Aleksander Emelianenko was not cleared by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) earlier today on the eve of his scheduled fight with Paul Buentello because he did not meet the mandatory medical licensing requirements.
Affliction MMA, which will stage its first-ever event dubbed "Banned" tomorrow at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., was left with the difficult task of finding a suitable opponent to replace the Russian on super short notice.
And MMAmania.com has learned that early UFC veteran and mixed martial arts journeyman Gary 'Big Daddy' Goodridge has answered the call.
Goodridge -- who was also an arm wrestling world champion in a prior life -- has dropped his last two bouts. In fact, he has lost three of his last five contests. However, he does have experience and some skills to make this fight interesting.
Let's just hope the 42-year-old has been training and isn't just being peeled off his couch.
UPDATE: The fight is now OFFICIAL ... Affliction confirmed the news in a recent press release.
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