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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, July 24, 2009

MMA: Affliction show canceled after Barnett’s ban


Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — A major mixed martial arts show scheduled for Aug. 1 in Anaheim has been canceled because a suitable replacement could not be found for Josh Barnett.

Barnett tested positive for steroids last month. He had been set to fight Fedor Emelianenko, a Russian heavyweight often considered the world’s top mixed martial artist.
This was to have been the main event of “Affliction: Trilogy” at the Honda Center. Affliction is a fledgling promotional company with just two major shows on its resume and didn’t have enough time to find an appropriate opponent.
Barnett was denied a license by the California State Athletic Commission on Wednesday after failing his drug test last month.