19 Questions for Tom Atencio

Sherdog.com: I’ve heard Affliction’s next event might be held on Aug. 1. Am I in the ballpark?
Atencio: We’re looking at July or August. I can’t confirm anything yet until… unfortunately I feel like I’m a politician now because I dodge questions and the only reason why is if I give definites and we don’t live up to them, I’m criticized. Until I have everything finalized, the contracts and the fighters finalized, everything in a row, I don’t announce anything. I’m hoping in the next couple of weeks, I’ll be able to make an announcement.

Sherdog.com: You stated a few months ago that Affliction was beating off prospective fighters with sticks. Have the steady rumors of the promotion’s pending demise stunted that at all?
Atencio: I constantly get fighters asking me, whether its new ones or veterans –- fighters want to work for us. My team, my whole crew, we’re just being methodical. We’re making sure we do it right, and one of the reasons I haven’t signed on new fighters is because we’re taking it slowly and I can’t completely accommodate all my fighters right now. It’s very difficult for me to bring back some of the fighters that lost and they don’t understand that –- which is, for me, understandable, but at the same time they need to understand that yes, if you win, there’s a good chance I can bring you back. It’s not a guarantee, but there’s a good chance.

Sherdog.com: But you must have contracts with fighters that are under time constraints, where they’re ensured a certain amount of fights within a certain time?
Atencio: Absolutely. That is just it and that’s another thing I’m up against. Nonetheless, we’re trying to make everybody happy. It’s a difficult situation, but I think the next show that we’ve learned and things are getting better. We’re here to continue and we’re here for the long haul.

Sherdog.com: Explain this challenge you’ve made to Dana White.
Atencio: I’ve said it multiple times. I would like to fight him. I’m not Tito Ortiz and I don’t think that fight was ever, ever going to go off. So, I just think I’m an everyday guy like him, hardworking, so we’re both promoters. I think if he’s willing to act like a fighter, why not fight? Sometimes he comes off as a tough guy, and I think it’s just time to either step up or, you know, quit being a bully.

Shedog.com: This is a bit of an about-face for you. In the past, you’ve --
Atencio: (Interrupts). No, it’s not so much. It’s not like I’m trying to… like I’m thinking I’m tough. There’s only so much you can put up with with somebody that bullies people around and that’s just kind of what it is. He’s the bully of the industry. He crushes people and he does what he wants, and I think a lot of people are afraid to speak up to him. Don’t get me wrong. I have respect for the guy -- what he’s done for the industry, and some people have said, ‘No, he hasn’t.’ I’ve been a fan since day one and him and the Fertittas, they took over and they changed this industry. They made it what it is today and I actually wouldn’t even be here, where I am, if not for them. But there needs to be competition and there needs to be room for other people, and it just gets to a point where… if he were going to fight Tito, why wouldn’t he fight me?

Sherdog.com: If you read between the lines, it seems something may have occurred between you and White between this interview and the last one you did with Sherdog.com. Did something happen?
Atencio: No, I’ve always wanted to challenge him. I think it would be good for both of us. You look at somebody and every other word is the f-word, or when he’s talking to people it’s, ‘Get off your ass and do it.’ I’m a huge fan of “The Ultimate Fighter,” but he comes off as a fighter and he’s not. If he’s gonna act like one, be one.

Sherdog.com: You’re fighting at a catch-weight of 160 pounds in your next fight. Doesn’t Dana White walk around somewhere over 200 pounds?
Atencio: Yeah. (Laughs.) I’d fight him. That’s what a fighter does –- at whatever weight he wants. I walk around at about 180 [pounds].

Sherdog.com: Has Dana White contacted you regarding this invitation?
Atencio: No, not that I know of. Like I said, I’m not trying to come off tough. I’m not trying to change my image, that I’ve always said I’ll try and be humble, but I think it’s come to a point Dana needs to understand what these guys really go through.

Sherdog.com: Do you care that some people might think this is just a publicity stunt, that Tom Atencio is looking for attention by calling out the top of the heap?
Atencio: You know, no matter what I do, I’ll always be criticized for it one way or another, so does it really matter? No, it doesn’t, because I’m also going to have people that are on my side.

Editor’s Note: Some answers were edited for length. Check out Sherdog’s Wednesday blog to read more from Atencio.