Lashley, Rogers, Belfort and Arona Possible Barnett Replacements

Posted Jul 22, 2009 11:19AM By Ariel Helwani (RSS feed)

Affliction is scrambling to find a new opponent to face Fedor Emelianenko on August 1. Here's the latest based on discussions with several sources.

The organization is looking at four potential opponents right now: Vitor Belfort, Bobby Lashley, Brett Rogers and Ricardo Arona. They believe one of those fighters will take the fight on short notice.

Lashley's manager, Greg Bloom, told FanHouse Wednesday morning that he is not considering accepting the fight.

FanHouse left a message for Rogers' manager, Mike Reilly, but has yet to hear back from him. Reilly told Fanhouse Tuesday that Rogers only wants to fight in October, but that was before this news broke.

Belfort, who is already scheduled to face Jorge Santiago on the card, told Tatame in January, that he would love to fight Emelianenko in the future.

"I want to make a fight against Fedor (Emelianenko), because my category doesn't have anyone in Affliction yet. I think it'd be quite interesting, as well as Matt (Lindland) fought him. I never thought he was unbeatable, but he's very strategic and the way to beat him is striking up and then go to the ground. ... It doesn't need to be for the belt, it can be a normal fight, simply for the challenge, I like that... Although I have to lose 20 pounds to the category (middleweight), I see that I'm very strong and technical, I think it'd be a challenge to fight Fedor, an opportunity, as we are in the same event. I'm a fast guy. Although he has a strong hand, I train with hard guys and it wouldn't be a surprise. He's a great fighter, but there are ways to beat him and I believe that."

And then there's Arona, who hasn't fought since April 2007 when he lost to Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou. The former PRIDE star is reportedly scheduled to fight on September 12 for the Brazilian organization, Bitetti Combat, so he may be in fighting shape.

One thing's for certain, though: Affliction is not planning on canceling its third show. Stay tuned.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-22-2009 @ 11:57AM

hsiunnu said...

Do I think Rogers is ready for a Fedor? Hell no. But to be the best you have to face the best--and if both Fedor and Rogers are potential threats to Lesnar it'd be a perfect match: in the outside chance of a Rogers win he'd definitely have proven himself, and by facing a guy Rogers' size (w/ skills) a Fedor victory would more than show he's ready for anything the Brock-head throws at him. Atencio, you listening?

7-22-2009 @ 11:59AM

Daniel J. Wakely said...

This is Dana White chance to make a deal to get Fador!! He can lend Affliction someone from his vast list of Heavyweights and in return. Fador must fight in the UFC for at least 1 fight. Enter Brock vs Fador for early spring.

7-22-2009 @ 1:08PM

RJ said...

Arona yes please...... Make this happen.

7-22-2009 @ 5:02PM

neozoo said...

rj, i hope this is one of your facetious comments.

7-22-2009 @ 5:07PM

No not at all. Why would you think that?
He should have won the decision the first time they fought.

7-22-2009 @ 5:35PM

well aside from the fact he hasn't fought in forever, he has no chance of passing a drug test either. he was really jacked up on juice in japan, they don't test over there.
i know the fight happened, yet,for some reason i don't remember that fight.
none of these other guys really want to fight him, you can tell by their statements.
lashley, rogers, ortiz and belfort would all get knocked out. belfort is too small nowadays to compete at hw.
like the guy who later posts, the only realistic guy that would jump at the fight would be arlovski. although i don't know if he is allowed or is he still on med suspension.
it sucks, i think most mma fans were looking forward to this card.
i probably won't pay for this.

7-22-2009 @ 7:54PM

I'll tell you what if Brock Lesnar can pass a drug test in the U.S. so can Arona and let me get this straight Belfort is too small to fight Fedor ,but he wasn't to small to fight Randy Couture three times?
People get too confused just because guys fight in specific weight classes Belfort used to fight at Heavyweight and then Light Heavyweight he wouldn't be to small at all. He cuts a lot of weight just to make middleweight.

7-23-2009 @ 1:09PM

anyone can pass a drug test if they have the time to prepare properly for it.
but you need time. not one week from a fight.
most top atheletes know how long juice stays in their system, so as they can pass a test.
now don't get me wrong i have no idea what arona looks like right now, however, the idea of him fighting just doesn't appear to be plausable.
more over, 99% of americans have no idea who he is. so that would definately hurt ppv sales.

7-22-2009 @ 1:35PM

Cody said...

As much as I would want to see a legitament threat to fedor for this fight, I think in order for this not to be the last nail in the coffin for affliction, they need to sign Lashley or Tito to save this card. These two are the last hope of increasing PPV buys to keep them up and running. At the same time, this has set some very interesting wheels in motion. If the card fails to produce what is needed to keep them affloat, they go out of business and therefore cant set up an fat contract to keep Fedor out of the UFC. Dana White has to be praying that this happens because it would tip the scales in his favor on the potential Fedor-Lesnar mega fight...... cant wait to see how this all unfolds.....

7-22-2009 @ 1:45PM

johnnynumber5 said...

Fedor vs Tito would certainly bring a lot of hype for this event. However, I don't see any of these guys be it Barnett, Lashley, Rogers, Tito, Arona or Belfort lasting past the first round.

I think the only guy that might have an outside shot of winning would be Belfort. If Fedor fought Rogers I can see that being a fight that might be a potential upset.

I wonder hoe Fedor feels about possibly facing someone he hasn't been training against. I'm sure he doesn't care because he is just bad ass like that.

7-22-2009 @ 2:51PM

kevin said...

They need to give Rogers a chance hes the most deserving out of the 4 listed Arona's last few fights are not Fedor Quality, Lashley will lay and pray, and Belfort is already scheduald to fight, and Tito even though i would like to see him get smashed, he is not gonna be ready.

Haha i have a better idea put all of them in there Fedor can take a 5 on 1

http://affliction-mma.com/?p=551 Fedor Baddest Man On The Planet Documentary

7-22-2009 @ 5:00PM

Thank You.

That was an amazing documentary. What an amazing human being. So devoted to improving his craft even though he is widely accepted by most to be the best fighter in the world. It's also great to see such humility and love for those around him. The guy is an inspiration. If everyone tried to be more like Fedor the world would be a better place.

ultimatef1ght3r said...

wow all i can say is some1 delivers a upset damn barnett

7-22-2009 @ 3:55PM

sxysmooth said...

Well let's be real!!! Andrei Arlovski would be the best bet. He was winning before he got caught. His Jaw is weak but he was winning the fight!!! I bet he would take it on very short notice..

7-22-2009 @ 5:56PM

lynrdskin said...

you are a fool! "he was winning the fight" boy oh boy for a whole 2 mins.

7-22-2009 @ 6:24PM

Might want to relook the fight. Arlovski had him in ropes. Does not matter how long. Yes Fador won the fight. But Arlovski has been only person to get the champ to back down. He was back peddling pretty hard in to the ropes. But he did get caught. He deserves rematch.

7-22-2009 @ 6:43PM

M13 said...

Arlovski not only got ko'd by Fedor, but was also devasted by Brett Rogers in a more expedient manner. So Arlovski is out of the question. Bobby Lashley probably isn't ready for Fedor's caliber. Vitor Belfort wouldn't fight Gegard Mousasi at 195 lbs. so I don't see why he would suddenly try to merit himself to compete against Fedor. Ricardo Arona hasn't fought since 2007. Brett Rogers dosen't want to take another fight on short notice. Is there anyone else...