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Is Dana Going After Affliction?

Obviously the answer has always been, yes.  His counter programing has been just one example.  But now it seems like he could be going directly after the fighters.  Just over a week ago, Dana mentioned his interest in Josh Barnett.  Remember, Barnett is a guy Dana hasn’t liked much in the past, and was pretty vicious while proving it.  And yes, I know Dana has worked with guys that he hasn’t cared much for, like Tito Ortiz and Kimbo Slice.  But let’s be honest, Josh doesn’t have nearly the money making name Tito does.  It’s sad to say, but he doesn’t put as many asses in seats as Kimbo.  However, Barnett is certainly one of Affliction’s bigger names.  So for Dana to even mention what he did at the Q & A with the fans regarding Barnett is note worthy.  One of Afflictions biggest names has just been called out.

And now we have Vitor Belfort, another big name for Affliction.  In my eyes, he has more drawing power here in the U.S. than Josh does.  He announced his interest in him during the TUF 9 Finale this past weekend.  That’s really a bold move even for the UFC, seeing as how Vitor apparently is still fighting for Affliction.  To go after a signed fighter like that is not within the norm of Joe Silva and the UFC.  So it makes me wonder if Dana and company figured since they can’t have Fedor, they will have the rest.

The UFC have nothing to lose here.

1.) They make it known they want certain fighters from Affliction.  This will force an already cash strapped Atencio to pay more money to keep them on the roster, hurting Affliction more in these tough financial times.

2.) And if Affliction doesn’t pay to keep them, then the UFC will get a good fighter and this still puts a hurting on Affliction by taking away some of their bigger names.

The second phase of the war between the UFC and Affliction has begun.