Josh Barnett has not fought in the UFC in more than a decade. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
Josh Barnett’s return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship is imminent. Barnett and the UFC have agreed to material terms for a multi-fight contract, Sherdog.com confirmed with a source close to the deal.
Barnett departed the UFC and went on to build a successful career in Japan, becoming the open weight King of Pancrase before moving on to the Pride Fighting Championships and then Sengoku. Barnett eventually signed with Strikeforce, where he defeated Brett Rogers and Sergei Kharitonov to advance in the promotion’s 2011 heavyweight grand prix. The man formerly known as “The Baby-Faced Assassin” would see his tournament run come to a halt in the final, however, as Barnett was bested by the highly regarded Daniel Cormier in a memorable five-round confrontation last year.
Barnett most recently competed on Jan. 12 at Strikeforce’s final event, tearing through an overmatched Nandor Guelmino and forcing the Austrian heavyweight to submit to a first-round arm-triangle choke. Known for his catch wrestling expertise, Barnett owns 20 of his 32 career wins by way of submission.
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