Press Release: Affliction Banned Announces Entry Into MMA: Fedor and Sylvia Face Off For Huge Crowd

Posted by Larry Csonka on 05.22.2008

Affliction Banned is set to go!

Affliction sent out the following press release:

CENTURY CITY, CA (May 20, 2008) Teams of people swarmed the Westfield Mall today to attend a public press conference hosted by Affliction Banned, the new venture by Affliction Clothing, the premier fashion label for men who love hard rock and fast living, that will bring a new era to MMA.

With eight MMA superstars seated at the dais, Tom Atencio, Vice President of Affliction Banned announced to a packed crowd of MMA fans, a star-studded fight card that will feature the much-anticipated return of the Russian heavyweight superstar Fedor "The Last Emperor" Emelianenko pitted against the 6' 8" American, Tim "the Maine-iac" Sylvia, supported by an All-World caliber undercard, July 19th at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

"Affliction's emergence into MMA is a milestone event and we are proud to be at the forefront of a new era in MMA, when promoters and fighters can come together to produce the fights that people most want to see," stated Atencio.

Word of Affliction's entry into the MMA arena was circulating the internet for months with much speculation about the fight card and location, but today's announcement put all rumors to rest as the crowd was introduced to Fedor "The Last Emperor" Emelianenko, Tim "The Maine-iac" Sylvia, "Big" Ben Rothwell, Fabio "Negao" Nascimento, Mike Whitehead, Renato "Babalu" Sobral, Pedro "The Rock" Rizzo, Josh "The Baby-Faced Assassin" Barnett and Vice President of Affliction, Tom Atencio, in a conference led by sports analyst, Jay Glazier. Said George Greenberg, Executive V.P. Programming and Production at FOX Sports Net " These are the A-Rods, the Kobe Bryant's and the Michael Jordan's sitting before you and they're going to put on one hell of a fight!" Greenberg also announced an exclusive deal between Fox Sports Net and Affliction to air the undercard fights live on Fox Sports Net television leading up to the pay per view on July 19th. This stacked non-pay per view undercard includes a newly announced Antonio Rogerio Nogueira plus Fedor's brother Aleksander Emelianenko to name a few.

The fighters each took a turn at the podium with Josh Barnett speaking first. "This collection of fighters proves there isn't just one name in the industry. There is no closed door. These guys [Affliction] are going to blow the door wide open and it's up to the fighters to do their job and put on a great fight." Barnett stated.

Representing the main card, Tim Sylvia spoke first. "Fedor has destroyed everybody that I look up to, said Sylvia. I think it is a good test for me. If I stay standing up, I'll have won," said Tim Sylvia.

Fedor's appearance was met with resounding applause from the crowd. "I am honored to be in a program with such great fighters. Thank you Mr. Sylvia for taking this fight. I know him [Tim Sylvia] well, I have tremendous respect for him, and I look forward to meeting him in the ring," said Fedor, assisted by an interpreter.

Executives from The Honda Center, Fox Sports Net, and Roy Englebrecht Events, all spoke regarding their involvement with "Affliction Banned"

Tickets for "Affliction Banned" broke at the box office today and generated more than $250K in ticket sales within the first thirty minutes, according to Tim Ryan, President and General Manager, Honda Center. 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 fist hour of the event will be broadcast LIVE on FOX Sports Net.

True to its foundation in fashion, Affliction passed out more than two-thousand t-shirts and posters to the crowd and the eight fighters, including Fedor and Sylvia, were able to meet and greet fans and sign shirts following the press announcements and introductions at the podium.

"Affliction Banned" will hold another public press conference at Trump Tower in Manhattan, NYC on Thursday, May 22nd at 10:30AM.