Affliction's third show looks ready to go

Here we go again. 

Fanhouse is reporting that Fedor Emelianenko and Josh Barnett have verbally agreed to fight on August 1st in Anaheim, California. 

The potential fight between the two former Pride stars has been the source of much rumor and speculation. Despite this announcement cynics aren't sold. As Zach Arnold points out, nothing is in paper and until there is a contract signed we may be getting our hopes up. 

There is currently no word on what the rest of the fight card will look like.

The Fedor-Barnett fight was long expected to be the main event of Affliction's third event. Fedor (30-1), the former Pride heavyweight champ, has been in the main event in both of Affliction's previous events. Since entering Affliction, Fedor has knocked out two former UFC heavyweight champs in the first round and has been crowned the WAMMA heavyweight champion. 

Josh Barnett (24-5) also fought twice for Affliction. Barnett avenged a loss against Pedro Rizzo at Affliction: Banned and followed that win with a third round submission victory over Gilbert Yvel. 

Affliction has made one shrewd decision and that is the date of their card. While some may see a show in August as a mistake-- since the UFC is scheduled to hold two events in August (UFC 101 on the 8th and UFC 102 on the 29th)-- I don't subscribe to that argument. The fact that Affliction has been counter programmed in each of their previous events means they should expect a counter by the UFC. By holding the event at a point where the UFC has several cards filled, Affliction effectively ties Zuffa's hands.

Though one can never predict what Dana White will do.