Fighter Profile: Josh Barnett

Height: 6’3” Weight: 254

Born: Seattle, WA

Fights Out Of: Kirkland, WA

Team: AMC Pankration/Combat Submission NJPW

Fighting Style: Catch Wrestling

Accolades: Former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Former Open Weight King of Pancrase

Josh Barnett Biography:

Josh Barnett, the current number 2 heavyweight in the world was born November 10, 1977 in Seattle, WA. Barnett graduated from Ballard High School in Seattle, WA.

Barnett in UFC:

Barnett became the youngest UFC heavyweight champion by defeating Randy “The Natural” Couture for the belt in early 2002 at UFC 36. Later that year Barnett had his strap taken away by UFC after he tested positive for anabolic steroids. His license to fight was also suspended by the NSAC on July 26, 2002 after a lengthy hearing, and Barnett denying usage of illegal performance enhancing drugs.

Barnett in Pancrase:

After the suspension, Barnett established his fighting roots overseas in Japan. His first contest was for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he pummeled American Jimmy Ambriz by first round TKO. Shortly after, Barnett would stake his claim in history when he won the Openweight championship at Pancrase’s 10th Anniversary Show. That night he won a hard fought battle with Japanese legend Yuki Kondo by forcing the Japan native to tap via rear naked choke in round number 3.

That feat put Barnett’s name along with only Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, and the great Bas Rutten as the only four to win titles in both Pancrase and UFC.

Barnett in Pride:

Barnetts first two fights in Pride were painful losses to the Croation, Mirko Filipovic. In their first matchup “CroCop” (Filipovic) inflicted devastating injury onto Barnett in just the opening seconds of round number one. Almost one year later, Barnett returned to the ring to avenge that loss, but to no avail. Barnett dropped a unanimous decision to the Croation.

Those losses created a monster though, and Barnett rattled off four straight victories against absolute world class competition. Barnett submitted judo legend Kazuhiro Nakamura, Russian great Aleksander Emelianenko, and New Zealand bad boy Mark Hunt. He established himself quickly in Japan, as a great contender and a world class fighter. Barnett was known for his absolute intelligence in the ring. Just a few months after forcing Hunt to tap, he took on Brazilian great Nogueria and received the split nod from the judges in an epic battle. That same night, Barnett attempted to once again avenge his losses to Filipovic, but once again the Croation proved to be the superior fighter.

Barnett finished his stint with Pride by forcing Pawel Nastula to tap in round 2 by toe hold, and then having his defeat of Nogueria avenged by losing to the Brazilian via unanimous decision.

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Barnett in Sengoku:

Barnett chose to not compete in 2007, and he didn’t take the popular road of coming to UFC either. Barnett wanted to join the same organization of the world’s top heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko. While waiting, Barnett fought in two consecutive main events for newly formed Sengoku, and was victorious in defeating both Hidehiko Yoshida via heel hook, and American Jeff “Snowman” Monson, via unanimous decision.

Barnett in Affliction:

Not being bound by contract to Sengoku, Barnett chose to attempt to avenge his loss to Brazilian slugger Pedro Rizzo in Affliction Entertainment’s inaugural promotion, Affliction: Banned, on July 19, 2008. Barnett was successful in his attempt by knocking Rizzo out in round number two.

Close to six months later Barnett stepped into the ring at Affliction: Day of Reckoning, facing off against the vicious Gilbert Yvel. Barnett outsmarted the renowned striker by executing sharp takedowns, and continual ground and pound. The tenacity of Barnett forced the Dutch native to tap due to strikes in round number three.

On August 1, 2009, Barnett faces his toughest task to date by stepping into the ring against the pound for pound top fighter Fedor Emilianenko on the Afflcition Trilogy fight card. This is a fight of epic proportion, and no doubt the greatest heavyweight bout in MMA to date, as it pairs the top two big men in the world.

Recent Josh Barnett MMA News:

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By David Fennell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
Published July 2009