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.
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Jorge Masvidal Signs 6-Fight Deal with Strikeforce
The deal was first reported by BuddhaSport.com:
“I signed a 6 fight, 2 year deal with Strikeforce. Let the world know I am going to knock out everybody they put in front of me. I don’t have an opponent yet but I want a big fight; you know. I want Melendez or the next big name. No B level fighters. Beerbohm is good but nobody really knows him. I would like to get Kawajiri, that would be great.”
Payout Perspective:
The addition of Josh Barnett (29-5) to the Strikeforce HW division is one which couldn’t come at a better time for Strikeforce, who is currently trying to find opponents for Fedor and Overeem as Werdum rehabs his elbow after having surgery a few weeks ago. There are a good amount of entertaining bouts in Strikeforce for Barnett in the HW division, for example Fedor, Werdum, Overeem, Arlovski, Kharitonov, Antonio Silva, etc would all be solid to excellent fights.
The one setback in signing Barnett here is that he has a history of testing positive for banned substances, something that occurred just days before Fedor vs Barnett took place at the now defunct Affliction promotion. If he can stay healthy and clear of any controversy, Strikeforce has themselves a top 10 caliber HW in their roster, but as long as he has lingering questions and doubt around him, he will have to prove himself in Strikeforce and to his fan base . Is the risk here worth it for Strikeforce? Tough to say depending on what type of deal they signed, but if he can stay clean and get some quality fights in the books, it’s another quality addition to their ever growing roster of quality talent.
Both are excellent additions to their roster. No question about it.
Masvidal just as much as Barnett. He’s outstanding.
Now they just have to get them on cards. Easier said than done apparently.
Barnett is pretty much a hasbeen. He hasnt looked good in almost a decade. Once he left the UFC he only focus is pro wrestling which he dedicated his life to. At one time he was a top submission guy at HW, good wrestling for someone who didnt have a wrestling background, and striking that was becoming very dangerous. Now his striking is crap. Its sloppy, he cant move his feet, and its slow. His wrestling is non existant, his submission game is overrated. At this point he is a glorified Heath Herring. I wouldnt put him in my top 20 to be honest and that would be over ranking him. He was a top ranked guy who is past his prime but slopped his way past bums to stay in the ranks. His skills just dont warrent a top ranking. Definately not top 10.
Jorge is a good pick up. He isnt no world beater but exciting and tough and a good test for the strikeforce fighters.
The biggest question about Josh Barnett is how will he deal with top (ish) competition in Strikeforce? He hasn’t had any really tough competition since he fought Noguiera in 2006 (no disrespect to Jeff Monson, but that was more of a grappling match and Barnett was just so much bigger). His performance against Yvel was not very impressive IMO. It’ll be interesting to see how he stacks up against Overeem, Fedor, Arlovski, and Silva (am I forgetting anyone? No, I don’t consider Brett Rogers for inclusion with the top SF heavyweights). Not sure I agree with your assessment of his skills Brain, but I will say that he is working off the prestige of a very dated resume. I would not put him in the top 10 right now either. Show us something Josh (other than a hot test)!!
It’s hard to know where Barnett stands because he hasn’t fought anyone in the top in a long time. It will be interesting to see how he does. I think he still has the tools to get the job done against anyone in the world. His submission game is among the best (on par with an in-his-prime Nogueria) and his striking has also improved – I don’t agree with Brain’s opinion of his skills. But like I said, it’s tough to tell where he really stands until he gets in there against some top guys. I agree that it’s a risk, but that’s what happens when you’re #2, you have to try harder, and take those risks.
Masvidal looked great against a much heavier (20 lbs?) Paul Daley. He lost the fight, but I was very impressed with his performance. Good for SF to sign him. He deserves to have a long term deal with a good promotion.
His declining skills are clear. Compare his fights. He couldnt do anything verses Yvel who is a horrible MMA fighter. Look at his rematch with a washed up Rizzo. His striking was not even close to the level it was when he fought Rizzo the first time. Even the KO come on a punch Barnett had his feet crossed and just swinging wildly. He got taken down more times than i can count by Big Nog who is one of the worst wrestlers in MMA. He arguably lost both fights verses Nog which should have been a nightmare match up for Nog. The last respectable win he had was verses Aleks almost 4 1/2 years ago. The next good win was almost 9 years ago verses Couture when he was caught roiding. Considering he was roided to the max in Pride and really never impressed. I dont see how he is going to be any better less roided in sanctioned MMA.
I think at one time Barnett was a great fighter(based on roided results). But he wasted it pursing Pro Wrestling and inactivity. Since his fight with Randy in 2002. He has taken a year or more off with no fights 4 different times.
Damn Brain, it seems like you really dislike Barnett! Can’t say I blame you, I’m not a fan either. Still, the signing does make SF’s heavyweight division a little more interesting. I’m guessing you’re looking forward to him getting trounced by Fedor or Overeem… no one has put ol’ Josh in his place for awhile now, so it is overdue considering all the egotistical things he says (“promotions should ‘come correct'” comes to mind). It will be interesting to see how M-1 reacts to a possible Barnett matchup given that they demanded olympic style testing from Overeem, who despite his size has never failed a drug/PED test, while Barnett has failed 3 times.
Brain,
His first fight with Rizzo ended with Barnett getting straight KOd. That’s the fight you claim is so much better than his second fight, when he stratight KOd Rizzo. Huh? And that punch in the second fight was not a wild punch, it was a well timed counter. It’s true he doesn’t have very good footwork, and he gets caught reaching sometimes, but that’s been true his entire career.
His fights with Nog were competitive, but in the first fight he had Nog screaming (and limping) from a knee-bar. That’s the only time I’ve seen Nog in danger of being submitted (arguably he was submitted since screaming when someone has you in a hold can be taken as a verbal submission) and Nog has victories over a lot of guys with strong submission resumes. In my book Barnett won their first fight (and would have ripped Nog’s leg off if he had 5 more seconds) and lost the second.
If you cant see the technical difference in Barnetts striking from Rizzo 1 to Rizzo 2. Then you need to quit watching MMA. Yes Barnett won the second and lost the first. What does that have to do anything? Rizzo was the best striker in MMA at the time of the first fight. The Rizzo Barnett slopped a win over was being KOed by everyone and is completely washed up as a fighter. He is lucky is he can even be the janitor at Ruas Vale Tudo now days. Barnett did very well with a Prime Rizzo on the feet the first fight. Now he is just a pro wrestler.
I can’t see the technical difference and I’m not going to quit watching MMA. Like I said, let’s see how Barnett does in SF. I think rumors of his demise are greatly exaggerated – for now.
No comments on Barnett v. Nog 1?
What about it? Barnett didnt submit him. You cant use UFC rules to give him a win in Pride. “yelling” wasnt a verbal submission in Pride. Also Regardless Barnett, Mr catch wrestler himself, got taken down by the worst wrestler in MMA. A fat out of shape Ricco Rodriguez was more dominant vs Nog than Barnett.
As a side note i dont think barnett will do bad in SF. Their fighters are old and or overhyped so he will be right on their level physically. SF dont have the young prospects the UFC has so he should be some what competitive. Of all their big names guys he will land right in the middle. Win some lose some. Nothing special.
So basically you’ve covered yourself in case Barnett does well by putting down the SF heavyweights beforehand. Slick move.
Screaming in pain can be considered a submission in both Pride and the unified rules. It’s up to the ref to make the decision.