Fedor Emelianenko, the world’s premier heavyweight mixed martial artist, was blindsided when he stepped off a plane in Los Angeles on Friday, greeted by the news that Affliction “Trilogy” had been axed.

According to news release from M-1 Global, the Emelianenko affiliate and Affliction Entertainment partner, news of the show’s demise caught the company by complete surprise. Emelianenko, Red Devil Sport Club teammate Mikhail Zayats and a traveling party of 35 others from Russia -- including Emelianenko’s trainers, friends, family and M-1 support personnel -- boarded their plane for Los Angeles believing “Trilogy” would go forward as planned.

Emelianenko was originally booked to meet Josh Barnett in the main event, but the American was denied a license from the California State Athletic Commission after he failed a pre-fight drug test.

“Fedor did not learn of the cancellation until arriving at the airport,” the release said. “Following the California State Athletic Commission’s decision not to license Josh Barnett earlier in the week, M-1 Global was confident that a suitable replacement would be found. Fedor was ready, willing and able to compete against whomever Affliction determined was the most qualified candidate amongst an extensive list of potential replacements.”

M-1 Global vowed to help fill the void created by Affliction’s exit from the promotional scene. It will launch its “Breakthrough” fight series on Aug. 28 in Los Angeles with an event headlined by a match pairing Muhammed Lawal with MMA legend Don Frye.