The fight card for Affliction 'Day of Reckoning' has yet to be finalized and Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio is already making plans for his third event, according to MMAnews.com.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, especially when you're throwing around names like K-1's Jerome LeBanner and former PRIDE warrior Sergei Kharitonov.
LeBanner has not competed in mixed martial arts since 2006. And although his MMA experience is limited, his kickboxing resume is not. In fact, he’s been in against the best, including Ernesto Hoost, Semmy Schilt, Mark Hunt and others.
However the real appeal of having LeBanner under the Affliction umbrella, at least for many fans, is a potential bout against current Affliction heavyweight Tim Sylvia, who LeBanner calls in an interview with Fight Hype a "big sausage" and a "conservative motherfucker who just wants to win without giving a good show".
Despite losing three of his last four fights, "The Maine-iac" is still a draw based on his days as UFC champ and his ability to generate fan interest, both positive and negative. And in Sylvia's defense, losing to the likes of Fedor Emelianenko, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Randy Couture is not exactly shame-worthy.
Sergei Kharitonov on the other hand has been homeless since pounding out Alistair Overeem at K-1 Heroes nearly a year ago. At 15-3, the Russian Regulator has defeated some of the bigger names in MMA, including current UFC title contender Fabricio Werdum.
If Kharitonov and LeBanner want another shot at MMA greatness, signing with Affliction isn't such a bad choice. Actually, Afflcition 3 (scheduled for early 2009) may be the only non-UFC option, especially the way things are going in the world of MMA promotions.
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