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[SkinsFanLarry]

Josh Barnett out of Fedor Emelianenko fight


The heavyweight main event between Fedor Emelianenko and Josh Barnett scheduled to take place Aug. 1 at Affliction 3 “Trilogy” in Anaheim, California has been canceled.

Affliction VP Tom Atencio has confirmed to FanHouse that Barnett tested positive for a banned substance and will not be licensed to fight.
The card will go on and Affliction will find a new opponent for Fedor.

Sherdog.com first reported Tuesday evening that Barnett would not be licensed by the California State Athletic Commission due to a positive test.

Barnett has already claimed innocence, telling Sherdog.com, “No matter what happens with this, I can assure you I will clear my name. This will not be something that I am defined by.”

Barnett's name has been tied to failed drug tests before, when he tested positive for an anabolic steroid following his title win over Randy Couture at UFC 36 in March 2002. Barnett became the youngest UFC heavyweight champion ever but never had the chance to defend his belt due to the positive test and a contract dispute.

Vitor Belfort, who is currently scheduled to face Jorge Santiago in a middleweight bout, is a possible replacement to move up to heavyweight to fight Fedor.

Both Affliction and the commission are expected to make separate statements later today.

 

[Gordy]

Dude they should have him fight brock!!! ive been wanting to see fedor loose for years now

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

In my opinion, Fedor would destroy Lesnar....he's not ready for someone of Fedor's talent and experience!

 

[gibbleguts]

I don't think any one will destroy Lesnar for quite a bit. Not that I think he is unbeatable but his power and size give him a lot of control in the ring. One other thing to consider on his lack of experience is that very few fighter have had the money to spend all their time with all the best coaches. He gains experience faster then most just due to the money he throw at training. My money would be on Brock.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

Mirko Cro Cop had this to say about Lesnar....

“I must point out that his victory is a defeat for the sport as such. Don’t get me wrong, Lesnar is a fearsome and very dangerous opponent, but I am old school, I prefer skill and technique. This win was a defeat of martial skills. Much of what he achieved in the fight is a result of pure power… Of course, Lesnar has quality sparring partners, is an experienced wrestler and a man who learns very quickly. But he is yet to have a real struggle. He does not have many fights in his career and I would love to see how he would react to two or three good low kicks.”

 

[Angry Bill]

Barnett testing positive.. You think.. lol.. It's like saying Hulk Hogan never used steroids. hehe. Try and clear your name Josh, not gunna happen this time! And I actually like him as a fighter.

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

Well, the article did say it's not the first time it's happened to him!

 

[GoingPostal]

This basically seals the deal for Fedor going to the UFC. like it or not the UFC is the only place Fedor is gonna find big money fights. Lesnar is gonna be a big fight but both would have another fight to help build the hype and pay per view purchases. Keep Lesnar on his feet and he will be beat.

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

I don't know about you but I would still like to see a Fedor vs Couture fight!

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

Here's the latest from Barnett....

"Josh Barnett believed there would be no reason for any issues when he provided the California athletic commission with a urine sample on June 25, thinking it was not a random drug test, but a routine sample in order to receive his license to fight.

"Many of you are wondering what's happening," Barnett wrote in the early hours of Thursday morning on his MySpace blog. "What I can say is that when applying for my license, the CSAC asked for me to submit a urine sample for testing prior to granting my license as they do with everyone, I believe. It was not a random test. I had no reason to believe there would be any issues and went in to submit my sample at the earliest possible opportunity on June 25th. I never once thought there would be a problem."

But unfortunately for Barnett, he was the first-ever fighter selected for a random drug test by the California commission. Random drug tests are common through the Nevada state athletic commission, but never before in California.

The sample, tested at the World Anti-Doping Agency lab in UCLA, was announced Wednesday by the California athletic commission to have traces of 2a-methyl-5a-androstan-3a-ol-17-one, an anabolic steroid.

While Barnett did not specifically deny the use of performance-enhancing drugs in his statement, he said he plans to exercise his right to appeal the denial of his license.

"My representatives and I are working to gather as much info as possible and handle this situation as best as we can," Barnett continued. "I am embarrassed and want for nothing more than to resolve this issue and receive a license from the State of California as I have done many times already and for other states as well."

As FanHouse reported yesterday, a second sample provided on June 25 is currently being tested to validate the first positive test sample."

 

[daniyal]

Well I guess this was the straw that broke the camel's back. Now that Affliction's folded most of its fighters are out in the cold. Barnett will probably end up in Japan and Fedor looks like he'll end up there as well unless his agent and Dana can work something out which looks highly unlikely.

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

BARNETT'S SECOND SAMPLE POSITIVE FOR STEROIDS
Friday, July 31, 2009 - by Steven Marrocco - MMAWeekly.com

Bill Douglas, Assistant Executive Officer to the California State Athletic Commission, informed MMAWeekly.com on Friday that the second sample of Josh Barnett’s pre-fight drug test has come back positive.

Barnett gave two samples of his urine on June 25 as part of the commission’s licensing process for a scheduled fight with Fedor Emelianenko at Affliction “Trilogy” on Aug. 1.

Last Wednesday, CSAC announced that Barnett’s first sample had come back positive for 2a-methyl-5a-androstan-3a-ol-17-one, a compound of synthetic steroid Drostanolone. The commission refused to license him for the fight, effectively canceling it.

Both samples were tested by CSAC’s new testing facility at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) certified laboratory at UCLA.

In a press release issued Thursday night, Barnett’s manager, Shannon Hooper, claimed the commission had rebuffed several requests for the results of the second sample and vowed to challenge the results.

“Mr. Barnett vehemently denies intentionally ingesting any banned substances in preparation for the Aug. 1 fight and he is looking forward to presenting his case to the California State Athletic Commission,” wrote Hooper.

Douglas wrote he was unaware of any appeal activities being readied by Barnett or his representatives and the matter was not currently on the agenda at CSAC’s next meeting on Aug. 26 in Los Angeles.

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

SEVERAL FORMER AFFLICTION FIGHTERS SIGNED BY UFC
Friday, July 31, 2009 - by Ken Pishna - MMAWeekly.com

It has been one week since Affliction not only cancelled its third event, but also dissolved its mixed martial arts promotional division. With 26 fighters having planned to fight on Saturday at “Trilogy,” many of those fighters are now finding new homes.

UFC President Dana White, during a media teleconference on Friday, confirmed new homes for several fighters.

“(Former Affliction fighters) that we do have locked up right now, for sure, Vitor Belfort, Paul Daley, Ben Rothwell, Chase Gormley, Dan Lauzon, (Rafaelllo) Oliveira; and then guys going to the WEC, Javier Vazquez, LC Davis, Mark Hominick; and we’re in talks with all the other guys right now,” he said, reading off a roster of recent signings.

“I don’t want to say their names, but there are a lot of other guys we’re talking to and some guys that we’re not talking to,” he added, “But those are the guys that we have locked up.”

Pressed on Gegard Mousasi, who is currently obligated to Strikeforce, where he will challenge Renato “Babalu” Sobral for the Brazilian’s light heavyweight title on Aug. 15, White would only say of future negotiations with the Dutch-Armenian fighter, “It’s a possibility.”

Of the numerous other former Affliction fighters that have yet to sign elsewhere, White commented, “There are eight or nine (other) guys that we’re in talks with right now. I don’t like to talk about anything until deals are done.”

Two fighters that White confirmed a total lack of interest in were former UFC heavyweight champions Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia.

"No. I have no interest in either one of them right now."

 

[Gordy]

cro cop has faught some big dudes in his career... why not them fight..

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

Cro Cop and who, Fedor....Fedor already beat him.

 

[Gordy]

oh no i was talking about brock..

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

That would probably be a good fight, now that Cro Cop is back in the UFC.

 

[Gordy]

it might be like the cro cop and sap fight... low kick then straight left to the face..

 

[daniyal]

“(Former Affliction fighters) that we do have locked up right now, for sure, Vitor Belfort, Paul Daley, Ben Rothwell, Chase Gormley, Dan Lauzon, (Rafaelllo) Oliveira; and then guys going to the WEC, Javier Vazquez, LC Davis, Mark Hominick; and we’re in talks with all the other guys right now,” he said, reading off a roster of recent signings.

Vitor's back baby!!! Can't wait to see him at LHW the UFC LHW just got even more stacked. Love this signing I'm a huge Vitor Belfort fan and can't wait to see him back in the octagon. Rothwell and Gormley are great signings too add to that Tito's return I think we're in for a couple of great fights in the near future.

 

[daniyal]

it might be like the cro cop and sap fight... low kick then straight left to the face..

followed by the big man crying...