In an interview former Elite XC President and boxing promoter Gary Shaw did with Fight Hub TV, he explained the negotiations they went through during his tenure in Elite XC to acquire Fedor’s skills:

“I did try several times to get Fedor to come to EliteXC, but the numbers they were asking, there’s no fighter who was worth that. I wasn’t willing to meet their demands. I thought M-1 was very difficult to deal with. It wasn’t only Fedor. They wanted to be the co-promoters and the managers and they wanted you to put on so many Russian fighters of theirs on every show. Nobody’s worth that price. Maybe if Fedor would have had the right management from the beginning, he might have been in the UFC and been a huge star.”

Fedor was trying to be matched against Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva to fight for the Heavyweight Title, but Fedor instead went to Affliction in that era, while Silva went to Japan and then Strikeforce, where Fedor soon followed. Had Fedor and his management been able to reach an agreement with M-1, who knows what could have happened back in that distant year of 2008!

Coming up in a few weeks, TIm Sylvia returns to competition as he takes on “The Headhunter” Paul Buentello at “War on the Mainland“. We got an exclusive interview with the former UFC heavyweight champion as he prepares for this showdown that was years in the making!

When last we spoke to Big Tim… well, last time I did not speak with Tim, Bauzen did on my behalf and I showed up at the end to have a staredown with him. Now that it is months after Moosin and I have my voice back to do an interview, Tim and I discuss how he is training for this fight, as well as what he thought of his and Mariusz’s performance at the Moosin event (which I have a huge photo gallery of here).

We also talk about the heavyweight rankings and why Tim says that Fedor is still on top of the ladder, despite losing to Fabricio Werdum a few weeks ago in Strikeforce, then we get nerdy and talk some video games!

The Fight Nerd hits Selden, NY to visit Carl Kern at the “Fighter Warehouse,” a part of the successful franchise that originated in Florida. We get a tour of the store from the owner and get some insight on his reasons for starting the store, MMA in NY and why you should make a trip to the store in person!

The Fight Nerd caught up with Erik Paulson, head trainer at CSW and former Shooto Light Heavyweight Champion, during a seminar at Progressive Martial Arts in Queens, NY, and talks about the disappointment in Affliction’s Josh Barnett vs Fedor Emelianeko fight not happening, traditional martial arts, Brock Lesnar’s post-fight antics at UFC 100, what is lacking with todays fighters, and if he will return inside the ring to fight once more.

Bas Rutten talks with The Fight Nerd from this excerpt of the 8/4/2009 edition of Fight Nerd Radio. Bas confirms his participation in the new EA MMA video game, tells us some stories from the good ole days at Pride FC, gives his thoughts on steroids in MMA and what he thinks of Kimbo being on season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter.

Fight Nerd Radio 8/4/09 – with Bas Rutten!

Fight Nerd Radio

Fight Nerd Radio returns with a quick discussion of the NY MMA Expo, the aftermath of Afflictions contracts and where Fedor is headed, and Sengoku Ninth Battle.
Bas Rutten joins us to talk about some current events and his many pursuits in acting, video games, tv, exercise equipment and what he does when he finds spare time! Plus his world famous ScarFace impression!
After that quick UFC 101 and WEC 42 predictions!

Warren Piece of Newyorkfightscene.com has posted the first official statement from Josh Barnett’s representatives in regards to his positive test for steroids. Warren also makes a good note in his post, adding, ” What if banned substance allegations were not the reason for Josh’s inability to fight on August 1st? What if, instead, he had broken his leg in training? Would Affliction still have been so quick to fold the entire event and company ?”

Through his representatives, Josh Barnett has released the following statement:

The media has reported that Mixed Martial Arts Heavyweight fighter Josh Barnett would not be eligible to fight Fedor Emelianenko at Affliction Trilogy as he was denied his California license due to an alleged positive test for 2α-methyl-5α-androstan-3α-ol-17-one, which is purportedly a metabolite of a banned substance. Mr. Barnett was shocked at these allegations and was extremely disappointed to learn that Affliction had made the hasty decision to cancel the August 1st event in its entirety. Mr. Barnett vehemently denies intentionally ingesting any banned substances in preparation for the August 1st fight and he is looking forward to presenting his case to the California State Athletic Commission.
In the meantime, Mr. Barnett has yet to learn of the results of the B sample testing and he has not received any of the documentation that provides further details of the alleged positive sample despite numerous requests. In fact, the documentation that Mr. Barnett has received raises serious questions about the integrity of the sample and the validity of the results themselves.
At this time Mr. Barnett would like to thank his fans and colleagues for their ongoing support and faith in him. He intends to vigorously defend himself against these allegations and hopes for a swift resolution to this matter so he can get back to what he does best, fighting!

Fight Nerd Radio – 7/20/09- with Ben Rothwell & Jay Hieron

Fight Nerd Radio

On this edition of Fight Nerd Radio, we talk about the DREAM 10 Welterweight Grand Prix tournament as well as some the fun at the Carano vs Cyborg NYC Press conference, plus we wrap up UFC 100 once and for all.
Joining us on the show are Ben Rothwell and Jay Hieron, both of who are fighting on the Affliction Trilogy card against Chase Gormley and Paul “Semtex” Daley respectively. Ben has some choice words for Brett Rogers and lets us in on his comic nerdiness and his new passion for gardening, while Jay talks about muscle cars and sets the record straight on “greenlighting.”

Fight Nerd correspondent, Conner Cordova, caught up with “The Monster” Kevin Randleman to talk about his history in the sport of MMA, bullies, Mark Coleman, his motivation to fight and many more things, and after all that gives Conner the ride of his life!

Fight Nerd Radio 4- with Dan “The Upgrade” Lauzon

Fight Nerd Radio

Fight Nerd Radio returns with co-host Brian Last to try to make sense of the slow news week as it is the calm before the storm of UFC 100. We discuss old school UFC, Chuck Liddell’s recent announcement, Tito Ortiz’s alleged future plans and Zuffa once again banning people, now their new rival who was once a sponsor, Electronic Arts.
Special guest is Dan “The Upgrade” Lauzon who is fighting Chris Horodecki on the Affliction: Trilogy show on August 1. Dan talks about preparing for the fight, his last controversial fight at Affliction 2, who he wants to fight next and his falling out with his brother, Joe Lauzon. For more MMA news, check out thefightnerd.com!