Andrei Arlovski

The California State Athletic Commission today released the official fighter salaries for Affliction: Day of Reckoning and Andrei Arlovski, who suffered a first-round knockout to Fedor Emelianenko in the evening’s main event, was the card’s top earner, taking home $1.5 million. Emelianenko officially earned $300,000 for the victory, though his salary assuredly exceeded Arlovski’s with undisclosed bonuses factored in.

“Day of Reckoning” took place on Saturday, January 24th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California and aired live on HDNet and pay-per-view.

Other top earners were Josh Barnett ($500,000), Matt Lindland ($225,000), and Vitor Belfort ($200,000).

The total disclosed payroll for the event was $3,308,000.

“Day of Reckoning” attracted a near-capacity crowd of 13,228 for a live gate that is expected to exceed $2 million.

The official salaries exclude some bonuses, taxes, fees, sponsor payments, and other miscellaneous payments and fees.

The event’s official salaries were:

• Fedor Emelianenko ($300,000 – no win bonus) def. Andre Arlovski ($1,500,000)
• Josh Barnett ($500,000 – no win bonus) def. Gilbert Yvel ($30,000)
• Vitor Belfort ($200,000 – includes $80,000 win bonus) def. Matt Lindland ($225,000)
• Renato “Babalu” Sobral ($90,000 – includes $30,000 win bonus) def. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou ($50,000)
• Paul Buentello ($90,000 – includes $20,000 win bonus) def. Kiril Sidelnikov ($10,000)
• Dan Lauzon ($12,000 – no win bonus) def. Bobby Green ($4,000)
• Jay Hieron ($45,000 – includes $25,000 win bonus) def. Jason High ($10,000)
• Antonio Rogerio Nogueira ($150,000 – includes $30,000 win bonus) def. Vladimir Matyushenko ($50,000)
• L.C. Davis ($14,000 – includes $7,000 win bonus) def. Bao Quach ($7,000)
• Albert Rios ($6,000 – includes $3,000 win bonus) def. Antonio Duarte ($3,000)
• Brett Cooper ($10,000 – includes $5,000 win bonus) def. Patrick Speight ($2,000)

Fedor Emelianenko

Top-ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko cemented his status as the sport’s best heavyweight on Saturday night in front of a capacity crowd of 13,228 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, rebounding from a sluggish start to score a first-round knockout of Andrei Arlovski in the main event of Affliction: Day of Reckoning.

Arlovski’s highly-touted boxing gave him the edge early as “The Pitbull” inflited damage with numerous punches and kicks in the opening minutes. However, his early success turned to over-confidence as Arlovski used a push kick to setup a flying knee midway through the frame. With his hands held low, Arlovski’s over-aggressiveness was the only opening Emelianenko needed, connecting with a right to Arlovski’s chin in midair that immediately collapsed the former UFC title-holder to the canvas at the 3:34 mark of the opening round.

“I feel great. I feel really good about it,” said Emelianenko following the win. “I want to thank God for my victory and thank everyone that was behind me. I really didn’t think I would knock him out but it happened. You don’t expect it to happen but it did.”

With the win, Emelianenko retained the WAMMA heavyweight title and improved his career record to 30-1, while Arlovski falls to 15-6 with the loss.

In other featured action, Josh Barnett forced a game Gilbert Yvel to tap out due to strikes in the third to secure a likely future matchup against Fedor, Vitor Belfort scored a chilling 37-second knockout of highly-regarded middleweight Matt Lindland that left “The Law” out cold on the canvas before eventually stumbling to his feet and heading to the hospital, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou continued his recent downfall with a second-round submission loss to Renato Sobral, Paul Buentello battered Kiril Sidelnikov en-route to a third-round doctor’s stoppage, and Dan Lauzon overcame a trio of groin shots to secure a late first-round submission of late replacement Bobby Green.

On the preliminary card, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira overcame a slow start to knockout Vladimir Matyuskenko late in the second round, Jay Hieron needed just 64-seconds to knockout Jason High in a swing following the evening’s main event, L.C. Davis rebounded from a first-round beatdown to top Bao Quach on the scorecards , Albert Rios scored a unanimous decision victory over Antonio Duarte, and Brett Cooper kicked off the evening with a second-round TKO of Patrick Speight.

The event’s official results were:

• Fedor Emelianenko (c) def. Andrei Arlovski via KO (punch) — Round 1, 3:34
  WAMMA Heavyweight Championship
• Josh Barnett def. Gilbert Yvel via submission (strikes) — Round 3, 3:05
• Vitor Belfort def. Matt Lindland via KO (punches) — Round 1, 0:37
• Renato Sobral def. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou via submission (anaconda choke) — Round 2, 2:36
• Paul Buentello def. Kiril Sidelnikov via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) — Round 3, 4:18
• Dan Lauzon def. Bobby Green via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 1, 4:55
• Antonio Rogerio Nogueira def. Vladimir Matyushenko via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:26
• Jay Hieron def. Jason High via KO (punches) — Round 1, 1:04
• L.C. Davis def. Bao Quach via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Albert Rios def. Antonio Duarte via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Brett Cooper def. Patrick Speight via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:10

For  blow-by-blow Affliction: Day of Reckoning results click here.

Golden Boy Promotions

During the HBO Boxing broadcast of Antonio Margarito vs. Shane Mosley on Saturday night commentator Larry Merchant remarked that Oscar De La Hoya was paid $5 million for his personal involvement in Affliction’s “Day of Reckoning”.

De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions was involved with both cards, which took place within 30-minutes of each other in southern California.

Fedor Emelianenko and Andrei Arlovski Weigh-In For Affliction Day of Reckoning

Welcome to MMAFrenzy.com’s live coverage of Affliction: Day of Reckoning, which takes place tonight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

The event is headlined by a heavyweight showdown between top-ranked heavyweight and current WAMMA title-holder Fedor Emelianenko and former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski. Josh Barnett vs. Gilbert Yvel, Vitor Belfort vs. Matt Lindland, and Renato “Babalu” Sobral vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou will also be featured on the eleven-bout card.

Join MMAFrenzy.com after the jump for live event results and play-by-play…

Affliction: Day of Reckoning Play-by-Play

PATRICK SPEIGHT VS. BRETT COOPER

Round 1 — There’s a sparse crowd in the stands for tonight’s opening bout. Both fighters start slow, with little finding its mark. An uppercut by Cooper sets up a solid combination but Speight answers with a kick to the body. Cooper has Speight backpedaling with a series of combinations. Speight shoots for a takedown but Cooper sprawls and ends up on top but quickly returns to his feet. Speight remains on his back and prevents Cooper from inflicting much damage before the round ends. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Cooper.

Round 2 — Left by Speight opens the second then Cooper counters, connecting with a jab and cross. Both fighters connect in the center of the ring to the pleasure of the growing crowd. Cooper hurts Speight with a combo and Speight pulls guard but Cooper keeps up the attack with ground and pound. Speight looking for a triangle choke from the bottom but he’s unsuccessful. Cooper backs away and a bloodied Speight follows. Cooper follows up a combination with a right uppercut that sends Speight to the canvas. Two more punches finish of Speight in the closing minute of the second round.

Brett Cooper def. Patrick Speight via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:10

ANTONIO DUARTE VS. ALBERT RIOS

Round 1 — Rios opens up with a jab and Duarte answers with a punches and a kick. Rios sets up a single leg with a left and eventually drags Duarte to the canvas. Rios working from Duarte’s guard briefly but returns to his feet. Duarte drops Rios with a right and they head back to the ground and fight for position. Back on their feet Duarte throws another power shot but it misses and Rios shoots in and eventualy gets the takedown. They again stand up and both attempt standing guillotines but are unsuccessful. Brief exchange between the fighters before the round concludes. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Duarte.

Round 2 – The fighters trade to open the second. Rios scores a takedown but they’re quickly back up.Rios presses forward with punches but Duarte answers with low kicks. Rios shoots and eventually gets Duarte to the ground. Rios transitions into side control but Duarte escapes back to his feet. Duarte misses and Rios capitalizes with a left and kick. Duarte forces Rios against the ropes with a combo but Rios escapes and retaliates. Another takedown atempt by Rios late in the round, but Duarte is able to remain on his feet. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Rios.

Round 3 — Hard right by Rios opens the final frame. Duarte unable to connect before Rios again connects with a punch and kick. An even series of strikes ensues as both fighters trade. Rios remains the aggressor, shooting for another takedown but Duarte sprawls to remain on his feet. Rios refuses to give up and continue to try to get Duarte to the canvas but he’s unsuccessful. Both fighters again trade punches and kicks to close out the bout. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Rios and the fight 29-28 Rios.

Albert Rios def. Antonio Duarte via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

L.C. DAVIS VS. BAO QUACH

Round 1 — Quach slips on a early low kick and Davis shoots for a takedown. Quach is able to remain standing but Davis presses him against the ropes and works to get him to the canvas. Davis backs away then attempts another takedown but Quach grabs a guillotine. Davis escapes and the fighters return to their feet, but Davis quickly takes Quach back to the ground. Davis secures a guillotine in a scramble but Quach survives then escapes to the top. Another scramble and Quach takes Davis’ back and locks in a deep rear naked choke but Davis is able to survive to the bell. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Quach.

Round 2 — The fighters trade kicks then clinch before Quach gets Davis to the ground and moves to side control. Davis pulls guard on a submission attempt then reverses into Quach’s guard in a scramble. Davis lands big downward punches in the corner but Quach survives and the fighters return to their feet. Davis quickly shoots for another takedown but Quach uses the ropes to stay standing and the fighters remain clinched to close out the second. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Davis.

Round 3 — Davis and Quach quickly clinch and head to the ground with Davis on top. Punches from the top by Davis, who transitions to side control. Quach gives up his back briefly but reverses to the top. Davis works punches from the bottom as Quach provides little offense. Davis stands and quickly has Quach back on the ground. Ground and pound from the top by Davis. Quach looks for submission and attempts to escapes but Davis continues to pound away for the remainder of the round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Davis and the fight 29-28 Davis.

L.C. Davis def. Bao Quach via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

VLADIMIR MATYUSHENKO VS. ANTONIO ROGERIO NOGUEIRA

Round 1 — Both fighters are tentative early, though Nogueira appears the aggressor, stalking Matyushenko around the ring while delivering occasional left and right hooks. Matyuskenko stepping in and out looking for an opening, but both fighters are offering little offense. Nogueira connects with a knee to the body late but it’s a disappointingly slow opening round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Nogueira.

Round 2 — Left by Matyushenko briefly stuns Nogueira early in the second. Matyushenko works more punches, connecting with several solid combinations that Nogueira fends off. Nogueira winds up with a power punch but misses. The pace quickly slows back to that of the first as both fighters throw occasional punches that rarely land. Nogueira lands several big knees to the body in the round’s final minute then surprisingly finishes Matyushenko off with a knee to the face and several punches on the ground.

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira def. Vladimir Matyushenko via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:26

The HDNet-broadcast preliminary card has now concluded and the event is at intermission until the PPV main card begins at 9pm ET. Jay Hieron vs. Jason High, which was scrapped from the preliminary card due to time constraints, has been designated as a swing bout and is likely to take place after tonight’s main event between Fedor Emelianenko and Andrei Arlovski.

DAN LAUZON VS. BOBBY GREEN

Round 1 — Wild punches by Green in the opening seconds with several connecting. Green has Lauzon backing away with kicks and knees, but a low kick catches Lauzon in the groin and the bout is temporarily halted to allow Lauzon to recover. After an extended break Lauzon is ready to continue and the fighters resume their frantic pace with Lauzon quickly closing the distance and pulling guard. The fighters scramble and Green dumps Lauzon back to the canvas. Quickly back on their feet, Green slips on a kick and Lauzon goes for a triangle but Green escapes and stands. The fighters clinch against the ropes but Green again hits Lauzon in the groin and after another break we’re back underway. After a brief exchange with little damage in the center of the ring Green hits Lauzon low again and two points are deducted by referee Herb Dean, though the crowd and announcers question whether Lauzon is just acting on the questionable kicks. We again resume and Green goes for a single leg and drags Lauzon to the canvas. Green moves into side control then goes for the mount but Lauzon escapes then takes Green’s back in a scramble and works a rear naked choke in the closing seconds. Green taps with just five-seconds left in the round.

Dan Lauzon def. Bobby Green via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 1, 4:55

Between the bouts Tito Ortiz says there are 14,000 spectators in attendance for tonight’s event.

PAUL BENTELLO VS. KIRIL SIDELNIKOV (In progress…)

Round 1 — The heavyweights touch gloves and we’re underway. Buentello connects early with a left and jabs that quickly swell his opponent’s face but Sidelnikov fires back. Both fighters are aggressive early and throwing powerful punches. The fighters briefly clinch in the corner and Sidelnikov works punches but Buentello escapes. They return to the middle of the ring but again clinch in the corner with Sidelnikov getting the better of the close exchanges. Jab-uppercut by Buentello connects as the fighters continue to separate then clinch. The fighters struggle for position against the ropes with Buentello landing hard knees to the body before the end of the first. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Buentello.

Round 2 — Sidelnikov opens the second aggressively with kicks, but Buentello fires back with a body shot and jab. Buentello continues to find his mark with punches, but Sidelnikov finally connects with a series of punches that send Buentello backpedaling. A flurry of punches by Sidelnikov, but Buentello appears unaffected. Sidelnikov shoots for a takedown but Buentello easily avoids then blasts Sidelnikov with a big shot. Buentello continues to dominate the remainder of the round with superior striking, mixing jabs with a variety of other strikes. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Buentello.

Round 3 — Buentello continues to pick Sidelnikov apart with punches in the third. Sidelnikov gets sloppy and Buentello briefly grabs a choke but lets Sidelnikov return to his feet. Buentello rocks his opponent with punches as Sidelnikov drops his hands and staggers around the ring. Sidelnikov loses his mouthpiece, getting a brief reprieve to recover The action resumes and Buentello continues to blast Sidelnikov with punches. Sidelnikov loses his mouthpiece for the second time in the round and the ringside doctor takes a brief look at the mouse under his left eye before bout is waved off.

Paul Buentello def. Kiril Sidelnikov via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) — Round 3, 4:18

RENATO SOBRAL VS. RAMEAU THIERRY SOKOUDJOU

Round 1 — Both fighters connect early with punches and kicks. Sobral closes the distance and clinches. Sobral tries for a toss but Sokoudjou falls on top of him. They immediately return to the clinchbut are separated after Sokoudjou’s hand gets caught in the ropes. Sobral immediately shoots again but Sokoudjou defends and ends up on top. Strong ground and pound by Sokoudjou rocks Sobral. The fighters scramble back to their feet then clinch. The action lulls and the fighters are separated and restarted. Kicks to the body by Sobral before the first round concludes. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Sokoudjou.

Round 2 — Sokoudjou has the edge early in the second with superior punching but Sobral finally takes Sokoudjou to the canvas. After a series of ground and pound from the top by Sobral the fighters are recentered and Sobral works quickly to get to half guard. Sobral tries unsuccessfully to transition to mount then secures an anaconda choke that forces Sokoudjou to tap.

Renato Sobral def. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou via submission (anaconda choke) — Round 2, 2:36

During the HBO broadcast of Antonio Margarito-Shane Mosley broadcaster Larry Merchant stated that Oscar De La Hoya was paid $5 million to be personally involved with Day of Reckoning. De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotion’s is promoting both events, which are taking place withing 30-minutes of one another in southern California.

VITOR BELFORT VS. MATT LINDLAND

Round 1 — Belfort drops Lindland to the canvas with a left and finishes him off with several consecutive punches on the ground with the last one knocking Lindland out cold.

Vitor Belfort def. Matt Lindland via KO (punches) — Round 1, 0:37

JOSH BARNETT VS. GILBERT YVEL

Round 1 — The fighters throw strikes early but nothing connects. Barnett grabs a leg and drags Yvel to the ground, then is quickly into Yvel’s half guard where he works ground and pound from the top. Barnett attempts a kimura but Yvel defends. Barnett continues to work submissions on Yvel’s left arm but Yvel continues to escape the holds. Barnett into side control briefly but Yvel scrambles back into half guard. Barnett passes to mount and drops bombs for the final minute but Yvel escapes back to his feet in the final seconds and surprisingly makes it to the second round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Barnett.

Round 2 — The fighters immediately clinch to start the second and Barnett is almost immediately back on top of Yvel on the ground. Barnett gets mount and holds Yvel to the ground, working hard ground and pound. Yvel answers Barnett’s continued ground and pound with strong punches from the bottom. Barnett goes for an armbar and Yvel capitalizes , reversing to the top of Barnett and throwing several hard punches to close out the round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Barnett.

Round 3 — Yvel connects with punches in the opening seconds but Barnett again takes control, slamming Yvel to the canvas and quickly passing to mount. Barnett resumes the ground and pound assault from the top, eventually inflicting enough damage to force Yvel to tap out to the punches.

Josh Barnett def. Gilbert Yvel via submission (strikes) — Round 3, 3:05

FEDOR EMELIANENKO (C) VS. ANDREI ARLOVSKI
WAMMA Heavyweight Championship

Round 1 — Arlovski opens with a big kick to the body. Big right by Arlovski lands. Leg kicks by Arloski as Emelianenko loads up his punches but misses. They clinch and Arlovski looks for a trip takedown but Fedor remains standing and presses Arlovski against the corner. Inside punches by Emelienko in the clinch. The fighters are separated by Big John and restarted. Arlovski misses with a right hand but connects with a punch to the body. Push kick by Arlovski backs Emelienko into the corner. Arlovski attempts a flying knee but Fedor connects with an overhand right to Arlovski’s chin that puts him out cold on the canvas.

Fedor Emelianenko (c) def. Andrei Arlovski via KO (punch) — Round 1, 3:34

JAY HIERON VS. JASON HIGH (swing bout)

Round 1 — High presses forward in the opening minute but Hieron blasts him with a right that collapses him to the canvas.

Jay Hieron def. Jason High via KO (punches) — Round 1, 1:04

Affliction: Day of Reckoning Quick Results

• Fedor Emelianenko (c) def. Andrei Arlovski via KO (punch) — Round 1, 3:34
  WAMMA Heavyweight Championship
• Josh Barnett def. Gilbert Yvel via submission (strikes) — Round 3, 3:05
• Vitor Belfort def. Matt Lindland via KO (punches) — Round 1, 0:37
• Renato Sobral def. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou via submission (anaconda choke) — Round 2, 2:36
• Paul Buentello def. Kiril Sidelnikov via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) — Round 3, 4:18
• Dan Lauzon def. Bobby Green via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 1, 4:55
• Antonio Rogerio Nogueira def. Vladimir Matyushenko via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:26
• Jay Hieron def. Jason High via KO (punches) — Round 1, 1:04
• L.C. Davis def. Bao Quach via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Albert Rios def. Antonio Duarte via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Brett Cooper def. Patrick Speight via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:10

Fedor Emelianenko and Andrei Arlovski

All twenty-two fighters who will be in action tomorrow at Affliction “Day of Reckoning”, including headliners Fedor Emelianenko (230) and Andrei Arlovski (237), successfully made weight today at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Beginning at 8pm ET MMAFrenzy.com will have live coverage of the eleven-bout event, which airs live on HDNet and pay-per-view.

Affliction: Day of Reckoning Weigh-In Results

MAIN CARD (PPV)

• 265: Fedor Emelianenko (230) vs. Andrei Arlovski (237)
  WAMMA Heavyweight Championship
• 265: Josh Barnett (248) vs. Gilbert Yvel (240)
• 185: Vitor Belfort (184) vs. Matt Lindland (186)
• 205: Renato “Babalu” Sobral (204) vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (205.25)
• 265: Paul Buentello (244) vs. Kiril Sidelnikov (225)
• 155: Dan Lauzon (155.5) vs. Bobby Green (155.5)

PRELIMINARY CARD (HDNet)

• 205: Vladamir Matyushenko (204.5) vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (204.75)
• 170: Jay Hieron (169.25) vs. Jason High (170)
• 145: L.C. Davis (143.75) vs. Bao Quach (145.5)
• 145: Antonio Duarte (145) vs. Albert Rios (145)
• 170: Patrick Speight (169) vs. Brett Cooper (169)

Dan Lauzon

Bobby Green will make his Affliction debut on short notice this Saturday at  “Day of Reckoning” against Dan Lauzon, replacing an injured Chris Horodecki who was forced off the card yesterday after failing to receive medical clearance for the fight due to a bulging disc in his neck.

Despite the newly booked matchup still airing on Saturday’s pay-per-view, which begins at 9pm ET, Affliction has shifted a welterweight bout between Jay Hieron and Jason High to the evening’s main card.

For the latest Affliction rumors check out the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.

Chris Horodecki

Chris Horodecki has been forced out of his scheduled bout against Dan Lauzon on Saturday at Affliction “Day of Reckoning” after failing to receive medical clearance from the CSAC for undisclosed reasons.

MMAFrenzy.com confirmed the news with sources on Wednesday and has learned that the promotion is actively seeking a replacement for the lightweight tilt, which was to air on the pay-per-view card.

A veteran of TKO and the IFL, the 21-year-old Horodecki was most recently active in April with a unanimous decision win over Nate Lamotte.

Lauzon, the youngest fighter to ever compete in the UFC, has won seven-straight bouts since early-2007 after previously dropping back-to-back fights, including his UFC debut against Spencer Fisher.

MMAFrenzy.com will pass along news of a replacement when it becomes available.

For the latest Affliction: Day of Reckoning fight card check out the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.

Tom Atencio

Affliction President Tom Atencio took to the Underground on Monday to refute reports that the promotion’s upcoming event, “Day of Reckoning” on January 24th in Anaheim, California, had sold fewer than 2,000 tickets.

“Just wanted to come on here and respond to all the rumors going around that we have only sold 1200-1500 seats. First of all i have no idea where this information is coming from, but it could’nt be farther from the truth,” wrote Atencio. “In reality we are opening up more seating to accomodate the demand for tickets. This event is stacked from top to bottom, and i personally cant wait to see every fight! For those of you that can’t make it out to the event be sure to watch the main card live on pay PPV as well as the complete undercard for free on HDNET.”

Renato Babalu Sobral

A light heavyweight bout featuring UFC veterans Renato “Babalu” Sobral and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou has been added to the official lineup for Affliction “Day of Reckoning”, which takes place on January 24th in Anaheim, California and is headlined by Fedor Emelianenko vs. Andrei Arlovski.

Sobral was cut by the UFC in mid-2007 for refusing to release a fight-ending submission of David Heath. Since leaving the promotion, “Babalu” has won three-straight fights including a unanimous decision victory over Mike Whitehead at Affliction’s debut event in July and a November first-round TKO of Bobby Southworth to claim the Strikeforce light heavyweight title.

Sokoudjou was released by the UFC in late-November following his loss to Luiz Cane at UFC 89 in October, which dropped his UFC record to just 1-2. Prior to joining the UFC he had compiled a 4-1 mark, including knockouts of Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ricardo Arona in PRIDE.

Gilbert Yvel

M-1 Global has announced that heavyweights Gilbert Yvel and Josh Barnett will fight at Affliction: Day of Reckoning on January 24th in Anaheim, California:

M-1 Global is pleased to announce that Gilbert Yvel, one of its top heavyweight competitors, has agreed to terms on a three-fight contract with Affliction Entertainment.

Yvel will make his Affliction debut against former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett on January 24 in Anaheim, California at the Honda Center during “Day of Reckoning,” to be presented by Affliction, M-1 Global, and Golden Boy Promotions.

Despite being veterans of the now-defunct PRIDE Fighting Championships in Japan, Yvel and Barnett have never fought before with “Day of Reckoning” serving as the first-ever meeting between the two.

Yvel, 33-12-1, who is known for the strong Muay Thai skills he developed while training in his home country of Holland, has been competing in mixed martial arts since 1997. Over the years, the veteran fighter has recorded notable victories over K-1 standout Semmy Schilt, current UFC heavyweight Cheick Kongo, and former PRIDE and UFC veteran Tsuyoshi Kohsaka.

Yvel’s involvement serves to increase M-1’s contributions to the event, as M-1 contracted fighters Fedor Emelianenko and Kirill Sidelnikov are already scheduled to compete.

Fedor will be featured during the show’s main event when he defends his WAMMA heavyweight title against former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski.

Meanwhile, the 19-year old fighting prodigy Sidelnikov, nicknamed “Baby Fedor,” will be making his United States debut against former UFC heavyweight title challenger Paul Buentello in an undercard bout to be televised on HDNet.

Additionally, the M-1 Challenge broadcast team of play-by-play announcer Sean Wheelock and color commentator Jimmy Smith will be calling the action during Affliction’s pay-per-view telecast. Wheelock and Smith can be seen and heard in the U.S. every Friday at 8 p.m. ET during airings of the M-1 Challenge on HDNet.