NEW OPPONENT FOR FEDOR? BARNETT TESTS POSITIVE FOR BANNED SUBSTANCES
By Rea Frey

MMA Update

Russia’s Fedor Emelianenko was scheduled to defend his MMA world heavyweight title against former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett on a stacked card slated for August 1, 2009. But on a Wednesday conference call, things took an abrupt turn with the announcement that Barnett is most likely out of the fight for testing positive for banned substances. Urine samples were taken a month ago by the California State Athletic Commission, and the results just came back. Barnett is appealing this test, and the CSAC is currently checking the second sample. His license has been revoked pending a final determination, and for now, the card is moving ahead as scheduled, leaving Fedor with no opponent.

Tom Atencio, Vice President of Affliction Entertainment, handled the call today, answering questions about this news and what this means for the fight. “This has been a complete surprise to us,” he began. “Josh has taken further measures to appeal the results, and they are waiting for the results of the second sample. If it’s found positive, we will get a worthy opponent for Fedor. We are in negotiation periods with a few fighters. We will put on the best fight possible and make sure the fight is one of quality. This is one of the biggest cards in MMA history, and we will put on the best fights for the fans and for the public. I’m definitely moving ahead. I have to move ahead. If he’s cleared, then great, obviously. If not, I am getting the best opponent and I will make sure the fans are happy. I just need to get past this bump in the road.”

When asked who he was considering as an opponent, he said, “Right now, I’ve got three people I’m speaking with as possible opponents for Fedor. (He would not divulge if Vitor Belfort was one of the three in consideration.) Until I have a contract in hand, I’m not going to say anything to get anyone’s hopes up. Until you hear it from me, they’re all rumors. Until I get the contract, nothing’s done. There are a lot of fighters out there – I’m getting everyone under the sun. Every single name has been in the pot. At this point, I want to make sure I give a fight that is worthy of our event and for the fans.”

When asked if Fedor is open to fighting someone else, Atencio assured reporters that he was. “Fedor is open to fight anybody. He’s the number one champion fighter in the world for a reason. He’s not going to back down from anyone. Now, we’ve run into a little bit of a snag, as he was supposed to fight the number two opponent in the world, so we’re going back to the drawing board to finalize. I haven’t spoken to Josh. I did speak to his manager. They are appealing it. They’re making sure the second sample is being tested, and that’s just where we are at this point. If it comes back positive, that’s on him. It doesn’t affect me in any shape, way or form. Obviously, if he can’t fight for me, he can’t fight in my organization anymore. But, we’re working it out. This is business. This is life. You get lemons, you make lemonade. You hit bumps, you continue to move forward.”

Atencio concluded by saying that he can’t make everyone happy. “I’m going to figure out what the best match-up is for this fight. I put on quality fights and quality events. This card sells itself.”

In addition to Fedor and his questionable opponent, former UFC light heavyweight champion, Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort, Jay “The Thoroughbred” Hieron, Chris “The Polish Hammer” Horodecki, Mark “The Machine” Hominick, Renato “Babalu” Sobral and “Big” Ben Rothwell will also appear on this August 1, 2009 mega fight card.

In association with Golden Boy Promotions and Donald Trump, Jr., this show will be separated into two live broadcasts on the same night: a one-hour special will air on HDNet starting at 7:30 PM/ET (4:30 PM/PT), followed by the sensational Pay-Per-View event, "Trilogy," commencing at 9 PM/ET (6 PM/PT).