Fedor Emelianenko, Josh Barnett Verbally Agree to Match

Affliction's third event, featuring a main event of Fedor Emelianenko vs. Josh Barnett and taking place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Aug. 1, should be officially announced within days, a source with knowledge of the situation told FanHouse.

Though neither Emelianenko or Barnett has signed official bout agreements, they have both verbally accepted the matchup, according to the source.

Earlier this week, Affliction President Tom Atencio told FanHouse he would not be able to confirm any details until contracts were officially signed.

The event will air on pay-per-view.

While Emelianenko-Barnett had long been rumored, another source inside Affliction told FanHouse that the organization at least briefly considered a rematch between Emelianenko and Andrei Arlovski (the two squared off in January with Emelianenko winning by first-round KO). Arlovski, however, was recently announced for a June 6 Strikeforce fight with Brett Rogers.

Emelianenko is considered by many to be the top heavyweight in the world, and boasts a 30-1 career record with one no contest. He has not lost a bout since Dec. 2000, and holds wins over ex-UFC champs Tim Sylvia and Arlovski, and heavyweight great Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, among others.

Barnett, 24-5 and a former UFC champion, most recently defeated Gilbert Yvel by submission due to strikes at Affliction 2 in January. He and Emelianenko are longtime friends, but will put their relationship aside for one night.

Emelianenko is expected to go on a U.S. promotional tour in early June before beginning his training camp.

The August 1 show will also likely feature a bout between Brazilian slugger Vitor Belfort and surging star Gegard Mousasi, according to the source, though Mousasi first has a May 26 DREAM fight with Mark Hunt in Japan. Interestingly, for a time, Emelianenko-Barnett and Belfort-Mousasi were both rumored as possibilities at Affliction 2 before the organization changed course.

Meanwhile, Sylvia will likely take on either Paul Buentello or Yvel.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-21-2009 @ 7:53AM

Frederick said...

I think the UFC will counter program affliction on sppike

They have 1 show on july 11 nothing until august 8 and then august 29

looks like they are ready to go head to head with afflictions big match. And contrary to Atencio we Already know Dana will not bluff him

5-21-2009 @ 9:38AM

bobbbthedd said...

richardbikle what do you think of this fight?

5-21-2009 @ 10:14AM

richardbikle said...

I wouldn't be surprised if Barnett could go back to the UFC and be the HW Champion, I'd go as far as to say it's likely; but he doesn't beat Fedor. Good to see there is a promoter that will put on and pay the best fighter, kudos. Fedor by submission is my guess.
And Vitor, I really want to see this guy get back on track. I think he's one of the best 205 lb.ers in the world and really want to see him bring his game on.

5-21-2009 @ 10:20AM

Good morning Bob, what do you think?
I think Barnett will try to exchange some on his feet, get the worst of it and go for a takedown and Fedor submits him.
I almost as excited to watch Vitor, this guy could really fight when his head was in the game.

5-21-2009 @ 10:57AM

retrojoke said...

No way a catch wrestler is going to compete against Fedor. I like that he Keylocked his brother. Would be fun to see him get a lucky submission keylock on Fedor lol.

5-21-2009 @ 3:02PM

Mark said...

barnett doesn't have a chance

5-21-2009 @ 3:27PM

GOOD MORNING RICHARD. BOTH FIGHTS SHOULD BE GOOD. BY THE WAY I ALSO WENT TO HAWAII TO SURF. SPENT MANY YEARS SURFING IN SANTA CRUZ LATE 50'S. WHO ARE YOU GOING WITH IN THE HUGHS FIGHT THE SATURDAY?

5-21-2009 @ 4:45PM

Hughes. I think he is still one of the best, just not as good as GSP. Serra has a punchers chance, but I think Hughes will take him down and punish him.

The Van Dykes, Wargo, were the Coles from there as well?
I alays resented a guy from there. His name escapes me, but he showed up one day at Sunset and ripped it his first day out. I logged many a day there by then and really kind of held it against him that he was so good. Sunset and Backyards. For years I had Yards pretty much to myself. Those were the days.

5-21-2009 @ 5:27PM

Watching Fedor win so easy isnt fun anymore. Ill just read about it on the forums.
Right now Fedor has Mayweather syndrome, he wont fight better opponents unless UFC meet his high pricetag. his price tag would dwarf the highest paid fighters/champions/legends of UFC. Not only would that be a slap to the face to these fighters but it would also be an open wound that will linger for a longtime as Fedor in the UFC would continue to demand money.
Fedor is already a Champion but he wont be a legend until he enters the real proving grounds and defeats its high rated fighters. I mean what hall of fame that is distinguished is going to induct him?

5-21-2009 @ 5:52PM

jmend25 said...

Hahaha...Really? Thats funny, how is Fedor supposed to face better opponents in the UFC when all the better opponents are outside of the UFC?
=)

5-21-2009 @ 6:47PM

Barnett has an great shot at beating Mir or Lesnar, I think Barnett may just be the second best HW.
That said, i suspect Fedor isn't willing to give up his likeness for the rest of his life for the UFC to market. Paying Fedor more than anyone isn't s stretch. You only see the best fighters under contract in the UFC; which is not the same as the best fighters.

5-21-2009 @ 6:50PM

BuckChuck said...

Fedor will win this one handily...if it comes off.

5-21-2009 @ 7:50PM

texicaliman said...

Why is Fedor even taking this fight? I think that Dana should just throw a ridiculous amount of money at Fedor and have him fight Brock Lesnar. Seriously, who wants to see Josh Barnett get pounded by this guy? I compare this upcoming bout to some of the fights Anderson Silva has been been involved in recently as in you see or hear about the opponent and you just wonder "WTF?".