Arlovski v. Barnett in WAMMA Elimination Fight; Winner Takes on Fedor for WAMMA Heavyweight Title

For Immediate Release

Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski v. Josh “The Babyfaced Assassin” Barnett

at Affliction: Day of Reckoning in Las Vegas on October 11, 2008

LOS ANGELES—Coming off a pair of explosive performances in their first appearance for Affliction, #4 WAMMA Ranked Heavyweight and former UFC ® Heavyweight Champion Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski (13-5) will take on #3 WAMMA Ranked Heavyweight and former UFC ® Heavyweight Champion Josh “The Babyfaced Assassin” Barnett (23-5) in a WAMMA Elimination fight at “Affliction: Day of Reckoning” on October 11, 2008 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. The winner will earn the right to face WAMMA World Heavyweight Champion Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko in his first title defense later this year.

Both fighters were impressive in victories at Affliction: Banned. Arlovski knocked out former IFL® titlist “Big” Ben Rothwell in the third round. Barnett avenged his only knockout loss with a second round KO of Pedro “The Rock” Rizzo.

“We couldn’t be more excited to see Andrei Arlovski and Josh Barnett faceoff for the right to take on Fedor for the WAMMA World Heavyweight Championship,” said WAMMA CEO Dave Szady. “In the spirit of crowning undisputed champions, we couldn’t be happier than to have two of the fighters who arguably deserve a shot at Fedor fighting it out for the chance to take on the champ.”

Tickets for Affliction “Day of Reckoning” go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9 and are available online at www.unlvtickets.com or by calling 702.739.FANS. Ticket prices range from $75 to $500. Arlovski vs. Barnett is available live on cable and satellite pay-per-view and closed circuit television.

The Oct. 11 card will feature 10 bouts, showcasing Affliction heavyweights Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski vs. former UFC heavyweight champ Josh Barnett. Arlovski and Barnett both participated in “Affliction Banned” held at the Honda Center July 19 in Anaheim, Cal. Competing in separate bouts, both fighters registered impressive wins over Ben Rothwell and Pedro Rizzo respectively, and will now face each other which could possibly set up a future showdown for the winner with Fedor Emelianenko, the recognized undisputed heavyweight champion of the sport. Both fighters are excited to be a part of Affliction “Day of Reckoning.”

“I am looking forward to a very exciting fight with Josh Barnett on the Oct. 11 Affliction show,” said Arlovski. “I was extremely pleased with my last performance and looking forward to giving fans another great fight.”

“Andrei is a very talented fighter with a lot of skill and heart,” said Barnett. “But fighting in Las Vegas in front of the most knowledgeable MMA fan base in the country will be a great motivator for me to train hard and give him the challenge of his career.”

Other fighters stepping into the ring that evening will include Matt Lindland, a native of Oregon City, Oregon, fighting against former UFC champ Vitor Belfort; International Fight League light heavyweight champion Vladimir Matyushenko taking on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira; and Las Vegas native Roy “Big Country” Nelson taking on Paul "The Headhunter" Buentello.

A complete list of bouts on the card for Affliction “Day of Reckoning” will be announced at a later date.

WAMMA

WAMMA is a multifaceted fighter and fan forward organization dedicated to leading the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) to unprecedented levels of integrity, legitimacy and prosperity. With the help of forward-looking MMA promotions, WAMMA has created an environment where fighters from all organizations have the opportunity to openly compete to be the one true, undisputed champion in their respective weight classes based on WAMMA's objective MMA Rankings. WAMMA’s newly created Fighter Advisory Board, co-chaired by MMA legend Randy "The Natural" Couture and world renowned trainer and five-time UFC champion Pat Miletich, will offer a unique resource for fighters.

Affliction

Already a mainstay for the most elite athletes, heaviest bands, A-listers and the fashion conscious, Affliction Clothing’s ability to set the bar high in fashion is evident in its collection’s indulgence of style and design, focus on quality, and its trademark series of divinely executed, dark and powerful themes. (www.afflictionclothing.com)