Mike Chiappetta • E-mail

New York business tycoon Donald Trump is the latest to enter an increasingly crowded MMA world, entering into a partnership with the new Affliction MMA company, it was announced at a Thursday press conference.

Affliction also announced its latest acquisition during its recent spending spree, former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski, who signed a non-exclusive three-fight deal.

The company will hold its first event on July 19 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., headlined by former UFC champ Tim Syliva taking on the man most consider the best heavyweight in the world, Fedor Emelianenko. The fight will air on pay-per-view.

"It's really something that I'm doing because I enjoy doing it," Trump said. "If we make money, that's great. I think we will. I think it will be successful. What I do is usually successful."

Trump noted that his presence would help bring attention to the new promotion, adding, "If I wasn't here today, you might have maybe one writer. And now the place is packed."

When asked about his financial stake, he characterized it as "not a big deal for me," saying that compared to constructing billion-dollar buildings, it didn't compare.

Trump has had previous involvement in pro sports, having owned the USFL's New Jersey Generals as well as hosted several championship boxing fights.

With the acquisition of Arlovski, Affliction added a fighter with a track record as a pay-per-view draw, as well as taking a bite out of the UFC, which hoped to re-sign him into the fold. Arlovski didn't rule out returning to the UFC some day, saying, "it was a very difficult decision. UFC is where I started, and it will always be my home."

Video   Exclusive with Tim Sylvia The former UFC Heavyweight champ talks about upcoming fight with Fedor Emelianenko. NBC Sports

He will take on former IFL star Ben Rothwell in another featured bout, while another former UFC champ, Josh Barnett, will look for revenge against the only man ever to knock him out, Pedro Rizzo.

Also on the card are former UFC stars Renato "Babalu" Sobral and Matt "the Law" Lindland.

Trump becomes the latest billionaire to toss his hat into the MMA ring, following Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who owns the Texas-based promotion HDNet Fights. Casino moguls Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta are the billionaire brothers who own Zuffa, parent company of UFC and WEC. Online gambling kingpin Calvin Ayre owned the now-defunct Bodog Fight.

Just last week, MMA reached a new watershed mark when a U.S. record 6.51 million people tuned in to watch Kimbo Slice defeat James Thompson in the first bout ever aired on primetime network television.

However, the scene has begun to get crowded as promoters vie for the fans' attention in the rapidly growing sport. While the UFC is the undisputed U.S. leader, other organizations include EliteXC, Strikeforce, WEC, IFL, and the latest two entries, Affliction and Adrenaline.

MORE FROM MMA

MMA Section Front

Kimbo loss is setback for MMA world Vote: Will you still watch Kimbo's fights? Little-known Petruzelli destroys Kimbo Slice Ludwig avenges loss to Morgan in Strikeforce A photographic look at the career of Kimbo Slice Affliction fighters hope new partnership thrives Knee injury to sideline Velasquez until 2009 Arlovski brings star power to EliteXC card Blaine takes 2 gut shots from Kimbo in stunt Silva's manager says champ will retire at 35 MMA Section Front   Add MMA headlines to your news reader: