Sources: Emelianenko vs. Barnett is in talks for June

By Josh Gross, SI.com

Fedor Emelianenko (above) is coming off a knock-out victory over Andrei Arlovski on Jan. 24. Darryl Dennis/Icon SMI

Fedor Emelianenko could return to the ring in June against Josh Barnett, sources close to the Russian heavyweight champion and his promoters, Affliction Entertainment and M-1 Global, tell SI.com.

The anticipated bout, which would put Emelianenko's WAMMA belt on the line for a second time, is the preferred choice for Affliction and its partners -- Golden Boy Promotions, Trump Entertainment, and M-1 -- as they gear up for a third event at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

A date for the fight has not been secured, though that process is ongoing. Emelianenko (29-1) and Barnett (24-5) set up the title fight with wins one month ago.

Universally ranked No. 1 in his division, Emelianenko smacked Andrei Arlovski out of mid-air with a perfectly-timed overhand right that rendered the former UFC titleholder unconscious on the canvas. Barnett was not as emphatic in victory. Pushed into the third round against the Netherlands's Gilbert Yvel, the American scored a late tapout-to-punches victory.

At the age of 24, Barnett became the youngest man to capture a UFC championship. However, the Seattle, Wash., native -- ranked No. 2 according to SI.com -- relinquished the belt after testing positive for anabolic steroids following his title-winning stoppage over Randy Couture in March 2002. The "Baby Faced Assassin," now an in-his-prime 31, competed in Japan (primarily for the Pride Fighting Championship) save one bout from May 2003-2008. He has won his last two contests on American soil.

Emelianenko, 31, waged the majority of his career in Japan as well, where he compiled an unprecedented record. In his last two fights, Emelianenko vanquished Arlovski and Tim Sylvia in a combined three minutes, 50 seconds.