Watch out, UFC! Affliction is coming after you. It was clear after last night’s first Affliction card (appropriately named “Banned”) that the new fight promotion has some kinks to work out but it has the resources and the saavy to become a thorn in Dana White and UFC’s sides. Some of the fights were boring but did you see that Andrei Arlovski fight? That was entertaining, a back-and-forth fight, both getting hit hard, neither wanting to go down until Arlovski’s opponent after an accumulation of shots.
And the final headlining match between Fedor and Sylvia? Fedor showed why he is the greatest heavyweight in MMA. No denying that. He pummeled and overwhelmed Sylvia early and often and the 6’8” “Maine-iac” went down. It was just a matter of time before Fedor would finish it. Which he did, basically slapping on a rear naked choke – with his wrists! That’s how strong he is. The fight ended in the first round. So fast! Fedor is now the WAMMA (don’t ask me what that stands for) Heavyweight champ. By beating one of UFC’s formerly best heavies, Affliction and Fedor showed that UFC doesn’t have all the best fighters. And that has to piss off White.
Affliction has the fighters, the money, and the names behind it to continue on and be successful. It helps to have Michael Buffer announcing fights, Jay Glazer and Frank Trigg calling them, Big John McCarthy doing interviews. Of course, it really helps to have Donald Trump’s face, name and money behind the operation. Banned should help win over American fans of MMA and bring more, and better fighters, which will compete directly with UFC.
As for UFC’s card last night? It was good, nothing special. Anderson Silva showed he is the best fighter in the world possibly in dispatching of James Irvin in the first round. He just caught Irvin’s leg and hit him with a straight right that sent Irvin down and after a few more punches, it was over. Irvin was knocked out!
UFC is riding a one-trick pony with Silva right now I believe. They have some other good fighters, but UFC will have to realize that they need more fighters. They won’t be able to get them all, not everyone wants to be in the UFC and work for White. As for Affliction, they will continue to likely grow after this event, and I can see American fans becoming fans of both Affliction and UFC. Fans will begin clamoring for “super fights” and White will have to relent to a degree (i.e. releasing guys from exclusive contracts) and let them fight guys in other promotions. It’s what the fans want to see. July 19th is the point in time we’ll look back and say that’s when the sport in America changed. Mark my words.
