Gilbert “The Hurricane” Yvel (35-12-1) is the latest opponent set to challenge former UFC heavyweight champion Josh “The Babyface Assassin” Barnett (23-5) at Affliction: “Day of Reckoning” at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on January 24.
Brett “The Grim” Rogers and Aleksander Emelianenko have been mentioned as possible adversaries heretofore; however, this latest announcement has been confirmed by the good folks over at M-1 Global.
That’s far from official, but we’ll entertain the possibility until official word comes down from Affliction even though M-1 is a strategic partner of the promotion.
Perhaps the only problem with this potential match up is the fact that the Dutch mixed martial arts veteran could have a difficult time getting a license to fight in the United States. In fact, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) rejected his application to compete against Sergei Kharitonov at PRIDE 33 in Las Vegas as recently as February 2007.
That’s because Yvel has a history of “dirty” behavior inside the ring — everything from assaulting referees to eye gouging to biting opponents. Therefore, it should be interesting to see if the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) for some reason has a change of heart if indeed the bout is booked.
The Pride FC veteran is currently enjoying a seven-fight win streak, dating back to mid 2006. He most recently stopped Alexander Timonov via technical knockout (punches) in just 22 seconds at M-1 Challenge 9 a few weeks ago.
Yvel has been up against some of the best in the business during his 11-year career, including Semmy Schilt (win), Dan Henderson (loss), Vitor Belfort (loss), Wanderlei Silva (N/C), Igor Vovchanchyn (loss) and Cheick Kongo (win), among others.
His opponent, “The Baby Face Assassin,” is no slouch himself.
Barnett is coming off a one punch, highlight reel-type knockout over Pedro Rizzo at the first Affliction event back in July. Before that he competed twice in Japan on Sengoku cards against Hidehiko Yoshida and Jeff Monson, winning both bouts with a third round submission (heel hook) and a unanimous decision, respectively.
The former Pride FC star and top-ranked heavyweight competitor will look to make it four in a row against a very tough but beatable opponent — Yvel has a suspect ground game, which Barnett could possibly exploit in short order if given the opportunity.
That is, of course, if the fight happens in the first place.
“Day of Reckoning,” which was originally slated to go down on October 11, 2008, before being postponed, will feature one of the most anticipated fights in the history of the sport between WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko and former UFC title holder Andrei Arlovski. Ten total bouts are expected to eventually round out the card, including a middleweight showdown between Matt Lindland and Vitor Belfort.
Prior to the PPV broadcast, which will be produced and distributed by Showtime Networks Inc. in conjunction with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, several fights will be televised on the HDNet channel.
In fact, a light heavyweight tilt between Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Vladimir Matyushenko will headline the televised HDNet preliminary card that will serve as a lead in to the PPV event, which is slated to begin at 9 p.m. ET on fight night.
To check out the latest Affliction: “Day of Reckoning” fight card and rumors click here.
50 Comments »
cool
the babyface is playing duck-duck-goose w/ rogers and alex
i dout that, one he alrady beat aleks who is probally the best of the three of them and taking gilbert over rogers is not ducking, gilbert is the better fighter.
Better striker but equal ground game.
yeah i am not saying he is alot better just a little and grim may turn out to be the better fighter he just hasn’t proven it yet.but i don’t see barnett ducking any of these guys, maybe fedor but nobody else.
I mean, who the f— is this can?!
i wouldn’t really call him a can, he is dangerous go check out his fights
Well, seems like he’s beaten a lot of cans, therefore making him a can-crusher. So if Barnett tries to kill this can-crusher, doesn’t that make him a can-crusher too by default? Just playin…
i was beginning to wander when gilbert yvel was going to resurface against top competition. he’s no top 5 hw but he defenitely is a formidably opponent for just about anyone
Gutting was hoping for the Alex fight john promised!!
I heard the rumored fight for Aleksander is against Paul Buentello, not Barnett.
YOU arent the only one Nick J!!!
I am getting sick of all these crack head rumor games being played by Affliction. The event is less than 2 months away, you would think they could at least book a fight for one of its top attractions Josh Barnett. I want to see him fight Aleks…PERIOD!!!!!!
AS for Gilbert Yvel….calling him dirty is an understatement and I HIGHLY doubt that he will be licensed to fight in the USA!!! I really dont think that come January 24th we will see Gilbert on the card!
I hope they book Buentello vs. Grim. Grim is supposed to be a good prospect, and feeding him to Barnett is just POINTLESS, it will be a mismatch to the proportions of what Arlovski vs. Rothwell was.
yep gotta agree with you john my man. on all points made!
gilbert yvel! as soon as i read the name i though hey isnt he banned from fighting by the nsac. no way he gets in to fight i would have thought but affliction got aleks who was a convicted armed robber in russia to fight(nearly) so who knows for sure but im doubtful!
grim would be eaten by barnett but its not as if yvel is much good either he is just a dirty scumbag who hits referees
yvel isnt a much better opponent than Grim, I agree with that. BUt at least Grim has a FUTURE in the sport…No point in having him DESTROYED by Barnett. Gilbert has no future and is a piece of crap, so at least it would be kool to see Josh give him the beating of his life…..still it would be a crappy match up!
Only fight that will make me happy is Barnett vs. Aleks 2!
That is the fight I want to see!
or atleast get him an opponent like:
Sergei
Alistar
Werdum
just make it somebody legit!
èxactly no point givin him a can this isnt boxing or michael bisping give him a real fighter
Your so right about all the rumours and gossip becoming annoying with Affliction John. Its almost as if they don’t even know what is going on.
Just all strikes me as unprofessional and a bit slapdash.
They have got an excellent stable of fighters they just need someone to grab the promotion by the balls and run it properly.
Affliction reminds me of when foreign businessmen buy a UK premier league football team. They have all the money in the world and buy up the top players but it just does not work due to a lack of experience and quality management.
Frustrating because there are so many fights that i want them to put on but i’m afraid after Day of Reckoning bombs in the PPV sales, that will be the end of affliction.
Alex is now rumored to be fighting Yoshihiro Akiyama or Dang Yi at Dynamite with the prior more likely. He probly wasn’t allowed to come back to the states.
Aleks said he was fightin at Affliction 2 and NYE in Jsapan, so there is still hope of Aleks being on the Affliction 2 fight card.
I wanna see Werdum back in action.
VM: Buentello is booked to fight baby Fedor, Kiril!
THATS RIGHT, I knew it was one of them. THAnKS!
Gilbert Yvel has a pretty impressive stat – of his 35 wins, he ahs 30 (T)KO’s and 5 submissions, which means he never went the distance in a win. However, I got Barnett as a considerably big favorite to win. The level of competition that they faced is like apples and oranges, or should I say more like gold and dog crap. Just about any fighter that Yvel has faced that has a “recongnizable name”, he has lost to. He’s been on a roll as of late, but against COMPLETE CANS. Take a look at the records of his previous 8 opponents:
1-2
3-4
3-3
4-3
14-16
23-17 (205 lbs)
7-7
17-13 and he lost this fight.
Not exactly top competition. Barnett should be a solid -400 favorite to win this fight.
Sounds like him and former blogger James Giboo have fought some of the same people.
I got some bad news for you Mexicutioner! I hear that pro Elite is close to selling EliteXC which would mean that all those free agents dying to come to the UFC like Jake Sheilds, would get F’ed in their you know what and remain pro elite property. I read that there are 3 potential buyers one being a famous billion dollar company…. the company that does purchase Elite will get them back on CBS and Showtime!
Who might buy them? Thats going to suck for the good fighters because one it’s mismanaged and fails again they are going to still be stuck in their contracts.
they wouldnt name any names! I read the article on Cagepotato (I think)…Check it out when u have the time.
I am not happy about it either.
Also I just got word on another lightweight fight that will go down in Febuary:
Kurt Pellegrino vs. Rob Emerson
Remember that you heard it here 1st!
nice work VM
I remember when Gilbert Kicked Gary GOodridge’s HEAD OFF!!!!
Barnett killing a can-crusher makes him a can crusher too by default doesn’t it?
this fight just made me throw up
I’m taking Barnett by decapitation
Why fight Yvel? Has he stopped grabbing the ropes and clawing on for dear life to avoid the TD yet? I like how in his fight with Don Frye he just wouldn’t let go of the rope to save his life, then he wonders why he got DQ’d?? I never liked Yvel, Barnett is gonna smash him.
Barnett is fighting Fedor next, so they are building up his record.
Assuming The emperor can get past the Pitbull. WAR AA!!
I already told you:
Fedor = Mike Vick
Arlovski = Pitbull
Some serious ANIMAL CRUELTY is going down at Affliction 2!
Put that War AA crap to bed (and this is coming from a big Arlovski fan), I just happen to be a REALIST and a Bigger King Fedor fan!
lol
how about the groin shots, or eye gouging Don Frye. Grabbing the ropes. HItting a ref. The guy is just TRASH!!!!! I dont even want him in my country!
Agreed
I wonder if Alex will still fight?
This is gonna fall back on Rogers and the original rumor will be booked. Aleks would’ve been ideal but who knows what is gonna happen with the commission for AE or Yvel.
Gilbert Yvel pulls the upset, ko via head kick
Yvel has no shot.This fight is a fucking waste.
MAKE UP YOUR MIND
Fuck, Barnett is sure fighting alot of guys in January.
Are you sure this time mania?
Hahaha!
Not a good idea taking a potshot at the site that you blog in…
BUT your post is funny!
Meh…I’m not too concerned.
It’s funny ’cause it’s true – Homer Simpson
What a fucking waste! I would have much rather seen Brett Rogers and Barnett.I wonder what Atencio will say when this fight ends in a DQ because Yvel gets pissed off and puts his thumb in Barnett’s eye.This whole card besides Fedor and Arlovski doesn’t interest me.Babalu probably won’t even compete on this card now that the politician is fighting Belfort.
Barnett vs Yvel would be interesting. I wonder if Barnett would stand up with Yvel. Just like what he did against the seasoned striker Rizzo. Barnett is gaining confidence with his striking game but we all know that Yvel has very dangerous strikes. I remembered when he won over Big Daddy Goodridge via head kick. That was devastating.
What has Gilbert Yvel done to earn the right to be in the same ring as Josh??