Mark Cuban of HDNet chimes in on the end of Affliction's days as a promotion and what it means for MMA.
When Affliction MMA ceased operations and returned to the UFC as a one of their sponsors, one of my initial reactions was, what about their current partners?
Partners such as M1-Global, Trump, Golden Boy Promotions as well as Mark Cuban's HDNet.
M1-Global released a statement that was cordial at best, but in reading between the lines, there was surely some distain behind the scenes. They stated: "As a partner of Affliction, M-1 Global was saddened to learn of these developments. The cancellation took our company completely by surprise."
Can the same be said by the other companies that partnered with Afflction MMA to help bring the organziation to the forefront, trying to compete head-to-head with the 800-pound gorilla that is the Ulitmate Fighting Championship?
While I have yet to receive a response from Golden Boy Promotions and the Trump organization, I did receive one from Mark Cuban, the founder of HDNet.
Years ago, Cuban became a fan of Mixed Martial Arts but knows there is a fine line between being a fanatic and an owner of a successful business. With Affliction canceling "Trilogy," Cuban knows it was a difficult pill to swallow for everyone involved.
"From the perspective of an MMA fan, its obviously disappointing," said Cuban. "It would have been a great card. But that’s the way business works."
The event cancellation stunned everyone, but the shocking revelation that Affliction would then choose to sleep with the enemy is something that did not surprise Cuban. "I think the UFC was smart in their handling of Affliction."
Of course, if you can't beat them, join them. And that's exactly what the UFC convinced Affliction to do.
For the Dallas Mavericks owner, he believes the market share still has enough pieces to go around for other events.
"There is plenty of room for new promotions," said Cuban. "M1 Global does as a great job. Vadim is one of the smartest people in the world when it comes to promoting Fedor, M1 and MMA internationally. Dream, Senegkou, Strikeforce, MFC, XFC and other promotions do a great job as well."
But when one of the UFC's main competitors dissolves itself, removing an option for fighters to make a living, it hits home for many of the athletes who do not have the luxury of calling the UFC their employer.
The writing was on the wall for Affliction's blueprint to fail as an MMA promoter, and Cuban sums it up for anyone that disagrees.
"Affliction had a great idea," he said, "but tried to do too much too soon."
With the UFC continuing to gobble more and more market share, the king of the MMA jungle is inching closer to making Mixed Martial Arts a sport dominated by only one organization. For some, this is a good thing, for others, it is not. For Cuban, he believes everyone should remain optimistic.
"MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world. It will be just fine."
Agree or disagree? Please leave your comments below.
