There's a general consensus among mixed martial arts fans who typically pony up $40 to watch a pay-per-view (PPV) broadcast that he or she should be entitled to see all the fights on the card.
That doesn't usually happen because of time restraints and other "in show" productions such as fight previews, interviews, commercials for upcoming shows, ring entrances and so on.
However, Affliction will look to buck that trend with its debut event dubbed "Banned," which will air for free on Fox Sports Net in the United States at 8 p.m. ET and at the same time on The Fight Network in Canada and then transition to a paid pay-per-view (PPV) broadcast at 9 p.m. ET.
Indeed, Affliction has informed MMAmania.com that the upstart promotion will shoot to televise all the fights live on the mixed broadcast. However, and this is important, there is no guarantee that all fights will air.
Here's how it will work:
Preliminary Card (Fox Sports Net):
265 lbs.: Paul Buentello (25-10) vs. Gary Goodridge
185 lbs.: Vitor Belfort (16-8) vs. Terry Martin (16-4)
145 lbs.: Mark Hominick (15-8) vs. Savant Young (9-7)Main card (Televised on PPV):
265 lbs.: Fedor Emelianenko (27-1) vs. Tim Sylvia (24-4)
265 lbs.: Andrei Arlovski (12-5) vs. Ben Rothwell (29-5)
265 lbs.: Josh Barnett (21-5) vs. Pedro Rizzo (16-7)
185 lbs.: Matt Lindland (20-5) vs. Fabio Nascimento (8-3)
205 lbs.: Renato "Babalu" Sobral (29-7) vs. Mike Whitehead (20-5)Swing bouts (To be featured on PPV if time permits):
205 lbs.: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (13-3) vs. Edwin DeWees (35-12)
185 lbs.: Justin Levens (9-8) vs. Ray Lazama
170 lbs.: J.J. Ambrose (9-1) vs. Mike Pyle (16-5-1)
Affliction essentially has a four-hour block on PPV to feature eight fights; however, there are all of the other "in show" responsibilities that also need to be addressed. In particular, there is a mini Megadeth concert slated to take place during the presentation (in addition to all of the other stuff mentioned above).
Therefore, the swing bouts "may" be used if time permits and the promotion will work hard to squeeze them in. However, there are no guarantees ... just like with any other PPV we have watched in the past.
Affliction "Banned" is set for the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, July 19, 2008. Remember that MMAmania.com will provide LIVE blow-by-blow, round-by-round coverage of the action on fight night at 8 p.m. ET right here.
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