Strikeforce bolsters heavyweight division, signs Josh Barnett

by Matt Bishop on Sep 13, 2010 1:11 PM EDT in News

Strikeforce has signed former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett, the promotion announced Monday morning.

From Strikeforce's press release announcing the signing:

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."

Strikeforce only announced the signing, not a debut date or potential opponent, although a fight with Fedor Emelianenko would seem to make sense at this point.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Should make some interesting bouts… but even if it was home to the greatest heavy weights, if they wont fight, what good is it?

Unashamedly biased for Team Superior here in Conover/HKY.

by ziontiger on Sep 13, 2010 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

Just great. Well I guess if you don’t mind signing freakshows a proven cheat isn’t going to bother you none.

┌∩┐(◕_◕)┌∩┐

by villin on Sep 13, 2010 2:24 PM EDT reply actions

I know Barnett is a really stupid repeat offender

But not that many people still shit on Marquardt, Leben, Vitor, Bonnar and Sylvia after the fact. But then again, none of them ever put the final nail in the coffin of an organization…

It spices up their division, and that’s really all that Strikeforce can hope for at this point

"I need a shot of tequila and a cigarette." -- Don Frye

MMA For Real

by Anthony Pace on Sep 14, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions