Josh Barnett “Just Waiting For My Opportunity” - Interview

[NWOwolfpack]

Somewhat controversial top ranked heavyweight fighter Josh Barnett recently talked with PDG about his victory in Impact FC in Australia, Comic-Con 2010, Fedor Emelianenko, the Strikeforce women’s tournament, his future, the Strikeforce heavyweight division, illegal streams, video games and more!

PDG: They have definitely increased their stable of heavyweight fighters by signing Sergei Kharitonov, Valentijn Overeem and bringing Alistair Overeem back to the U.S.; is there still a big gap between the UFC heavyweight division and Strikeforce’s or are they starting to get competitive?

Josh Barnett: What makes the UFC heavyweight division so stacked is that it is the UFC’s heavyweight division and that is the most important factor in this whole equation. The perception is that just by fighting in the UFC, it makes you better but do I think that talent wise the Strikeforce heavyweight division can rival the UFC? Sure I do and it is getting to that point, although no matter how you look at it, right now it is not better. Strikeforce is starting to realize the importance of heavyweight fighters to the fighting community and its fans.

HERE IS THE REST

[SaltyDog]

He seems like such a cool dude, how can anyone hate on the Baby Faced Assassin???

[Neph]

He seems like such a cool dude, how can anyone hate on the Baby Faced Assassin???

Because he's been caught as a drug cheat.

Multiple times.

[MCARNAGE]

He seems like such a cool dude, how can anyone hate on the Baby Faced Assassin???

Because he's been caught as a drug cheat.

Multiple times.

No reason to hate him, lose respect for him? yea.
With that said cheat or not I think he has all the tools to defeat Lesnar.

[Dark Star]

Because he's been caught as a drug cheat.

Multiple times.

No reason to hate him, lose respect for him? yea.
With that said cheat or not I think he has all the tools to defeat Lesnar.

I agree with that.

[OKMike1]

Of course Josh is going to talk down on the UFC's heavyweight division because he knows there is zero chance that Dana would sign him to the UFC. I would llike to see Barnett fight someone relevant again to see if he still has it.

[sukotsuto]

He always disappointed me with his drug test results, which at one point resulted to the death of an organization (Affliction) where people (IIRC) never got their money back. Still, what the earlier poster said is true, if he still has it, he has the tools to destroy a lot of HWs out there (unless injuries hamper him, even defeat Lesnar is in crazy submission). Here's where I draw a comparison: Frank Mir is always being shown as a submission genius, but if it were a submission battle between Mir and Barnett, Barnett would undoubtedly come out on top. After all, he's the closest to beating Nogueira via submission if there are 3-4 more seconds (via kneebar!), unlike Mir, who beat the still-green Lesnar via kneebar.

Right now, he spends his time plowing through local Submission wrestling contests. You could see the "Oh shit!" in their eyes when they realize that Josh Barnett is competing in the same tournament as they are lol (see youtube.com, search "josh barnett valentine's massacre")

[Zvijer]

Joshs groundgame is one of the best (if not the best) in his weightclass. He is extremly creative and employs his agressive "Catch-wrestling" instead of waiting for his opponents mistakes like many BJJ practitioners do. He shows the full potential of submission grappling, therefor I am and allways be a huge fan of his fighting style, he can fail 100 drug tests and I'll still be.

WAR BARNETT!!!

[Buliarios]

He hasn't fought anyone that could challenge him in quite a while. Until he does I couldn't care less.
Say what you will about Fedor but at least he's in Strikeforce and passes his drug tests.