Tony
11-09-2008, 09:28
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Not since Jonathan Lansdale has a man had so much trouble with his hand.
Affliction headliner and WAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko is set to return to action at the recently reconstructed fight card for Affliction ‘Day of Reckoning’ in January 2009 according to NBC Sports.
Emelianenko was kept off the original ‘Reckoning’ card (previously scheduled for October 11 in Las Vegas) due to a serious hand injury - the second of his career - until some undermining by “unknown” meddlers forced Affliction officials to abandon The Thomas & Mack Center - and the home of the UFC - for a more welcome atmosphere.
The postponement and subsequent transfer to Affliction’s home base of California may cost them money up front, but it may also bring greater reward with the inclusion of Emelianenko. That’s not to imply that Andrei Arlovski vs Josh Barnett isn’t a solid main event - it is, but the T-shirt giant didn’t shell out millions to have its marquee player riding the bench.
Emelianenko does not yet have an opponent, but it’s not unrealistic to think of the crowned prince of Combat Sambo facing Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski. The two were set to do battle in October before the hand injury sidelined Emelianenko.
While all of the combatants on the original ‘Day of Reckoning’ card are expected to compete in January, there may be some minor changes after the addition of Emelianenko.
From Affliction Vice-President Tom Atencio:
“It is to be determined. We are considering changing the combatants. We have not finalized that at this time. That is as a result of the issues to be revealed at the announcement.”
Affliction is also preparing to make a blockbuster announcement about the future of the promotion during Boxing’s big lightweight title fight between Joel Casamayor and Juan Manuel Marquez, which will air on HBO pay-per-view (PPV) in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, September 13.
Fedor is here and Randy is gone, so that takes care of the obvious. For now, all we can do is speculate: MMA on HBO? Tito vs. Fedor? A Japanese alliance?
Stay tuned!
Not since Jonathan Lansdale has a man had so much trouble with his hand.
Affliction headliner and WAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko is set to return to action at the recently reconstructed fight card for Affliction ‘Day of Reckoning’ in January 2009 according to NBC Sports.
Emelianenko was kept off the original ‘Reckoning’ card (previously scheduled for October 11 in Las Vegas) due to a serious hand injury - the second of his career - until some undermining by “unknown” meddlers forced Affliction officials to abandon The Thomas & Mack Center - and the home of the UFC - for a more welcome atmosphere.
The postponement and subsequent transfer to Affliction’s home base of California may cost them money up front, but it may also bring greater reward with the inclusion of Emelianenko. That’s not to imply that Andrei Arlovski vs Josh Barnett isn’t a solid main event - it is, but the T-shirt giant didn’t shell out millions to have its marquee player riding the bench.
Emelianenko does not yet have an opponent, but it’s not unrealistic to think of the crowned prince of Combat Sambo facing Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski. The two were set to do battle in October before the hand injury sidelined Emelianenko.
While all of the combatants on the original ‘Day of Reckoning’ card are expected to compete in January, there may be some minor changes after the addition of Emelianenko.
From Affliction Vice-President Tom Atencio:
“It is to be determined. We are considering changing the combatants. We have not finalized that at this time. That is as a result of the issues to be revealed at the announcement.”
Affliction is also preparing to make a blockbuster announcement about the future of the promotion during Boxing’s big lightweight title fight between Joel Casamayor and Juan Manuel Marquez, which will air on HBO pay-per-view (PPV) in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, September 13.
Fedor is here and Randy is gone, so that takes care of the obvious. For now, all we can do is speculate: MMA on HBO? Tito vs. Fedor? A Japanese alliance?
Stay tuned!