Affliction's Gambit

My latest article for MMA Convert delves into Affliction's plans to counter promote UFC 100. Is this nothing more than a desperate gamble or is there some real pay off to taking on the Ultimate Fighting Championship head on?

Then the news broke that Affliction was attempting to regain the initiative (if they ever had it). Affliction would counter promote UFC 100, with free live fights, hopefully on network television. This could be viewed as Affliction's final offensive, a blitz into the Ardennes to force the UFC to negotiate a truce. Such desperate gambles rarely work and there is no reason to believe that Affliction's gambit will pay off with their desired resolution.

But the positive for Affliction could be a reduction in operating costs. 

If Affliction can get such a deal they further reduce their operating costs since the telecast would be paid for by whichever network took the deal. While Affliction would get only a small part of the ad revenue, if any at all, they would still be able to draw enough of a crowd with a fight card featuring Fedor Emelianenko. Thus free fights on network television reduces Affliction's operating cost, creates a new partner, possibly damages a rival who they want to enter talks with, all while utilizing resources they are already paying to do nothing. Not a bad proposal for a promotion.