http://mma.fanhouse.com/2009/05/21/fedor-emelianenko-josh-barnett-verbally-agree-to-match-announc/ 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.
Excellent fight. Hopefully mma fans will continue to grow up and support this fight. You can't just buy ppvs because of the logo on them. The actual fights should determine why you buy a ppv.
Yesterday I watched quite a few of Fedor's fights, some reviewing them, others I never seen before. I think Barnett, imo, will be his toughest test so far. It's hard to say what style of fighting is Fedor's weakest area; I seen Graeco-Roman wrestler Mark Coleman put up a good fight with him, and until Arlovski was knocked out he was in control of the fight. THE DAMNDEST THING I SEEN THOUGH, was his fights with Hong Man Choi [how he pulled those arm bars are amazing!], Kevin Randleman [how the **** Fedor survived that suplex is beyond me], and Gary Goodridge [he ****ED him up!].
I pick fedor but barnett does have the style to beat fedor. I root for Barnett as he represents Pro-wrestling.
Barnett has the best chance of beating Fedor of anyone today (i.e he will last longest) imo. His stand-up is decent, good enough to hang with Fedor I feel. Also his bread and butter is submission wrestling so while Fedor is better on the ground, Barnett has the know-how to survive to the end of the fight, stay out of submissions and keep it competitive. Also Barnett has the size to not be thrown around like a ragdoll (too much). I think this may be Fedor's most competitive fight since he fought Cro Cop in 2005.
Fedor will get Barnett to the mat the same way CC did and pound the crap out of him. The only problems Barnett will present are standing up as he throws straighter punches. But Barnett isnt stupid he knows Fedor has VERY heavy hands. Very good fight for MMA.
I don't doubt that Fedor will win, but I feel Barnett is durable enough and 'switched on' enough to go the distance and even give Fedor a few scares. I think Josh will make this competitive. He ain't just gonna roll over and submit like Sylvia did. IMO of course.
Barnett is the last man left for Fedor. If Fedor wins again, he would have wipe out everyone from his era.