CHESSNOID

I think the UFC really does have something to worry about now.  Oscar’s Goldenboy Productions just teamed up with rookie MMA showmakers Affliction (also the t shirt company).  According to Sherdog:

“We’ve been looking into mixed martial arts for some time now,” Schaefer said. “I’ve been studying and following it and have educated myself about it, and we finally decided to throw our hat into the mixed martial arts ring.”

What’s even more intriguing is the fact that Golden Boy does not plan to branch out and create a separate entity solely for MMA shows. Instead, its goal is to assemble massive pay-per-view events that will integrate both boxing and MMA in one night in the same ring. Though neither Schaefer nor Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio (Pictures) commented on potential blockbuster cards, the notion of a fight night featuring boxers the caliber of Bernard Hopkins and Joel Casamayor, along with world-class mixed martial artists like Josh Barnett (Pictures) and Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) is no longer far-fetched.

I think Affliction teaming up with Goldenboy is a big break for them.  Judging by their attitude towards GB productions saying that they have control to do whatever they think is best to make them successful opens up the HBO door that the UFC slammed.  I think MMA and boxing will become the hybrid PPV success model.  I think more people will be inclined to buy PPVs with both boxing and mma cards, and may look at it as a value deal.  In this economy, PPVs are luxuries most people will soon pass up unless the marketing people get creative.

This is not too say UFC will be down for the count.  We saw how they have done counter programming against Affliction, Showtime Elite XC and HDnet MMA shows on the same dates.  They are doing that to basically protect their PPV turf, even if it means giving away shows and losing money on them.  More free MMA for the fans, sweet!