Thread: Josh Barnett vs Gilbert Yvel Affliction fight ‘confirmed’ for Jan. 24

What a craptastic matchup that I have zero intrest in watching.. thankfully I don't see it flying. NSAC refused to license Yvel after his past 'unsporting' actions, such as disqualifications for fighting dirty, and attacking a ref.

Josh Barnett to face Gilbert Yvel at "Affliction: Day of Reckoning"
by Dann Stupp on Dec 03, 2008 at 9:25 am ET

Former PRIDE fighter and 11-year mixed-martial-arts veteran Gilbert Yvel (35-12-1) has signed a three-fight deal with Affliction Entertainment and will debut against Josh Barnett (23-5) at the organization's Jan. 24 "Day of Reckoning" card.

The Yvel vs. Barnett fight is scheduled for the night's main card, which airs live on pay per view. A preliminary card airs on HDNet.

M-1, which has Yvel in its stable of fighters, today announced the fight.

Since a loss to Roman Zentsov at a May 2006 PRIDE event, Yvel has posted seven consecutive victories (all but one via knockout) while fighting throughout Europe and Asia. He most recently defeated Alexander Timonov (1-2) at a Nov. 21 M-1 event in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Yvel has fought some of the biggest names in the sport -- Wanderlei Silva (no-contest due to a groin kick), Dan Henderson (decision loss), Vitor Belfort (decision loss) and Cheick Kongo (TKO victory) -- but Barnett represents his biggest challenge in years.

Prior to "Day of Reckoning's" rescheduling from October to January, Barnett was expected to headline the event against Andrei Arlovski. However, with current WAMMA heavyweight title-holder Fedor Emelianenko able to fight at the January card with a healed hand injury, the Russian fighter instead got the main-event fight with Arlovski.

Barnett most recently fought at Affliction's debut event in July, and he defeated Pedro Rizzo with a second-round knockout. It was his third straight victory, and his fourth win in his past five fights.

Josh Barnett to face Gilbert Yvel at "Affliction: Day of Reckoning" | MMAjunkie.com

At the risk of getting flamed, I actually quite like Yvel. Ok he's done some stupid stuff but he's an exciting fighter, has been in with some of the best names in the sport and is meant to be a real nice guy out of the ring/cage. He also hits like a truck, try and find his fight against Scherner at Cage Rage, his gnp is brutal.

That being said, I see Barnett trading with him for a while before taking him down and getting some sort of foot/toe lock.

A good addition for Affliction imo.

I liked the Barnett v. Aleks option better.

I bet Barnett's going to want to stand for a while...a la Pedro Rizzo.

I can't believe that Yvel is still allowed to fight at all. I don't care what jurisdiction it's under, he should be banned from the sport of MMA permanently.

I think this might have to do with the EliteXC sale/situation. Fighters (see Brett Rogers) that many assumed would become free agents may not be. Still, pathetic on Affliction's part. Yvel has done too much to shame the sport to be on such a stage. Barnett needs real competition; I would have even preferred Timmy.

I was really hoping we were gonna see Aleks-Barnett. Yvel's stats page is one of the most entertaining to look at. Are there any other fighters with 3 DQ losses? I really can't believe they will give him a license. He does put on exciting fights. 35 wins, 35 stoppages. He's been padding his record with cans lately though. Regardless, it will be a good fight as long as Yvel doesn't cheat.

Loss Atte Backman DQ (KO'd the referee) FF 12 - Fight Festival 12 11/13/2004 1 0:35

Priceless.

Originally Posted by Drewplata

I think this might have to do with the EliteXC sale/situation. Fighters (see Brett Rogers) that many assumed would become free agents may not be. Still, pathetic on Affliction's part. Yvel has done too much to shame the sport to be on such a stage. Barnett needs real competition; I would have even preferred Timmy.

Agreed. I'd much rather see Barnett against Tim Sylvia, Fabricio Werdum, or even Ben Rothwell at this point. This fight against a guy that even many hardcore fans could care less about does nothing for Affliction.

M-1 Global flexing their muscle and getting a guy of theirs signed to Affliction due to Fedor's management influence.

Similar to the Aleks situation, it will be interesting to see if Gilbert is even licensed by the CSAC. If they license him after being denied by Nevada, it will play some interesting politics.

Originally Posted by Gygax

Agreed. I'd much rather see Barnett against Tim Sylvia, Fabricio Werdum, or even Ben Rothwell at this point. This fight against a guy that even many hardcore fans could care less about does nothing for Affliction.

M-1 Global flexing their muscle and getting a guy of theirs signed to Affliction due to Fedor's management influence.

Similar to the Aleks situation, it will be interesting to see if Gilbert is even licensed by the CSAC. If they license him after being denied by Nevada, it will play some interesting politics.

You know, I am going to sound really out of left field saying this.. but honestly, Josh loves pro wrestling. He makes good money at it. I would rather have Josh work a few matches in IGF and keep in shape until Affliction can give him better opponents, because if this becomes a habit (bad matchmaking), he is just wasting the better years of his career taking easy fights.

Originally Posted by AikaImmortal

You know, I am going to sound really out of left field saying this.. but honestly, Josh loves pro wrestling. He makes good money at it. I would rather have Josh work a few matches in IGF and keep in shape until Affliction can give him better opponents, because if this becomes a habit (bad matchmaking), he is just wasting the better years of his career taking easy fights.

That's not that far out at all. Josh does adore pro wrestling, the Japanese model to be specific. Let's face it, Josh loves almost everything about the Japanese culture and defending the name of catch wrestling in particular.

If he really had his choice (financially), he likely stick to WVR for MMA fights, ignore all the calls for him to fight Fedor and such, and wrestle in various Japanese promotions whenever he feels like.