More Affliction II Fights Set

by Robert Sargent

Adding to an already impressive card, Affliction has announced two more fights for "Day of Reckoning" on October 11th, including an exciting middleweight showdown between veterans Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort and Matt "The Law" Lindland.

Also announced was a heavyweight battle between final IFL Heavyweight Champion Roy "Big Country" Nelson and former UFC contender Paul "The Headhunter" Buentello.

Both Lindland and Belfort were victorious at Affliction's debut show, "Banned," as Lindland outworked Fabio Negao en route to a Unanimous Decision victory and Belfort scored an explosive second-round knockout over Terry Martin.

Each fighter has contended for major titles before, and a victory in this fight could very well place the winner in line for a future shot at the vacant WAMMA Middleweight Championship.

Lindland (21-5-0) has made a career out of using his wrestling and ground and pound to wear down his opponents and grind out victories by decision or submission. Belfort (17-8-0), on the other hand, has recently taken steps away from his former reckless style, which led him both to shocking victories and crushing defeats.

Now competing in the middleweight division and trying to fight as a more level-headed fighter, Belfort will need to use intelligence if he plans to defeat the tactical veteran, Lindland.

With the middleweight division of the UFC largely at a standstill, Affliction is looking to restore a competitive nature to the 185-pound class in North America, much the same way as EliteXC has recently done. A showdown between two of the most established fighters in the world could prove to be a great step towards doing just that.


Also added to the card was a heavyweight bout between the final IFL Heavyweight Champion, Roy Nelson, and a former challenger for the UFC and Strikeforce Heavyweight titles, Paul Buentello.

Both fighters are known primarily for their striking, with a definitive edge in durability going to Nelson. Buentello (26-10-0) rebounded from a Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship loss to Alistair "Demolition Man" Overeem by dismantling late-replacement Gary "Big Daddy" Goodridge at Affliction: "Banned."

Nelson (13-2-0) has competed twice in 2008, stopping Fabiano Scherner and Brad Imes in the IFL. Both victories came by TKO in the first round. While hardly the picture of chisled physique, Nelson has shown that he is capable of performing well, whether a fight ends quickly or extends into the later rounds. Few heavyweights of Nelson's size can do what he can.

The deciding factor in the fight could very well come down to which fighter can better absorb punishment from the other. Nelson has never been stopped in his career, with his lone defeats coming by decision, and has shown that he can strike with very tough opponents. Buentello, on the other hand, has been susceptible to knockouts when placed against superior strikers.

Regardless, fans can be assured that the heavyweight tilt will no doubt feature extensive striking displays. That is, until someone falls.



Affliction: "Day of Reckoning" will take place on October 11th in Las Vegas. More thrilling fights are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, including the possible participation of former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz.