Jul 22 2009
Josh Barnett Out Of Affliction 3 Main Event
Late last night, rumors hit that Josh Barnett was out of his scheduled match against Fedor Emelianenko, which was the main event for Affliction’s August 1st show.
Today, it looks like those rumors are true.
Here’s what is known so far:
- It’s related to Barnett trying to renew his license in California.
- The California State Athletic Commission is supposed to make a report on exactly what happened today.
- The top three replacements are supposedly Brett Rogers, Bobby Lashley, and Vitor Belfort (who is scheduled to fight Jorge Santiago on the same show at 185). It looks like Lashley may have already pulled himself out of the running. And Rogers is under contract to Strikeforce so something would have to be worked out.
We will definitely know more later today and I will update this post when we find out.
Update: 2:45 PM Pacific
According to a press release from the CSAC, Josh Barnett failed for steroids. Here’s part of the press release below:
Barnett’s June 25 drug test came back positive for 2a-methyl-5a-androstan-3a-ol-17-one, an anabolic steroid. CSAC learned of the results July 21 and immediately denied a license for Barnett. CSAC also informed the promoter of Barnett’s August 1 bout against Fedor Emelianenko that the bout would not be approved.
2a-methyl-5a-androstan-3a-ol-17-one is Clostebol according to Bloodyelbow.com.
Update: 7/23/09 2:10 PM Pacific
Dave Meltzer says what Barnett failed for was Masteron, a steroid used for athletes cutting to get into a lower weight class and attempting to maintain as much strength as possible such as bodybuilders, powerlifters, and MMA fighters.
He also says in today’s F4W/Wrestling Observer update that it’s either going to be Brett Rogers or Vitor Belfort and Rogers’ wants it bad even though he hasn’t been training.
Lastly, he also posted this:
California announced Josh Barnett was not going to be suspended, he was just being denied a license to fight. That’s a key issue because not being on the suspended list would allow him to fight as long as another state would license him, and there would be no reason not to except if they asked him to test beforehand (which many states would) and he were to fail that test as well.
So, if Barnett wants to fight in the US, he can as long as another state would license him and he wouldn’t fail the test to get that license.
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What an idiot…
He beats Randy in 2001 and is put over as a big deal – then FAILS a test – so it’s tainted.
This’ll be the story of his life.
i honestly did’nt think he had a chance anyway. didnt anyone see that hong man choi match? or whatever his name is. fedor is just an unreal fighter. he’s fierce. i’d love to see him and lesnar. i think fedor can take him.
I think Barnett definitely had a chance, but it was more his style that might’ve given Fedor some troubles. But he really is Fedor, so I’d have picked him to win anyway.
What an idiot. Biggest fight of your career and you juice. Good job.
I hope they find a way to get Lashley in the ring. Would be interesting at the least. Otherwise just put him on a plane to Las Vegas and sign the UFC papers.
Barnett is a freaking idiot! I only hope that Attencio finds a good replacement (possibly Vitor) and that Fedor gets challenged in the fight. I don’t want to see another squash.
Squash is what we may get no matter who takes the fight unfortunately.
This fight will be The Road Warriors versus any no name tag team of the 80′s. If Fedor comes running down the ramp to the tune of “Iron Man” you can expect to see his opponent jump out of the cage. F you, Barnett.
What about Pedro Rizzo! Um, ok, back to the drawing board.
If Brett Rogers steps in, the card could be saved.
[...] all that worrying about who Fedor Emelianenko’s new opponent was going to bewhen Josh Barnett failed his steroid test, is for [...]