CHANGE: Barnett vs. Arlovski at Affliction 2, Oct 11

Post #1 » by **CPT** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:58 pm

Affliction is capitalizing on their momentum coming out of last weekend by setting the date, venue (Thomas & Mack Center), and main event for their next card. The official announcement should come next week.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

While it's not the fight I want to see most from Fedor (Couture and Barnett), I'm already looking forward to it more than his clash with Sylvia. Arlovski looked awesome in his fight with Rothwell, and definitely deserves the shot. Apparently a fight with Barnett is happening in the future (I heard something about March), and Couture's situation will be up in the air until at least October/November.

It will be interesting to see what other fights end up on the card. While they could make another interesting card just mixing up the fighters from Affliction: Banned, it would be nice to see some new fighters on the show.

Good choice of a date by Affliction as well. The UFC already has events scheduled for September 6 and 17, and October 18 and 25. It will be hard for them to put out any credible counter-programming this time around, though I'm sure they will try. Maybe just something like a highlight show or an episode of The Ultimate Fighter, because they won't be able to put together a decent live show with so many fighters already involved in other fights.

jTF2 · Post #2 » by **jTF2** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:00 pm

*drools*

Blame Rasho · Post #3 » by **Blame Rasho** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:35 pm

I honestly wonder if how many UFC guys saw the PPV. It would be so bad ass to see some UFC fighers at the event as paying customers.

Cochulito · Post #4 » by **Cochulito** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:58 pm

Damn thats interesting. I dont order MMA pay per views but i have to give credit no this solid solid matchup

SpReEfOrAlL · Post #5 » by **SpReEfOrAlL** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:39 pm

Interesting. . .but wtf? Why would he not fight Barnett? Don't get me wrong, AA is no slouch. . .but everyone knows they want to see Barnett fight Fedor. . .

Post #6 » by **CPT** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 6:48 am

They've said that Fedor plans to fight Barnett in the US in March, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do it in Japan. Maybe on New Year's Eve. That fight would be so much bigger in Japan, especially right now. American fans don't really know Fedor and Barnett well enough for that to be the main event of their second show.

Have Fedor beat two UFC guys (maybe 3, in Randy Couture) before he fights Barnett, and have Barnett fight whoever until then, and the fight will be a much bigger draw in a few months, if they do plan to have it in the States.

Just my take on it.

RalphWiggum · Post #7 » by **RalphWiggum** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:46 pm

I really think putting Fedor up against anyone other then Randy right now just makes no sense. It is the huge money fight that will elevate MMA to the next level. Fedor loses his next fight and all the luster of that fight is gone. I'm not saying I think he'll lose but why risk it, MMA more then any sport really has aspects that allow an outclassed fighter to pull the upset. You'll never see a 40-0 MMA fighter, too many things can go wrong in the blink of an eye.

If Fedor were to beat Couture, Arlovski then Barnett in succession you'd have a true sports superstar in Fedor that the sport could hang its hat on. If 12 months from now he's beatan those three guys he'll be on the cover of SI and leading off Sports Center on PPV nights. He could be the babe Ruth of MMA if the promoters can get their act together and look at the big picture instead of being so short sighted.

Vik Rude · Post #8 » by **Vik Rude** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:02 pm

now thats a main event!

Cammo101 · Post #9 » by **Cammo101** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:38 am

Fedor > Sylvia > Arlovski

I'd much rather see Fedor fight Barnett or Couture.

Post #10 » by **CPT** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:41 pm

Cammo101 wrote:Fedor > Sylvia > Arlovski

I'd much rather see Fedor fight Barnett or Couture.

Honestly, that's probably all true, but Arlovski is a much more exciting fighter than Sylvia, so I'm more excited to see this fight than Fedor vs. Sylvia, even though I'd give Tim a better shot to win (though I don't see how AA could do any worse).

And I don't think the time is right for the Barnett or Couture fights. Randy can't fight yet, and they can't just sit on their hands and not have Fedor fight, incase Randy can't fight for several more months, or not at all. It's also too early for Barnett vs. Fedor, IMO, as most US fans havent had enough time to warm up to either one. Maybe I'm not giving the North American MMA fans enough credit, but I don't think Fedor vs. Barnett is a strong enough main event for Affliction's second show, as great a fight as it would be.

Post #11 » by **Headliner** » Fri Aug 1, 2008 8:17 pm

Belfot Vs Lindland is now confirmed for the event as well.

Cammo101 · Post #12 » by **Cammo101** » Fri Aug 1, 2008 10:28 pm

Headliner wrote:Belfot Vs Lindland is now confirmed for the event as well.

Vitor by KO.

Post #13 » by **CPT** » Mon Aug 4, 2008 6:28 pm

Apparently Fedor is out of the fight due to his hand injury, and Barnett has been confirmed as his replacement.

Still a great fight, and one I've been wanting to see for a long time, but it's going to hurt Affliction to not have Fedor on their second show. Now they'll really need to make a splash by getting someone like Tito on the card.

SpReEfOrAlL · Post #14 » by **SpReEfOrAlL** » Mon Aug 4, 2008 9:25 pm

Barnett will have his way with AA. Barnett by sub in the 2nd

Susan · Post #15 » by **Susan** » Wed Aug 6, 2008 2:59 am

Tito is signed on but I'm not sure if it's for this card or not. Either way they just got another big name who draws.

jTF2 · Post #16 » by **jTF2** » Wed Aug 6, 2008 1:46 pm

I don't see how AA can win this. Barnett is a brutal matchup for him.