The Herald Bulletin, Anderson, Indiana

The news broke on Wednesday that Affliction's main event of a long-awaited encounter between Fedor Emelianenko and Josh Barnett may have to wait a little bit longer.

This comes out 10 days before Affliction: Trilogy is slated to take place in Anaheim, California.

Barnett tested positive for an anabolic steroid in a pre-fight drug test issued by the California State Athletic Commission. Due to the positive test the CSAC refused to issue a license to "The Baby Faced Assassian."

Afflicition president Tom Atencio told MMA media in a conference call that the fight could still happen should Barnett's B sample come back clean and the CSAC issues him a license to fight in Anaheim on Aug. 1.

But with 10 days till fight night, Atencio is currently looking for a replacement opponent for "The Last Emporer."

According to reports, there are "three people" that are currently in negoations with Atencio to step in and take on Emelianenko, who hasn't lost a fight in almost a decade.

This is the second time that Barnett has tested positive for steroids and the second time it has cost him big time.

The first time was in 2002 following his win of the Ultimate Fighting Championships heavyweight title when he defeated Randy Couture at UFC 36.

Until Affliction got started, Barnett had fought almost exclusively in Japan for the now-defunct Pride FC organization.

Whether or not Barnett's second test sample comes back clean, I think the damage here may have already been done.

Rumors have been running rampant for months that Affliction is in the red and the only thing keeping them in business is the investments of partners Donald Trump and Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.

This latest blow doesn't help.

If Affliction does indeed goes under, the Barnett steroid test might not be the final nail but it'll be one of the biggest.

Stay tuned.

Until Next Time

I'm Q

CYA

"Words are important, I thank you for hearing my words." George Carlin RIP.