The Triangle Choke: Tom Atencio Interview
Tom Atencio, VP of Affliction, discusses the upcoming Trilogy event, the top MMA heavyweights and more
Tom Atencio, Vice President of Affliction, has helped build one of the most popular clothing lines in the United States. Now, Atencio under much scrutiny, is set to launch the MMA promotion’s 3rd event. Many pundits have stated it will never last yet the promotion continues and features the greatest fighter in the history of the sport. In the middle of a very busy schedule, Atencio took time to discuss the rumors and the upcoming Trilogy event.
SD- There were rumors circulating that Affliction’s MMA promotion was over after the 2nd event. Now Affliction Trilogy is scheduled with the best fighter in the history of the sport, Fedor, taking on Josh Barnett. Talk about Trilogy and your thoughts on the rumors.
TA- I can’t begin to tell you where the rumors came from. I can certainly speculate. You know people have been saying that we were not going to be around after even the 1st show. But we are here and yet people are saying we are not going to be around after this show. Obviously being in the public eye no matter what I say I’m going to be criticized for it. I just take it all with a grain of salt.
 |
Affliction VP Tom Atencio Photo courtesy of Affliction |
SD- I don’t think people realize that not only is Affliction backing these events but you also have M-1 which is a global monster, Donald Trump and now Mark Cuban as well. Talk about the large balance sheet behind the promotion.
TA- Yeah, not only do we have financial backing but we have celebrity status as well. We have legitimate people in the business world behind us. I think it is the competition making up rumors to try to disparage us.
SD- UFC President Dana White seems to attack other promotions. You and Dana have had some verbal sparring sessions, what are your thoughts on that?
TA- You know I don’t fault him for that. When you are the big dog on the street you are going to attack anybody that threatens your livelihood. He and I have different styles and that is his. I’m completely fine with that.
SD- Speak about what it means to have the best fighter in the history of the sport in your promotion.
TA- It’s big. I said this recently, it’s like managing Jordan, it’s like managing Kobe. It doesn’t get any better than that. He is the pinnacle of MMA.
SD- You mentioned in a recent press conference you would like to have a 4 man tournament with your guys, Barnett & Fedor, against the UFC guys, Brock Lesnar & Frank Mir. Obviously that will never happen, what would be your prediction if that tournament did occur?
TA- I think my two fighters were come out victorious. I’m not taking anything away from Brock or Frank Mir but I think we have the best heavyweights in the world. My guys are #1 & #2 in the world.
> Buy Affliction Trilogy tickets & be sure to check out the great Affliction clothing, hats & merchandise available through Pro Fighting Fans!
SD- Do you know yet how the card is going to fill out on the Affliction Trilogy fight card?
TA- Yeah, we will have Vitor Belfort vs. Jorge Santiago, Gegard Mousasi vs. Babalu, it really doesn’t get any better than that. I have one more fight I’ve yet to announce and it will be a huge fight as well. I’m really happy with what we have put together. I wasn’t sure how we were going to compete with the last two shows but I think this is a better card.
SD- As you grow do you envision having events on a monthly basis?
TA- Right now I’m just putting in a lot of hard work. I’m trying to figure that out. I cannot stress enough that this is only our 3rd event. It’s not like we came from doing smaller shows or anything like that. I don’t blame people but a lot of people are impatient. They want us to announce everything that we are doing. This is a new venture so we are taking our time. Some time that leads to the competition starting rumors and do what they do. That is OK. I will take it in stride and do what I have to do to move forward.
SD- Are you considering having smaller events to showcase up and coming talent
TA- We already do that through M-1 Global. We are partners with M-1. They are building talent globally. They have an American Team, a Japanese Team, a Korean Team, a Russian Team etc. There are some outstanding fighters from those events they have been having. The winners of those events will ultimately come to Affliction
SD- Affliction and Strikeforce help promote each other’s event. Talk about that partnership.
TA- You know it is a great relationship. Scott Coker (Strikeforce President) is a great guy. I cannot say enough good things about him. He is good for the industry. He has been in the industry since day one. He is one of the few companies out there that is viable. We share fighters and it just seems to work. My partners and I try to build bridges and do things that are good for the industry as a whole and not just for ourselves.
SD- Your second event was replayed on Fox Sports Net. Do you have anything on the table for television deals outside of HDNet?
TA- I can’t say right now but you never know what is going to happen. I’m always working to try to get it out there to the public. Someone will step up to the plate and open the door for us. Hopefully that is CBS or another prime network. If it is, then we will be there.
SD- Affliction as a clothing company has been immensely successful. Speak about the clothing company and what you have coming up.
TA- We started in August of 2005. We all come from the clothing industry. We have all been in the industry for most of our lives. It has been a lot of hard work and dedication and it has definitely paid off. Our brand is growing and we always try to be ahead of the game and we are. We own our own facility and manufacturing facility. We are able to do things before anyone else is. We push the envelope and everyone seems to follow suit. It’s a good position to be in.
By Scott Dryden
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer & Editor-in-Chief
Photo courtesy of Strikeforce