It’s been more than 10 years since Josh Barnett last stepped foot in the UFC Octagon, but following his last fight in Strikeforce in January, he could potentially have the chance to return.
The key word is “potentially” because nothing is signed, sealed or delivered at this point in terms of Barnett’s future with Zuffa.
Barnett faces relative unknown Nandor Guelmino at the final Strikeforce show on Jan 12, but then his contractual future remains a mystery.
It’s no secret that Barnett and UFC President Dana White have had a tumultuous relationship in the past, and as of right now there’s no word on if the former UFC heavyweight champion will get a second shot at fighting in the promotion or not.
“I don’t know, we’ll find out soon though. We’ll see,” White said about Barnett’s future.
While they don’t necessarily have to be best friends to work together, White is still unsure that he’s willing to bring Barnett into the organization after January.
Friends or not, White does respect Barnett’s fighting skills, and says that when Daniel Cormier beat him earlier in 2012, that was a big win for the former Olympian.
” What I said was true, the fact that (Daniel Cormier) beat Josh Barnett, that really means something, that’s a big deal,” White said.
It remains to be seen however if Barnett’s future lies in the UFC Octagon or elsewhere after Jan 12 passes.