http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp
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July 11 is shaping up to be a busy night for mixed martial arts
enthusiasts.
Affliction will counter-program UFC 100 on the summer date with its
third event at a location yet to be determined, according to
sources close to the situation.
The card is just under a week from the first anniversary of
Banned,the clothing company's initial foray into MMA
promotion.
Plans are to air the event to fans on non-premium cable television,
although sources could not confirm the broadcast platform.
Affliction Entertainment has partnered with Fox Sports Net and HD
Net for the undercards of its first two events, so either would be
a likely candidate for Affliction 3.
Additionally, WAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko and Josh
Barnett are expected to fight on the card, but likely not against
each other. According to one source, the cost of the heavily
anticipated fight would be too expensive for a non-pay-per-view
broadcast. Other sources indicate that Affliction is trying to put
together another heavyweight bout, pitting former UFC champion Tim
Sylvia against Paul Buentello, though it has not yet been agreed
to.
The event is a bold move for the MMA startup, which has seen both
of its events shadowed by UFC programming. UFC 100 has long been
touted as a special event in the Las Vegas-based promotion's
history, and is scheduled to feature two title bouts a
heavyweight unification bout between Frank Mir and Brock Lesnar and
the third title defense of Georges St. Pierre as well asThe
Ultimate Fighter season nine battle between coaches Dan Henderson
and Michael Bisping.
As for speculation that Affliction's third offering will be it's
grand exit from MMA, all sources close to the promotion are in
agreement with Affliction Entertainment COO Michael D. Cohen. The
executive told Versus.com blogger Ariel Helwani, It's absolutely
untrue... Trump's Affliction Entertainment is going nowhere except
to the top, and the company will continue throughout 2009 and well
into 2010."