Donald Trump promoting mixed martial arts
Donald Trump has decided to take the plunge and get involved in the fastest-growing sport on the planet.
Trump, known for his very savvy business decisions, is a part owner of Affliction Entertainment, and he recently got involved in promoting the company’s July 19 event “Affliction: Banned” in Anaheim, Calif. Though Trump has been a mostly silent partner with Affliction, he’s now putting in his two cents as only The Donald can.
The UFC, obviously recognizing the clout that Trump brings with Affliction, put together a card with Anderson Silva – easily the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC – as the headliner on the same night as “Banned.” To top it off, Silva is moving up a weight class for this fight, moving to the already stacked light heavyweight division after running through every other middleweight.
“I think it’s probably not great for the sport, although a lot of people will be watching, and I have a feeling we’re going to top them (the UFC) because we have the better fighters,” Trump said. “I don’t know if it’s a good business strategy. … I wouldn’t do it. I don’t think I’d go about it that way.”
What’s scary is that Trump isn’t totally delusional. While the UFC is still the unquestioned “major leagues” of MMA, Affliction has Tim Sylvia and will likely get Tito Ortiz. Ortiz is an ass, but he brings in the viewers and the money.
Of course, with Trump’s history with the WWE, he may turn into the next Vince McMahon – too much shtick and not enough fighting. But Trump and Affliction are bound to do far better than CBS and Elite XC. The difference will be the quality of fighting.
So, while I am a loyal fan of the UFC, I’m not going to discount Affliction yet.
