The latest FEG-related rumor has hit the 'net and it is a big one. The fight that stole Tom Atcencio's smile, spawned a massive lawsuit from M-1 Global and upset a lot of MMA fans might happen on more drug-friendly Japanese shores early next year. Josh Barnett after failing to pass a drug test in the state of California sent Affliction into a fatal nosedive, sending them tails tucked back into the UFC's friendly embrace.

This left the megafight, the biggest challenge for Fedor outside of the UFC out of reach. There have been rumors about it happening in Japan, whispers if anything, and now an American outlet is reporting it is a bit closer to reality than we thought.

Sources close to DREAM have informed MMA Recap (http://www.mmarecap.com) that Barnett will sign with DREAM and that Strikeforce and M-1 will indeed cross promote with FEG to deliver the epic matchup we’ve all been waiting for. 

 

The bout between Fedor and Barnett is tentatively scheduled for February of 2010, but no official date has been confirmed. 

 

Emelianenko and Barnett were originally supposed to fight at "Affliction: Trilogy" on August 1, 2009, but Barnett tested positive for steroids during a pre-fight drug test and the entire event was scrapped.