Issue 041
September 2008
IFL no more
The struggling International Fight League announced that it ceased trading on 31 July. The team-based promotion had been on a downward slide with stock prices plummeting and little to no interest
from mainstream fans. “We are very proud of what we did here in just over two years, building a brand from nothing into something that people in the industry and outside of the industry actually noticed, and I enjoyed working with so many different people and helped tell some great stories,” said Joe Favorito, senior vice president for communications.
At the time of going to press rumours were circulating that the UFC had bought select assets from the IFL, including the video library and select fighter contracts. Zuffa has already acquired fighters from the IFL such as Rory Markham and Jim and Dan Miller, hinting that they are stripping the promotion of talent.
The IFL formed in 2006 , and was based around a team concept, where fighters from opposing camps fought in one evening in a series of league ‘matches’. The idea failed to take off with existing MMA fans and could not generate interest among the sports viewing public in the USA, leading to a slowdown in activity over the last few months.
Machida vs Thiago Silva at UFC 89
Two undefeated light heavyweight contenders will go at it in a possible title eliminator in October. Lyoto Machida, the controversial karate stylist who has blazed a trail through the UFC light heavyweight division, will meet with former Chute Boxe rep Thiago Silva.
The all-Brazilian encounter will feature on UFC 89, scheduled for 18 October in Birmingham. In an interview with Tatame, a Brazilian publication, Machida was quoted as saying he expects a tough fight yet is not flustered by the fact he is fighting a fellow countryman. “I wouldn’t want to go against another Brazilian, but we are all professionals and that’s how it goes,” he said.
“There are fights among people of the same nation; it’s inevitable. Only one will come out champion from this group of Brazilians, and it will become our job to go against friends.
[Silva] hasn’t had a loss yet either, but I am doing my homework so that I can win this fight.”
Machida, who will train with Anderson Silva for this fight, expects there to be a queue for Forrest Griffin’s belt. “I think that Liddell, since he is an ex-champion, has great chances of getting the shot at it if he wins. Wanderlei also has a chance, but his chances are maybe
lower than Chuck’s. Wanderlei is good enough to fight for the belt, but the UFC is the one who decides.”
Faber to defend, Filho back from rehab
Urijah Faber will make his return to the cage in Florida as part of WEC’s impressive next event, lined up for September 10th. The top-ranked featherweight will defend his title against tough American Top Team product Mike Brown.
Also up for grabs will be the WEC middleweight title, as Paulo Filho makes his return to the cage for an anticipated rematch with Chael Sonnen. Filho, undefeated in 16 fights, scored a submission victory over the wrestler the first time they fought. Since then Filho spent time in rehab for substance abuse, yet promises that he will be on top form when he returns.
For more information go towww.wec.tv.
Arlovski to take on Fedor
Fedor Emelianenko and Andrei Arlovski will face off on 11 October in Las Vegas. They will fight for Fedor’s newly won World Association of Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA) heavyweight championship belt, the title he claimed by defeating Tim Sylvia. Arlovski will be the second former UFC champion Fedor will have faced this year.
Affliction, the company which hosted Fedor and Arlovski’s most recent fights in July, has announced their second event will take place at the Thomas & Mack Centre in Las Vegas. “We’re really excited to have Affliction in the building and particularly to have Fedor and all those other great names,” Daren Libonati, arena director for the Thomas & Mack said.
The reaction from fans has been considerable since the announcement. Fedor’s position as top heavyweight in the world was always in doubt until he started fighting true opponents again.
“Two more fights are planned for Fedor,” said Vadim Finkelstein, Fedor’s manager. “The first in October in the next Affliction show, the second on New Year’s Eve in Japan.” With his recent demolition of Tim Sylvia and now a tough test in the form of Arlovski, all eyes will be on the outcome of this fight.
For more information go to www.afflictionbanned.com.
October is going to be crazy busy
The summer slowdown will seem like a distant memory come October, as four big shows have been lined up for consecutive weekends. On October 4th EliteXC will host a show featuring top names such as Kimbo Slice and Gina Carano, while the following weekend (11th) Affliction will showcase the title fight between Fedor and Arlovski in Las Vegas.
On the 18th of October the UFC returns to England as Michael Bisping takes on Chris Leben as part of a stacked European card, and the following weekend will see the UFC hold their first show in the city of Chicago as Anderson Silva defends his middleweight title against Patrick Cote.
