The featured bout of the HDNet portion of Affliction: “Day of Reckoning,” which will serve as a lead-in to the pay-per-view (PPV) telecast on January 24, will be a light heavyweight rematch between Vladimir Matyushenko (21-3) and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (15-3).

The two first met at a Universal Fighting-Arts Organization show in August of 2002 with Matyushenko earning the win by unanimous decision.

Matyushenko is coming off an impressive run through the International Fight League’s (IFL) 205-pound division over the last couple of years. In fact, he defeated Alex Schoenauer last November to become the first ever IFL light heavyweight champion. He successfully defended the belt five months later with a second round technical knockout over Jamal Patterson.

When the promotion went under earlier this year, Matyushenko left as the only division champion in the two-year history of the organization.

The Russian is also a five-fight UFC veteran, posting a record of (3-2) during his time in the Octagon. He was granted a shot at Tito Ortiz’s 205-pound belt at UFC 33, but came up just shy in the decision loss.

Nogueira has won all three of his fights since a loss to Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at Pride 33 nearly two years ago. He defeated Moise Rimbon by unanimous decision two weeks ago at Sengoku: “Sixth Battle.” Before that he took out Edwin Dewees at Affliction’s first event back in July, and also stopped Todd Gouwenberg back in February at a Hardcore Championship Fighting event.

A heavyweight bout between Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello and Kiril Sidelnikov has also been confirmed for the HDNet telecast. HDNet will air the undercard of Affliction: “Day of Reckoning” live on January 24 before the PPV, which will be headlined by WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko defending his title for the first time against former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski.