Comments on: Affliction: Banned 7/19 Honda Center

By: The Gadget Link

The Gadget Link — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:29:07 +0000

It was a solid card with some entertaining fights, along with a very different approach with Megadeath.

If you’re a hardcore fan of MMA, it was definitely worth the money.

But in the end, PPV numbers will determine the long term viability of Affliction MMA. With no current network and Cable TV presence that will help them build fans and future PPV buys, it will be at least 3 to 5 years before they reach a level equivalent to the UFC.

By: Mr.Roadblock

Mr.Roadblock — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:47:22 +0000

I was at Affliction and at Chuck/Jardine (both events at the Honda Center). There were at least as many people there for Affliction. I haven’t seen the numbers posted yet, but to me it appeared there were more people at Affliction than UFC 76. The upper deck was pretty sparse for UFC 76, while it looked packed for Affliction.

I haven’t seen the event on TV yet, but they didn’t have lights on the crowd the way UFC does. UFC also puts a mic on the Octagon so you hear the thuds of takedowns and blows. Affliction didn’t do that. Not sure if the crowd was mic’d but they were chanting loudly for Vitor, Barnett, Arlovski and Fedor. The crowd went absolutely bananas for Arlovski and Fedor.

It looked like Affliction was inspired by the PRIDE production. Big stage with a light wall and a white canvas lit from above without lights on the crowd which makes the canvas look even brighter.

Awesome show. I could have done without Megadeath. I’m sure everyone there will go back for the next Affliction event.

They could do big business with Barnett vs Arlovski in that building.

By: The Gaijin

The Gaijin — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:14:37 +0000

Funny I was about to post that same photo! Looks pretty “dead” and “empty” to me.

By: D.Capitated

D.Capitated — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:28:29 +0000

It might have been for the undercard. HBO rarely lights anything beyond the floor for any event, even sellouts. That’s generally because HBO spends more on lighting than probably everyone on MMA combined. For a better look at Affliction.

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2008/7/20/575117/ufc-affliction-post-fight#comments

That’s a dead crowd?

By: cyph

cyph — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:17:40 +0000

Boxing fights are dimly lit because they’re not sold out. I remember distinctly that Mayweather/De La Hoya the crowd was lit up like a Christmas tree.

Dimly lit + 8 $50 tickets available on the day of the fight = low tickets sold.

By: The Gaijin

The Gaijin — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:14:44 +0000

Meh, I didn’t really think he ever looked that overly ripped in Japan. I think it probably has a lot to do with the layoff, because in his second fight against Mirko coming off the injury he looked just as sloppy if not worse.

He looked his most ripped when he fought Semmy on the Boom-Ba-Ye NYE show in 2003(?)…but other than that he’s always had that love-handles/spare tire look in my opinion.

By: The Gaijin

The Gaijin — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:11:28 +0000

Cyph – My “indeed” comment was directed to the comment above yours…you just happened to beat me to posting and posted in between us mate.

By: D.Capitated

D.Capitated — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:07:54 +0000

The light was dark last night at Affliction. That spells bad news. I don’t think they sold the tickets they claimed they had.

It was lit like a major boxing (you know, a real sport) event: in other words, they don’t give a shit about showing fans with signs. The pictures taken of the crowd from inside the arena I’ve seen show it pretty darn full.

By: cyph

cyph — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:06:30 +0000

I meant he was fat when he first came to the UFC.

By: cyph

cyph — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:06:03 +0000

He was cut when first came aboard to the UFC. He was lean as hell in Japan. He’s fat now. That may be because of his inactivity… but he does look fat.