Fedor Emelianenko, Donald Trump and Tim Silvia at the New York press conference.
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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.”
Trump speaks to the press.
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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.
Affliction
Already a mainstay for the most elite athletes, heaviest bands, A-listers and the
fashion conscious, Affliction Clothing’s ability to set the bar high in fashion
is evident in its collection’s indulgence of style and design, focus on quality,
and its trademark series of divinely executed, dark and powerful themes.
PRESS CONFERENCE FIGHTER QUOTES
Silvia and Emelianenko
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Fedor Emelianenko: “I want to thank Affliction for giving me this opportunity to
fight the strongest athletes in the world. My respect to Tim. I’m sure you’ll all
love the show on July 19th.”
Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia: “July 19th is going to be a great show. I’m fortunate
that Affliction got me on this card. A lot of people have been after Fedor and I
got him. He’s a great athlete and fighter deserving of everything he’s received.
I’ve been known to throw a money wrench into the worlds and I plan on doing it again.
The whole card is stacked and that’s what fans want. Tune in July 19th for an awesome
show in Anaheim. I’m no sacrificial lamb. A lot of guys won’t fight Fedor but I
will. He’s been like a myth. This will be only his second fight in the United States.
If I do my best I believe I’ll be victorious. He’s 6-feet, I’m 6-8, so I want to
fight standing up.”
Josh “The Baby Faced Assassin” Barnett: “It’s nice to have a press conference like
this. I just got off a plane from Japan (where he won a fight). I’d like to stress
that this event crosses over to all sports and entertainment, not only the MMA community.
You can have all of the fireworks but it’s up to us (fighters) to make the biggest
bang. We will be spending a lot of time in the gym to give everybody everything
they want. It’s not enough to just have a fight. We want to give fans an event that
they’ll talk about for a long time.
“You play football. You play basketball. You don’t play fighting. Playing isn’t
involved in this sport. We take it to the extreme – the people out there believe
a kick in the head, or a punch in the eye, is extreme – but we get to know who we
really are and see true characters even in this violent sport. I love Pedro; he’s
a wonderful guy. I love him so much I’m going to hug him to death on July 19th.”
Pedro “The Rock” Rizzo: “Affliction has put together a great card. It’s going to
be the best of the year, maybe ever, on July 19th.”
Mike Whitehead: “I want to thank Tom and Todd (Affliction) for giving me this opportunity.
Fans who’ve followed me throughout my career know that I’ve always wanted to get
into a fight like this against a tough guy like ‘Babalu.’ The best way to show respect
is to be the best we can be for fans who will be there or watching on pay-per-view.
I’m meeting ‘Babalu’ and when we get in there it’s going to be like cartoons – dusts
and fist flying and we’ll see what happens when the dust settles.”
Renato “Babalu” Sobral: “I’m very proud to be here with all of these stars. My opponent
is a very tough guy. This show is going to sellout in my backyard, Orange County.”
Matt “The Law” Lindland: “I’m so excited to be part of this show. I’m excited to
get back in the gym. It’s been since April against since I fought this guy (Fedor).
I don’t know why I moved up to two divisions to fight him. I’m honored to be part
of this great card. I love fighting in this arena more than in politics (last Tuesday
Matt won the Republican nomination for House District 52 in Oregon). I know who
my opponent is in the ring. I look him right in the eyes.”
Fabio “Negao” Nascimento: “I’m happy to be part of this great event. It’s going
to be a great honor fighting the caliber of fighter like Matt Lindland. It’s a great
honor to fight for all of you guys.”
“Big” Ben Rothwell: “It’s an epic card. I’m honored to be on it and up here with
all of these great fighters. Affliction has stepped up to give fans what they deserve.
July 19th is going to be one helluva show.”
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