NEW YORK (Sept. 13, 2010) – Two-time champion and top world-ranked heavyweight superstar Josh “The Babyfaced Assassin” Barnett has signed a multi-fight agreement to compete for world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion STRIKEFORCE.
“STRIKEFORCE is the home of the best heavyweight division in the world and I’m proud to be able to call it my home now,” said the 32-year-old Barnett (29-5), an expert in catch wrestling who hails from Seattle, Wash.
“I’m looking forward to competing amongst the greatest fighters in the world and fighting my way to another world title.”
The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Barnett became the youngest UFC champion in history at age 24 when he scored a second-round TKO (4:35) on MMA legend Randy “The Natural” Couture in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 22, 2002. In his sixth career fight, Barnett submitted wrestling and MMA legend Dan “The Beast” Severn with an armbar in the fourth round (1:21) in Hawaii.
In addition to his achievements in America, Barnett has spent a good portion of his career competing in top tier promotions overseas, including the now defunct PRIDE Fighting Championships in Japan where he notched memorable victories over the likes of Aleksander Emelianenko, Mark Hunt and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. On Oct. 21, 2006, Barnett took part in PRIDE’s first event on U.S. soil, submitting Pawel Nastula with a toe hold in the second round (3:04) at Las Vegas’s Thomas & Mack Center.
In 2008, Barnett competed in another Japanese promotion, Sengoku. After submitting (heel hook) Hidehiko Yoshida in Tokyo on March 5, 2008, Barnett returned to action on May 18, 2008, and earned a unanimous decision over top-ranked rival and fellow American Jeff “The Snowman” Monson.
Barnett signed an agreement to compete in Japan’s DREAM promotion earlier this year. Last March 22, he made his debut with the organization, submitting former K-1 tournament champion and devastating power puncher, “Mighty Mo” Siligia, with a kimura at 4:41 of the first round.
On July 10, Barnett followed up the strong showing with a first-round TKO (punches) over Geronimo dos Santos in the main event of a fight card in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Strikeforce HW division is great and Barnett is a good addition to it. Plenty of matches I'd like to see him in.|||Interesting signing by Strikeforce, can definitely make for some good match ups.
Barnett vs. Fedor
Barnett vs. Kharitonov
Barnett vs. Bigfoot
Barnett vs. Arlovski (if Arlovski can string together a few wins)
I sure hope he doesn't test positive again, this has to be his last shot at the big show. If he should test positive again, Barnett should receive a lifetime ban from the sport.|||
Interesting. IMO he doesnt deserve to be on the big stage yet after his performance against Mighty Mo, but whatever. Hope he doesnt roid again, this is definitely his last shot tbh.
I won't rag on him for his Mo performance because despite his lack of MMA experience, Mo is a dangerous dude and probably has the heaviest hands in K1 history. I don't really make much of the Barnett signing though, he definitley threw me off his wagon with this past positive steroid test. The dude can't seem to learn his lesson and whats even worse is he won't admit it.|||His signing certainly adds even more depth to the HW division of theirs. Fedor, Overeem, Werdum, Big Foot, Barnett, Kharitonov, Arlovski, Rogers, Del Rosario, and Cormier is not a bad HW division.|||Barnett vs Fedor please!|||This is awesome! If he tests positive again oh well, he'll be back in Japan, but as of now this is awesome. The SF Heavyweight division is getting pretty stacked and Barnett's a guy that can be a star for SF here in the States.|||
Barnett vs Fedor please!
It's been long enough. :)|||I think Strikeforces heavyweight division is one of the best, Better than the UFCs in my book. As someone said Barnett can be a star in SF(Not because of his fighting ability), So overall I think it is good.|||I just read this. Awesome news!|||I like that he is getting one last shot.|||the strikeforce matchmakers SERIOUSLY need to do there job and make barnett fedor's next opponent... they already have hype from "the fight that never happened" at affliction trilogy, lots of fans want to see it, and the fight makes alot of sense to do... dont have fedor fighting overeem for the title coming off a loss, dont have fedor fighting werdum in an immediate rematch (he tapped in the 1st rd, there's a clear winnner/loser in that scenario), give the fans what they wanna see|||Although im a HUGE!! Fedor fan i always believed Josh Barnett could beat him. In my eyes at the time i thought Fedor's first lost would have come from Josh or a Big Nog, but Werdum killed that prediction. I still think though that Josh and now Overeem have the best chance. Werdum will not beat Fedor again i bet anything on that, and there is noone else in the SF or the UFC that i can see to match him overall. Not even (the great :) ) Brock Lesnar. If I know SF Fedor's next match will be against Barnett. It will be a good way to promote Josh and a great comeback fight for Fedor. Plus, SF could use the extra attention with this matchup since Affliction couldnt get it done.
note: Lets just hope someone stays away from the roids. Hint Hint Josh|||Bring on Fedor vs Barnett
|||You can disagree if you want but this pushes strikeforces heavyweight division above UFCs|||
You can disagree if you want but this pushes strikeforces heavyweight division above UFCs
lol i disagree with this statement
No comments:
Post a Comment