Josh Barnett, will ‘the best heavyweight in the world’ return to UFC after a Strikeforce victory?
In a recent interview with MMA Weekly, when asked about a return to the UFC, Josh Barnett said, “I’d love to go over there and beat everybody up and sit on top of that pile too. I believe I’m the best heavyweight out there in the world, so what better way to prove it than to punch everybody else in the face first“.
On a conference call today with Showtime and Strikeforce about the Strikeforce® Heavyweight Grand Prix Final scheduled for May 19, Barnett indicated other plans, which did not include UFC. Barnett said, “My plans are to keep fighting in Strikeforce if I win this one. Thinking too far ahead gives me a headache. My manager can think about that stuff all he wants to ad museum. For me? I do not care. I have just got to beat Daniel Cormier“.
His opponent, Daniel Cormier agreed with the Barnett with regard to any future plans: “Josh hit the nail on the head. Everything will play itself out. Scott (Coker) and the guys at Zuffa have done a great job. My job is to win this fight and then whatever happens, happens“.
Strikeforce CEO, Scott Coker, stated: “The winner of the Heavyweight Grand Prix is still going to fight one more time in Strikeforce, afterward“”.
When asked about training Barnett stated: “My camp has been going strong for 2 months and has been keeping me focused. I didn’t wear myself out while he was hurt. I just stayed in shape and enjoyed my time on the mat. I trained at the Air Force Academy at altitude with some great wrestling partners. I have nothing to complain about. Everything has been done; it is now just up to me getting in the ring“.
Cormier said: “My standup has been evolving; I train with Cain Velasquez three times a week. I feel I have gotten much better and have improved as much as I am going to at this point“.
Although some critics have called this fight a mismatch. Cormier is going in with an unblemished record. When asked about his opponent, he said: “Josh is excellent at Catch-wrestling and he does it at a level that is hard to match, especially a guy his size. I have been working with a great jujitsu coach and know what positions to avoid. I know if Josh gets you in a leg lock he is going to take it home“.
Barnett said: “Daniel has a wrestling advantage; I have been fighting for over 15 years and have had over 50 fights including unsanctioned ones, to hone my craft. Daniel is an Olympic athlete and that in itself brings its own advantages to the table”.
When I asked Barnett about facing a fighter with an unbeaten record, even in light of his lengthy experience, Barnett said: “A guy who fights and wins one fight is 1-0 and he is undefeated. It is all relative. I fight the person, not the record. You can say the same for a guy with 17 losses, but one thing you know is that at least he got into the ring 17 times”.
Strikeforce® Heavyweight Grand Prix Final will air live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT on May 19, 2012.
Photo credit: Francis Specker
