Juiced
10-24-2008, 11:09 AM
MMAWeekly.com spoke to multiple industry sources that confirmed that the basics of a deal had been brokered to allow Affliction back into the organization as a major clothing sponsor, including the possibility of UFC/Affliction co-branded apparel.
The UFC banned the clothing company in January of 2008 when they learned of Affliction’s desire to promote MMA events.
In exchange for the formal partnership, Affliction would agree to cease operations as a fight promoter. Select fighter contracts from Affliction’s talent roster would presumably be bought out by the UFC.
A meeting took place between UFC and Affliction executives on Sept. 26, where the idea was first openly discussed. Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio was present, in addition to UFC president Dana White. According to a source, Randy Couture and his lawyers may have attended the meeting as well. Talks were cordial, and Affliction executives agreed to come up with a proposal of their own. All agreed the group would reconvene in a short time period to sort through the issues of a potential deal.
Communication began to deteriorate, though, with Affliction’s ad campaign for EliteXC’s “Heat,” on Oct. 4. The airing of several ads trumpeting Fedor Emelianenko’s return reportedly made UFC executives wary the deal was not being taken seriously.
The UFC banned the clothing company in January of 2008 when they learned of Affliction’s desire to promote MMA events.
In exchange for the formal partnership, Affliction would agree to cease operations as a fight promoter. Select fighter contracts from Affliction’s talent roster would presumably be bought out by the UFC.
A meeting took place between UFC and Affliction executives on Sept. 26, where the idea was first openly discussed. Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio was present, in addition to UFC president Dana White. According to a source, Randy Couture and his lawyers may have attended the meeting as well. Talks were cordial, and Affliction executives agreed to come up with a proposal of their own. All agreed the group would reconvene in a short time period to sort through the issues of a potential deal.
Communication began to deteriorate, though, with Affliction’s ad campaign for EliteXC’s “Heat,” on Oct. 4. The airing of several ads trumpeting Fedor Emelianenko’s return reportedly made UFC executives wary the deal was not being taken seriously.