Fox News Fight Game: Trump-Affliction-M-1 Press Conference, Fighting Fedor (Update - Boxing Still A Possibility For January?)

Fox News Fight Game focuses on the Fighting Fedor reality show from today’s press conference in New York. There aren’t any new details in the video, just comments from the Trump’s and Tom Atencio, however Sherdog.com has a report with a little more info.

M-1 Ropes Donald Trump And Affliction Into Fighting Fedor Reality Show

Remember the Fighting Fedor reality show that’s been rumored for quite some time now? Last we heard, M-1 Global, Fedor’s management team, had signed a deal with Blue Entertainment Sports Television to distribute the show later this year. Well, now it looks like M-1 has recruited Donald Trump and Affliction for the project as well.

As Michael David Smith of MMA Fanhouse reports, Donald Trump will continue his reality show hosting duties as one of the front men for Fighting Fedor.

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Behind The Scenes At Affliction ‘Banned’ With Aleksander Emelianko; Fedor’s Manager Wants To Work With UFC On Fedor vs Randy Fight

Aleksander Emelianenko

Two great things happen in this video.

  1. Josh Barnett confronts Aleks about an interview in which Aleks claimed Josh had ducked him.
  2. Aleks presents Donald Trump with a poster of his back prominently featuring his tattoo of the grim reaper holding a baby.

Number two is priceless. I would have paid good money to know what went through Trump’s mind at that moment.

Here’s another video of Aleks at Affliction “Banned.”

Vadim Finkelstein on Fedor vs Randy after the jump.

Donald Trump Promotes Affliction ‘Banned’ On The Howard Stern Show

[Fedor’s] thing is inflicting death on people.

Donald Trump attempting to describe Fedor Emelianenko.

CR: MMA Mania

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Donald Trump Says Affliction ‘Banned’ Is Sold Out

Donald Trump AfflictionNo one has quite mastered the art of self-promotion quite like Donald Trump has. When “The Donald” talks, people listen. Money aside, Trump’s “drawing power” in the media and general public may be the greatest asset Trump brings to Affliction’s table. It’s safe to say that Affliction having Trump on their side brings them more attention than they would receive without him.

That leads me to something interesting Trump said earlier today on an Affliction Banned conference call.

Affliction Starting Promotional Push In New York City?

Affliction Banned Billboard In Times Square
Photo from MMARated.com

Affliction VP, Tom Atencio, via MMARated.com:

“Considering the magnitude of this fight, and the partnership between Affliction and Donald Trump, it seemed only fitting that the huge talent pool on the ‘Affliction Banned’ show should be seen by millions in New York’s Times Square. You know it’s a big show when you have a billboard on Broadway.”

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Donald Trump & Affliction Press Conference Video With Interviews

Ariel Helwani of MMARated.com was hard at it again covering the Trump/Affiction Press Conference that took place earlier today. As reported yesterday, Andrei Arlovski was announced as a major signing for the upstart promotion, and will face Ben Rothwell on July 19 at Affliction “Banned.”

If you’re wondering if Affliction & Trump are just shooting to be the number two promotion behind the UFC, well they’re not. In an interview with BloodyElbow.com, Special Counsel to Mr. Trump, Michael Cohen revealed they’re planning to unseat the number one MMA promotion.

I think you have no choice but to go head to head with the UFC. I believe that the UFC right now is the only game in town. So the answer is any company that enters into the arena of mixed martial arts certainly is going up against the UFC. The UFC has the longest track record and they have certainly been the premier company. We anticipate that will change. And that it will change very quickly.

When the news first hit the internet, I speculated that Trump would use his connections with NBC to try and get the promotion on network television. It appears I wasn’t far off base.

Luke Thomas: Obviously he’s had many seasons of “The Apprentice” on NBC, but they currently carry Strikeforce, a rival but different promotion. Does Mr. Trump plans to use his business leverage to get Affliction beyond the Pay-Per-View landscape?

Michael Cohen: Certainly one of the benefits of having Donald Trump as your partner is all of the individuals he has access to via his rolodex, which is immense. So the answer is it’s something that’s being considered. We certainly do believe that mixed martial arts has a place on primetime television. As you know, he certainly has strong ties and connections to NBC. He was the number one show with “The Apprentice”. It is something that is being considered.

This is definitely going to get interesting.

Video interviews with Michael Cohen, Affliction VP Tom Atencio, and Mauro Ranallo after the jump.

Donald Trump To Announce Andrei Arlovski Has Signed With Affliction

Donald Trump To Announce Andrei Arlovski Has Signed With Affliction

Yesterday, we passed along news that Donald Trump would be holding a press conference tomorrow, June 5, to formally announce a partnership with Affliction’s MMA promotion. MMARated.com has been able to get the inside scoop on some of the details expected to be announced, and they include the signing of former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski.

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It Just Got More Interesting…Trump To Partner With Affliction

Donald Trump MMAThe writing was on the wall with this one, but I certainly didn’t expect it so soon. Perhaps record breaking ratings on CBS were all Donald Trump needed to pull the trigger. A press release was issued today regarding a press conference that will be held Thursday, June 5, to announce a partnership between Affliction and the infamous billionaire real estate developer.

No additional details were provided other than a quick comment from Trump: