Josh Barnett vs Pedro Rizzo at Affliction: Banned

Josh Barnett announced on MMAWeekly’s Monday night radio program that he will be joining Fedor Emelianenko and Tim Sylvia on the fight card for Affliction’s upcoming debut event set for July 19th.

His opponent will be UFC veteran and one of the most vicious leg kickers in all of MMA, Pedro "The Rock" Rizzo. Rizzo is currently back on the winning track winning his last two in a row and recently capturing the UAFC heavyweight title after defeating Jeff Monson at Art of War 3: USA vs Brazil in September 2007.

"The Babyface Assassin" is ranked top ten in the world as a heavyweight and recently returned to action after a 13 month hiatus to defeat Hidehiko Yoshida at World Victory Road: Sengoku "First Battle" back on March 5th.

This will be second time Barnett and Rizzo meet inside the cage since February of 2001. Barnett can’t wait to possibly settle the score with the man who knocked him out back at UFC 30: Battle on the Boardwalk with a solid right hand.

“I said after he knocked me out with one of those really nice, well put together Pedro Rizzo right hands, I stood right there for the challenge and said you know what, I’m going to come back here, I’m going to fight him again and next time I’m knocking his ass out,” said Barnett about the match-up with Rizzo. “So I’ve got to make good on my promises and I’ve got to stick to my word.”

Barnett is excited about the rematch but must first focus on his upcoming fight against Jeff Monson at World Victory Road: Sengoku 2 on May 18.

It was recently revealed that Affliction’s debut event will be appropriately be named "Banned" because of the UFC’s ban on Affliction clothing. The event, which was originally scheduled to take place at Mark Cuban’s American Airlines Center in Dallas, now looks like it might be moving to "The Pond" in Anaheim, CA.

Other big name heavyweights are rumored to be appearing on the card as well but nothing is confirmed. If this show pans out, it definitely has the potential to be one of the biggest shows in 2008.

Source: www.redsweat.com