Thursday, July 3, 2008 - via Press Release
Blogged by: Rebecca Lee


Retired Referee and MMA Legend “Big” John McCarthy Joins Affliction as Color Commentator

SIGNAL HILL, California (July 3, 2008) – Former MMA referee “Big” John McCarthy may have retired from working in the UFC® Octagon but he will be a color commentator for the July 19th “Affliction Banned” pay-per-view event, featuring the WAMMA heavyweight championship fight between the most lethal MMA heavyweight of all-time, Russian M1 superstar legend Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko (27-1), and former UFC heavyweight champion Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia (24-4), live from Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

A black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, McCarthy refereed 535 fights during his 14 years as an MMA referee, and he operates an MMA school in Valencia, California. He started refereeing in the UFC’s second show in 1994 and retired this past December. An MMA ambassador all over the world, “Big” John developed into being as much a part of the UFC as the fighters that entered the Octagon. Now, though, he is a member of Team Affliction.


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Monday, June 30, 2008 - via Press Release
Blogged by: Rebecca Lee


ANDREI “The Pitbull” ARLOVSKI vs. “Big” BEN ROTHWELL

SIGNAL HILL, California (June 30, 2008) – Former UFC® Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski is a 6’ 4”, 240-pound former cop from Belarus with dangerous stand up skills, a brutal right punch, and deft mobility and striking accuracy. Arlovski tears into his opponents, often dealing out devastating damage before the other fighter even has time to recover. Considered one of the top ten ranked heavyweight fighters in the world, “The Pitbull” is one of the world’s most complete MMA fighters, as well as one of its most fearsome. This dreaded competitor gets high marks in grappling ability and massive striking power. He has won notable victories over Tim Sylvia, Paul Buentello, Vladimir Matyushenko, Fabricio Werdum and Wesley “Cabbage” Correira, among others. For his upcoming fight with Rothwell, Arlovski has been training with legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach, who has trained many boxing champions such as Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins and Manny Pacquiao. Arlovski’s hard work combined with sheer talent and strong mental preparedness give his opponents plenty to worry about in the ring.

Arlovski will face-off with former IFL® heavyweight standout Ben Rothwell, who is riding an impressive 13-fight winning streak and is currently ranked as the number 10 best heavyweight fighter in the world. At 6'5" and 265 pounds, this gritty, determined Wisconsin native is a force to reckon with in the ring—just ask anyone who has squared off against him. A young fighter full of zest and energy and a personality as big as his frame, Rothwell is one of the most entertaining athletes in MMA—Rothwell never fails to deliver. And he has an impeccable record, rattling off 11 knockouts among his first 17 MMA victories with a flair that crowds eat up. A wicked combination of aggression, power and style drives Rothwell’s numerous victories. The sheer force with which this giant strikes his opponents leads to the frequent knockouts he is famous for. But his brute strength is tempered by a good measure of agility, allowing him to inflict accurate and precise punishment. “Big” Ben’s fierce ring presence and heavy-handedness often has opponents voluntarily choosing to leave the ring to avoid serious injury.

The brawl between the ferocious “Pitbull” and giant “Big” Ben is sure to please sports fans hungry for a truly ballistic competition and a performance full of charisma. These two magnetic, world-class fighters always put on a great show. With their collective striking power and bigger-than-life personalities, these well-matched opponents combine powerful fighting techniques with a spark of showmanship that electrifies their audience. Both fighters are known for their tremendous hard-hitting styles and numerous victories. Their bouts often end in knockouts — explosive, expedient, and purely exciting. On July 19th in Anaheim, fans will bear witness to a dynamic exhibition of prowess, as these two crowd-pleasing and accomplished warriors deal out a gallon of pain for guts and glory for “Affliction Banned.”

“Affliction Banned,” headlined by the WAMMA heavyweight title bout between Russian superstar Fedor Emelianenko and Tim Sylvia, is stacked with so much world-class talent that it had to be separated into two live shows produced for broadcast. The night’s activities will kick off with “Affliction Live,” a one-hour, free live telecast on FSN (Fox Sports Net) starting at 5 PM Pacific (8 PM/ET) and setting the stage for “Affliction Banned” – five super fights on pay-per-view starting at 6 PM/PT (9 PM/ET) via iN DEMAND, TVN, Shaw Communications, Viewers Choice Canada, DirecTV, DISH Network, Bell ExpressVue and Star Choice in the United States and Canada for a suggested retail price of $39.95.

The heavy metal band Megadeth, led by frontman, guitarist, and songwriter Dave Mustaine, will be performing live at the event.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - via Press Release
Blogged by: Rebecca Lee


SIGNAL HILL, California – 2000 U.S. Olympic Silver Medal Wrestler, Matt “The Law” Lindland would bring the same dogged determination that made him one of the world’s top professional mixed-martial-artists to a job in the Oregon House of Representatives.

The 38-year-old resident of Oregon City may be near the end of his fighting career, but his political life is just beginning. Recently winning the Republican nomination for House District 52 in Oregon, Lindland received 58-percent of the votes in the primary and has begun his campaign for the general election in the fall.

Oregon suffers from some of the worst unemployment rates in the country, and Lindland believes there’s a solution—if the state became competitive in the global marketplace, jobs would open in the private sector and the quality of life would improve for his prospective constituents. When it comes to building a world-class school system, the would-be Representative believes in shifting power from the bureaucracy to the teachers, parents and principals. Other key issues for him include changing land laws to make them fair to property owners, discontinuing government regulation of property values, and opposing tax increases. Lindland offers an alternative to the Democrats’ planned tax hikes, which he feels would be dangerous to an already shaky economy. Instead, he proposes that if tax revenues continue to decline, state government should spend less and not raise taxes for families already suffering from the present recession.

The Oregonian endorsed Lindland’s candidacy:

Lindland, who is making his first run for public office, is a conservative who thinks state government takes too much out of the pockets of families and generally interferes too much in their lives. After a slow start to his campaign, he has shown signs of the resolve and discipline that made him a medal-winning amateur wrestler. (Phyllis) Thiemann, while very pleasant and interested in some district issues, makes a less compelling argument for her election. We think district Republicans will be hungry for Lindland’s gift.

Lindland has been a fighter all of his life. In fact, he earned his nickname, “The Law,” in an unusual way. He lost the championship final of the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials to Keith Sieracki, who, according to Lindland, tripped him. Lindland appealed, based on rules prohibiting Greco-Roman wrestlers from using their legs for advantage and/or defensive/offensive moves. An arbitrator ordered a rematch and Lindland won. The U.S. Olympic Committee appealed in federal court to keep Sieracki on the team. A three-judge panel and federal district judge all decided in Lindland’s favor. A USOC request in the U.S. Supreme Court was denied. Lindland joined Team USA, captured an Olympic silver medal, and later took the nickname, “The Law.”

Lindland, who has won 20 of his 25 pro MMA fights, is matched against Fabio “Negao” Nascimento in one of five MMA bouts on “Affliction Banned,” July 19 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

“I’m so excited to be part of this show,” Lindland said. “I’m excited to be back in the gym and honored to be part of this great card. I love fighting in this arena more than in politics because I know my opponent in the ring. I look him right in the eyes.”

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - via Press Release
Written by: Rebecca Lee


“Affliction Banned” – The MAIN CARD
Live on Pay-Per-View (PPV) at 9pm/ET and 6 pm/PT
Saturday, July 19, 2008, from Anaheim, California


MAIN EVENT – HEAVYWEIGHTS – PPV

FEDOR “The Last Emperor” EMELIANENKO
Former PRIDE Heavyweight Champion
Red Devil Sports Club
Stary Oskol, Russia
27 – 1 (6 KOs, 14 Submissions)

VS.

TIM “Maine-iac” SYLVIA
Former 2-Time UFC Heavyweight Champion
Miletich Martial Arts
Bettendorf, Iowa
24 – 4 (16 KOs, 2 Submissions)


HEAVYWEIGHTS – PPV

ANDREI “The Pitbull” ARLOVSKI
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion
Rickson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Chicago, Illinois by way of Belarus
12 – 5 (8 KOs, 3 Submissions)

VS.

“Big” BEN ROTHWELL
Former IFC Heavyweight Champion
Miletich Martial Arts
Kenosha, Wisconsin
29 – 5 (17 KOs, 10 Submissions)


HEAVYWEIGHTS – PPV

JOSH “The Babyfaced Assassin” BARNETT
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion
CSW
Seattle, Washington
22 – 5 (4 KOs, 14 Submissions)

VS.

PEDRO “The Rock" RIZZO
3-Time UFC Heavyweight Title Challenger
Ruas Vale Tudo
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
16 – 7 (9 KOs, 4 Submissions)


MIDDLEWEIGHTS – PPV

MATT “The Law” LINDLAND
2000 Olympic Wrestling Silver Medalist
Team Quest
Oregon City, Oregon
20 – 5 (6 KOs, 8 Submissions)

VS.

FABIO “Negao” NASCIMENTO
Team Oyama/Lotus Club
San Paulo, Brazil
8 – 3 (4 KOs, 2 Submissions)


LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – PPV

RENATO “Babalu” SOBRAL
Former UFC Light Heavyweight Title Challenger
Gracie Barra Combat Team
Costa Mesa, California via Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
29 – 7 (2 KOs, 16 Submissions)

VS.

MIKE WHITEHEAD
3-Time All-America Wrestler
Xtreme Couture
Salt Lake City, Utah
20 – 5 (5 KOs, 10 Submissions)

“Affliction Live” – The UNDERCARD
Live on FSN (Fox Sports Net) at 8 pm/ET and 5 pm/PT
Saturday, July 19, 2008, from Anaheim, California


HEAVYWEIGHTS – FSN (FOX SPORTS NET)

ALEKSANDER "The Grim Reaper" EMELIANENKO
Red Devil Sports Club
St. Petersburg, Russia
13-3 (7 KOs, 4 Submissions)

VS.

PAUL “The Headhunter” BUENTELLO
American Kickboxing Academy
Amarillo, Texas
25-10 (16 KOs, 9 Submissions)


HEAVYWEIGHTS – FSN (FOX SPORTS NET)

ANTONIO ROGERIO “Minotoro” NOGUEIRA
Brazilian Top Team
Vitoria da Conquista, Brazil
13-3 (2 KOs, 5 Submissions)

VS.

VERNON “Tiger” WHITE
Lion’s Den
Palo Alto, California
26-32-2 (10 KOs, 7 Submissions)


LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS - SWING FIGHT “May not be broadcast”

TERRY MARTIN
Chicago, Illinois
16-4 (10 KOs, 5 Submissions)

VS.

VITOR “The Phenom” BELFORT
Curitiba, Brazil
16-8 (10 KOs, 2 Submissions)


LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS - SWING FIGHT “May not be broadcast”

JUSTIN LEVENS
CSW
Laguna Niguel, California
9-8 (7 KOs, 2 Submissions)

VS.

RAY LIZAMA
San Diego, CA
5-5 (3 KOs, 2 Submissions)


WELTERWEIGHTS - SWING FIGHT “May not be broadcast”

MIKE “Quicksand” PYLE
Xtreme Couture
Las Vegas, Nevada
15-5-1 (2 KOs, 13 Submissions)

VS.

JJ AMBROSE
Bodyshop Fitness Team
Lakewood, California
9-1 (2 KOs, 4 Submissions)

LIGHTWEIGHTS - SWING FIGHT “May not be broadcast”

SAVANT YOUNG
Bodyshop Fitness Team
Lakewood, California
9-7 (2 KOs, 4 Submissions)

VS.

MARK “The Machine” HOMINICK
Team Thompkins
Ontario, Canada
15-8 (7 KOs, 5 Submissions)


(ALL FIGHTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE)


Tickets for “Affliction Banned” range between $50.00 and $1,000.00, and are on sale at the Honda Center Box Office and also online at Ticketmaster.com.

Quick Fight Card Facts:

- Six (6) of the top ten (10) independently rated heavyweights in the world will be in action on this ground-breaking fight card. These six heavyweights have a cumulative professional MMA record of 130 - 27 (60 KOs, 47 Submissions).

- Eleven (11) matches featuring 22 fighters will weigh-in at a total of almost 5,000 pounds.