Josh Barnett vs Aleksander Emelianenko 2 at Affliction: 'Day of Reckoning' ?

by James Iannotti on Nov 28, 2008 8:58 AM EST

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.

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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.

by EazyEismydad on Nov 28, 2008 9:10 AM EST reply actions

alex said numerous times that he won’t fight his brother

by zheka on Nov 28, 2008 9:46 AM EST up reply actions

Alex never gets cleared to fight in america.

by Ro-J on Nov 28, 2008 9:50 AM EST up reply actions

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

by the heat on Nov 28, 2008 10:11 AM EST up reply actions

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.

by chefdaddy on Nov 28, 2008 11:53 AM EST up reply actions

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!

by john on Nov 28, 2008 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

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.

by NameNotRequired on Nov 28, 2008 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

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!

by brendan on Nov 28, 2008 2:46 PM EST up reply actions

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?

by woooburn on Nov 28, 2008 9:56 AM EST up reply actions

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!

by kevin on Nov 28, 2008 10:50 AM EST up reply actions

much better fight i hope its true.

by roy on Nov 28, 2008 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

thanks Kev

by john on Nov 28, 2008 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

I hope aleks takes this one

by shamo84 on Nov 28, 2008 9:11 AM EST reply actions

let it be truee..

by RoB on Nov 28, 2008 9:11 AM EST reply actions

Fedor will never fight his brother..

by What? on Nov 28, 2008 9:14 AM EST reply actions

That’s a better fight than Barnett vs Rogers.

by Ballam on Nov 28, 2008 9:28 AM EST reply actions

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.

by LOKIE on Nov 28, 2008 9:43 AM EST up reply actions

I dont like Barnett never really did, just not exciting in my eyes. I’d rather see Rogers vs Alex

by BMO on Nov 28, 2008 9:55 AM EST reply actions

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.

by Obama DEF McCain TKO (Strikes) Rd1 on Nov 28, 2008 10:11 AM EST up reply actions

Barnett will win again. Second round tko.

by enzo-enormous on Nov 28, 2008 10:00 AM EST reply actions

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.

by introvert on Nov 28, 2008 10:06 AM EST reply actions