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So I'm guessing the main event will be Fedor vs a lucky raffle winner in the audience.
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and the saga continues! lol fedor is going to speak...
MMAWeekly has learned that Fedor Emelianenko will conduct a press conference in Moscow early Thursday morning for the Russian telecast of Affliction “Trilogy.” The press conference will be broadcast on Channel One, a state-run channel with the largest broadcast reach.
It’s all but certain Emelianenko will address the sudden removal of friend Josh Barnett from the card’s main event due to a positive test for steroids.
Steven Bash, Emelianenko’s translator and an American representative for Affliction partner M-1 Global, said the No. 1 ranked heavyweight was in transit from his camp in Stary Oskol to Russia and learned of the change this morning.
“He is fully aware of the latest developments,” said Bash.
Bash added that Emelianenko has yet to complete his pre-fight medicals for the event and is arriving in California early, possibly on Sunday, to submit necessary paperwork and tests.
So far, the leading candidate to face Emelianenko appears to be Vitor Belfort, who would vacate his main card slot against Jorge Santiago to headline against the heavier Russian.
According to Dave Meltzer of Yahoo! Sports, Affliction representatives are offering a $500,000 purse to the eventual replacement for Barnett.Comment
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according to sportsnet, vitor belfort's the new challengersigpicComment
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I actually dont mind the Vitor/Fedor fight, obviously not as good as Barnett/Fedor but I'll watch. Just the fact that its Fedor plus mma means I'll watch. The only bad thing imo is that it takes another good fight in vitor/jorge. Who will replace Vitor at MW agaisnt Santiago?Comment
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I'm still hoping Scott Coker can work something out, maybe let Werdum or Rogers fight and try and get a fight out of Fedor/Belfort/whoever else is with Affliction, I dont think this is done yetLiquidrob's Top 10 Fighters Rankings
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Interesting fight. Not as interesting as Fedor-Barnett.
Its very much a no-lose situation for Vitor. Much like BJ Penn moving up to face GSP, its an expected loss by most people. Moving up to face a HW that is generally regarded as the best in the world isn't really going to affect Vitor's standing at MW, not unless he looks ridiculously terrible. But if he should win.... that's a legacy-maker...Comment
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it was supposed to be a no lose situation for penn until he started making excuses and accused GSP of cheating, I then lost all respect for himsigpicComment
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nothing finalized of course but Strikeforce doesnt seem too keen on the idea.. seems like its belfort or bust...
Strikeforce Director of Communications Mike Afromowitz told MMAjunkie.com his organization's heavyweight fighters Fabricio Werdum and Brett Rogers will not be facing Fedor Emelianenko in the main event of "Affliction: Trilogy" on Aug. 1.
"It's safe to say neither Fabricio or Brett will be fighting on Aug. 1," Afromowitz said. "The plan is still for Fabricio to fight on Aug. 15, and we hope to have an opponent named soon.
"As for Brett, nothing is finalized, but he won't be fighting on Aug. 1."Comment
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I just hope it changes, would like to fedor face a HW, plus Coker is in Italy or some shit and he is always willing to work with other promotions, Werdum hasnr even fought for Strikeforce yet
like I said, go get Monson instead of Vitor at this point
or break up Yvel/Paul B. and let 1 of them get trashedLiquidrob's Top 10 Fighters Rankings
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Yvel/Buentello/Rothwell would all be my choice ahead of Vitor.Comment
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David Loiseau.
He's cleared his medicals, and is already licsensed. If Vitor gets the call, The Crow is in vs. Santiago.
Also, Daniel Puder was offered the Fedor spot, but was leaning against taking it. He's pretty much the last ditch effort at this point.
EDIT: Just saw this, figured I would post it...
By Dave Meltzer
Some notes regarding where things stand at the moment with the Affliction main event.
Josh Barnett has confirmed that he has talked to the commission and his license to fight was not approved. Contrary to original reports, Barnett said his June 25th drug test that came up positive was not part of California's new random out of competition testing. It was a test on a day Barnett himself chose as part of his licensing procedure in the state as his license had expired. He didn't want to give specifics because he is going to appeal, but made it clear there was no conspriacy against him, he knows what happened, and is looking to clear his name, but the timing of it is such that the fight with Fedor Emelianenko scheduled for 8/1 at the Honda Center is off.
The California State Athletic Commission had previously released that Barnett was the first person to take an out of competition drug test, saying he performed a test in front of a commission inspector and he was given 48 hours notice to show up for the test. The commission said Barnett was surprised by the call from the office but came the next day after the call and complied with the test.
At this moment, the leading candidate for the fight is Brett Rogers. The main hold-up is that Rogers is under contract to Strikeforce. Both Scott Coker and Showtime both have to approve of the fight. Coker is on vacation right now in Italy but is aware of what is going on. As of this moment, Showtime has not made a decision.
It appears the second choice is Vitor Belfort. Belfort has agreed to jump up two weight classes and take the fight. A name that has surfaced as a possible opponent for Jorge Santiago, who was to face Belfort, provided Belfort gets the spot, is David Loiseau. But there would likely be other names in the running for such a fight.
Accoding to American Top Team sources, Bobby Lashley has turned down the fight. Lashley was offered $500,000 for the fight, but their feeling is Lashley will be getting paydays like this in the future when he's ready, and at this stage of the game, Lashley, as a rookie in the sport, with no training camp and in ten days is not ready for Fedor. It's said that Affliction still believes it's not dead and that he would consider it with a stronger money offer. My impression is it's very unlikely to happen.
Daniel Puder, the former WWE Tough Enough winner, was also contacted earlier today regarding the fight but was strongly leaning against taking it.
The California State Athletic Commission has not made a statement other than a full report on what happened is expected to be released later today.Last edited by Warner2BruceTD; 07-22-2009, 10:59 PM.Comment
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We dont know if the 500k 'reward' is real or not, but if it is and Strikeforce doesnt let Brett go for it he is going to be pissed
He made 40k for the AA win
I bet there are UFC guys like Carwin, Gonzaga, etc..wanting to go for it for 500k and begging DanaLiquidrob's Top 10 Fighters Rankings
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You know, I hadnt thought of that, but Dana should offer up one of his mid level guys.
It's a no lose for Dana. If his guy wins, he becomes and instant star, and the next Brock challenger.
If his guy loses, it's no big deal, becsuse nobody thinks somebody like Antoni Hardonk can win anyway.Comment
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