Lindland's Opponent Reported

SI.com reported Tuesday that middleweight “The Law” Matt Lindland (20-5) is likely to be matched versus Team Oyama’s Fabio Negao (8-3) on the 19 July Affliction card.

On Inside MMA 18 April, Lindland had floated “The Soul Assassin” David Terrell (6-2) and Brazilian Top Team leader Murilo Bustamante (14-7-1) as possible opponents.

Even after setting the bar…there, a match-up versus Negao is likely to disappoint Lindland fans who haven’t seen him fight since hurdling two weight divisions in a losing effort to Fighters.com’s sixth ranked heavyweight “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (27-1) in April 2007.

Negao would also enter the fight off a loss to BTT’s “Toquinho” Rousimar Palhares (7-1) (who debuts in the UFC at 84) last December.

Perhaps most notably, Negao won a UD over UFC welterweight “Jucao” Roan Carneiro (12-6) in 2006.

The Affliction debut was rumoured to be taking place in Dallas, but now seems likely to be held in Anaheim, outside of Los Angeles.

Sherdog reported Tuesday that a rematch between third-ranked heavyweight “Babface Assassin” Josh Barnett (21-5) and “The Rock” Pedro Rizzo (16-7) has also been added to the card.