The former UFC/Pride fighter Josh ‘Baby Faced Assassin’ Barnett has officially signed a multi-fight deal with the Strikeforce promotion. This adds another extremely tough opponent in the Strikeforce heavyweight division. This is yet another great addition to the Strikeforce fight roster after former UFC welterweight fighter Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley also signed for the promotion earlier this week.
The ‘Baby Faced Assassin’ talks about the flexibility he has with Strikeforce when it comes to fighting or participating in any event outside of the organization. This seems like the main reason as to why Barnett chose Strikeforce over any other MMA promotion around the world, plus he’ll be getting much more exposure on TV networks like Showtime and CBS (US National TV). Although no official date nor opponent has been given to him yet, Barnett expects to participate on a main card sometime before the end of 2010.
From Josh Barnett (props to mmaweekly.com)
“I spoke with several other companies prior to this, and what kind of visibility they were able to offer, and what they could offer in terms of opponents, and just keeping me active, my ability to do work outside of fighting, or even just fighting outside of that company, or professional wrestling work, or if I wanted to do any TV or movie work…When it comes down to it, the thing that matters most to me is being able to fight. I just want to make sure I can get out there and crack as many heads as possible…It’s not as if I harbor any ill will towards Dream at all, and given the right circumstances I have absolutely no problem fighting for them, but at the same time I didn’t want to limit myself to anybody at any one point until I was sure I was at some place that would have terms that were agreeable to me, or if it was just monetarily worth my while. It took a while before getting to a point like that with Strikeforce, but we came to terms and worked it all out…[In regards to fighting on big TV networks like Showtime or CBS] It matters big time. Cause when I dislocate and tear somebody’s head completely off their shoulders and spew blood all over the ring, and then drink it, I want the whole world to see it. I’d love to fight on CBS. Punch somebody so hard that their eyeballs pop out of their head…[In regards to when he’ll make his Strikeforce debut and with what opponent] We haven’t really hit on any solid dates yet or anything like that, or even opponents. For me right now, I’m getting ready for my pro wrestling match. I’m training and staying healthy and focusing on that. Then I’ve get Megumi Fujii’s fight at the end of this month, Sept. 30 in the semifinal round of Bellator. So I’ve definitely got plenty of stuff to keep me busy right now…In due time. There’s not too many people all that chomping at the bit and so ready to meet their death.”
