Recently in American Fight League Category

The American Fight League got a lot of press when they first started out, signing former WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley and also top female fighter Tara LaRosa. And then the bottom fell out. They had at least one show planned for the fall, and canceled it, saying they would re-group and kick off 2009 with a bang. I absolutely support the promotion and hope they do. I checked their Web site and it looks like the last entry in the news section is from Jan. 3. Here it is:CEO, BJ Santiago wasn't surprised to hear that the Arena Football League had canceled it's entire 2009 schedule to the economic crunch. "It's not just us in a holding pattern", Santiago commented. "This is affecting major organizations all over the country. People are writing us off and I don't mind. I've been an underdog all of my life. I grew up having nothing, but a desire to work hard and my dreams. The AFL will succeed I guarantee you that. We're just not moving fast enough for everyone else. We are right on schedule according to our watches". COO, Jon Hatton was also optimistic for the upcoming 2009 season billed as "AFL '09". "We've worked hard to establish good business relationships with everyone we meet. Our fighters are happy, our partners are happy, and we are looking forward to a great 2009. Just wait and see what we have planned". The AFL will relaunch it's popular brand of MMA in early 2009.

from mmajunkie.com:
Former collegiate wrestling standout and WWE superstar Bobby Lashley (0-0) will make his professional MMA debut for the Mixed Fighting Alliance on Dec. 13 in Miami.

Officials from the Florida-based organization recently confirmed Lashley's bout with fellow first-time fighter Joshua Franklin (0-0) with MMAjunkie.com.

Lashley will make the appearance while on loan from the American Fight League, who have elected to suspend operations until 2009.

AFL's core management: Sean McClure, Jon Hatton and BJ Santiago

Here's a news release from the American Fight League's Web site:

The American Fight League has made the decision to halt operations until the first quarter of 2009.

The organization's doors are still open and the roster of fighters remains the same.

AFL fighters are free to fight in whatever organization that they wish while maintaining their current contract status.

"Don't believe everything that you hear", CEO BJ Santiago said. "Big things will happen in 2009 for the American Fight League and it's fighters".

I really hope this isn't a harbinger of what's to come. In MMA, the more organizations we have - the more QUALITY organizations we have *** cough, cough EliteXC cough, cough*** the better, and the AFL certainly has some promise. They received some decent press for signing former WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley, and had planned an event for U.S. troops. We'll see what happens from here on out.