How Will Affliction Do in 2009?

The UFC continues to power ahead and leave their opponents in the dust. The buyrates for both UFC 91 and 92 were phenomenal, and there is no reason why this won't continue in 2009. The company is embarking on an ambitious international expansion plan and signing a new business deal every week.

The UFC continues to charge ahead while their competition wilts on the vine. EliteXC is basically dead, and Affliction is looking at a very uncertain future. Many people are of the opinion that Affliction won't last past their January 24th event.

Bloodyelbow.com published an article titled "Rumor: Affliction Ticket Sales Have Stalled" earlier today. They claim that a source at the Honda Center in Anaheim has indicated to them that only 1,400 tickets have been sold for the upcoming PPV event that is headlined by Fedor vs Arlovski. The article also points out that Tom Atencio was asked about this figure at a recent press conference but declined to comment. This leads me to believe that the number is probably fairly accurate.

Now, the total PPV buys for this event is what will determine whether or not the promotion survives. Affliction would likely press on if their gate was low but PPV numbers were strong. However, a small gate coupled with weak PPV numbers would very likely (in my opinion) be the beginning of the end for the upstart company.

It certainly doesn't help Affliction that the UFC has had so many strong PPVs as of late. UFC 91 and 92 were snapped up by MMA fans, and UFC 94 will be no different (St. Pierre vs Penn II). In this weak economy, MMA fans are likely being a bit more cautious as to what PPVs they are going to shell out money for. Affliction: Day of Reckoning may end up being the odd man out in a month filled with strong PPVs.

I applaud Affliction for trying to aggressively compete with the UFC. However, they are facing a "perfect storm" in the form of an ultra-weak economy and ever-strengthening UFC product. I'd be shocked if Affliction lasted through the year.

Play Poker - Receive a $600 Bonus