We reported earlier this week the possibility of former Elite XC star Brett “The Grim” Rogers facing off against world ranked Josh “The Babyface Assassin” Barnett at Affliction: “Day of Reckoning” on January 24. However, a recent interview between Sports.ru (via Fighters Only Magazine) and Russian heavyweight Aleksander Emelianenko suggests otherwise.
Here’s a snip from the younger brother of current WAMMA heavyweight title holder Fedor Emelianenko:
“An agreement has been reached that the Affliction show on January 24th will hold a rematch with the former UFC champion Josh Barnett.”
Aleksander and Barnett first locked horns back in May of 2006 at Pride: “Total Elimination Absolute” with Barnett winning with a second round submission (key lock).
Originally slated to face Paul Buentello at the inaugural Affliction event in July, Emelianenko was forced off the card in the eleventh hour after failing to get medically cleared by the California State Athletic Commission.
Due to privacy regulations, the reasons for him not getting licensed to fight were never fully revealed. However, the rumor mill ran wild with claims that he had tested positive for Hepatitis B — a DNA virus that affects the liver and in rare cases leads to death.
Aleksander and his team denied those reports and apparently feel like there won’t be a problem getting cleared this time around.
He’s currently riding a five match winning streak, including his most recent first round knockout victory over Sang Soo Lee at M-1 Challenge 9 last week in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia. There’s also talk of a potential New Year’s Eve fight in Japan for the former two time world Sambo champion.
Here’s another snip:
“There is a chance that before this I will fight at the traditional New Year’s Eve show in Japan. But talks on this fight are still going on.”
“Day of Reckoning” is scheduled to air live on pay-per-view on January 24 beginning at 9 p.m. ET. Some of the under card action will also air live on HDNet prior to the PPV telecast.
32 Comments »
Wow this is amazing but could be a problem. If Alex wins, then who fights Fedor if he beats Arlovski? Andrei already KOed two of the better opponents the organization offers.
alex said numerous times that he won’t fight his brother
Alex never gets cleared to fight in america.
ok as for the aleks never fighting fedor they have fought in sambo before and aleks only got one shot at america and that was in cali when that asshole was in charge of the commision. the reson he didnt come to the usa was cause he was in the joint for 5 years in russia and couldnt get a visa.
id say this fight is possible if aleks doesnt chicken out
Had nothing to do with Mafia ties or prison sentences. If it did then the fight wouldn’t have been cancelled at the last minute. Just doesn’t make sense. And if he couldn’t come here, then why is he scheduled to fight again? Oviously people in higher places than any of us, know more about the situation than we do. It was a medical clearance that stopped it. Rumors of the hep b virus abound. But it seems to be that he was late in getting medical tests done, and the commission was very strict.
Barnett is one of their biggest attractions. THey would not book him to fight Aleks if there was a chance that he wouldnt get cleared to fight!
looking forward to this one for sure!
I retract my statement that josh was ducking aleks. Hopefully it will go like their first fight but with aleks winning this time. I can’t stand barnett. Also werdum won’t be signing to affliction-his asking price is too high.
props on the info john, you were on top of that one… hey so have you locked up nogueira at -350 or are you gonna wait till the lines move? im betting my whole account on him for sure!
EazyEismydad: i was thinking the same thing. on the card, they’ll have fedor vs arlovski, alex vs barnett, and baby fedor against buentello. if all three win (which i don’t necessarily see happening), who do they bring in (assuming affliction lives to put on another show) to fight the champ? werdum?
this beats the grim/barnett fight that was reported yesterday! John, if no one else will, I’ll give you your props, you were writing this yesterday man, good job again!
much better fight i hope its true.
thanks Kev
I hope aleks takes this one
let it be truee..
Fedor will never fight his brother..
That’s a better fight than Barnett vs Rogers.
I dont know, with all the crap Rodgers talked about being a bad ass ( even though it was to Kimbo ) with his heavy hands it could make an exciting fight. I would still put my life savings on barnett. I watched Aleks last fight and I honestly was not inpressed at all. I do admit my knowledge of Aleks isnt that great, however he has never really impressed me. Im not saying he sucks, or is horrible, just not impressive.
I dont like Barnett never really did, just not exciting in my eyes. I’d rather see Rogers vs Alex
The dude finishes almost every fight and has had some crazy submissions. To me, Barnett fights like if “pro-wrestling” was real with his crazy ankle locks, heel hooks, and the one time I saw him powerbomb someone. The guy has 5 T/KO’s and 14 Submission wins out of 23 victories.
Barnett will win again. Second round tko.
Very interesting fight. But as Eazy says, what happens if Aleks wins? I would actually be pulling for Aleks in this fight, but if he wins, and Fedor beats AA….then what? I’ve always liked Aleks, but I’ve also wanted to see Barnett and Fedor go at it. For that reason, I hope Barnett does fight Rogers instead of Aleks. This is a case where Affliction needs to avoid a good fight between Aleks and Barnett, to help make a better fight with Fedor and Barnett.
yeah, I would love to see Fedor vs Barnett, but Alex vs Barnett is great 2
mania post my damn comment
don’t worry about aleks winning. its like worrying about being raped by a walrus. possible but highly unlikely.
I think Barnett will take Aleks with little problems. Not an exciting match up but a good KO is always fun to watch.
Sweet I like this fight, these 2 will go in and throw down should be a great battle.
they should have rogers vs kimbo since he called him out but shouldnt pay kimbo as much….would be interesting….
I would rather see Aleks and Timmy, but Aleks/Barnett 2 I could settle for. If he comes in trained and prepared, I’d expect him to take the rematch.
Everyone want to see Barnett VS Fedor…Well it<s gonna happen.
Arlovski will destroy Fedor and Barnett Will Beat Aleks… so Fedor VS Barnett #1 contender.
Am I The Only one who see Andrei Arlovski won that fight
I don’t think this fight will happen… not as of now anyway.
Think it’s just to make the fans go ape about the card and buy their tickets, then they’ll reveal that this fight wont happen.
Due to the latest “slow and sloppy” video of Aleks fighting some Japanese can, put my vote in for Barnett.