don can afford to lose on the first half dozen shows if he sees the potential for this to turn into a major money maker.

I'm sure Dana and Co. didn't roll in the cash the first couple of years they were involved with UFC.

Comparing this information with this article:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/868793/the_ufc_ultimate_fighting_underpaid.html?cat=3

Affliction has put themselves in a spot where they can draw in big names in an attempt to make more money. I agree that Goodridge was overpaid, but you gotta offer a guy a reason for filling in on virtually no notice.

[uberfighter]

they should have put a "one minute" clause is tim's contract. he only gets 800k for lasting a minute. that's the most ridiculous payout i've ever seen.

[chuck]

they should have put a "one minute" clause is tim's contract. he only gets 800k for lasting a minute. that's the most ridiculous payout i've ever seen.

reps

I would also be cautious of trumping Donald Trump too much. he is a businessman and real estate is his game. he will back what he knows. secondly, he is also not a great businessman despite all the hype. he was bankrupt in the late 1980s and survived due to his family being rich and the market coming back. he was humiliated by it.

While he is a good name to have on board, dont expect him to be backing a losing horse for long.

[dopefish]

Those concerned with this being a money pit, remember that Trump is involved as a backer along with the Affliction boys. The Don can afford to lose on the first half dozen shows if he sees the potential for this to turn into a major money maker.


"The Don" is overrated and has lost money on almost every major thing he's built in the last decade. Look him up. Almost every property he owns is struggling or already gone under. His name might still be attached but thats just his name. He doesn't have control.

[Merlin]

"The Don" is overrated and has lost money on almost every major thing he's built in the last decade. Look him up. Almost every property he owns is struggling or already gone under. His name might still be attached but thats just his name. He doesn't have control.

He's been a force behind WWE and boxing at times. Those are pretty close to this MMA venture and he lost money on neither one.

He's more than just a real estate tycoon. If we're just looking at side ventures, The Apprentice is one of the most successful shows on television.

Point being, if you guys are trying to insinuate that Trump's involvement is a bad thing, you're wrong. And he's not the only one with deep pockets behind Affliction.

[MilkChan]

lol @ sylvia getting all that money.

[GNP]

This will piss off a lot of UFC fighters.

[Merlin]

This will piss off a lot of UFC fighters.

Excellent..

http://www.mediabistro.com/unbeige/original/mr.%20burns.jpg

[Kilroy]

This will piss off a lot of UFC fighters.

Please, elaborate.

[Merlin]

Please, elaborate.
...
Keep in mind that figures like that are likely to give a few of the UFC fighters itchy feet.

Affliction are looking to be big. They need big fighters and they have just hung an almighty carrot in the air.

[Anton Chigurh]

"The Don" is overrated and has lost money on almost every major thing he's built in the last decade. Look him up. Almost every property he owns is struggling or already gone under. His name might still be attached but thats just his name. He doesn't have control.

Yeah, I bet we'll see him in line at the soup kitchen in the coming weeks. :rolleyes:

[Kilroy]

Because they get paid so much more in Affliction then in the UFC?

[uberfighter]

Because they get paid so much more in Affliction then in the UFC?

when you consider affliction is paying former champs more than the ufc paid them as champs....you do the math.

i just hope affliction knows what it is doing. i seem to recall a little venture called wfa buying up loads of talent just to go tits up after their first show.

[S.R.]

when you consider affliction is paying former champs more than the ufc paid them as champs....you do the math.

i just hope affliction knows what it is doing. i seem to recall a little venture called wfa buying up loads of talent just to go tits up after their first show.

WFA looked like a KOTC show. I was pleasantly surprised by Affliction. The scope was extraordinary.

I take Affliction more seriously than I do EliteXC and Affliction has only had one event.

[DAZEDJELLYLEGS]

they should have put a "one minute" clause is tim's contract. he only gets 800k for lasting a minute. that's the most ridiculous payout i've ever seen.

In all honesty I am glad. Timmy is one unforunate being in the land of MMA. He was champ and got rumbled for roids because he is an unfortunate shape. When he was champ no one liked him infact the UFC looked to get Arlovski in there asap TWICE. He is a nice guy and despite being a goof doesnt deserve the shit he gets because there are far nastier fucks, more boring fighters and less talented practitioners that get less than half the shit he does.He even got to look useless in getting hammered within a minute against a tiny guy in highly anticipated matchup.

He deserves a break and I say awesome to him getting a big payout for very little work.

[DAZEDJELLYLEGS]

Because they get paid so much more in Affliction then in the UFC?

Yes. Thats exactly why.

Any MMA fighter with half a brain considering getting tied into a contract will be factoring figures like that into there decision.

Two things need to be taken into consideration when evaluating whether Affliction will succeed. Although a startup in MMA they are an established business so therefore have business sense and money to have top notch strategic management on board for this. Established businesses only take evaluated risks and you can guarentee these guys arent wading in blind. The show was impressive and well marketted because a good time had researched and put it together. None of that stuff is accidental.

Secondly the UFC decided in a heartbeat the throw up that FN show. We have seen orgs come and go, Gary Shaw net the first major TV deal and Pride FC resurface as Dream as a giant slap in the UFC's face and never seen anything that aggressive. They seemed far more concerned about Affliction succeeding that anyone else. No doubt inside info and buzz is that they are strategically sound, have good backers and a road map to success. Enough to make UFC worry more than they ever have dont about a USA based organisation.

I think Affliction are going to be a thorn in the side of the UFCs plans to dominate the MMA world.

[KD=KO]

Any MMA fighter with half a brain

Hmmm..

[Doktor Sharpness]

Yes. Thats exactly why.

Any MMA fighter with half a brain considering getting tied into a contract will be factoring figures like that into there decision.

Two things need to be taken into consideration when evaluating whether Affliction will succeed. Although a startup in MMA they are an established business so therefore have business sense and money to have top notch strategic management on board for this. Established businesses only take evaluated risks and you can guarentee these guys arent wading in blind. The show was impressive and well marketted because a good time had researched and put it together. None of that stuff is accidental.

Secondly the UFC decided in a heartbeat the throw up that FN show. We have seen orgs come and go, Gary Shaw net the first major TV deal and Pride FC resurface as Dream as a giant slap in the UFC's face and never seen anything that aggressive. They seemed far more concerned about Affliction succeeding that anyone else. No doubt inside info and buzz is that they are strategically sound, have good backers and a road map to success. Enough to make UFC worry more than they ever have dont about a USA based organisation.

I think Affliction are going to be a thorn in the side of the UFCs plans to dominate the MMA world.

They're definitely off to a good start... I feel Dana jsut looked bad by throwing together a weak card just to have something on free TV the night of the PPV... Very WCW vs. WWF.

[Kilroy]

when you consider affliction is paying former champs more than the ufc paid them as champs....you do the math.

i just hope affliction knows what it is doing. i seem to recall a little venture called wfa buying up loads of talent just to go tits up after their first show.

"Reported" and what they actually got paid is different things.
I do think Sylvia got a paybump with the 800k though.
But we dont know how much or alot of other things.
I really dont think the UFC is shitting their pants over this.

[Zigga-Zagga]

Well, they do make around $60 winning per a shirt...

[kcb]

They clearly paid what they had to in order to lure Syliva and Arlovski away from the UFC. Sylvia had to be released with multiple fights left on his contract, and Dana made a real run at re-inking Arlovski. The only way to complete that sort of talent raid is to overpay, and that's what we saw here.

I think Sylvia only had 1 fight left on his contract, actually.

[Left Hook]

They're definitely off to a good start... I feel Dana jsut looked bad by throwing together a weak card just to have something on free TV the night of the PPV... Very WCW vs. WWF.

Whose going through a table?

[DAZEDJELLYLEGS]

I really dont think the UFC is shitting their pants over this.

Agreed. Its not like they threw together a show at a months notice to try and keep the spotlight off Affliction :p

[J. Walter Weatherman]

Whatever happened to Dana's HUGE announcement that was supposed to change the landscape of MMA for years to come? Did he mean that Anderson Silva moving up to 205for one fight against a journeyman was going to change MMA for years to come?

[DAZEDJELLYLEGS]

Whatever happened to Dana's HUGE announcement that was supposed to change the landscape of MMA for years to come? Did he mean that Anderson Silva moving up to 205for one fight against a journeyman was going to change MMA for years to come?

Dana White : This will change MMA as we know it. I cant even contain myself.

Dana White 2 weeks later : We are using a different cleaning contractor to square up the arenas after each event. We will be keeping on the same custodial team for the toilets though. With those two contractors working together its scary how clean the place will be. I have seen other orgs arenas after the events and there toilets seriously look like shit. We have the best MMA cleanup team in the world and things can only get cleaner from here.

[Deaths Head]

I've never said fighters don't get paid enough. I believe in a free market economy and you should be paid the very minimum to keep you working.

If you want to survive, you need a sustainable business model. The IFL is a perfect example of what happens when you blow your brains out on fighter salaries and over zealous expansion.

If Affliction thinks paying $125,000 for the Buentello/Goodridge fight is a money making decision, they won't be in business for much longer. And that isn't good for the sport or fighters salaries.

My thoughts exactly. Buentello will forever be known to me as the guy who was out against Arlovski before anyone realized it. As for Goodridge, he is an old-school fighter, but not a serious threat to pretty much anyone anymore. Was the number so high because they paid him the same as they were going to pay Aleks maybe?

[FRANKIE]

I suspect the number was so high for Goodridge because he was about as late a replacement as is possible. Also, I'm sure they were going to pay Aleks significantly more, so they probably saved a bit of money despite over-paying.