As if Tuesday did not have enough crazy news, Sherdog is now reporting that “Affliction Entertainment and M-1 Global are looking for a new opponent to face Fedor Emelianenko at Affliction ‘Trilogy’ on Aug. 1 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.”
Apparently the California State Athletic Commission will not license Josh Barnett after a positive test result according to the report. The CSAC said a comprehensive statement would be issued Wednesday.
Barnett said he had not heard any news regarding his eligibility and stated, “I took my test three weeks ago. I would have thought I would have heard something by now.”
Unquestionably this would be a huge disappointment for the fighters and fans alike. Barnett has been thought of for quite some time as having the type of style that could pose problems for the champ.
Vitor Belfort and Bobby Lashley were named as possible replacements for Barnett. Stay tuned to PRO MMA (promma.info) for more on this developing story. There is a media conference call scheduled on Wednesday with Affliction. We will know more after that.