We have been hit with the news that Josh Barnett has tested positive for steroids and is out of next Sundays main event against Russian Heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko. Most annoying for me because I was really looking forward to it. This leaves the Affliction promotion with a massive problem to fill a main event in 9 days.

The current suggested solutions are for Vitor Belfort to step up from middleweight and face the seemingly unbeatable Russian or, for ex WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley to make a massive step up in class to face the WAMMA champ. I am not a huge fan of the first option as Belfort gives up some size and has been beaten by bigger men before. The second option would be entertaining and may be the better solution but I have a feeling that Lashley won’t be keen.

I have an alternative that may be laughed at by most, but the end game sees Emelianenko fighting in the Octagon by year end.

Dana White places a call to Randy Couture who is training for his upcoming UFC 102 fight with Nogueira. Gives him a 1-fight blessing to face Emelianenko in a match outside of the UFC next weekend. Randy will still be contracted to the UFC but fight a 1 off only deal for Affliction. The caveat is that Emelianenko will be required to sign a 2 – 3 fight deal with the UFC after the completion of this fight setting up a range of possible super fights in the upcoming 18 months.

I know this sounds stupid at first and would involve a lot of trust and cooperation on both sides (yes unlikely also), but if it happened both parties would be getting something out of it and we, the mixed martial arts fan would get to see some heavyweight fights we have all been dreaming of.

Have stranger things happened?

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