Though negotiations between Fedor Emelianenko and the UFC have apparently not begun yet, it appears both sides are willing to meet with hopes of bringing the top-ranked heavyweight into the Octagon.

M-1 Global President Vadim Finkelchtein believes that this weeks cancellation of Affliction: Trilogy could be used as an opportunity to jump start stagnant negotiations to bring Fedor to the UFC.

Affliction partner M-1 Global on Saturday issued its first statement on the cancellation of Affliction: Trilogy, apologizing to fans who planned to attend or watch the event and saying that the decision to cancel the card was made without “warning or prior notice”.

“M-1 Global understands and shares the disappointment being expressed by many fans that Fedor will not be able to compete on Aug. 1 as scheduled,” read the statement. “However, we will work to ensure that Fedor returns to active competition as soon as possible.”

An opponent has still not been finalized to fight Fedor Emelianenko in the main event of Affliction: Trilogy, which takes place on August 1 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Vitor Belfort, Brett Rogers, and Jeff Monson are all rumored to be possibilites for the slot, left after Josh Barnett was forced out of the fight following a positive steroid test, with an official announcement expected soon.

Top-ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, whose original Affliction: Trilogy opponent Josh Barnett recently tested positive for steroids and was removed from the contest, took part in a press conference on Thursday in Moscow where he commented on the news:

“I feel disappointed about this situation. But I will fight anyone who Affliction puts in front of me. I know a lot of fans waited for this fight to happen and I am sorry for them. I can’t do much about it now but I am in good shape, my training has been good and continues to go well.”

Affliction held a conference call on Wednesday afternoon with the media to discuss Josh Barnett’s positive test for a banned substance, which has resulted in his removal from the promotion’s August 1 “Trilogy” main event against Fedor Emelianenko, and their hunt for a replacement to face Emelianenko at the pay-per-view event.

On the call, Affliction’s Tom Atencio said the promotion was in talks with 3 fighters (reported to be Brett Rogers, Vitor Belfort, and Ricardo Arona) to replace Barnett and square off with Fedor, but said nothing was official and that talks were ongoing.

Middleweight Vitor Belfort has agreed in principle to replace Josh Barnett, who tested positive for steroids in an out-of-competition drug test, and fight heavyweight Emelianenko in the main event of “Trilogy” at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, according to MMAjunkie.

Financial negotiations are ongoing between Belfort and Affliction, with the promotion expected to formally announce a replacement later today.

Affliction’s Tom Atencio has confirmed to Fanhouse that, as previously reported, Josh Barnett is out of his Affliction: Trilogy headliner against Fedor Emelianenko after a pre-fight drug screening was positive for a banned substance

Atencio declined to reveal what substance Barnett tested positive for and went on to say that, although the main event is no longer intact, “at this point” the event is still expected to take place.

Josh Barnett will likely be unable to fight Fedor Emelianenko on August 1 in the main event of Affliction: Trilogy after the California State Athletic Commission reportedly failed to license Barnett for the fight for what is being called a “positive test result

According to a report from Sherdog, middleweight Vitor Belfort has agreed in principle to fight Fedor in place of Barnett, with heavyweight prospect Bobby Lashley also under consideration as a possible replacement.

Top-ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko appears unlikely to end his UFC holdout anytime soon, putting an anticipated superfight against the promotion’s title-holder Brock Lesnar on hold indefinitely.

Emelianenko re-affirmed his distaste for the UFC’s contract terms in a recent interview with Bas Rutten on HDNet’s Inside MMA. “At the present time, I don’t think so, I don’t think you’ll see me in the UFC, just because the terms, and the manner in which those terms are offered, are not acceptable today,” said Fedor.

“This whole Fedor thing has been going on and on and on. I keep saying this and that about him and he keeps waiting. Eventually, Fedor’s going to be here. I want Fedor. I want him to come to the UFC and everything else. [Brock Lesnar] just became the heavyweight champion. We’ll end up getting that deal done. And then we’ll do Brock vs. Fedor, and it’ll be a huge fight.”

At the post-UFC 100 press conference UFC President Dana White discussed the world’s top-ranked heavyweight Fedor Emeliannko and his hopes of bringing him to the UFC for a fight against Brock Lesnar after his August 1 affliction matchup against Josh Barnett.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell will reportedly not retire despite the wishes of Dana White, with rumors swirling that he could return to action this fall, possibly for a bout against Rich Franklin.

The anticipated showdown between TUF 10 coaches Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans is expected to headline UFC 107 on December 19 in Las Vegas.

Continue reading for the latest MMA news and notes in MMAFrenzy.com’s Quick Hits…

On Thursday, Affliction officially announced the majority of the lineup for its August 1 Affliction: Trilogy event, which will take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California and air live on pay-per-view and HDNet.

Trilogy is headlined by a heavyweight matchup between top-ranked Fedor Emelianenko and Josh Barnett.

Also confirmed for the pay-per-view main card are Gegard Mousasi vs. Renato Sobral, Vitor Belfort vs. Jorge Santiago, and Paul Daley vs. Jay Hieron, as well as Paul Buentello, who is expected to take on the winner of a June 27 bout between Pedro Rizzo and Gilbert Yvel.

On Friday, Affliction officially announced its third event, "Affliction: Trilogy", which will take place on August 1st at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California and features a main event pitting WAMMA heavyweight champion and top-ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko against challenger and former UFC champion Josh Barnett.

Top-ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko and contender Josh Barnett have agreed to meet at Affliction's third event on August 1st at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, according to MMA Fanhouse. Though bout agreements have not yet been signed, the bout is expected to be finalized and announced in the coming days.