HDNet to Air Heavyweight Superfight

Fedor Emelianenko (27-1), the top ranked heavyweight fighter in the world, has agreed to fight former UFC Heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia (24-4) on July 19th at American Airlines Arena in Dallas, the home base of HDNet Fights.  Sources indicate the bout will air on the Mark Cuban-owned network and is rumored to be promoted by Affliction, a clothing brand closely tied to MMA, but also sponsors many championship boxers.  Emelianenko, the Pride Heavyweight champion and hasn’t faced a ranked opponent since his unanimous decision over Mirko Cro Cop almost three years ago.  Emelianenko was recently freed from a letter of intent with M-1 Global.  Sylvia is coming off of a submission loss to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira that was for the interim UFC Heavyweight title.  Sylvia and the UFC mutually agreed to void the last fight of his contract.  This fight would serve as another battle of champions between the former king of MMA, Pride Fighting Championship and the current leader in the sport, UFC.  It would also produce the first truly engaging heavyweight fight in a while since the semi-retirement of Randy Couture.  Couture is now in a court battle with the UFC in order to gain the right to fight Fedor.  Source: Sherdog