Josh Barnett signs multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA
Josh Barnett is the newest member of the Bellator MMA roster.
During an in-studio appearance on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show today, Barnett signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator. Barnett mentioned Bellator’s event in London, England on Saturday, June 22 as a possibility for his debut.
Scott Coker also sent out a tweet confirming the news: “Welcome to @BellatorMMA, @JoshLBarnett. (Not an April Fools joke)”
It was announced in March 2018 that Barnett had won his lengthy arbitration case against USADA, with him receiving a public reprimand instead of a suspension after he was able to prove his failed test for ostarine was due to a tainted supplement.
Barnett later received his release from the UFC, saying he didn’t “feel comfortable giving the control necessary to USADA that would continue [his] career in the UFC.”
Barnett last fought at the UFC’s Fight Night show in Hamburg, Germany in September 2016, defeating Andrei Arlovski by submission.
Barnett also promoted Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport on Helwani’s show. The event is with Game Changer Wrestling and is taking place in Jersey City, New Jersey at 4 p.m. Eastern time this Thursday. It’s also airing as an iPPV on Fite TV.
The main event of Bloodsport is Barnett vs. Minoru Suzuki.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.