Ever since the fold of Affliction, mixed martial arts fans have been wondering if the bout between #1 ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko (31-1) and top five contender Josh Barnett (24-5) would ever take place. Sources close to DREAM have informed MMA R**** that Barnett will sign with DREAM and that Strikeforce and M-1 will indeed cross promote with FEG to deliver the epic matchup weve all been waiting for.
The bout between Fedor and Barnett is tentatively scheduled for February of 2010, but no official date has been confirmed.
Hmmm... not so sure how I feel about this.
I mean, honestly... if Strikeforce wants to do a cross promotion fight with DREAM, then shit... work out Fedor vs. Overeem, which is what everyone, including myself, really wants to see.
Fedor vs. Barnett interested me once upon a time, but the more I think about it... the more I feel this would be a big mistake on Strikeforce's part to put this fight back on. Honestly, it makes the company look bad to put their biggest name against someone who needs to fight in Japan, because he failed a steroid test in the states last time he was schedule to fight. Seriously, doesn't that seem stupid to anyone else?
Also, while Barnett would be Fedor's toughest fight in quite some time, with so much time off and what not, I'm not so sure how he'll do. And I'd also be worried about Barnett trying to lay 'n pray on Fedor as well, which would suck.
But how do you feel? Is this a fight you want to see, no matter what the circumstances are, or do you agree with me that it's not such a good idea?