Source:
NOKAUT .:. Ultimate Mixed Martial Arts source .:.
NEW YORK (May 22, 2008) – A large, enthusiastic crowd welcomed some of the world’s top mixed-martial-arts fighters to New York City at today’s “Affliction Banned” press conference in Trump Tower.
Donald Trump welcomed everyone to Trump Tower. “These are all tough guys,” he said as he looked across the head table. “We’re all tough, right? I asked one of these guys how long I’d last and looked at me like I was kidding. Affliction is going to do very well and I look forward to being there for it.”
Affliction will make history July 19 presenting its own Mixed-Martial-Arts pay-per-view event in association with Roy Englebrecht Events, appropriately named “Affliction Banned,” featuring the much-anticipated return of Russian heavyweight superstar Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko in association with M-1, supported by an All-World caliber undercard, at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
“July 19th is going to be a milestone for both Affliction and Mixed Martial Arts,” remarked Tom Atencio, Vice President of Affliction. “For fans of Affliction and core fans of MMA this event not only features an incredibly stacked card with the best fighters in the world, but, more importantly, it marks the emergence of a new era in MMA. Affliction Clothing is proud to be at the forefront of this new time, when promoters and fighters can come together and produce the fights that fans want to see. Our mission is simple: support the people who have supported us and bring the fans of MMA the best fights possible with the best fighters from around the world. Ladies and gentlemen, I formally announce to you Affliction’s entry into the arena of MMA and I’m extremely excited to introduce you to the fighters of Affliction Banned.”
Fedor (27-1), the former undisputed PRIDE® heavyweight champion and Russian M-1 legend, has been universally recognized the past five years as the most dominating heavyweight in the world. He will fight former 2-time UFC® heavyweight title-holder Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia (24-4), fighting out of Iowa by way of his native Maine.
The exciting four-fight undercard is loaded with Josh “The Baby Faced Assassin” Barnett (21-5), of Seattle, facing-off stateside for the first time in two years in a grudge match against the only opponent to ever knock him out, Brazilian strongman Pedro “The Rock” Rizzo (16-7). Three-time All-America wrestler Mike Whitehead (20-5), of Salt Lake City, will battle Brazilian sensation Renato “Babalu” Sobral (29-7), of Costa Mesa, California. 2000 Olympic wrestling silver medalist Matt “The Law” Lindland (20-5), of Oregon City, faces Brazilian favorite Fabio “Negao” Nascimento (8-3). Former IFL® titlist “Big” Ben Rothwell (29-5), of Kenosha, Wisconsin, is scheduled to fight an opponent to be determined in this groundbreaking event.
Tickets for “Affliction Banned,” ranging between $50.00 and $1,000.00, are on sale at the Honda Center box office. More than $250,000 in ticket sales was reportedly sold within the first 30 minutes of release this past Tuesday. Tickets to the event are currently available online at Ticketmaster.com.
“Affliction Banned” will be distributed on Pay-Per-View and air live (9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT) on cable and satellite viewing in the USA and Canada via iN DEMAND, TVN, Shaw Communications, Viewer’s Choice Canada, DirecTV, DISH Network, Bell ExpressVue and Star Choice for a suggested retail price of $39.95. The telecast will be available in both standard and high definition television. The PPV telecast will be available in both standard and high definition television.
Fox Sports Net television will broadcast a non-paying per view undercard live, including fighters such as Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Fedor’s brother, Aleksander Emelianenko, leading into the monster pay-per-view event.
True to its foundation in fashion, Affliction passed out thousands of T-shirts and posters to the crowd. The eight fighters, including Fedor and Sylvia, were able to meet-and-greet fans as well as sign shirts following the press conference.
