Rumor: Lindland's opponent for the Affliction show is...

[Gygax]

Fabio Negao! Who is that you ask? No worry, that's what most are going to be asking. From Josh Gross at Sports Illustrated...

Of the forthcoming summer cards, few have generated as much curiosity as the bill promoted by Affliction, a premium clothing manufacturer whose skull-and-crossbones inspired designs are just as likely to be worn by ripped fighters as they are by fast-food-fueled wannabes.

Featuring a contingent of the sport's top heavyweights including Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Josh Barnett and Pedro Rizzo, the July 19 event is expected to exceed an unheard of $6 million in fighter purses, which, while being wonderful for the athletes involved, has led many to speculate how long the company can survive before finances dictate otherwise.

Though Affliction representatives remain tight lipped, discussion surrounding the card -- appropriately dubbed "Banned" after the UFC, and later EliteXC, prohibited fighters from wearing the clothing brand -- has escalated in recent weeks.

Among the group of handsomely compensated fighters, middleweight Matt Lindland (20-5) is perhaps the hungriest to compete. Early talk had the former UFC contender taking rematches against David Terrell or Murilo Bustamante.

However, SI.com learned Tuesday that the leading candidate to face the gangly wrestler is Brazilian middleweight Fabio Negao, owner of an 8-3 record. Splitting his last six bouts, Negao is coming off a loss in December to Rousimar Palhares, as well as two other defeats by Demian Maia (choke) and Ray Lazama (KO). South African middleweight Trevor Prangley had been discussed as a potential Lindland foe, but Affliction's decision to pit Lindland against Negao appears close to final.

When Lindland steps back into the cage this summer, it will have been 15 months since Emelianenko armbarred the Team Quest leader in less than three minutes in St. Petersburg, Russia. Turning 38 on May 17, Lindland has long been part of the discussion regarding 185-pound fighters who could challenge the division's best. Negao, despite a unanimous points victory over Roan Carneiro and the distinction of holding a BJJ black belt, doesn't seem to qualify.

With Lindland simply interested in fighting an opponent endowed with a strong pulse, the Brazilian will make do. Either way, fans of the pay-per-view card, which has recently been rumored to shift venues from Dallas to Anaheim, Calif., will probably happily shell out the money given the evening's main event: a showdown between the top heavyweight on the planet, Emelianenko (27-1, 1 NC), and former UFC champion Sylvia (24-4).

Also recently confirmed by both competitors, Barnett (21-5) and Rizzo (16-7) will meet in a rematch of an exciting 2001 contest that saw the Brazilian score an iconic knockout.

Quite the opponent for the Law.

[Crashsti]

Very disappointing. Lindland has consistently been mentioned as a real threat to current UFC champ Anderson Silva and here he is fighting someone we've never heard of.

[Gooner]

Yeah, too bad.
Barnett should avenge his loss rather easily as well, but the main event is definitely a must see fight.

[AikaImmortal]

I would rather see him fight Akebozo.

[Mulla]

Seems strange that they'd chose Negao over Prangley, Terrell or Bustamante.

Maybe they're trying to build Matt and give him an easier fight for his first event with them?

[T-Bone]

Originally Posted by Mulla

Seems strange that they'd chose Negao over Prangley, Terrell or Bustamante.

Maybe they're trying to build Matt and give him an easier fight for his first event with them?

I was thinking Terrell or Bustamante also. Lindland even mentioned them as possible opponents.

So who is this Negao guy? Has anyone seen him fight?

[Gygax]

The chances of Terrell ever being healthy enough to step in a cage/ring are so slim, I've given up almost all hope of seeing him compete again.