Despite being a top Heavyweight talent, Josh Barnett coming to the UFC is still a big question mark. Shortly after UFC 155, UFC president Dana White declined to say whether or not he’d be interested in having Barnett on the roster in 2013. For his part, Barnett told Strikeforce that he’d definitely be interested in challenging himself in the UFC:
“I think it would be fantastic,” affirms Barnett. “It would be a great place to fight and put myself up against these heavyweights, some of which are considered to be the best in the world. I would like to test that theory out because I don’t think some of the praise that is put on these guys is not just inherited by the organization that they fight in. For me to go over there and wreck shop and rampage all over these guys would be a lot of fun for me personally and professionally. But that’s not something that’s entirely in my ability to make happen, so we’ll see how things turn out. We’ll see if the UFC wants the services of a mercenary like myself.”
Before any of that, though, Josh will have to get past Nandor Guelmino tonight. The two heavyweights will face off on the main card of Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine, the promotion’s final card. And Barnett has a message for Nandor:
“If you don’t know anything about me, I’m going for the finish. I’m going to take this guy out. When I smell my blood, I tear open the wounds and dive right in to make my kill.”
He’ll have an extra obstacle to overcome in the fight, however. Two days ago, Barnett’s manager confirmed that illness delayed Josh’s travel plans and he had to get doctor’s clearance to fly out ot Oklahoma City on Thursday. Additionally, the manager said that this will be the last fight on Barnett’s Strikeforce contract.