This hasn't been widely reported due to the rumor being posted on the M-1 Global website and the translation barrier, but it definitely has some legs with Affliction looking for a way to bring some big money their way. With Josh Barnett and Fedor Emelianenko under the same banner, this fight makes the most sense and is in line with Fedor's management stated he would take on a "top 10" fighter:
According to initial reports, the long-awaited match between WAMMA Heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko of Russia and American fighter Josh Barnett will be held on the third event of M-1 Global & Affliction, which is scheduled for early August this year," a news item on the site states today.
We'll need some confirmation from Affliction as we all know that past rumors haven't panned out before. If the matchup is actually signed, we will finally see the matchup that many hardcore fans have been clamoring for ever since both fighter's dominance in PRIDE. Ariel Helwani is already reporting that nothing has been finalized, and Josh Barnett's camp has stated he hasn't been offered the matchup yet, but Nightmare of Battle is reporting that there was a mistranslation of the Silva vs. Barnett rumors.
I'm not too keen on believing Josh Barnett can topple the all-powerful Fedor Emelianenko, but I'm definitely excited to see what Josh Barnett plans to do against such a dominating and well-rounded combatant in Fedor. Barnett's performance against Gilbert Yvel didn't exactly exude confidence to the fanbase that he could beat Fedor, and Fedor's recent destructive victories over Andrei Arvloski and Tim Sylvia.
Within the same piece on the M-1 site, there are rumors of Affliction potentially co-promoting an event with a Japanese promotion for New Year's Eve. We'll see if they can make it that far. It makes sense considering Fedor wants to fight in Japan, and I'm sure one of the Japanese promotions will float Affliction some much needed money for his services.
