Jorge Santiago is still training to fight Vitor Belfort at Affliction ...

by MMAmania.com on Jul 23, 2009 5:14 PM EDT

... even though the camp for "The Phenom" thinks a fight against Fedor Emelianenko is a done deal and has apparently already switched gears. Santiago's trainer at American Top Team, Marcus Conan Silveira, explains via Tatame.com:

"I know exactly what you know, that Josh (Barnett) tested positive, but the situation is the same: Jorge (Santiago) will fight Vitor Belfort. He has growth a lot, he’s one of the best fighters we have at American Top Team. He’s a complete fighter and I think it describes who he is and how he is now."

The longer this takes the messier it seems to get. Of course, playing matchmaker under these types of conditions -- with literally days until fight night -- is an incredibly daunting task. However, the more moving parts, the harder the situation becomes. Why change two fights when you can just find a replacement for Josh Barnett to fight Fedor Emelianenko? Belfort is a big middleweight who has to cut a significant amount of weight to make 185. If this goes in a different direction, how does this distraction affect that process? It's not like we're talking just a little water weight -- Belfort would probably come in well over 200 pounds to fight Emelianenko. It's a fine line. And how does Santiago prepare for a new opponent who is more than likely nowhere near the caliber of Belfort -- is it worth possibly derailing the great progress he has made in the last two years? Emelianenko is in the same boat. There is no real upside to accepting a fight against Belfort because he is explosive, hits hard and is overall a very dangerous opponent. He's also a middleweight. If Brett Rogers can't go, Jeff Monson stepping in sounds better by the second. Note that as of 3:24 p.m. ET the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has still not been approached by Affliction about a replacement for Barnett.

Tweet Comment 63 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Read More: affliction mma, jorge santiago

Comments

Don Frye, Don Frye, Don Frye.

http://www.fightlinker.com/don-frye-dean-of-badassery-at-the-clint-eastwood-school-of-manliness.mma

by DDT on Jul 23, 2009 5:18 PM EDT reply actions

lol, I read that too!
Barnett reallt screwed everyone. I didnt give him a chance, but there are no viable replacements in 10 days!

by kevin on Jul 23, 2009 5:19 PM EDT reply actions

This whole thing seems to be getting worse by the second, sign a opponent already!

by markie on Jul 23, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Bring on Werdum!

by OJR on Jul 23, 2009 5:21 PM EDT reply actions

I have a big hunch its going to be Jeff Monson

by Nor Cal Mexican (formely Philicutioner) on Jul 23, 2009 5:22 PM EDT reply actions

monson is crazy, he just wants to fight for fame apparently he’ll call out anybody to get a big fight..

i like santiago but if he fights vitor he will need a face transplant

by randy murders on Jul 23, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I hear that Jake Sheilds is going to step up and face Santiago clearing the path for Fedor/Vitor

by JOhn G on Jul 23, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I called that yesterday but didn’t really think it would happen. If this is true, they got a good replacement. Affliction had done everything within their power to salvage this card.

by Jeremyjackson on Jul 23, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep!It would be great John!

by Alpha Male 360 on Jul 23, 2009 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I wonder if Attencio tried to contact Arlovski and offer him a rematch. AA really wanted another shot at Fedor but with 10 days notice and coming off back-to-back jacks you’ve got to think he’d be reluctant.

by Jeremyjackson on Jul 23, 2009 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Is he clear to fight?

by Alpha Male 360 on Jul 23, 2009 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Good question. I would think so but I’m not sure.

by Jeremyjackson on Jul 23, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions

No thats more like it, Shields would be a quality opponent for Santiago and would more than make up for Vitor. I know Shields would be taking this on short notice but I like his chances, he’s one of the best BJJ fighters in MMA and has looked dominant recently.

by David W-S on Jul 23, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Santiago would actually straight smash on Shields. His BJJ would get nullified. He doesn’t have any power in his hands so the Jorge’s chin issue goes away. And finally on the feet – who are we kidding, shields got exposed on bully beatdown!

by NameNotRequired on Jul 23, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Even better would be Santiago vs. Nick Diaz. With Riggs injured, strikeforce has NO ONE WORTHY for Nick to fight and he should be in great shape and ready to go for next saturday’s Affliction 3. Affliction did STRIKFORCE a HUGE favor by lending them Arlovski twice, the 2nd time getting him ko’ed and turning one of their young heavyweights, Grim into a STAR….Time to pay back the favor strikeforce, and send Nick over to face Santiago at Affliction 3!

by John G on Jul 24, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

I was under the impression that Belfort was a done deal.

by Jeremyjackson on Jul 23, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

If it’s Jeff Monson then I’m not even sure I’ll bother watching, unless Fedor destroys him quickly. As great as Fedor is I have no desire to watch him fight someone as boring as Monson, I’d rather see him face Belfort or Rogers.

As for Belfort-Santiago, it’s too late for Vitor to make that fight, he won’t be able to get to 185 if he is training for Fedor so Jorge is wasting his time if he is still training for Vitor. Affliction need to sort this out quick, I know that it’s not there fault but the longer this debacle continues the worse it is for everyone involved.

by David W-S on Jul 23, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

What a nightmare scenario for Affliction. They will likely salvage a decent card, but will still lose significant revenue they are depending on. Barnett may have a price tag on his head before all is said and done.

by CL on Jul 23, 2009 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Don Frye, Don Frye, Don Frye.

by DDT on Jul 23, 2009 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I like his style…stick to the plan

by McArthur on Jul 23, 2009 5:23 PM EDT reply actions

I think the other option here is to throw Jorge Santiago AND Vitor Belfort in against Fedor; that saves you loads of time on the match making problems and you just air one of the undercard fights on PPV to fill in the fight you’re missing. Perfect plan.

by O damn he got caught on Jul 23, 2009 5:23 PM EDT reply actions

Fedor via armbar/heel hook (similtaniously)

by McArthur on Jul 23, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

they should employ the Hart Foundation running clothes line

by McArthur on Jul 23, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Mac-

LOL. Your knowledge of old wrasslin moves can only be matched by PW.

by OJR on Jul 23, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

i could hang with big Mac, trust! :)

by SoCalStunNa on Jul 23, 2009 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Wasn’t it called the “Hart Attack”?

by attakdog on Jul 24, 2009 4:41 AM EDT up reply actions

How about the bushwackers’ battering ram? That one always cause MAJOR damage!

by Buster Bluth on Jul 24, 2009 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Nah Doomsday Device, that one broke Henry Godwins neck!

by attakdog on Jul 24, 2009 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions

A double gogoplata would be awesome..

by johan-lofgren on Jul 23, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Fuck it lets just throw in a wild bear against fedor

by Colin on Jul 23, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Deweeeeee

by O damn he got caught on Jul 23, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

lol there are 8 comments but I only see 4. mania is about to write the Don Frye quote!
mania, u gonna get back to me about 101?

by kevin on Jul 23, 2009 5:26 PM EDT reply actions

Barnett really fucked us all. I gave him no chance, but there is no viable solution on 9 days notice!

by kevin on Jul 23, 2009 5:26 PM EDT reply actions

Don Frye is the answer AND the question buddy…

by McArthur on Jul 23, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, thats it! I laughed when I read the quote!

by kevin on Jul 23, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

keep belfot and santiago on the card and give the fight to monson!!!!! i mean no one on the planet wants this fight more then monson… there may be a big gap in skills but monson is one hell of a ground fighter.. takedowns suck or i think monson could make it a good fight via lay n pray.. in the end fedor by brutal GNP…. GIVE THE FIGHT TO MONSON!!!!!!

also…. RIP AFFLICTION!!!! fedor to japan w/m1

by KrazyHorse2 on Jul 23, 2009 5:27 PM EDT reply actions

If it’s not going to be Bitor, and I hope it’s not. They should tell him so he can cut weight

Right now I think that they are trying to get Rogers for the fight and Vitor and Monson are the Backup options

by Oded Helman on Jul 23, 2009 5:34 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed, Belfort makes no sense, Rogers is the one, the only one, Affliction should pay him and strkeforce crazy money to do it…….

by Robert(1) on Jul 23, 2009 5:51 PM EDT reply actions

Rogers is an idiot. He’ll never see another half-million dollar pay-day like this in his life, and he has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Unless Strikeforce isn’t allowing him to fight Fedor he would be crazy not to. Werdum will exposem him if Fedor doesn’t.

by Jeremyjackson on Jul 23, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think Roger’s had any say in the matter. Although, I still think he is an id*ot. Know what I’m sayin. ;-)

by BNF on Jul 23, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I heard strikeforce said no way to him and werdum!

by kevin on Jul 23, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it’s Strikeforce who doesn’t want to loan their fighters JJ.They did a lots of publicity for Affliction in their few last shows b/c of the possibilities of a great partnership with Affliction.But now with the loom of been the last show and the fact that Strikeforce need all of their HW roster right now + with a show 2 weeks later…I don’t see what Strikeforce,would gain from this situation!

by Alpha Male 360 on Jul 23, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions

OK, I read somewhere that he turned down the offer and wanted more money, etc. If Strikeforce was the only party that had a say in the matter then I retract my statement that he is an idiot. I will not retract my sentiment that Rogers sucks, however.

;-)

by Jeremyjackson on Jul 23, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

lol,strange what a fight can do,huh?1 day he was a “can” and the next…he’s title fight material.

by Alpha Male 360 on Jul 23, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions

JJ how can he suck? he is undefeated and KO’d AA in seconds and i was told that AA was still in his prime to not be dis’n on fedor for beating him he(aa) was legit!! i guess because the grim isnt the almighty fedor it’s different

by TheDragon on Jul 23, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Right, because Fedor’s and Rogers’ careers are totally comparable at the moment. My mistake.

shakes head sadly and donates dollar to brain injury charity

by Jeremyjackson on Jul 23, 2009 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Rogers has ONE victory against a ranked opponent, and that victory was a colossal upset. When Rogers has headlined a dozen PPVs and beat a who’s-who of what was the best HW division in the world, we can start making comparisons. Unfortunately that comparison will remain impossible, because Rogers won’t even make it through Werdum.

by Jeremyjackson on Jul 23, 2009 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

seriously just give him a washed up ufc ex champ some one with a suspect chin!! how about chuck lidell , he will go down easy as of late and it would be another “UFC ex-champ” fedor can claim victory over. Not to metion it would be a big enough name to save the ppv!! we know that won’t happen , the ufc won’t let go of chuckie but hey all you fedor lovers can dream huh?

by TheDragon on Jul 23, 2009 5:53 PM EDT reply actions

I am sure that there is a scientific name that applies to you.

Until brain specialists apply one, I will go with a simple layman’s term :

FOCKTARD.

by OJR on Jul 23, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

ha!

by Nokimono on Jul 23, 2009 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the word is “Troll” OJR

by attakdog on Jul 24, 2009 4:43 AM EDT up reply actions

i was opposed to it at first, but i would actually like to see fedor fight vitor. vitor probably matches up the best against him of available fighters. i know he is smaller but fedor has already beaten a lot of larger opponents with his speed. id like to see him face someone with quicker hands.

by COR on Jul 23, 2009 5:58 PM EDT reply actions

Yea but thats the problem; Vitor is smaller and normally fighting at MW now a days, if Fedor wins, no ones gonna care, if he loses then all the haters are gonna jump all over this..

by O damn he got caught on Jul 23, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

That was my first thought about this fight too, OD. In terms of being a meaningful fight for Fedor – not so much. I still think it will be exciting, though. Belfort’s hands are dangerous for anybody.

by Jeremyjackson on Jul 23, 2009 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Jorge will be beat Vitor . I’ll Put the house on it . Jorge is on like a 10 Fight win Streak. He’s on a huge terror.

Who ever thought Vitor vs Fedor ( #1HW in the World )
Made anysense is RETARDED.. eveyone says how fedor is the best the world and no one can beat him . so lets put him agianst a heavy weight .. YEAH THATS LEGIT. lets put MW vitor belfor OVER guys like Monson , Rogers , Werdum , even Double A rematch . NOT VITOR !

by 36chamberz on Jul 23, 2009 6:09 PM EDT reply actions

fedor vs monson, not even interesting

fedor vs rogers, id really like to see rogers fight him down the road, fully prepared.

fedor vs werdum, maybe, since he should have started training already. of the available hw, he is the best option.

fedor vs double A, arlovski needs at least a couple months to recover from 2 vicious knockouts.

fedor vs vitor, fedor has already proven he can knockout larger slower hw. lets see how he fares against someone that hits hard with quick hands. maybe it will expose a chink in his armor. if vitor now weighs 205, fedor will only out weigh him by 20lbs come fight night.

by COR on Jul 23, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I keep checking back every half hour hoping to see a replacement named. I can’t even come up with a name but know I’m not happy about Monson. Strikeforce won’t let their guys, AA is still on med suspencion, not really anyone out there. This is what Barnett will forever be remembered for, nothing he has ever done in the cage.

by theCloser on Jul 23, 2009 7:05 PM EDT reply actions

what bugs me is the fact that he is ranked so highly and thought to be so great when truth be told he really hasn’t beat anyone worth a crap , with the exception of a few!! Would bisping have been consider the greatest middleweight had he beaten 12 more cans in a row instead of fighting a legit guy in hendo??? NO it would have been oh he sucks he hasn’t beat anyone , i bet had this happened and he had a 30-0 record he would be ranked #1 in his weightclass too! just a matter of time before the real top HW get to fedor and crush him

by TheDragon on Jul 23, 2009 9:30 PM EDT reply actions

Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Keep writing this sh!t fakedragon for long enough, one day you might start to actually convince yourself it’s true, coz no-one else on here is buying it.