Atencio: July 11 possible, but nothing decided for Affliction's third show
Depending on who you listen to, Affliction is either planning for its third event to definitely go head-to-head with UFC 100 on July 11, considering the idea, or absolutely going in a different direction.
As for Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio, he hasn't quite made up his mind.
"I still haven't finalized anything," Atencio recently told MMAjunkie.com (
www.mmajunkie.com). "I'm still working on different dates and what not. Nothing's been finalized yet."
While competing for viewership with the UFC, especially on a card as historically significant as UFC 100, may seem a bit foolhardy, Atencio said he does envision a plan that could make sense for his company.
Of course, Atencio knows the doubters will speak up regardless of what he decides.
"I think it could work," Atencio said. "I really do.
"But at the same time there, obviously there's a lot of - no matter what I do, I'm going to be criticized for it. I guess it really doesn't matter either way if I do it or I don't do it."
But above all, Atencio insists the decision for a date has not yet been decided.
"I haven't finalized [the date]," Atencio said. "[Scheduling an event for July 11] is a thought in the back of my head, but whether it's going to happen or not is a different story.
"It could be the weekend before; it could be the weekend after at this point. It could even be moved into August. Right now everything is kind of up in the air until we have all the contracts signed and everything has been finalized.
"We're sitting down, and we're really just kind of figuring it out. That's kind of where I'm at in the whole process. We have some ideas, but right now it's just ideas. That's it."
Affliction has used its first two events to build toward a long-awaited bout between current WAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko and No. 1 contender Josh Barnett. Recent reports have indicated that a bout between the two would be too expensive for Affliction's taste, but Atencio insisted it was still the most logical main event for the organization's third show.
"To me, I think it is (the most logical choice for a main event)," Atencio said. "But once again, whether it's going to happen or not, I don't know. It really depends on many different factors at this point. Once we have everything in place - until we have it all figured out, I don't want to say anything because it could change.
"It's just right now it's just a matter of if it makes sense or not. We have some ideas. For me, it's a fight I definitely want to see. But is it going to happen? As soon as I announce it, I guess you'll know. I just don't want to announce anything until I have everything finalized."
While Atencio is aware of the reports stating that Affliction is hoping to put together a great third show as a sort of farewell to promoting MMA, he said he isn't so sure it will be the group's final show.
"I'm treating it the way I've done it from day one, and that's just one show at a time," Atencio said. "If we continue that, and we have a relationship with somebody that wants to do - that has set dates, just like all the other events do, then yeah, then we'll look at those dates. But right now, since day one I've always said, 'I'm looking at one fight a time.' That's it."
Affliction has previously worked to co-promote with Strikeforce, a group whose recent expansion has established them as a major player in the national MMA scene. Atencio said he would be willing to continue that relationship.
"We have a great relationship with (Strikeforce CEO) Scott (Coker)," Atencio said. "So yeah, absolutely. I'm always willing to work with him."
While Atencio's comments seem to suggest there are more questions than answers surrounding the promotion's third event, the executive says to remain patient and everything will come to light in due time.
"All the fans, just keep looking for it," Atencio said. "It will happen. It's just a matter of when. This is only my third event. I'm just taking my time.
"Everybody seems to treat it like it's my 10th or 15th fight. It's only our third event. It's not an easy task.
"But nonetheless, just keep talking about us."
