Few fighters have shown as much charisma in and out of competition as has Josh Barnett. The former UFC heavyweight champion and current open weight King of Pancrase has shown talent juggling both his career as a mixed-martial-artist and most recently a position with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Derek Callahan: At my first live event, UFC 32, I saw you in the program and thought A) He's big and B) How'd you get the name 'The Baby-Faced Assassin?"
Josh Barnett: If you met me in person I’m sure you’d have been bound to say, "Wow. You look bigger on TV." Actually TJ Thompson of Superbrawl and Matt Hume came up with that one. Actually I didn’t really like it at first but it’s really stuck on me now.
Derek Callahan: You rose through the NHB ranks quickly, jumping over levels of fight and never seeming to get stuck at a certain echelon, going straight to the UFC
undefeated. What fight would you say brought you to the level you're at today? A turning point if you will.
Josh Barnett: The fights to me isn’t what did it but all the toiling away day and night in the gym is where I feel I discovered myself. Everyday I was pushing myself to be better than my teammates and most importantly, myself. With guys like Todd Bjonathan, Doug Murphy, Joe Estes, The Lallys, Yohei Suzuki, Ivan Salaverry, Aaron Riley, Roman Roytberg and of course Matt Hume it was a daunting task.
Derek Callahan: Pancrase and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). First off, how are you liking it fighting over in Japan as compared to the US and just in general?
Josh Barnett: Apples and Oranges. Their isn’t one fighter on the planet that won’t say that fighting in Japan is like being in the Mecca of MMA. They are so educated and respectful its unreal. On the other hand, BS and boring fights won’t fly there and its not easy to break out as everyone is bringing something different to the table. If you cant keep the fans interest you’re history.
Derek Callahan: Your last three bouts have been overseas, do you plan on fighting in the US again?
Josh Barnett: Well first thing is I’d have to get an offer for that to happen but I am very happy fighting in Japan. It’s like being on home turf for me and I have a great family in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Still I’d love to fight on US soil again for all my fans and family in the US.
Derek Callahan: Do you feel as if you have unfinished business with the UFC since you never lost your belt in the Octagon?
Josh Barnett: Not really. Belts are nice but I’ve learned that its the man the makes the belt not vice versa and if for any reason I choose to fight in the UFC again it be for belts but to be the best. Belts come after you’ve done the hard part, winning.
Derek Callahan: Although I've never been, I understand that Pro-Wrestling in Japan is different than in the states, how so?
Josh Barnett: Simply put pro-wrestling over here strives to emulate the feeling of watching a real fight. Real emotion. To accomplish that you can’t rely on bikini babes or lots of talking. You gotta bust it in the ring. They also understand MMA and the moves from it so it’s a lot easier for someone like myself to make the transition. Plus in Japan we really don’t pull our punches so to speak.
Derek Callahan: How’s NJPW different from MMA?
Josh Barnett: Hell I’m writing this from a Internet cafe while on tour right now. I’ve had about 40 matches under my belt by now and I love it. I’ve always been a big fan of pro-wrestling so its living a dream for me.
Derek Callahan: As for being similar to MMA the movements are very similar and most of Japanese pro-wrestling is based on catch wrestling, Karate, Kickboxing,
amateur wrestling, you name it we incorporate it. Id say 75 percent of what we train is effective in MMA.
Josh Barnett: Bottom line though is I love them both and I’m going to continue to do both for now.
Derek Callahan: Would you like a shot in the WWE?
Josh Barnett: I cant say no since it could be a great opportunity, but I know that my fighting career would be put on hiatus. Also I really enjoy the style of wrestling I do over here and that would also have to change for the WWE.
Derek Callahan: In MMA Japanese fans are notoriously respectful just like you said, is that the case with pro-wrestling fans too?
Josh Barnett: Yes the fans are super respectful but at the same time super crazy. That goes for the MMA fans too. It gets wild over here sometimes and there have been incidences where I felt like, "Oh S#$!". Still, its not a problem but just something that makes life more fun for me since they get so worked up and emotional about us.
Derek Callahan: Your record as a fighter puts you in contention to fight the top guys around today, names like Fedor, Sylvia. do you feel like you're being passed up as you pretty much man handle guys like Takahashi and Ambriz? Do you plan on throwing down with any top contender, or possibly going for another belt to add to the Pancrase one?
Josh Barnett: I’d love to crack some heads in PRIDE and show the fans a war like none seen before. I’m working on it and hope to snag a top heavyweight in the near future. For now I’m fighting Semmy Schilt in a Pancrase title defense fight at the Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye in Kobe, Japan on 12/31. It’s a rematch from UFC and we`ll see what I can pull of this time. A powerbomb perhaps?
Derek Callahan: Tell me about how you first got started in this business, as far back as necessary.
Josh Barnett: A long time ago some kid called me stupid head in front of all the other kids. So I punched him in the nose and he fell down and started crying. I made 50 cents to show and 50 cents to win. From there the "Baby Faced Assassin" born.
Derek Callahan: Bob Sapp. Do you still help train him?
Josh Barnett: Not since after his first fight with Hoost. Since then I’m not sure who he trains with. In the end it was a real experience alright. There is room for only one BEAST in this world I can say for sure there is no one else like Bob. The most athletic super-heavy we might ever see.
Derek Callahan: About a rematch between you and Schilt, why fight someone you've already soundly beaten?
Josh Barnett: Because it’s there. Plus I can’t let him take my King of Pancrase could I?
Derek Callahan: Is there anyone you’d like to fight after him?
Josh Barnett: Next? I guess Fedor, Nogueira, or Mirko will do but that could change any day. I only want to fight the fights that have meaning. Be it title defense or to show who’s the strongest out there.
Derek Callahan: Would you like to avenge your one and only loss to Pedro Rizzo now that he's back in the heavyweight picture? What would you do differently if you fought him again?
Josh Barnett: Oh I wouldn’t mind one bit, but one thing I’ve learned is that you can’t dwell on the past. That goes for the good and the bad. If it’s meant to be then it’ll happen, that I can promise you.
Derek Callahan: You've dominated some of the best fighters in the world, and proven you're one of them. You're biggest setback seems to be the steroid suspension, and you even dealt gracefully with that. How have you grown since you first began your career?
Josh Barnett: Probably in more ways then I have time to explain but I believe everything happens for a reason, that included. If that hadn’t have happened then I wouldn’t be the 10th King of Pancrase, or working in New Japan.
Derek Callahan: How does it feel to be known as 'The King of Pancrase,' and what's the reception been like in Japan for you?
Josh Barnett: Like this: "Hail to the king, baby!" I don’t have a receptionist though. Could be nice. Where do you get one of those?
Derek Callahan: Finally, you're one of the most well rounded fighters around, but what do you see as your main strength?
Josh Barnett: Probably my ability to eat really hot food. There aren’t many people out there who can eat anything with this hot sauce called "The Bomb" or "Dave’s private reserve" on it. Hell I once put pure capsicum oil on a piece of chicken and ate it. Man, you do pay for that later.