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Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:55 pm EST

Barnett will fight fire with fire if Yvel gets dirty

By Steve Cofield

It was an isolated incident that we simply don't understand. Affliction's Tom Atencio said Gilbert Yvel's reputation for being a dirty fighter isn't fair. Yvel's license for his fight against Josh Barnett is on hold just 15 days before the fight. Why you ask? Yvel has prior incidents in 2002 and 2004 of putting his hands on a referee. The 2004 assault was pretty heinous.

Josh Barnett was asked during the Affliction teleconference how he would react to Yvel if he went to his bag of tricks.

Barnett said it depended on the severity of Yvel's actions:

"If somebody tried to bit one of my fingers off or gouge my eyes, then I'll probably lose my cool and try to maim him for life." 

Click below to hear Barnett and Atencio discuss the Yvel topic with a Fightticker.com "media" member:

It was announced earlier this week that California will consider Yvel's application for a license. If he is denied, Atencio said that Affliction has some backup options lined up. Should Yvel be forgiven for this 2004 incident or does he deserve a lifetime ban in the U.S.?

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17 Comments

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  1. Nutcracker
    1. Posted by Nutcracker Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:22 pm EDT

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    He was looking for a way out of the fight. Should get lifetime ban for hooking a ref with his hands down and then kicking him.... Period.
  2. Wreckinball
    2. Posted by Wreckinball Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:43 pm EDT

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    Lifetime ban and assault charges.
  3. IDGAD
    3. Posted by IDGAD Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:27 pm EDT

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    Yvel, indeed. Needs the Latin solution.
  4. Smokin Joe Fraze
    4. Posted by Smokin Joe Fraze Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:45 pm EDT

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    Yvel is dirty he gouged Don Frye's eyes repeatedly in a fight in PRIDE, it was nearly as disturbing to watch as this one where he hit the ref. I always pull for him to get laid out when he fights. Same with Charles "Crazy Horse" Benett.
  5. bullyblues33
    5. Posted by bullyblues33 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:15 pm EDT

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    first off what the hell was going on why did the ref try to keep getting in the fight it seemed like he was trying to make them shake hands or something and yvel didnt go for it he just wanted to fight. the ref did keep putting his hands on yvel but you should never strike a ref regardless of what happened.
  6. Kevin S
    6. Posted by Kevin S Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:54 pm EDT

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    Lifetime ban.
  7. mmafan
    7. Posted by mmafan Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:46 pm EDT

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    I hope they don't release him to fight . this disturbs me....affliction doesn't seem to care that they are putting a guy who may not even get licensed on the card. and in one of the main bouts! it's like they know they're scraping the bottom of the barrel and then serves it to us as " the mma event of the century". with yvel on the card its more like an accident waiting to happen.
  8. me
    8. Posted by me Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:55 pm EDT

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    This should be the rule for all men on the planet. Do not ever hit someone if you cannot brag about later. I.E. Women, kids, old folks, retards, midgets,people who are not ready, people who could never pose a threat... If you cannot brag about it later, you should not have ever done it. BAN THAT JERK!
  9. athsquare
    9. Posted by athsquare Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:59 pm EDT

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    speechless....
  10. vudusup
    10. Posted by vudusup Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:38 pm EDT

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    lol "is Andre Arvlovski there?"
  11. lobo
    11. Posted by lobo Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:32 pm EDT

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    Oh man, the ref took pretty goog though and then got right up, a little wobbly thought, maybe he should try out as a fighter looks like he has a decent chin. lol
    Did they do anything to this guy after this incident though? fined, suspended, anything?
  12. Smokin Joe Fraze
    12. Posted by Smokin Joe Fraze Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:45 pm EDT

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    Dynasty, Do you know where the cage originated and why it was created? UFC1 and the sole purpose of the cage was that it was sinister looking and unique as it was not a ring like Vale Tudo was fought in (which was MMA in Brazil fought in a ring long before UFC was around). The idea for the cage that the UFC is famous for was created by SEG Execs and Art Davie (a marketing Exec).
    Both settings have their faults (for live viewing a ring is much better for fans) but the fact that the cage which is supposedly "superior" in the opinions of "some" was designed for the only purpose being it's look and uniqueness as opposed to functionality is laughable. The simplistic design of the ring has far fewer hinderences than its counterpart. MMA would be best suited fought on a massive square mat with no ropes and no cage.
  13. Ican2
    13. Posted by Ican2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:39 pm EDT

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    No rope or cage..Kalib would still be running...
  14. Ican2
    14. Posted by Ican2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:39 pm EDT

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    Oh yea total punk..Ban his thug ass...
  15. fightchica
    15. Posted by fightchica Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:53 pm EDT

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    Guy's dirty alright. Ban him completely this wasn't the first and won't be the last.
    Wanderlei Silva though did give him a good direct kick to the junk in their fight, over in ten seconds, with no other strike thrown.
    Bullyblues33: The ref was trying to re-set the fighters into the "exact" postiions they were when he stopped the fight and Yvel was putting his forearm up where it wasn't when he was over the rope.
  16. Paul
    16. Posted by Paul Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:03 pm EDT

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    Doesn't look too good for the sport! plenty of other fighters to promote the sport,tie his hands behind his back and let the ref sucker punch this animal!
  17. rocksheldon328@...
    17. Posted by rocksheldon328@... Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:47 pm EDT

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    Send the ANIMAL back to the JUNGLE.

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