Josh Barnett will welcome wayward Dutch striker
Gilbert Yvel to Affliction’s heavyweight ranks at “Day of Reckoning” on Jan. 24 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., the promotion announced on Wednesday.
Widely considered one of the top-five heavyweights in the world, Barnett (23-5) returns to the ring after avenging a 2001 knockout loss to
Pedro Rizzo last July at Affliction’s inaugural event, which was also held in Anaheim. Barnett dropped the brawling Brazilian halfway through the second round.
A former UFC heavyweight champion himself, Barnett has bested former and current titleholders
Randy Couture and
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Yvel (35-12-1) touts a seven-fight win streak, though to much less heralded opposition. A staple of the European fight circuit, Yvel’s bout with Barnett will mark his U.S. debut.
Yvel applied for licensure in Nevada in 2006 to fight at Pride 33, but was denied acceptance due to an altercation he had with a ring official in 2004. Yvel has two other disqualifications on his record, one for biting and another for an eye gouge.
The bad boy Dutchman holds victories over UFC veterans
Semmy Schilt,
Fabiano Scherner, and
Cheick Kongo. His most recent win came via TKO to
Alexander Timonov at M-1 Challenge 9 on Nov. 21 in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Fedor Emelianenko vs.
Andrei Arlovski
Josh Barnett vs.
Gilbert Yvel
Matt Lindland vs.
Vitor Belfort
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs.
Vladimir Matyushenko
Renato "Babalu" Sobral vs. TBA
Jay Hieron vs.
Jason High
Mark Hominick vs. L.C. Davis
Chris Horodecki vs.
Dan Lauzon
Paul Buentello vs. Kiril Sidelnikov
Antonio Duarte vs.
Albert Rios
Brett Cooper vs. TBA
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