Afflication Day of Reckoning - More Information

THE WORLD ALLIANCE OF MIXED MARTIAL ARTS RELEASES ITS RANKINGS POLL FOR NOVEMBER, 2008:

New UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar Debuts in WAMMA’s Heavyweight Rankings for the First Time.

The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts’ (WAMMA) new rankings for the month of November have been released through its official website at www.GoWAMMA.com and they include upheaval in several weight classes.

The most notable moves include the elevation of a new number one ranked featherweight, the return of a legend to the heavyweight top ten, as well as new UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar’s debut as a ranked WAMMA fighter.

Lesnar, who defeated Randy Couture to claim the UFC heavyweight title following a second round TKO this past Saturday at UFC 91, debuts in the WAMMA heavyweight top ten at number four. The 2000 NCAA heavyweight champion finds himself only ranked behind undisputed WAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko, current interim UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and former UFC heavyweight champions Andrei Arlovski and Josh Barnett.

"With his dominating win over Randy Couture, Broke Lesnar proved one thing -- he is for real," said WAMMA Chief Operating Officer Michael Lynch. "The WAMMA Ranking Committee is the best in MMA and for these guys to rank Brock Lesnar as the number four heavyweight in the world speaks volumes as to where he has come as a Mixed Martial Artist."

The November’s rankings also mark the return of Couture. During a September vote, WAMMA pollsters created a new bylaw that declared fighters that had been idle for 12 months be declared ineligible to receive votes. Prior to this past weekend’s event, Couture hadn’t competed since UFC 74 on August 25, 2007.

WAMMA pollsters seized the opportunity to vote for Couture the first time in the past several months by voting him back into the heavyweight top ten poll as the sixth best-ranked heavyweight in the world.

"Well before his fight with Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture had all ready cemented his place as a legend in the sport of MMA and one of the most dominating and popular fighters of all time," said Lynch. "Even in his loss to Lesnar, our WAMMA Ranking Committee voting Couture with the number six spot proves that Randy is still a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division."

WAMMA pollsters also voted on a brand new number one ranked featherweight. During WAMMA’s October poll, Urijah Faber was a consensus number one rated featherweight with every WAMMA pollster voting him as their top ranked fighter at 145 pounds. Considered one of the most dominant fighters in the game, Faber was upset earlier this month at WEC 36 following a first round TKO loss to Mike Thomas Brown.

With the win, Brown not only supplanted Faber as the WEC’s featherweight champion but also as WAMMA’s top ranked featherweight competitor. The term upset should also be used rather loosely, as Brown had been ranked as the third featherweight in the world by WAMMA pollsters in October.

In a true testament to Faber’s ability, WAMMA pollsters collectively voted to only drop him one spot from number one to number two.

Unlike Faber, WEC middleweight Paulo Filho experienced a more precipitous drop in the rankings. Ranked as the number two middleweight in October, WAMMA pollsters penalized Filho for his unanimous decision loss to Chael Sonnen at WEC 36 earlier this month. One could safely speculate that the native Brazilian’s failure to make weight for the fight also contributed to his falling from the number two spot in WAMMA’s middleweight rankings in October to number eight in November.

Several other notable changes took place this month and can be viewed online via WAMMA’s official website at www.GoWAMMA.com. WAMMA’s group of pollsters -- which includes nationally recognized MMA experts such as CBSSports.com’s Todd Martin, MMAjunkie.com’s Dann Stupp, and Ron Kruck of HDNet -- will next convene to vote on Monday, December 15.

WAMMA congratulates New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Deputy Attorney General and Counsel to the State Athletic Control Board NICK LEMBO!

Former UFC welterweight champion and WAMMA Vice President of Fighter and Promoter Relations Pat Miletich will return to the MMA cage for the first time in more than two years on December 11 when he fights Thomas Denny in Adrenaline's second show on December 11 at the iWireless Center in Moline, Illinois. Go Pat and Good Luck!

Read Interview Here

Read a No Holds Barred Interview with Dave Szady, Michael Lynch and Pat Miletich on BloodyElbow.com.

Read Interview Here

WAMMA releases updated rankings for October, 2008.

WAMMA releases updated rankings for September, 2008.

WAMMA extends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Evan Tanner. May he rest in peace.

Jon Fitch Retains #2 Welterweight Spot Despite Tough Loss at UFC 87;
Josh Barnett Overtakes Randy Couture for #2 Heavyweight Contender

Orlando, Fla.—John Fitch retained his #2 position in the WAMMA Welterweight division despite a tough loss to #1 WAMMA Welterweight and UFC® Welterweight Champ Georges St. Pierre at UFC 87 earlier this month. And heavyweight contender Josh Barnett has overtaken Randy Couture for the #2 WAMMA Heavyweight ranking as he prepares to take on WAMMA #5 Andrei Arlovski at Affliction: Day of Reckoning in October. This according to the latest WAMMA Rankings – released Friday – in the top six weight classes (http://GoWamma.com/Rankings.asp).

“John Fitch showed tremendous heart and determination in a very tough fight against GSP,” said WAMMA COO Mike Lynch. “Despite the loss, it’s still clear to our ranking committee that he’s the second best Welterweight in the world. Josh Barnett, on the other hand, has had an impressive streak of good fights, with three decisive victories in just the last six months. I think that had a big impact in his overtaking Randy Couture.”

The WAMMA Ranking Committee is comprised of over twenty of the most knowledgeable and respected names in the MMA media community. Chaired by veteran sportswriter Sam Caplan, the publisher of FiveOuncesOfPain.com and a contributing writer for CBSSports.com, the committee releases rankings on the 15th of every month.

Gaylord Sports Set to Counsel WAMMA on Branding, Partnerships and Strategic Sponsorship Opportunities as Brand Expands Global Reach

ORLANDO, Fla.—The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA) today announced a new strategic alliance with Gaylord Sports Management, one of the strongest professional management companies in the industry, in which Gaylord will provide advice and counsel to WAMMA on partnerships and sponsorship opportunities. The announcement comes two weeks after WAMMA awarded the first ever undisputed world heavyweight championship belt to Fedor Emelianenko, who defeated former UFC© Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia in a WAMMA-sanctioned fight for the honor...

Click here to read the entire press release

Read an exclusive interview with WAMMA COO Michael Lynch on Dreamfighters.com on the upcoming Elimination Match at Affliction: Day of Reckoning, Lindland v. Belfort, WAMMA at the IMMAE and more!

Click here to read the interview

Exclusive WAMMA video from the International Mixed Martial Arts Expo (IMMAE)

Exclusive WAMMA Video

Exclusive WAMMA Fighter Interviews

Exclusive WAMMA Fighter Interviews

WAMMA COO Mike Lynch with WAMMA Champion Fedor Emelianenko

Exclusive WAMMA Photo Galleries:

• Weigh-in Pictures
• Fedor v. Sylvia
• Babalu v. Whitehead
• Barnett v. Rizzo
• Hominick v. Young
• Nogueira v. Dewees
• Belfort v. Martin
• Arlovski v. Rothwell

Pictures of the Night

In First-Ever Unified Title Fight in MMA, Fedor Defeats Sylvia in 31 Seconds ANAHEIM, Cali.

The first-ever unified and undisputed heavyweight champion in MMA history was crowned Saturday, as Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko dismantled Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia in just 31 seconds before a capacity crowd of nearly 14,000 fans at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The heavyweight title fight headlined “Affliction Banned,” which featured four of the top-10 heavyweights in the WAMMA rankings.

“As perhaps the greatest heavyweight fighter in the history of MMA, Fedor is not only a deserving WAMMA Heavyweight Champion, but also the perfect fighter to be the first unified and undisputed world champion in the heavyweight division,” said WAMMA CEO Dave Szady. “WAMMA is an organization dedicated to making sure the best fighters in the world – regardless of promotion – get to square off against one another. Tonight’s Affliction Banned matchup lived up to that billing, and we’re excited to help present more fights that do the same in the near future.”

Emelianenko (28-1) cemented his reputation at the world’s best heavyweight – and perhaps the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world – by submitting former two time UFC® Heavyweight Titleholder Tim Sylvia (24-5) just 31 seconds into the first round. Immediately after winning the WAMMA Heavyweight Title, Emelianenko expressed his desire to defend the title against Randy "The Natural" Couture in the near future.

“We’re looking towards Fedor’s first defense of the WAMMA Heavyweight Title later this year and an expansion into other WAMMA weight divisions,” said WAMMA COO Michael Lynch. “As always, our goal will be to facilitate matchups of the best fighters in the world. MMA fans deserve to see these fights, and we’re excited to help make them a reality.”

WAMMA is a multifaceted fighter and fan forward organization dedicated to leading the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) to unprecedented levels of integrity, legitimacy and prosperity. With the help of forward-looking MMA promotions, WAMMA has created an environment where fighters from all organizations have the opportunity to openly compete to be the one true, undisputed champion in their respective weight classes based on WAMMA's objective MMA Rankings. WAMMA’s newly created Fighter Advisory Board, co-chaired by MMA legend Randy "The Natural" Couture and world renowned trainer and five-time UFC champion Pat Miletich, will offer a unique resource for fighters.

The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts is proud to announce updated July 2008 MMA Rankings.

WAMMA is dedicated to promoting and serving the sport of Mixed Martial Arts with its monthly independent and objective rankings of fighters, regardless of promotional affiliation.

Fighters were ranked in the following divisions: Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight and Featherweight.

"I think WAMMA is important in so many ways to the sport of MMA. WAMMA will provide a platform that will allow Promotional organizations the opportunity to provide huge match-ups between the best fighters in the world. These will be match-ups the fans deserve and the fighters want, creating a true undisputed world champion. WAMMA will take MMA to a completely different level. My goal is to own the WAMMA Heavy Weight Belt!"

Signed,
Ben Rothwell

Affliction Entertainment COO Michael Cohen interviewed on KnucklePit.com
http://knucklepit.com/mixed-martial-arts-affliction_banned_and_michael_cohen.htm

WAMMA COO Michael Lynch interviewed on DreamFighters.com
http://dreamfighters.com/site/?action=detail&id=1215449075

WAMMA CEO Dave Szady and COO Michael Lynch interviewed on YorkBlog.com
http://www.yorkblog.com/mma/2008/07/wamma_one_belt_one_king.html

Hear WAMMA CEO Dave Szady and WAMMA COO Michael Lynch interviewed by MMMARated.Com's Ariel Helwani on the upcoming WAMMA Undisputed World Championship at Affliction: Banned on July 19th on PPV. Click to read the interview.

MMA Fight Prediction Challenge
Think you can pick an MMA fight outcome? WAMMA will choose a fan to go head-to-head with WAMMA Chief Operating Officer Michael Lynch in predicting the outcome of the biggest upcoming fights in MMA!
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Latest Competition: Tim Vs. Mike for UFC 85
Fights: Matt Hughes Vs. Thiago Alves, Michael Bisping Vs. Jason Day, Marcus Davis Vs. Mike Swick, Nate Marquardt Vs. Thales Leites, Fabricio Werdum Vs. Brandon Vera

Click Here for Full Commentary on the Fight Predictions

Results of Previous Competition: Joe Beats Mike for Elite XC Event
The WAMMA COO's record fell to a dismal 0-3 with an ill-fated pick on Kaitlin Young to pull out the upset over Gina Carano. Congrats Joe! Wear your WAMMA t-shirt with pride - You Beat Mike!

The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts is proud to announce updated June 2008 MMA Rankings.

WAMMA is dedicated to promoting and serving the sport of Mixed Martial Arts with its monthly independent and objective rankings of fighters, regardless of promotional affiliation.

Fighters were ranked in the following divisions: Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight and Featherweight.

The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts is proud to announce updated May 2008 MMA Rankings.

WAMMA is dedicated to promoting and serving the sport of Mixed Martial Arts with its monthly independent and objective rankings of fighters, regardless of promotional affiliation.

Fighters were ranked in the following divisions: Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight and Featherweight.

The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts is proud to announce updated April 2008 MMA Rankings.

WAMMA is dedicated to promoting and serving the sport of Mixed Martial Arts with its monthly independent and objective rankings of fighters, regardless of promotional affiliation.

Fighters were ranked in the following divisions: Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight and Featherweight.

President and CEO of WAMMA, World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts, David Szady is attempting to bring legitimacy to MMA in order to insure its longevity, help fighters by establishing a unified set of rules and increase the value of the sport for everyone. He also talks about the UFC as a potential obstacle to the goals of WAMMA and a possible World Heavyweight Champion WAMMA Belt fight between Randy Couture and Fedor.

The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts is proud to announce updated March 2008 MMA Rankings.

WAMMA is dedicated to promoting and serving the sport of Mixed Martial Arts with its monthly independent and objective rankings of fighters, regardless of promotional affiliation.

Fighters were ranked in the following divisions: Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight and Featherweight.

The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts is proud to announce updated February 2008 MMA Rankings.

WAMMA is dedicated to promoting and serving the sport of Mixed Martial Arts with its monthly independent and objective rankings of fighters, regardless of promotional affiliation.

Fighters were ranked in the following divisions: Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight and Featherweight.

The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA) has announced the addition of Pat "The Croatian Sensation" Miletich to the position of WAMMA Vice President for Fighter & Promoter Relations.

"We are extremely pleased to name Pat Miletich WAMMA's Vice President for Fighter & Promoter Relations," said WAMMA Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Michael Lynch. "Pat is a legend in the MMA community and has the respect of the fighters, the promoters and the fans. He is an invaluable addition to the WAMMA team."

Pat Miletich is a five-time UFC champion and one of the most respected names in mixed martial arts. He is the founder of Miletich Fighting Systems, which trains some of the most talented and popular fighters in MMA and includes numerous UFC, EliteXC and ICON Sport former and current champions. Pat is also an active coach in the International Fight League (IFL), leading the Quad City Silverbacks to two IFL championships. Pat Miletich has been instrumental in the training of such MMA superstars as former UFC Welterweight champion Matt Hughes, former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia, former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver as well as current ICON Sport and Elite XC champion Robbie Lawler.

"WAMMA is the key to MMA reaching that final position of legitimate recognition and respect in the sporting world without question," said Miletich.

WAMMA is brings legitimacy, unified integrity and longevity to the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and is the gold standard in MMA Rankings worldwide. For more information on the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts and to view current MMA rankings, please visit www.GOWAMMA.com.

The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts is proud to announce updated January 2008 MMA Rankings.

WAMMA is dedicated to promoting and serving the sport of Mixed Martial Arts with its monthly independent and objective rankings of fighters, regardless of promotional affiliation.

Fighters were ranked in the following divisions: Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight and Featherweight.

WAMMA Announces Member Additions to Ranking Committee and Addition of Featherweight Division to MMA Rankings

The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA) announced today the additions of Adam Morgan, Steve Sievert, Mike Sawyer, Ben Fowlkes, Dann Stupp and Benjamin Baroukh-Ebstein to the WAMMA Ranking Committee. WAMMA also announced today the addition of Featherweight to the ranked divisions.

The WAMMA Ranking Committee is Chaired by Sam Caplan. WAMMA Rankings are released on the 15th of each month (with slight variability depending on fight schedules). The Goal: To recognize the very best MMA athletes in each weight division, without regard to promotional affiliation.

"The additions of Baroukh-Ebstein, Morgan, Sawyer, Stupp, Fowlkes and Sievert to our Ranking Committee brings added expertise and depth to our Rankings," said Michael Lynch, WAMMA's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "We are extremely pleased with the Committee's rankings to date and the addition of a Featherweight division further elevates WAMMA Rankings as the Gold Standard in MMA Rankings."

WAMMA was featured recently on the Kristal Hart Show. You can watch the show below, or visit www.GoFightLive.tv.

"World Alliance Of Mixed Martial Arts holds press conference as MMA's only sanctioning body at Gallagher's Steak House NYC. Former wrestling champion "Goldberg" joins David Szady and Michael Lynch, and IFL coaches and former MMA champions Don Frye and Pat Miletich."

The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts is proud to announce December 2007 MMA Rankings.

WAMMA is dedicated to promoting and serving the sport of Mixed Martial Arts with its monthly independent and objective rankings of fighters, regardless of promotional affiliation.

Fighters were ranked in the following divisions: Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight and Lightweight.

From 411Mania.com:

NEW YORK - Today at Gallagher's famous steakhouse, some of mixed martial arts' most well known veterans and media gathered together for the launching of WAMMA, the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts. Unlike current MMA promotions or organizations, WAMMA seeks to become a unified sanctioning body for the entire sport of mixed martial arts, which will rank fighters, establish unified rules, and sanction inter-promotional world championship bouts.

Read More At 411Mania.com >>

From Sherdog.com:

NEW YORK, Nov. 14 -- A group of business and fight-sport veterans launched a sanctioning body on Wednesday that will try to enable cross-promotional bouts between top mixed martial artists.

In explaining the need for WAMMA, President and CEO Dave Szady pointed to the multitude of promotions and champions in mixed martial arts. WAMMA, said Szady, will attempt to bring more credibility to the sport through inter-league competition and undisputed titleholders.

"We view ourselves as a supplement, not a threat, to all the promotional organizations and individuals who have brought MMA to where it is today," said Szady, a retired FBI assistant director.

Read More At Sherdog.com >>

Photos and videos from the official press conference in New York City are now available.

Today, the official launch of the first ever MMA sanctioning body, WAMMA – the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts took place in New York City.  WAMMA President David Szady, Executive Vice President Michael Lynch and Vice President of media Dave Barnes, hosted a press conference at Gallagher’s on West 52 Street.

WAMMA – the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts – will rank MMA fighters by weight division, establish unified rules, ensure the safety and welfare of fighters, and sanction world championship bouts. Most importantly, it will enable the best fighters in the world to face off against each other, creating unified legitimacy and increasing the integrity of the sport. 

Appearing at the press conference was former wrestler and NFL player Bill Goldberg; MMA Legends Pat Miletich and Don Frye; noted boxing manager Godwin Asifo; nationally known attorney Michael Lynch; and David Szady, a 33-year veteran of the FBI. The press conference also launched their web site www.GOWAMMA.com. The site includes ranking information bylaws and sanctioning news and information.

LeRoy Neiman, well known for his brilliantly colored, energetic images of sporting events and leisure activities, has lent his skills to WAMMA.

Millions of people have watched LeRoy Neiman work on coverage of the Olympics, Superbowl and other major sport competitions. The majority of Nieman's paintings focus on sports ranging from basketball to boxing, hockey and cycling. We are proud to partner with LeRoy Neiman for the official launch of the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts!