The week started off like any other week in mma with interviews and physicals leading up to Afflictions 3rd ppv titled “Trilogy”. But all that ended on Tuesday July 21, 2009 when Josh Barnett tested positive for anabolic steriods and was denied a license to fight in California 10 days before the event. This leaving Affliction without ample time to find a suitable replacement and time for proper training and marketing, “Trilogy” was canceled. But the shock of the week was the anouncement on Friday July 24, 2009: Affliction folded up its fight promoting and became the official sponsors of UFC. Oh, and by the way did I mention Tito Ortiz is most likely back in the UFC?
What a week it was. So many stories were popping up left and right no one knew where to start. I guess we can begin with Barnett, he’s done it once and he did it again. Steroids is what got Barnet kicked out of the UFC back in 2002, when testing positive after his fight with Randy Couture. Since then Barnett has fought for companies that were lenient, to say the least, on fighters remaining clean on drug tests and has only fought in America 3 times since his suspension.
With one of the competitors out of the main event, Affliction was looking for a replacement fighter to face the number one fighter in the world. Names like Vitor Belfort, Bobby Lashley. and (I kid you not) Tank Abbott were being asked to fight Fedor Emelianenko in one week. For those living under a rock and do not know about Fedor, let me put it to you like this. Imagine being asked to fight Mike Tyson next Saturday during his prime, get the picture. His only defeat came from an illegal strike that caused a cut to Fedor’s head to re-open a cut from a previous fight.
Affliction decided to cancel their August 1st show and plan for one later, in 3- 4 months. Most insiders and hardcore fans knew it was only a matter of time for the company to fold. Last October it looked like a possibility due to Affliction moving the show 3 months from its original date. The name “Trilogy” most likely meant it was the final card for the fledging promotion venture. But where were the Golden Boy Promotions and Trump Enterprises that helped shape the Affliction ppv in January?
Then on that friday afternoon UFC sent out a press statement: Affliction was no longer promoting fights and was a sole sponsor of the UFC. Even though most knew this was going to happen sooner or later, it still shook the mma community at its foundation. Analysts predicted that if the promotion did fail it would wind up in (UFC’s rival promotion) Strikeforce’s favor, due to their working relations.
Tito Ortiz is possibly back in the UFC, which is eerily reminiscent of the scene in “The Godfather” where Michael Corleone ties up all the family’s loose ends. Now that one of the most infamous feuds in mma is now over, what can we expect to see from both sides? Tito is far from a title shot, but could pose problems for other light heavyweights in the UFC.
So, what now happens to the fighters that were to fight on “Trilogy”? Where does Fedor go? Can Strikeforce benefit now by being the number 2 company in the United States? Is Barnett really the number 2 fighter in the world? And, how long can Tito and Dana tolerate each other before there is bad blood again? Only time will tell with all these lingering questions.
Raul Rangel
I’m am back after a long and painful injury. I am coming back to write again. I am refreshed and revamped to restart and I am looking forward to new and exciting stories about whatt is going on in the mma world. I will speak my mind on my likes and dislikes, with a no holds barred attitude that will shake a few people. Look for my first story by friday and every other day a new one will be up. That is my promise.
Raul
This saturday marks the historical landmark in MMA history with the broadcast of UFC 100. And, TAMMA and 98.5 The Beat want you to come watch the show at club Rain, 516 Brooklyn Ave. Come watch the event with some of the most talented and up and coming fighters in South Texas. Also, register to win front row tickets to Fightfest 14. Show starts at 9pm so get there early to get a good seat as this looks to be the biggest UFC event in history.
Raul Rangel
Dana White just announced that Chuck Liddell and Charles “Mask” Lewis will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at the UFC Fan Expo on Friday. The Event takes place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center July 10th and 11th and will feature meet and greets, autograph sessions, training and development session given by top UFC fighters, and even a grappling tournament. Sounds like fun.
-Drew Wallen