Affliction Adds Belfort-Martin to a Card With Big Names and Local Appeal
(We get it, Vitor. Stop looking so smug.)
The news today is that Vitor Belfort has indeed been added to the July 19 Affliction event in Anaheim, Calif., where he will face another former UFC fighter, Terry Martin. Belfort is perhaps best known for being a once-brilliant prospect in the world of MMA who has since struggled to live up to his early potential, while Martin is probably best known for being on the wrong end of a couple of brutal knockouts.
But here’s the thing that makes me curious: this bout will most likely not be shown on TV, according to reports. Not on the portion of the undercard that will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Net, nor on the pay-per-view portion.
So what’s the point? Are they betting that Belfort (a Brazilian unknown to most newer MMA fans) and Martin (a Chicago native with a mediocre record) will be a local draw? Judging by the rest of the card, it doesn’t look like they need it.
The undercard features somewhat well-known California fighters like Orange County’s Justin Levens, San Diego’s Patrick Speight, and L.A.’s Savant Young. While these names might not knock your socks off, the truth is they are something of a local draw in Southern California. Maybe not enough to convince you to buy a ticket by themselves, but if you also get to see Fedor and Tim Sylvia, yeah, why not?
But then the presence of Belfort and Martin, along with fighters like Aleks Emelianenko, Josh Barnett, Mike Whitehead, “Babalu” Sobral, and Ben Rothwell — guys who are known among hardcore fans, though not necessarily the American mainstream — makes you think that Affliction is smarter than people are giving them credit for. They’ve got local appeal on the undercard, but are also setting themselves up as a destination for not only heavyweights, but light heavyweights as well.
That’s called hedging your bets. Maybe they sell a t-shirt or two on top of this, and things just might work out.
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June 11th, 2008 at 10:43 am
The best part of this article is the fact that you almost get to see Vitor Belfort’s HOT ASS FUCKIN’ WIFE’S tit.
Vitor had such potential. He was a fuckin’ beast. Then he started sucking. And I don’t think he’s stopped sucking yet.
June 11th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I guess just like his father, Vitor JR. hasn’t stopped sucking yet either. Both are also good at milking the opportunities presented to them.
June 11th, 2008 at 10:50 am
You haven’t seen Vitor’s wife’s EVERYTHING and yo uthink you’re an MMA fan?
And dude, everyone looks like a beat when they fight Tank Abbott and Scott Ferrozo.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Whoa whoa whoa. Who said I haven’t seen her everything?
But say I hadn’t.. Where might one go in order to see everything? O_o
June 11th, 2008 at 11:24 am
wow, Vitor looks like Vin Diesel with a wig. seriously.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Thank me later….
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/725/pradojy9.jpg
June 11th, 2008 at 11:49 am
And if that didn’t provide C-Bus with a happy ending then try here:
http://www.weshow.com/my/group/joana_prado
June 11th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Hot Damn. I didn’t know she did playboy. She’s a helluva lot hotter now.
O_O
June 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
@ skidding: Thanks for the laugh! I literally spit out my coffee!
….you owe me a shirt.
While I think Affliction is smart in trying to work up the “local” angle, could it be that they are also trying to build a reliable stable of fighters? They may have gotten Victor for cheap just to see how he performs. If they get the local crowd: good. If he shows some skill and brings on an impressive knock out, then he’s ready-made undercard material for the next fight.
I’m REALLY looking forward to this Affliction fight. I’m not even a big fan of the heavyweight matches, but how can you not love how this card is shaping up?
June 11th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
you bastards…you have to give a warning before I open crap like that…I should of known though…
June 11th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
> a destination for not only heavyweights, but light heavyweights as well.
Eff that, just call it Open Division.
Best fighter wins.
June 11th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Affliction T-shirts, you might be onto something there!
June 11th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Damn it! Those links are too dangerous for work-environment!
Brb, I’m going to the bathroom. ..
June 13th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I just beefed.