Pedro Rizzo vs Josh Barnett in Affliction debut

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Rizzo Says Barnett Bout Set for California

Rizzo Says Barnett Bout Set for California
by Gleidson Venga

Pedro Rizzo has confirmed to Sherdog.com that he will fight Josh Barnett in the debut edition of the Affliction promotion July 19 in California.

The bout is expected to take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Originally the show, which will be headlined by Fedor Emelianenko against Tim Sylvia, was scheduled for Dallas.

On Monday, Barnett informed MMAWeekly that the Rizzo fight was "pretty much" a done deal.

"I knew about this fight for some time, but was hoping to disclose it," Rizzo told Sherdog.com. "I was hoping to face him due to the fact that he is one of the top five heavyweights, a very tough guy. This is my chance to return to the top, and I will seize it the best way."

Rizzo is already training for the fight. With the support of the coaches and athletes at Ruas Vale Tudo and Nova União, the former UFC heavyweight title challenger expects to be in great shape.

"I was training all the time and relaxed last week," he said. "This Monday I came back, and now there are 11 weeks to the fight. I think it's the perfect time to get well technically, get in order and make a great fight."

The fight will be a rematch of a February 2001 meeting in the UFC. In an electrifying bout, the Brazilian won by knockout in the third round. He expects an even tougher fight in July.

"I think this fight should be better than that," Rizzo said. "Our fight was seven years ago and was very good. Today Josh is a much better fighter than at that time, as am I. I think the public can expect a big fight again."

Good fight IMO.

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Epic KO. Wouldn't mind seeing it again.

Rizzo has some left in the tank, finishing Monson. Barnett didn't look all that impressive in his last fight coming back from a lay off. An upset here wouldn't surprise me.