アントニオ・ホドリゴ・ノゲイラ
Josh Barnett, the Absolute Grand Prix runner up, was also a contender to face Emelianenko, as mentioned by the heavyweight champion in a Pride 32 post-fight press conference, but was "not in the best condition" to compete and instead fought Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. Ultimately, Fedor defended his title against Mark Hunt.