Just a brief passage on the no-explanation-needed Affliction meltdown of the week: With Josh Barnett benched for having some suspect urine and a main event bout with Fedor Emelianenko suddenly vaporware, the promotion is currently earmarked as having some serious trouble. It’s being perceived as a death rattle.
That would be true -- if Emelianenko were fighting Tito Ortiz, Randy Couture or another UFC-polished athlete. Barnett is a terrific fighter, but his ability to draw in the states has never been explored. Dialed-in fans were excited, but your average “Ultimate Fighter”-chugging casuals know him best as the guy who struggled to put away Gilbert Yvel in January.
The old “no such thing as bad publicity” coat hanger has never been more warranted. Affliction has stirred up more media attention for their Aug. 1 event than would have otherwise been expected; people indifferent to the show (and possibly Barnett) are now suddenly intrigued by how Emelianenko will handle the challenge of a late replacement. Call it viral marketing at its accidental best.