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29/09/08 - Exclusive: Aleksander calling for Barnett rematch at Affliction
Aleksander Emelianenko is calling for Josh Barnett to be his opponent when he fights for Affliction in January.
The Russian heavyweight spoke to Fighters Only on Saturday when he appeared in Nottingham for the UK leg of the M-1 Challenge tour.
Asked by Fighters Only editor-in-chief Ian ‘The Machine’ Freeman who he wanted to fight next, the Russian heavyweight said: “There is only one choice... Josh Barnett.”
Emelianenko and Barnett have some history, as they have fought each other once before in a PRIDE FC event that took place in 2006.
At first it was Emelianenko that had the edge as he pummelled Barnett around the ring, but the American was eventually able to force the fight to the floor and obtain a keylock submission.
Since then, Emelianenko has suggested several times in interviews that Barnett has ducked a rematch with him.
In a behind-the-scenes video released after Affliction: Banned earlier this year, Barnett is seen telling Emelianenko in a dressing room that he is “not scared” to fight him and has never ducked a rematch.
Affliction was due to stage its second event – Day of Reckoning - in Las Vegas next month but it has been rescheduled it for January 2009.
John Joe O’Regan
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