Barrett Perseveres to Make it to Bellator 25

Scott Barrett (10-1) is a bright heavyweight prospect coming out of Atlanta, Georgia. He will be fighting another highly regarded heavyweight in Damian Grabowski (12-0) tonight at Bellator 25. For both fighters this is the chance to prove to the MMA world they are force to be reckoned with. Barrett had to deal with a lot of adversity to get here. Back in November of 2008, Barrett suffered a potentially career ending eye injury:

Scott Barrett was trading haymakers in training camp with Brad Baker to prepare for his December 5 showdown against Donavin Hawkey of the KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. Widely considered the second-best heavyweight in all of Africa, Hawkey was set to make his American debut after going 10-1 against African competition and winning five straight South African boxing championships. And if Barrett were to upend Hawkey, his status as one of the sport’s top young heavyweights would grow even further in stature. That’s when Brad Baker cracked Scott Barrett in the right eye socket with his fist. "I remember that punch," Barrett recalled... He immediately jumped back with a real sick look on his face and said, ‘I think I just broke my hand.’ He went straight to the emergency room and I continued my workout with someone else. Turns out he splintered a few bones in his hand and was in a cast for a long time. But I didn’t really think about the punch again ‘til one of the doctors at the pre-fight checkup asked me if my eyeball had recently suffered any unusual trauma." The medical examination revealed a detached retina – and Barrett was literally one shot away from permanent blindness. "These prefight checkups are usually just a formality," sighed Barrett. "And because my vision wasn’t compromised, I had absolutely no idea that my eye was damaged. I worked myself into the best shape of my entire life, I was getting ready to catapult my career to the next level… and now I’m told that not only can’t I represent the United States at "Clash of the Continents" – but my MMA career might already be over. Yeah, I was more than heartbroken – I was devastated." Instead of taping up his fists and battling in the cage, Barrett found himself in a hospital bed, undergoing laser surgery to reattach his retina. "It was a little spooky ‘cause you’re awake the whole time during the operation," remembered Barrett. "You sort of stare off at the wall while they burn your retina back into your eye. Immediately afterwards I thought I had gone blind because I was so heavily dilated. But fortunately, the operation was a complete success. My eye’s as good as new now."

After jumping that hurdle, in March of 2009 he was set to fight one of his idols. Jeff Monson at Xtreme Kombat League in Ypsilanti, Michigan. A win over Monson would force national MMA promotions to take notice of him. Sadly Barrett traveled to Michigan and cut weight only for Monson to no show at the weigh-ins. Since then it has been very difficult for Barrett to find fights. Barrett wants it to be known he is not like Bobby Lashley:

ULTMMA:Is there anyone in the UFC or Strikeforce right now who you would like to fight with?

Barrett: I would love to fight Bobby Lashley just because he thinks he so good, but he hasn't fought anyone... That really bothers me. You can only baby him for so long.

Barrett has had to climb a lot of mountains to get to Bellator 25. If he can get past one of the best heavyweights Europe has to offer, everyone will know who Scott Barrett is.

SBN coverage of Bellator Fighting Championships 25