Rumor: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Josh Barnett at Affliction III

by Leland Roling on May 5, 2009 10:31 AM EDT Comment 49 comments

This hasn't been widely reported due to the rumor being posted on the M-1 Global website and the translation barrier, but it definitely has some legs with Affliction looking for a way to bring some big money their way. With Josh Barnett and Fedor Emelianenko under the same banner, this fight makes the most sense and is in line with Fedor's management stated he would take on a "top 10" fighter:

According to initial reports, the long-awaited match between WAMMA Heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko of Russia and American fighter Josh Barnett will be held on the third event of M-1 Global & Affliction, which is scheduled for early August this year," a news item on the site states today.

We'll need some confirmation from Affliction as we all know that past rumors haven't panned out before. If the matchup is actually signed, we will finally see the matchup that many hardcore fans have been clamoring for ever since both fighter's dominance in PRIDE. Ariel Helwani is already reporting that nothing has been finalized, and Josh Barnett's camp has stated he hasn't been offered the matchup yet, but Nightmare of Battle is reporting that there was a mistranslation of the Silva vs. Barnett rumors.

I'm not too keen on believing Josh Barnett can topple the all-powerful Fedor Emelianenko, but I'm definitely excited to see what Josh Barnett plans to do against such a dominating and well-rounded combatant in Fedor. Barnett's performance against Gilbert Yvel didn't exactly exude confidence to the fanbase that he could beat Fedor, and Fedor's recent destructive victories over Andrei Arvloski and Tim Sylvia.

Within the same piece on the M-1 site, there are rumors of Affliction potentially co-promoting an event with a Japanese promotion for New Year's Eve. We'll see if they can make it that far. It makes sense considering Fedor wants to fight in Japan, and I'm sure one of the Japanese promotions will float Affliction some much needed money for his services.

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

0 recs | Comment 49 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

?

Also possible: Josh Barnett versus Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva to see which champion that was stripped of his belt for steroids is truly stronger. Now if this is true then that pretty much counts Barnett out as a possible opponent for Fedor this summer. Sengoku 9 is on August 2nd, so that throws a pretty big monkey wrench into any potential summer tilts between the two.

fightlinker

Another rumor and it conflicts with this one.

by Discman2 on May 5, 2009 10:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

According to Nightmare of Battle, this isn’t happening now… very confusing ordeal.

The Josh Barnett vs. Antonio Silva fight in August seems to have been an error. I saw the link to the website which reported about Fujita/Ivanov from the newspaper on a message board and there they also wrote about Silva/Barnett. I didn’t see what was said about Silva/Barnett on the website so I thought it was written in the real newspaper. It seems like it said something similar to that Silva and Barnett are in the SENGOKU title picture and not about them definitely facing each other in August. So the M-1 Fedor vs. Barnett reports probably have a much higher chance of happening than this.

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on May 5, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ah ok. Thanks for following up with that.

I’d like to see Bigfoot/Barnett before barnett/Fedor to be honest

by Discman2 on May 5, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with that….

by Gunslinger20 on May 5, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is the kind of Fedor article I like....

but this matchup falls into the “I’ll believe it when I see it” category. If it happens, great…. but I don’t see Josh Barnett being the one to derail the Fedor train.

by Gunslinger20 on May 5, 2009 10:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree… hence why I added the wording as far as we’ll believe it when Affliction confirms it.

To be perfectly honest, I think Barnett is avoiding this fight.

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on May 5, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're a wise man, Leland

I agree with you 100%…. to me it seems like he is ducking Fedor, which will make the fight suck since he has no desire to fight him in the first place. It would be a waste of money.

I say if Vitor wants Fedor…. make it happen, at least Vitor would attempt to make it entertaining and actually try to attack Fedor.

by Gunslinger20 on May 5, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The problem for Vitor is that Fedor would probably toss him into top control and submit him quickly. I mean, the guy is beastly in the clinch. That Mousasi training video was impressive, even if Mousasi was putting on a demonstration with Fedor. His strength and power in using his tosses is incredible. I just don’t see Vitor being formidable.

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on May 5, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vitor may not be formidable...

but it would be indeed entertaining…. better than seeing Josh Barnett running from Fedor the entire time or just grappling him without throwing any punches or kicks.

Mousasi would be an awesome matchup but that fight will never happen…. which sucks.

by Gunslinger20 on May 5, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

To be honest, any fight with Fedor is entertaining for me. Even Barnett would be entertaining, although I am skeptical if he is actually a formidable opponent.

From the looks of the Mousasi/Fedor training demonstration, he looked a tad surprised at how easily Fedor threw him around, but Mousasi looked way smaller, so he hasn’t progressed to HW yet.

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on May 5, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dare to dream sir...

I will definitely buy that Affliction/M-1 PPV if they can set that one up…. Mousasi vs Fedor would be awesome.

by Gunslinger20 on May 5, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They're training partners...

so don’t hold your breath. However, in about a year when Mousasi adjusts to LHW it would certaintly be a good matchup.

by B Money on May 5, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fedor is miles ahead of Barnett in everything. The outcome will be no different. But, we still get to see Fedor which is always a treat. :)

M-1: What is that, its been checking you out Fedor.
Fedor: Huh?

Dana: Oh that? That’s the money that you could be making by switching to UFC. Poor little guy, he’s probably been following you for a while now. Looks tired.

*music in the background

I always feel like, somebodies watchin’ me!!!

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on May 5, 2009 11:12 AM EDT reply actions 10 recs

Holy shit...

I knew it was only a matter of time before someone went there with this…. lol

by Gunslinger20 on May 5, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

YES

by subo on May 5, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn…..that was funny!!

by frickshun on May 5, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very funny.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on May 5, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on May 5, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate you for this. The song started to play in my head.

by szucconi on May 5, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Leland hits it on the nose

Barnett will not take this fight. He will find some way to avoid it I promise you. He will come up with an injury of some sort or become involved with something during the time the fight is scheduled. It will actually be entertaining to see what he comes up with as a way to avoid Fedor.

"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"

by Warhand on May 5, 2009 12:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, and there’s something odd about it. Because he’s been very public about saying “Hey, for the right price…”, it makes me think that if he takes the fight and loses, he knows he’ll be worth a little less, but in reality… will he actually be taking a huge pay cut if he loses?

Or… is he simply trying to milk as much money out of the potential matchup? I say it’s both. I mean, I can understand the possibility of him just wanting to be paid the huge dollars to fight Fedor, but everyone wants this fight. It needs to happen.

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on May 5, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s like the same Supremacy post once a month since Arlovski, only by Leland.

by subo on May 5, 2009 12:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

except this time there’s actual some sort of rumor going on, not mindless speculation.

by Phildo on May 5, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry to Inform You

But it is the same thing, and I also posted this on another post before this one.
=)

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 5, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

P.S.

I had a source, which Josh Gross posted on SI a week after mine.
Nice try though! =)

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 5, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have zero faith that Affliction 3 is going to happen.

If it does, I’ll consider it a fortunate turn of events, but I won’t be getting my hopes up.

by Steve4192 on May 5, 2009 12:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What about Golden Boy? I haven’t seen Affliction signs/banners up on Goldeboys last few outings on HBO. It would be pretty insane if they somehow got a deal done with HBO through GBP.

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on May 5, 2009 12:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Aflliction fighters wasting valuable time

the question is WHEN will any of this happen? At the rate it’s going, the Affliction stable of fighters see action once, maybe twice in a year; they’re wasting the prime of their careers. And ducking fights does not a legend make; I don’t get it. The whole thing is a mess, I think Affliction intentionally runs a discombobulated operation just to raise as much interest as possible. The less Fedor fights the more people want to see it. Frustrating.

by Fooshnickens on May 5, 2009 1:08 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Based on their last show, I get the distinct impression that Golden Boy doesn’t give two shits about Affliction. They are perfectly willing to take their money, but they wouldn’t even bother to piss on them if they were on fire.

by Steve4192 on May 5, 2009 1:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Advice to Josh

1) Start cycling off the steroids sooner rather than later.

What am I missing?

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones

by jemaleddin on May 5, 2009 1:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

2) switch to boardshorts, for the love of God!

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on May 5, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

3) Get better fast or you will be exposed as an average heavyweight. Sitting in mount for three round before finishing will not work on anyone with a ground game.

by szucconi on May 5, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

4) Buy life insurance.

by subo on May 5, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think life insurance pays off if you commit suicide.

Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken

by Richard Wade on May 5, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does antagonizing a bear count as suicide?

by subo on May 6, 2009 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It should.

by Richard Wade on May 6, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

PLEASE

let this be true.

I’ve been waiting for this fight since day 1 of Affliction’s existence.

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on May 5, 2009 1:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Does Affliction 3 even have a date yet?

Keep firing Assholes!

It must be nice to have such low standards.

by Ubernoober on May 5, 2009 5:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This summer

July or August… =)

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 5, 2009 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They haven’t even narrowed what month they are going to have it in? July is only two months away.

Keep firing Assholes!

It must be nice to have such low standards.

by Ubernoober on May 5, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They probably don’t want to go head-to-head with Strikeforce, who haven’t finalized their dates for their August show.

by madiq on May 5, 2009 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think that’s a date – that’s a season, right?

Man, Affliction really is shaking up the industry – in terms of dates anyway…

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones

by jemaleddin on May 6, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

The event will last two months. Fights will go 100 rounds. It will be like woodstock, only with more stupid t-shirts and brain damage.

by szucconi on May 6, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No brown acid – just brown zunes.

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones

by jemaleddin on May 6, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’d honestly rather watch Fedor grapple with Kyle Maynard than fight Josh Barnett…I just dislike Barnett and with as rare as a Fedor fight is, I’d hate to see it wasted on Josh getting clowned by Fedor.

by kyfm621 on May 6, 2009 12:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

It seems like nobody thinks that thig fight would be competitive. Absolutely ridiculous.

Barnett is a big, strong dude, with powerful (but sloppy) striking, and very good grappling. I think a fight between Fedor would resemble Fedor’s fights with Nog.

I’d honestly put the odds of this fight at like 65/35 for Fedor. I’d bank on Fedor getting a latter round (T)KO or UD, but c’mon guys- Barnett is easily a top 3 HW in the world. He’s been in there with some of the best. This would, by no means, be a blowout.

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on May 6, 2009 3:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blame Barnett for this, his last outing did not help his stock at all.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on May 6, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously?

3 rounds of absolutely dominating a very dangerous HW hurts your stock?

I don’t care if Barnett didn’t pull off a quick sub, or just go ape shit on him and pound Yvel out Donkey Kong style. He ran a positional train on Gilbert, man. And took him down at will.

But Gilbert is a tough guy, and he took a beating for 3 rounds. To me, it’s just ridiculous that Barnett’s win over Yvel is anything but impressive.

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on May 7, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know if Barnett can even beat Cain Velasquez or Frank Mir and both those guys can’t touch Fedor in a phone booth. Baby Face is gonna get destroyed. As much as I liked the first & second shows (sans the PRIDE like entrances & dim picture from time to time) Affliction needs to hurry up & get the next show done with so they can close up shop and release their stable to the open market – Fedor to UFC!!!

by nochapi on May 6, 2009 3:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs