TOM ATENCIO: "IT WOULD JUST SHOW THAT FEDOR'S HUMAN"

If you missed the chat session with Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio, check out the entire transcript to see what he had to say. "I think it would just show that Fedor's human. I wouldn't be too surpsied because I think Barnett is the one guy out there with the highest chance to beat Fedor," he stated and you don't want to miss what else he had to say about Affliction "Trilogy", his own clash with Randy Hedderick at Ultimate Chaos and much, much more. 

thehype: FightHype would like to welcome Tom Atencio to tonight's chat session.

MelloYello: HI TOM

TOM ATENCIO: Wha's up guys!

jakeeze: Hey Tom, thanks for coming in to chat with us. What kind of a fight are you expecting from Hedderick?

TOM ATENCIO: He's a tough kid. I've seen him fight, so it should be a war. I think we're going to stand and bang and beat the hell out of each other.

jimmyjamz757: if Fedor goes to the ufc.do you think it will hurt your show? i hope this dont happen and would you ever pick up pat miletech?

TOM ATENCIO: I'm friends with Pat. I like him. I dont know if he would fit with us, but you never know. I dont think the UFC would ever do a co-promotion so that will never happen.

TOM ATENCIO: You never know though.

jimmyjamz757: thanks tom love your show

TOM ATENCIO: Thanks!

MelloYello: How is the co-promoting deal with DREAM going if you don't mind my asking? Also, do you have any informtion on Aleks fighting in the USA?

TOM ATENCIO: No info on Aleks. We dont really have a co-promotion with DREAM, but we have a good relationship with them. But no co-promotion as of yet.

gwill: Regardless of organizations, what do you think is the biggest fight that can be made in MMA?

TOM ATENCIO: I think we have it right now with Fedor and Barnett. The only other one is BJ Penn vs. GSP and we got that already. And Fedor-Barnett is just one fight. We have 10 unbeleivable fights that could all be headliners.

dangibbons: Although he'd never admit, do you think Dana will watch your fight?

TOM ATENCIO: LOL! As a professional, I would like to think he would. I don't always watch the UFC, so it's hard to say. I watch the UFC because I'm a fan, but I don't get to watch all of them.

jaz: Are you concerned with any criticism you might get if you don't have a spectacular performance?

TOM ATENCIO: No!

TOM ATENCIO: Because I get criticized for everything I do anyway, so it's not going to make or break me.

KimboIced: What did you think of Arlovski's loss to Brett Rogers? Do you think his chin might be damaged goods now?

TOM ATENCIO: I think Brett Rogers went in there and proved himself and I think a lot of people have Andrei's number: his chin.

impurenergy: there is a lotta talk about this being the last show for affliction online do you have any plans for a fourth show and will wamma collapse soon or is that also a rumour

TOM ATENCIO: WAMMA is still involved with us. They haven't collapsed. I always said we will do three shows. We're on our 3rd one and I'm going to take it one show at a time. I will do this one and then move on to the next one.

muaythaifan: What do you think about guys like Tim Sylvia, Nick Diaz and Anderson Silva talking about the possibility of boxing? Do you think it's tempting for them because there's so much more money to be made in that sport?

TOM ATENCIO: I dont know about anybody else, but i think it's good they're boxing. Hopefully that will bring boxing fans to MMA and vice versa. I love all combat sports.

grimey: If Fedor beats Josh Barnett, do you think there's anyone left out there for him to prove himself against?

TOM ATENCIO: Yeah. Frank Mir and Lesnar winner, so yeah!

cuntdrip: Thanks so much for doing things like this, Tom. Anyway, with Charles Krazy Horse Bennet back from his trip to the slammer, are you interested in bringing his charismatic fighting style to Affliction? If so, any discussions with him so far?

TOM ATENCIO: No discussions. Would I like to have him? Yes. He's a great showman. I just wish he would take his job more serious. What I mean by serious is it's documented that he doesnt train, so if he trained, imagine how good he would be.

TOM ATENCIO: No problem.

jimmyjamz757: would you ever fight in the ufc? and if you did who would you want to fight other the dana! i think the world needs you guys mad at each other makes good internet.and check out my band allhasfallen.com love to play a show we blow fag bisket out the water metal rulz

TOM ATENCIO: LOL

TOM ATENCIO: This is probably my last fight. I'm not UFC caliber. I'm just doing this one last time and that's it.

jakeeze: What kind of fighter is Tom Atencio? Do you focus more on BJJ, wrestling, Muay Thai, kickboxing, boxing...all of the above?

TOM ATENCIO: I focus on all of the above. For me, to focus on just one would be closed-minded. So I try to be a complete fighter. Whether I am or not is a different story, but I try.

gr: If Fedor beats Barnett, who is a viable opponent for him after that Affliction can obtain?

TOM ATENCIO: Right now, we're looking at a couple different people, but I can't really say because we don't want our competitors going after them. But there are definitely people out there. Sorry.

dangibbons: It seems like the UFC puts together whatever fights they want to. Do you think there should be a more legit ranking system in MMA?

TOM ATENCIO: Yes I do, but the UFC does a great job. I personally just like to put on a stacked card and that's why I do what I do.

jaz: Hey Tom, I just HAVE to ask this. Often times, you say Dana is a bully. What exactly do you mean by that? Do you think he forces fighters to do things that's not beneficial for them and if so, can you give some examples?

TOM ATENCIO: Yes, absolutely. He has the names and perpetuity and if you know what that means, you know exactly what I'm talking about. He pays them nothing. I understand certain situations, but some guys make nothing and deserve more.

TOM ATENCIO: I just think it's unfair.

impurenergy: im just wondering what yous plan to improve on in the 3rd event do you feel that the production of the show is still in its infancy and do you feel is it affecting your ratings with casual mma fanss

TOM ATENCIO: I think the only thing that hurts us is people knowing UFC and not mixed martial arts. There are always things to improve on. It's only our 3rd show.

TOM ATENCIO: Mostly though, it's fans only knowing Ultimate Fighing Championship and not MMA.

cuntdrip: Affliction has easily put on the biggest and best heavyweight match ups for three shows running. However, to develop as a promotion, other weights will also need to be shored up. Is the addition of Mousasi an indication that you plan to focus on light heavyweight next, or is there some other weight class on which you want to focus?

TOM ATENCIO: I'm a fan of fighting. I'm a huge fan of lightweights. They are a little more technical and they go from the beginning. I just like to put on great fights and it doesn't matter the weight class.

KimboIced: What do you think about a guy like Brock Lesnar who's only had 4 fights and yet he's the UFC heavyweight champion? Do you think that devalues their title somewhat?

TOM ATENCIO: At first I did, but Brock obviously proved himself. He's an animal and until somebody beats him, how can you knock him for doing his job?

TOM ATENCIO: One sec.

TOM ATENCIO: Gotta take a call

thehype: Cool.

thehype: Tom put us on hold.

thehype: LOL

cuntdrip: I'm willing to wait...how cool is it that he's willing to do this? I was asking questions when he and Fedor and Voronov did a chat before the last show.

TOM ATENCIO: I'm back.

TOM ATENCIO: That was actually Scott Coker.

muaythaifan: Is Tito Ortiz going to be doing commentary again at Trilogy?

TOM ATENCIO: I haven't talked to Tito in awhile. I've been trying to get a hold of him and haven't been able to. So that's up in the air right now.

Black Fedor: If fedor beats barnett, and if Bret Rogers beats overeem, would a match between fedor and bret roggers be likely?

TOM ATENCIO: It's always a good possibility. I don't think Brett's up to it yet. No disrespect against Brett. I just think he needs to prove himself against other fighters first.

jimmyjamz757: if barnett beats fador will the world just end?(shock the world) i think noone is giving barnett a shot ! the guy is beast...i love fador but i also love to see people get beat that are unbeaten. how bad would it hurt fador's stock?

TOM ATENCIO: I think it would just show that Fedor's human. I wouldn't be too surpsied because I think Barnett is the one guy out there with the highest chance to beat Fedor.

gr: What role does Showtime play? There was sayings that they were influential in getting AA on Strikeforce. Also what are your plans for Minotoro? I saw an interview for fanhouse and you mentioned other fighters who are on the card but don't have matches except him

TOM ATENCIO: Right now we work with Showtime PPV. They were influential with getting Arlovski. Lil Nog, we haven't finalized anything for him, but there are 2 more fights that are in the works right now.

MelloYello: What was the call with Coker about?

thehype: LOL
 
thehype: Nice

TOM ATENCIO: LOL

TOM ATENCIO: Sorry, but I can't tell you!

cuntdrip: Tom, a lot of MMA-geared clothing is really tight fitting. It's hard for people who, like me, enjoy more relaxed styles. Any plans to more seriously cater to those who don't want to feel like they're wearing spandex?

thehype: Gotta cut weight just to rock those clothes.

thehype: LOL

cuntdrip: LOL 

TOM ATENCIO: LOL   

TOM ATENCIO: We make quaduple XL t-shirts.

TOM ATENCIO: It's more of a fitted shirt, not a tight fit, so for us, it's best to just get a size up.

grimey: Any thoughts on Kimbo Slice competing on TUF?

TOM ATENCIO: I think it's a really smart move. I think it is an extremely smart move on the UFC's part. Kimbo has a great following.

jakeeze: Speaking of the shirts, how exactly did you get started with Affliction? Long story, I'm sure, but give us the quick background.

TOM ATENCIO: Affliction started in Aug. '05. My partners came up with the concept and brought me on board and the rest is history.

Black Fedor: Have you heard "money mayweather"s recent comments about MMA stars such as Fedor, if so, what do you think about them?

TOM ATENCIO: I think Mayweather is a great speaker. He creates controversy. He's pretty methodical with everything he does and he gets attention.

standupsprawl: Any chance with making Tito/Frank Shamrock II happen?

TOM ATENCIO: I would love to bring Tito on board, but he's still under contract with the UFC until August.

cuntdrip: Seriously Tom...Chuck Zito and Scott Ferrell? I don't just think I could do a better job, I _know_ I could. Will they return?

TOM ATENCIO: No, they're not going to return, but I'm not going to comment on that. They won't happpen again.

thehype: FightHype would like to thank Tom Atencio for taking time out to chat with us tonight.

cuntdrip: thanks so much Tom!

TOM ATENCIO: Thanks for having me and tune in on August 1st for Affliction Trilogy!

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