Tim Sylvia is not shying away from the camera following his 33 second loss to Fedor Emelianenko. In fact, Sylvia had the gall to state that he would like a rematch. To his credit, Sylvia did admit that he would need a few more fights before he could step back into the cage with Fedor. Nevertheless, Sylvia and his high price tag will be part of Affliction’s next event. Here’s the latest from one of the most overpaid fighters in mixed martial arts.

Affliction didn’t pinch any pennies during its debut event as it shelled out bags of cash to its fighters. The payout was necessary to establish Affliction as a competitor, but how long can it keep affording these hefty payouts? Simple mathematics will say not for long. Tim Sylvia was grossly overpaid and Andrei Arlovski made over four times what he would have collected in the UFC.

Yet, it may have been a necessary evil to bring Affliction to the forefront of the mma world. The event turned out to be a success, but now the pay days could create a problem. Quality fighters looking to jump ship from the UFC could come to expect paychecks that are equally as high. That may bode well for the fighters, but could turn out to hurt Affliction in the long run.

Ben Fowlkes of Sports Illustrated takes a look at where Affliction stands and how the clothing company might just be able to survive as a fight promoter.

Quinton Jackson shocked most of the world when he lost his light heavyweight championship to Forrest Griffin. Less than two weeks later, he shocked the world again with the recent antics that landed him in jail. Now, shocked is the most common word used by mma fighters upon their reaction to the past week’s events.

MMAmania.com gathered reactions from a few of the top fighters in the sport. Chuck Liddell went on to say, “I am shocked over this. It’s really out of character for him.”

Affliction’s Tim Sylvia offered a similar response. “I feel for Rampage. I’ve been there.”

Lastly, Jackson’s close friend and training parner Michael Bisping has this to say. “I’m reeling in shock after hearing about Rampage. I’m devastated for him. It’s not like Rampage. He’s a good guy, he’s a law-abiding citizen. I’m very, very concerned for him.”

Now that Affliction: Banned is less than a week away, the Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia match-up is starting to get even more hype than it has in previous weeks. Affliction is banking on a strong main event and will likely feature Fedor at its follow-up attraction. However, a Fedor loss could throw a monkey wrench into those plans. In this recent interview with Inside MMA, both Fedor and Sylvia talk about this Saturday night’s fight. Of course, Fedor needs a little assistance from his interpreter while Sylvia’s English comes out just fine.

Next weekend’s main events in both the UFC and Affliction both feature a couple of big name fighters who will enter their respective fights both as the favorite. Most experts, fans and even fighters have already predicted that pair as being the ones whose hands will be raised in victory at the end of the fight. But if history has proved anything, it is that no fighter can ever be underestimated. Just ask Quinton Jackson.

Although Forrest Griffin wasn’t considered a slouch by any means, most people did not give him a legitimate chance at taking the light heavyweight tittle away from Jackson. It was left up to Griffin to make believers out of all those naysayers. This upcoming weekend, two more fighters will have that same chance. (more…)

One of the most feared and successful heavyweights of the last decade has only known defeat once in his professional career. Fedor Emelianenko currently owns a 27-1 professional record with his only loss coming way back in the year 2000. On July 19th, he’ll try to extend his 24 fight win streak as he squares off against former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia.

Fedor will immediately give up an eight inch height advantage when steps into the cage as part of the main of event of Affliction’s debut card. Sylvia is also no pushover by any stretch of the imagination. Sylvia will take a 24-4 record into the fight and while that record is quite impressive, it still seems as though Sylvia has something to prove.

Sylvia dropped two of his last three fights although those defeats were at the hands of some top notch opponents in Randy Couture and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. In order to get back on top, Sylvia will have to top the best heavyweight in the sport. 411mania.com goes into greater detail about the possibility of a Fedor loss.

Fedor Emelianenko’s date with Tim Sylvia at Affliction’s upcoming Banned is almost here. That bout just might dictate the success or lack thereof of Affliction’s debut event. Sylvia was once the UFC Heavyweight champion, although he will now have to contend with one of mma’s most esteemed heavyweights. Fedor has a 27-1 professional record and hasn’t lost a bout in nearly eight years.

In this compilation, Fedor disposes of quite a few of his past opponents. Sylvia, who could soon find himself on such a tape, will have to be at his best if he hopes to dethrone “The Last Emperor”. In addition, much of Affliction’s hope for the future will be riding on at least a competitive bout from Sylvia.

With Affliction’s July 19th pay-per-view event entitled ‘Banned’ inching ever so closer, the organization is trying to boost tickets sales by promoting its main event between heavyweights Fedor Emelianenko and Tim Sylvia. Fedor is giving away eight inches and 30 pounds to Sylvia. However, with a record of 27-1, Fedor is still considered the favorite.

Sylvia is no slouch, boasting a professional record of 24-4. Sylvia also has the distinction of being a former UFC heavyweight champion. At 6″8 260 pounds, there isn’t a heavyweight who can take Sylvia lightly. Nevertheless, Fedor is one of the most feared heavyweights in the world of mixed martial arts with his only loss coming because of a stoppage due to a cut.

In an attempt to draw more spectators both ringside and nationwide via pay-per-view, Affliction is trying to sell the fight as a clash of the Super Powers. The Russia vs. America feud has resurfaced during the promotion while the gargantuan size of each fighter also plays into the super power marketing mix. The promotional strategies are likely to increase over the next few weeks if Affliction has hopes of competing with the live UFC event that will take place on the same night.

In a further attempt to generate interest, Fox Sports Net will televise a free one hour special at 8pm EST leading up to the pay-per-view event that will begin at 9pm EST. Affliction has also booked Megadeth to perform live at the event which will take place in Anaheim, California.