There will be more on the line than just Fedor Emelianenko’s WAMMA Heavyweight Championship at Affliction: “Day of Reckoning” at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on January 24.

Company Vice President Tom Atencio revealed at a recent press conference that the winner of the bout between Josh Barnett and Gilbert Yvel will earn the number one title contender status. That means that either Barnett or Yvel will next challenge Emelianenko (if he wins) or his opponent, former UFC heavyweight kingpin Andrei Arlovski.

It’s a mini tournament that includes arguably three of the top five heavyweight fighters in the sport today (Emelianenko, Barnett and Arlovski). It’s also an opportunity for Yvel — a controversial and “dirty” fighter — to play the roll of “bad boy” once again and perhaps knockoff some of the best in the business.

The Dutch Muay Thai specialist is on a seven-fight win streak and has not lost since 2006. So while he may not deserve to be in such company, Yvel is certainly a dangerous opponent who should not be taken lightly.

Regardless, this latest news sets up several dream match ups that have either been teased for years (Emelianenko vs. Barnett) or booked then bumped (Arlovski vs. Barnett). It’s a situation that more than likely has fans “in the know” buzzing … especially those who have dogged/defended Emelianenko for fighting cans in recent years.

Is it possible for the “Last Emperor” to knockoff three former UFC heavyweight champions (Sylvia, Arlovski and Barnett) in three consecutive fights? The short answer is maybe … but it won’t be easy. Not at all.

The consolation prize, of course is a possible clash between Barnett and Arlovski. That’s not too shabby, either. Or, Yvel can throw a wrench into things, which may or may not be a good thing (more than likely bad).

Whichever scenario comes to be post-January 24, the important thing from a fan’s perspective is that Affliction has set itself up with a series of competitive and compelling heavyweight matches for future programming.

That’s assuming their programming will have a future.

If the aforementioned match-ups coupled with the already talented and growing fighter base are not enough to stimulate interest in the upstart promotion, then Affliction may indeed close up shop and go back to the land of high end T-shirts.

And MMA fans will essentially have go back to watching strictly the UFC. Some by choice, some by default.