Comments on: Is it curtains for Affliction? http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/11/is-it-curtains-for-affliction/ Your Destination for Insider MMA News and Opinion Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:58:54 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: ununkvadrium http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/11/is-it-curtains-for-affliction/comment-page-1/#comment-49390 ununkvadrium Sat, 13 Sep 2008 10:58:47 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6393#comment-49390 Head-to-head competition against Zuffa from upstart promotions like Affliction will do nothing but stall the growth of the sport. Not until Zuffa has their minimum safety distance to other promotions regarding the share of the MMA market will we start seeing them really challenge for shares of the entertainment market as a whole. As of right now, the only viable non-Zuffa promotion out there is Strikeforce with their regional approach that doesn't aim at going directly at the big league. Not only does head-to-head competition stall growth, it's also proving futile. The UFC will be the NFL of MMA. Rest assured. And rejoice, ffs! Head-to-head competition against Zuffa from upstart promotions like Affliction will do nothing but stall the growth of the sport.

Not until Zuffa has their minimum safety distance to other promotions regarding the share of the MMA market will we start seeing them really challenge for shares of the entertainment market as a whole. As of right now, the only viable non-Zuffa promotion out there is Strikeforce with their regional approach that doesn’t aim at going directly at the big league.

Not only does head-to-head competition stall growth, it’s also proving futile. The UFC will be the NFL of MMA. Rest assured. And rejoice, ffs!

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]]> By: Kyle http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/11/is-it-curtains-for-affliction/comment-page-1/#comment-49211 Kyle Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:57:15 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6393#comment-49211 Fair enough, Sam. Your opinion is your opinion, its your site after all, and for the most part I enjoy reading your articles. I think you're a great writer whos done a lot of good things for MMA. I guess we just have to agree to disagree on this issue, I'm not advocating that the UFC should be the sole MMA organization, I'm just arguing that like all other sports there can be only one true professional organization in order to bring legitimacy to its contenders. The rest exist as minor leagues that feed into the major organizations, and theres nothing wrong with that. But having two rival organizations equal in power would only make things too divisive, like boxing which is on the verge of falling apart because no one knows who the real champ is. Thank you for taking the time to respond. Fair enough, Sam. Your opinion is your opinion, its your site after all, and for the most part I enjoy reading your articles. I think you’re a great writer whos done a lot of good things for MMA. I guess we just have to agree to disagree on this issue, I’m not advocating that the UFC should be the sole MMA organization, I’m just arguing that like all other sports there can be only one true professional organization in order to bring legitimacy to its contenders. The rest exist as minor leagues that feed into the major organizations, and theres nothing wrong with that. But having two rival organizations equal in power would only make things too divisive, like boxing which is on the verge of falling apart because no one knows who the real champ is. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

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]]> By: Clint Koelling http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/11/is-it-curtains-for-affliction/comment-page-1/#comment-49209 Clint Koelling Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:48:40 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6393#comment-49209 If Affliction was Smart, they would Have Trump convince NBC to put on a Weekly Affliction MMA Show in a decent time slot... To Heck with HDNet, MAINSTREAM TV... What the hell else is Trump doing for them... Trump had the Highest ratings on NBC for his show, I'm sure he could talk NBC into it... 1 Hour each week, 2 LIVE fights, use show to help promote a 1 Big Fight (2 undercard fights) 2 Hour PPV every other month for $24.95... That way they can put alot of the Talent on Free TV, Have A couple BIG fights to promote for PPV (just like boxing, Say Fedor vs. Tito and 2 undercard fights with Lindland or Babalu)... Keep PPV at 2 Hours and Charge only $25 Bucks... And Keep the PPV's in Cali or Trump's Places to make Sure they have No trouble... Also Need MMA Stars... Sure Barnett's Top Ranked, But No one Knows him... Fedor is getting some Exposure, but still kinda unknown... Tito Ortiz, Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Kimbo, Frank Shamrock, Tank Abbott, & Brock Lesnar are some of the BIGGEST Drawing Fighters out there... So they need as many of them as they can get for the PPV fights... If Affliction was Smart, they would Have Trump convince NBC to put on a Weekly Affliction MMA Show in a decent time slot… To Heck with HDNet, MAINSTREAM TV… What the hell else is Trump doing for them…

Trump had the Highest ratings on NBC for his show, I’m sure he could talk NBC into it…

1 Hour each week, 2 LIVE fights, use show to help promote a 1 Big Fight (2 undercard fights) 2 Hour PPV every other month for $24.95…

That way they can put alot of the Talent on Free TV, Have A couple BIG fights to promote for PPV (just like boxing, Say Fedor vs. Tito and 2 undercard fights with Lindland or Babalu)… Keep PPV at 2 Hours and Charge only $25 Bucks…

And Keep the PPV’s in Cali or Trump’s Places to make Sure they have No trouble…

Also Need MMA Stars… Sure Barnett’s Top Ranked, But No one Knows him… Fedor is getting some Exposure, but still kinda unknown…

Tito Ortiz, Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Kimbo, Frank Shamrock, Tank Abbott, & Brock Lesnar are some of the BIGGEST Drawing Fighters out there… So they need as many of them as they can get for the PPV fights…

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]]> By: Duty Guy http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/11/is-it-curtains-for-affliction/comment-page-1/#comment-49208 Duty Guy Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:43:20 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6393#comment-49208 good points Nate. However, it really isn't like tennis or Golf at all. We're talking about an organization that deals with fights. It would be extremely difficult for them to arrange the sport like Tennis where they have several large tournaments and there are seedings based on past performances, etc. Same with Golf. Maybe the way UFC used to be run with multiple fights in a night. But now it is fight for entertainment in the mainstream. Fighters can fight 3-6 fights in a year depending on their results. And it is highly individualized. But they all fight for a belt in a weight class. UFC works to get fighters to fight for the belt. And they want the best fights. Fighters must prove themselves by fighting who the UFC pits them against. In Boxing you have a pissing contest between the boxers and their promoters to get ridiculous pay for a worthless fight which always ends the same way: Both fighters are killing themselves with the amount of brain damage they sustain due to the heavily padded gloves. UFC is structured very well. They have proven that by making huge strides in the sport and breaking it into the mainstream. Wrestlers everywhere can now look to getting into MMA. It really is a treat to see stories like Forrest Griffin, Chuck Lidell, etc. But they need the organization of the UFC to succeed. Without the UFC these guys never make it to ESPN or TV in the states. good points Nate. However, it really isn’t like tennis or Golf at all. We’re talking about an organization that deals with fights. It would be extremely difficult for them to arrange the sport like Tennis where they have several large tournaments and there are seedings based on past performances, etc. Same with Golf. Maybe the way UFC used to be run with multiple fights in a night. But now it is fight for entertainment in the mainstream. Fighters can fight 3-6 fights in a year depending on their results. And it is highly individualized. But they all fight for a belt in a weight class. UFC works to get fighters to fight for the belt. And they want the best fights. Fighters must prove themselves by fighting who the UFC pits them against. In Boxing you have a pissing contest between the boxers and their promoters to get ridiculous pay for a worthless fight which always ends the same way: Both fighters are killing themselves with the amount of brain damage they sustain due to the heavily padded gloves.

UFC is structured very well. They have proven that by making huge strides in the sport and breaking it into the mainstream. Wrestlers everywhere can now look to getting into MMA. It really is a treat to see stories like Forrest Griffin, Chuck Lidell, etc. But they need the organization of the UFC to succeed. Without the UFC these guys never make it to ESPN or TV in the states.

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]]> By: Nate http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/11/is-it-curtains-for-affliction/comment-page-1/#comment-49206 Nate Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:05:34 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6393#comment-49206 MMA is about individuals. The closest business model is more like Tennis or Golf. In that case, Affliction could just sponsor a once a year event, like Wimbledon, that everyone looks forward to. A problem arises in that the UFC locks down the players, they wont be able to compete. Maybe Affliction can start with lesser known players before they get to the UFC. So even though UFC is primarily responsible for bringing MMA to where it is today, I am not sure the business model it chose is the best way to run this type of business in the future. The NFL/NBA/NHL/etc is the wrong business model for MMA. I've never understood how boxing is organized, nor do I like what I do know, so I dont want to compare it either. MMA is about individuals. The closest business model is more like Tennis or Golf.

In that case, Affliction could just sponsor a once a year event, like Wimbledon, that everyone looks forward to.

A problem arises in that the UFC locks down the players, they wont be able to compete. Maybe Affliction can start with lesser known players before they get to the UFC.

So even though UFC is primarily responsible for bringing MMA to where it is today, I am not sure the business model it chose is the best way to run this type of business in the future.

The NFL/NBA/NHL/etc is the wrong business model for MMA. I’ve never understood how boxing is organized, nor do I like what I do know, so I dont want to compare it either.

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]]> By: Imbecile http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/11/is-it-curtains-for-affliction/comment-page-1/#comment-49205 Imbecile Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:04:56 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6393#comment-49205 I root for the UFC and other MMA organizations that compete with them. However, I don't just blinding root for every johnny-come-lately organization just because they are involved in MMA. I like the UFC because they are truly fans of the sport, and want to see the sport grow, as well as see their business grow. I am not a big fan of either EliteXC or Affliction, because I see them as a bunch of investors trying to make a buck off of what they see as a new trend. Gary Shaw never was a fan of MMA, and every time he opened his mouth that was obvious. I don't know too much about Atencio, but he seems like he has been around the sport in some capacity for awhile, but being controlled by investors like Trump and De la Hoya isn't encouraging. I would rather see organizations like Strikeforce do well, since Scott Coker has been doing great things for this sport for quite awhile. Guys like Monte Cox, and other regional promoters also do a great job. I liked the idea of the IFL, but the team concept was stupid. I am also not for competition that comes in with investment money and creates unrealistic and unsustainable business models that shake up the industry in a negative way. Affliction came onto the scene with tons of investment money throwing around cash to fighters. They artificially inflated prices of these fighters, forcing their competition to either lose their fighters, or agree to the same unprofitable and unsustainable business model that Affliction is using. That isn't good for the sport. So I will root for any MMA organization that comes in for the right reasons and comes in to help the sport out. I hope they all make tons of money doing it. But I will not root for just ANY other organization simply because it is not the UFC. I root for the UFC and other MMA organizations that compete with them. However, I don’t just blinding root for every johnny-come-lately organization just because they are involved in MMA.

I like the UFC because they are truly fans of the sport, and want to see the sport grow, as well as see their business grow. I am not a big fan of either EliteXC or Affliction, because I see them as a bunch of investors trying to make a buck off of what they see as a new trend. Gary Shaw never was a fan of MMA, and every time he opened his mouth that was obvious. I don’t know too much about Atencio, but he seems like he has been around the sport in some capacity for awhile, but being controlled by investors like Trump and De la Hoya isn’t encouraging.

I would rather see organizations like Strikeforce do well, since Scott Coker has been doing great things for this sport for quite awhile. Guys like Monte Cox, and other regional promoters also do a great job. I liked the idea of the IFL, but the team concept was stupid.

I am also not for competition that comes in with investment money and creates unrealistic and unsustainable business models that shake up the industry in a negative way. Affliction came onto the scene with tons of investment money throwing around cash to fighters. They artificially inflated prices of these fighters, forcing their competition to either lose their fighters, or agree to the same unprofitable and unsustainable business model that Affliction is using. That isn’t good for the sport.

So I will root for any MMA organization that comes in for the right reasons and comes in to help the sport out. I hope they all make tons of money doing it. But I will not root for just ANY other organization simply because it is not the UFC.

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]]> By: Duty Guy http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/11/is-it-curtains-for-affliction/comment-page-1/#comment-49200 Duty Guy Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:40:19 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6393#comment-49200 On another point. How great is it for the fans of the NBA to see players leave for foreign soil? That means we have more Darkos coming over and we have players like Josh Childress leaving. That's BS. Did the real football (soccer) fans enjoy seeing David Backham leave UEFA for the MLS? The MLS is an inferior promotion. I think it is hurtful to the sport, not because it detracts from the UFC, but because it could be unified and structured better with access to all the fighters, thus making MMA that much stronger. Then we could finally see if Fedor is that good. I think having multiple promotions is detrimental, and makes MMA much like boxing. The fighters should be slaves to the sport and fans, not the other way around. If they don't want to fight, so be it. But if they want to fight, it should be worthwhile is they expect us to pay for it. I just don't agree. And in my opinion I think your opinions are misguided and retarded (not fully, but partially). On another point. How great is it for the fans of the NBA to see players leave for foreign soil? That means we have more Darkos coming over and we have players like Josh Childress leaving. That’s BS. Did the real football (soccer) fans enjoy seeing David Backham leave UEFA for the MLS? The MLS is an inferior promotion. I think it is hurtful to the sport, not because it detracts from the UFC, but because it could be unified and structured better with access to all the fighters, thus making MMA that much stronger. Then we could finally see if Fedor is that good. I think having multiple promotions is detrimental, and makes MMA much like boxing. The fighters should be slaves to the sport and fans, not the other way around. If they don’t want to fight, so be it. But if they want to fight, it should be worthwhile is they expect us to pay for it. I just don’t agree. And in my opinion I think your opinions are misguided and retarded (not fully, but partially).

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]]> By: Duty Guy http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/11/is-it-curtains-for-affliction/comment-page-1/#comment-49198 Duty Guy Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:27:44 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6393#comment-49198 Sam, always . . . I always disagree with what you write. In your estimation, is it necessary for other (beside the NFL) football leagues to sate your appetite for American Football? What about for basketball? Do you frequently watch CBA games? Euro league games? What a bunch of malarkey. The NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB are to their respective sports what the UFC is to MMA. WEC is like their farm system (not really, but you get the idea) or NBDL, etc. MMA does not need Affliction, EliteXC and especially Pride. The UFC format is tops. They have perfected their system and are always reliable. Having other promotions allows fighters like Fedor Emelianenko to amass a good record without having to worry about a real fight. Then you have hack writers trying to make ratings that span across the promotions. It doesn't work. Fedor has conveniently ducked real fights and is hiding in lesser promotions. Meanwhile the UFC/WEC have fighters like Anderson Silva who will fight anyone at any weight he can make. Urijah Faber who has fighters declining to fight him. There are a lot of fighters that can take any fight. If you continually lose though, you're done. Excellent promotion and the only one worth Paying to watch. I will only watch EliteXC when they have Kimbo Slice or Gina Carano fighting and the IFL is entertaining but DirecTV is making it difficult to find. Sam, always . . . I always disagree with what you write. In your estimation, is it necessary for other (beside the NFL) football leagues to sate your appetite for American Football? What about for basketball? Do you frequently watch CBA games? Euro league games? What a bunch of malarkey. The NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB are to their respective sports what the UFC is to MMA. WEC is like their farm system (not really, but you get the idea) or NBDL, etc. MMA does not need Affliction, EliteXC and especially Pride. The UFC format is tops. They have perfected their system and are always reliable. Having other promotions allows fighters like Fedor Emelianenko to amass a good record without having to worry about a real fight. Then you have hack writers trying to make ratings that span across the promotions. It doesn’t work. Fedor has conveniently ducked real fights and is hiding in lesser promotions. Meanwhile the UFC/WEC have fighters like Anderson Silva who will fight anyone at any weight he can make. Urijah Faber who has fighters declining to fight him. There are a lot of fighters that can take any fight. If you continually lose though, you’re done. Excellent promotion and the only one worth Paying to watch. I will only watch EliteXC when they have Kimbo Slice or Gina Carano fighting and the IFL is entertaining but DirecTV is making it difficult to find.

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]]> By: Sam Caplan http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/11/is-it-curtains-for-affliction/comment-page-1/#comment-49190 Sam Caplan Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:50:44 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6393#comment-49190 Kyle, you are aware that this site began as an opinion site? I've always been outspoken about my opinions since Day 1 of 5 Oz. and I'm not about to stop expressing my opinions regardless of whether you can handle them or not. Kyle, you are aware that this site began as an opinion site? I’ve always been outspoken about my opinions since Day 1 of 5 Oz. and I’m not about to stop expressing my opinions regardless of whether you can handle them or not.

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]]> By: Ray Lewis http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/11/is-it-curtains-for-affliction/comment-page-1/#comment-49189 Ray Lewis Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:42:53 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6393#comment-49189 Affliction likely sold, or change of management, possible TV deal, or LAST show is their 2nd show. Either way, it is going to change a LOT soon. I think it is going under. Affliction likely sold, or change of management, possible TV deal, or LAST show is their 2nd show. Either way, it is going to change a LOT soon. I think it is going under.

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