According to Loretta Hunt of Sherdog.com, Josh Barnett has allegedly been denied a license to fight by the California State Athletic Commission due to a positive test for a banned substance, and negotiations are underway to fight Emelianenko a new opponent for the main event of Affliction: Trilogy.

Although no opponent has been officially announced yet, the Sherdog.com report mentions Vitor Belfort, and former WWE star Bobby Lashley as potential opponents for the number-one ranked heavyweight in the world.

The first time happed in Las Vegas following his championship victory over Randy Couture at UFC 36: World's Collide. He was promptly stripped of his title for the infraction and released from his contract by the Ultimate Fighting Championship.