Yesterday, Josh Barnett was denied the renewal of his license due to testing positive for banned substance. This is not good news for Affliction. Who wants to step in the ring with Fedor on a 10 day notice?
Who does Affliction have in there stables of fighter to step in for Barnett? Rumor has it that could beVitor Belfortor, Bobby Lashley or Brett Rogers. Vitor would have to step up two weight classes in 10 days to take the fight. Lashley said “I don’t know if I want that right now. That would be something I would really have to take a look at. To jump in there probably wouldn’t be the smartest thing for me right now”.
Brett Roger’s agent said “To fight Fedor on a 10 days notice is something Brett would entertain. A lot of stars would have to align but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities.”
The fight with Fedror will go on but nothing has been confirmed about a replacement. I would like see Fedor fight but not like this. Anyone stepping into the ring with Fedor needs time to train, time to study him and come up with a game plan. Other wise we all know what will happen.
Who would you like to see replace Barnett? leave a comment
Related posts:
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Tom Attencio, only fitting for the captain to go down with the the ship that is Affliction. Fedor to the UFC
[Reply]
MMA Punk Reply:
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:27 am
cblime Tom might have to go down after this one. I really don’t want to see fedor fight anyone else. This could spell the end of affliction. I would love to see Fedor in the UFC but I think it only a dream that will never come true.That sucks.
[Reply]
While I do not think any of these fighters will be fundamentally prepared to go toe to toe with Fedor in 10 days, I would have to lean towards Bobby Lashley. Yeah, most of you are going to disagree and most likely call me out, but in my eyes he is the closest thing to Josh Barnett in speed, size, agility and wrestling. Grant it his submissions are that of a newcomer, I think his size, strength and speed could give him an edge on keeping Fedor on his back and winning a decision if Bobby does not get caught with a night night punch first or one of Fedor’s calm yet pestilent submissions. Like I mentioned most of you guys are probably like WHAT with my decision, but if you remember Ultimate Chaos, Bobby Lashley man handled Bob Sapp. That is a huge piece of meat and to be able to outpower a silver back gorilla like Sapp, I think Lashley is strong enough to handle Fedor in some aspects. I guess it all comes down to confidence and determination. If Lashley were to step up to this challenge, like Brock he would be heavyweight champion in 5 fights. This is just my opinion.
PS- Great job Josh, glad to see you were focusing on Mr Olympia and not MMA. Illegal substances??? NEXT!!!
[Reply]
MMA Punk Reply:
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:35 am
Brendan I agree Bobby lashley would be a better fight then Vitor Belfort. I just don’t think Bobby will take this fight. He is not ready and he knows it. It looks like Vitor may be the one. He will have to move up two weight classes in 10 days to take this fight. That’s a lot of weight. I just don’t know who has the skills to step into the cage with Fedor thats isn’t in the UFC. I would love for Randy to step in but that will never happen.
[Reply]
Well James, I think if the price is right, Bobby will step in regardless of his preparation. After all, you, Extreme John and I have talked countless times that if the price is right we would step into the ring with any fighter as well, lol! I guess all we can do is wait and be patient to hear from Attencio on who will step up to the plate and fulfill the huge realm being asked.
[Reply]
MMA Punk Reply:
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:26 am
Brendan If the price was right I would step in the ring with Fedor.Thats for sure.lol. Rumor has it that Affliction is offering $500,000 to whom ever steps into the cage with Fedor. I don’t want to see him fight anyone else. Don Frye offer to fight him. Does anyone want to see that? Randy just did a interview and stated he still wants Fedor and He is going to drop to 205 to try out Loyota Machida. I don’t know what he is thinking. You are right about Randy not going the distance with Fedor but you can never count Randy out.
[Reply]
In regards to Randy, while this would promote a huge PPV ranking, I am not sure Randy would be able to go the distance either. Randy is a legend, but he is deteriorating fast. Like Pulver, Randy is getting old and his body is not getting younger. Plus Randy likes to wear his opponents out, but how can you wear someone out that does not exert much stamina in the first place??? Fedor in every fight that I have watched is not aggressive by no means. He remains calm under pressure and seeks out mistakes that opponents make and capitalizes on them. Either way, whoever steps up to the challenge will not produce the same challenge for Fedor as Barnett would have.
[Reply]
Twitter: extremejohn
July 27, 2009 at 5:58 pm
As pissed as I was about this when it first occurred I have gotten over it, it’s better for the sport and the fans that it went down the way it did.
Im ready to take on Fedor.
[Reply]
MMA Punk Reply:
July 28th, 2009 at 1:10 am
Extreme John I would pay money to see that. Affliction closing it’s doors only bring in more fighters and brings back some old school fighters that people want to see
[Reply]