| Josh Barnett | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Barnett in 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Joshua Lawrence Barnett (1977-11-10)November 10, 1977 (age 48) Seattle, Washington, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other names | The Warmaster | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 248 lb (112 kg; 17 st 10 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Division | Heavyweight | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reach | 78 in (198 cm)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Style | Catch Wrestling | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Fullerton, California, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | UWF USA[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trainer | Billy Robinson[3] Erik Paulson Matt Hume Haru Shimanishi Jim Harrison | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank |
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| Years active | 1997–present (MMA) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 43 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 35 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| By disqualification | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | http://www.joshbarnett.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Last updated on: April 29, 2023 (2023-04-29) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Joshua Lawrence Barnett (born November 10, 1977) is an Americanmixed martial artist,submission wrestler,professional wrestler, andcolor commentator. Barnett previously competed for theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he was the youngest-everUFC Heavyweight Champion. Barnett was the finalOpenweight King Of Pancrase, a finalist in both the2006 PRIDE Openweight Grand Prix and the 2012Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship Grand Prix. He has also competed inAffliction,World Victory Road,DREAM andImpact FC.
Barnett is one of the most prominent modern-daycatch wrestlers. He won anIBJJF no-gi jiu-jitsu world championship in 2009 - despite no formal jiu-jitsu training,[7][9] theMetamoris Heavyweight Championship in 2014,[10] and aSnake PitCatch Wrestling World Championship in 2018.[8]
As a professional wrestler, Barnett made his in-ring debut in 2003 in the main event ofNew Japan Pro-Wrestling's annualJanuary 4 Tokyo Dome Show, in a bout against IWGP Heavyweight ChampionYuji Nagata. Since then he has also wrestled forInoki Genome Federation andTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling. In January 2015, Barnett began working as a color commentator for NJPW's weekly program on America'sAXS TV.
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington,[citation needed] Barnett had a troubled childhood and often got into fights. He was put into anger management programs at a young age and learned to cope with his anger by participating in athletics.Barnett attendedBallard High School, where he excelled atwrestling,football, and also trained injudo,karate andMuay Thai.[citation needed] After seeingUFC 2 as a sophomore, he decided that he wanted to be a mixed martial artist. Barnett had originally attended theUniversity of Montana to play football for the school as a walk-on, but decided to pursue fighting instead. At the recommendation of an instructor at Montana, Barnett went to train at the Bushidokandojo of Jim Harrison. Although he did not have the money for classes, he received training in exchange for helping with maintenance and labor at the dojo.[11]
Before his professional debut, Barnett engaged inmutual combat fights he organized with men via theinternet. They would share information, arrange a location, agree upon rules, and use improvised gloves, often fighting several times as well as training together.[12][13]
Barnett's professional debut was on January 11, 1997, inWashington, against Chris Charnos for United Full Contact Federation. He accepted the fight with less than two weeks notice while home for winter break after being contacted by organizerMatt Hume, his formerhigh school wrestling coach, and won by submission viarear-naked choke in under three minutes.[11][14] Barnett started training incatch wrestling andno-holds-barred with Hume'sAMC Pankration team to prepare for his next fight. After winning, he decided to drop out of university and pursue fighting full-time.[14][15] Barnett was required to pass an evaluation involving conditioning, training, and an interview to join AMC.[12] He would compile a 9–0 record with seven first-round stoppages and wins over futureUFC Hall of FamerDan Severn,Bobby Hoffman, John Marsh, andBob Gilstrap twice. With these dominant showings, Barnett was invited to compete in the UFC.[11]
Barnett made his UFC debut atUFC 28 on November 17, 2000, against 6' 10"Gan "The Giant" McGee and Barnett won viaTKO in the second round. Despite suffering a KO loss in his next fight againstPedro Rizzo atUFC 30 he would bounce back and win his next two fights over 7' 0" Dutch kickboxerSemmy Schilt viaarmbar submission atUFC 32, and then received a submission win in a rematch withBobby Hoffman atUFC 34. Subsequent to his win over Hoffman, Barnett tested positive for banned substances and was given a warning by theNevada State Athletic Commission.[16] Barnett was then given a title shot for theUFC Heavyweight Championship against then-champion and future UFC Hall of FamerRandy Couture atUFC 36. He won via TKO after using theground and pound technique to become the youngest-ever UFC Heavyweight Champion. However, after the bout it was revealed that he had again tested positive for banned substances and his title was stripped.[11]
Barnett competed in MMA in bothPRIDE andPancrase in Japan. While in Pancrase, he became theOpenweight King of Pancrase by defeatingYuki Kondo. Winning this title put him alongside the likes ofKen Shamrock,Frank Shamrock andBas Rutten as one of the few fighters to be a titleholder in bothPancrase and theUFC.
In his first fight inPRIDE, atPRIDE 28 against CroatianMirko Cro Cop, he suffered a simultaneous fracture and dislocated shoulder injury that required surgery and over six months of rehab. His first fight back post-injury was a rematch against Cro Cop atPRIDE 30, which he lost by a unanimous decision. He came back with a win againstKazuhiro Nakamura atPRIDE 31. Josh Barnett was scheduled to fightPride World Heavyweight ChampionFedor Emelianenko for the title but withdrew from the fight due to an appendicitis. Barnett underwent surgery to remove his appendix later that night.
Barnett later beatAlexander Emelianenko by anamericana submission in the second round of the PRIDE Openweight Grand Prix atPRIDE Total Elimination Absolute. He submittedMark Hunt viakimura in the first round of the Openweight Grand Prix atPride Critical Countdown Absolute. Barnett defeatedAntônio Rodrigo Nogueira by split decision in the semi-finals of the Openweight Grand Prix, however he lost the final match of thePRIDE Final Conflict Absolute to Cro Cop on September 10, 2006, submitting after an unintentional finger poke to the eye. In a post-fight interview, Barnett explained the incident: "I opened up my guard and I grabbed his leg to go for a leg lock, and in the scramble Mirko put his hand out to post and he caught a finger deep in my right eye. And as soon as it happened I let go of the leg and grabbed my face, and I couldn't see anything at the time and I had no idea where he was and I just didn't want him to punt me in the face with a kick when I can't see and I'm blinded. He said, you know, 'Sorry' and I said to him that he was winning that night and it was an accident. He didn't mean [to do it]".[17] This also marked the third time he was beaten by the MMA legend.
Next, Barnett fought the Polish judo gold medalistPawel Nastula atPRIDE 32, the organization's first show in the United States. To fight again in Nevada, theNevada State Athletic Commission required that Barnett pass a mandatory drug test. In a surprisingly competitive match, Nastula controlled the first round and most of the second. Barnett reversed Nastula from the bottom and was able to secure atoe-hold submission, which earned him the victory. At a post-fight press conference, Barnett complimented Nastula on his performance. Nastula, however, subsequently tested positive for steroids.[18] Barnett then lost a rematch by unanimous decision toAntônio Rodrigo Nogueira atPride Shockwave 2006.
After the bout against Nogueira and the acquisition ofPRIDE by the UFC, Barnett did not participate in any MMA events in 2007. Barnett did not follow many otherPRIDE veterans to the UFC because he desired to join an organization that included the topHeavyweight fighter in the world,Fedor Emelianenko.[19] In 2008, Barnett joined the newly organized MMA promotion,Sengoku, and fought in consecutive main events atSengoku 1 andSengoku 2, submittingHidehiko Yoshida with a heel hook in the third round, and defeatingJeff Monson by unanimous decision.
Since his contract withWorld Victory Road was not exclusive, Barnett was able to join other MMA events. Barnett participated in the inaugural MMA event held byAffliction Entertainment, in July 2008. Seven years after his only knockout loss toPedro Rizzo, he avenged that loss atAffliction: Banned with a knockout of his own in the second round.
In January 2009, Barnett foughtPRIDE veteranGilbert Yvel atAffliction: Day of Reckoning. Barnett defeated Yvel by a submission resulting from strikes in the third round. His next match-up, scheduled on August 1, 2009, againstFedor Emelianenko at Affliction's 3rd eventAffliction: Trilogy, was one of the most anticipated match-up between the then ranked number oneHeavyweight Emelianenko and number two Heavyweight Barnett.Dana White announced if Barnett were to defeat Emelianenko, he would sign him back into theUFC and would grant him a title shot againstUFC Heavyweight ChampionBrock Lesnar.[20] However, the fight was officially pulled 10 days before the fight by theCalifornia State Athletic Commission after Barnett tested positive foranabolic steroids (a metabolite ofdrostanolone)[21] for a third time. The event and Affliction Entertainment itself was cancelled July 24, 2009, as a result. Barnett requested that they test his "B" sample hoping there was an error in the test. His "B" sample was also positive.
Due to the positive drug tests, Barnett made a re-licensure appeal to theCalifornia State Athletic Commission (CSAC). The CSAC postponed Barnett's appeal three times. The first two postponements occurred because Barnett's law firm required additional information from the laboratory that conducted Barnett's tests. Michael J. DiMaggio, Barnett's attorney, was unable to attend the hearing because of travel problems, causing the third extension, which would have taken place February 22, 2010.[22]
Barnett was a no-show at his hearing on February 22, 2010, making this the fourth delay in his appeal. Shannon Hooper, Barnett's manager, told MMAjunkie.com that on Monday February 22, 2010, Barnett was inJapan on Sunday February 21, 2010, for aprofessional wrestling match and would return to theU.S. later that day. He claimed he was unaware that his presence was required, but the CSAC stated they had notified him of this months before.[23] Barnett later signed on with MMA organization Strikeforce.
Barnett signed to fight forDREAM in 2010, and made his debut on March 22, 2010, atDREAM 13 againstMighty Mo. He won the fight via submission in the first round. During the fight, he accidentally kicked Mighty Mo in the groin so immediately after winning the fight, Barnett approached Mighty Mo apologizing for the illegal strike and in return allowed Mighty Mo to knee him in the groin.
On September 13, 2010, it was announced that Josh Barnett had signed a multi-fight deal withStrikeforce.[24]
Barnett facedBrett Rogers on June 18, 2011, atStrikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum in the opening round of a Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament. Barnett submitted Rogers with anarm triangle choke in the second round of the bout.[25]
Barnett defeatedSergei Kharitonov in the semi-final of the tournament headliningStrikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov on September 10, 2011, atU.S. Bank Arena inCincinnati,Ohio.
He faced fellow finalistDaniel Cormier on May 19, 2012, atStrikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier to determine theStrikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion.[26]Dana White announced if Barnett were to defeat Cormier, he would be allowed back into theUFC, "If he wins the fight, I can't see why he wouldn't come [to the UFC]."[27] Barnett lost the bout via unanimous decision (49–46, 50–45, and 50–45), losing for the first time in over 5 years.
In January 2013, Barnett faced a promotional newcomer, Nandor Guelmino, atStrikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine, the finalStrikeforce event. Barnett defeated Guelmino viaarm triangle choke submission in the first round.
Barnett initially declined to sign with the UFC.[28] However, on May 21, 2013, it was announced that Barnett had returned to theUFC and signed a multi-fight contract with the promotion.[29]
Barnett faced formerUFC Heavyweight ChampionFrank Mir on August 31, 2013, atUFC 164.[30] He won the fight in the first round by technical knockout.
Barnett facedTravis Browne on December 28, 2013, atUFC 168.[31] He lost the fight via knockout due to elbow strikes in the first round.
After working as a coach on Road to UFC Japan, Barnett facedRoy Nelson in the main event atUFC Fight Night 75.[32] He won the fight via unanimous decision (48–47, 48–47, and 50–45).[33] The win also earned Barnett his firstPerformance of the Night bonus award.[34]
Barnett facedBen Rothwell on January 30, 2016, atUFC on Fox 18.[35] He lost the fight in the second round due to aguillotine choke, resulting in the first loss due to a submission hold during Barnett's lengthy MMA career.[36]
Barnett next facedAndrei Arlovski on September 3, 2016, atUFC Fight Night 93.[37] He won the fight viarear naked choke submission in the third round, earning aPerformance of the Night bonus.[38] Both participants were awardedFight of the Night for their performance.[39]
In December 2016, UFC was notified of a potential USADA doping violation by Barnett from an out-of-competition test.[40][41] In March 2018, Barnett was clear to fight and received a "public reprimand" instead of a suspension from USADA after it was determined that his failed test was the result of a contaminated supplement.[42]
On June 20, 2018, Barnett was granted his request to be released from UFC, claiming he does not trust theUnited States Anti-Doping Agency.[43][44]
On April 1, 2019, it was revealed that Barnett signed a multi-fight contract withBellator MMA.[45] Barnett was expected to make his promotional debut againstRonny Markes on December 20, 2019, atBellator's Salute the Troops event in Honolulu, Hawaii, but was deemed unable to compete due to severe illness on the night of the event.[46] The bout was rescheduled forBellator 241 on March 13, 2020, but Barnett failed medical tests and was replaced byMatt Mitrione.[47]
Barnett began his career as aprofessional wrestler in theNew Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) organization, where he wrestled numerous matches in 2003 and 2004. In his first match, he wrestled championYuji Nagata for theIWGP Heavyweight Championship. Although unsuccessful in that match,[48] Barnett formed a tag team withPerry Saturn and was undefeated in the following NJPW tour, Fighting Spirit 2003. Barnett wrestled over 50 matches in total for the NJPW promotion.[49]
In January 2015, Barnett began working as a color commentator for NJPW's weekly program onAXS TV.[50]
Throughout 2022, Barnett appeared onNJPW Strong, wrestling occasionally.[51]
Barnett debuted inAntonio Inoki'sInoki Genome Federation (IGF) wrestling promotion in June 2007 with a victory overTadao Yasuda. He racked up victories againstDon Frye and Montanha Silva before suffering his first loss againstNaoya Ogawa. The same man he beat earlier in the night. Since the loss, he has been on a winning streak beatingThe Predator,Hitokui Yoshiki,Tank Abbott,Jon Andersen, Fonseca, Atsushi Sawada,Bob Sapp, Ultimate Mask,Tim Sylvia, Montanha Silva,Bobby Lashley andHideki Suzuki.[52]
Starting in February at IGF Genome 14,IGF began a title tournament to crown a new Heavyweight Champion and Barnett not only continued his winning streak but he advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament with his victory over Montanha Silva. In July at IGF Genome 16, he defeatedBobby Lashley with across armbreaker to advance to the finals of the title tournament. He was scheduled to faceJérôme Le Banner for the IGF Heavyweight Championship in a tournament final scheduled for August 27 at the IGF Super Stars Festival 2011. However, it was announced on August 19 that Barnett had to pull out of the match up and Le Banner was declared the first ever IGF champion on August 22. However, Josh Barnett would get his shot at the IGF Heavyweight Championship on December 2 against the champion, Jerome Le Banner. Barnett would lose the contest by knockout.[53]
OnNew Year's Eve, Barnett made his return to Japan for theFight for Japan event, where he would face Hideki Suzuki in an IGF Rules. Barnett won with abrainbuster.[54]
During the January 2017Impact Wrestling tapings, Barnett unsuccessfully facedBobby Lashley in an open challenge for theTNA World Heavyweight Championship.[55]
Barnett returned to IGF on April 5, 2017, defeatingShinichi Suzukawa on the promotion's inaugural Next Exciting Wrestling (NEW) event.[56]
Josh Barnett hosted theGCW Bloodsport event of 2019. He foughtMinoru Suzuki in the main event. On June 22, 2019, it was announced that Bloodsport 2 would happen on September 14, 2019, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.Jon Moxley was announced as his opponent. After Moxley had to bow out of the bout due to injury, Chris Dickinson would be announced as his replacement. Josh Barnett would go on to defeat Chris Dickinson in the main event.[57]
On January 13, 2020, Josh announced that on April 2, 2020, atJosh Barnett's: Bloodsport 3, he would finally face off against Jon Moxley.[58] Due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the event was rescheduled for October 11 inMarion County, Indiana, and the main event announced for Bloodsport 3 wasJon Moxley vs.Chris Dickinson.[59]
Barnett made hisAll Elite Wrestling (AEW) debut on October 1, 2023, on the pre-show ofWrestleDream. At the event, Barnett was defeated byClaudio Castagnoli. After the match, Barnett praised Castagnolli and requested a future rematch.[60]
Despite not having ablack belt, Barnett competed at theIBJJF World No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championship on November 8, 2009, winning gold in the black belt ultra heavyweight / pessadisimo (over 215 pounds) division by defeating Bruno Paulista in the final.[7][9] According to Barnett, after his victory, a "Josh Barnett rule" was instituted that required official registration of a black belt and academy.[61]: 52ː17
Barnett competed in the California Classic Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament on November 15, 2009, in the black beltgi absolute division. He first beat future world championOtavio Sousa by submission but lost a decision toIBJJF world champion andADCC veteranRomulo Barral.[62] According to Barnett, it was originally advertised as a no-gi tournament but changed to gi after a vote before the event. Because he didn't own a gi or belt, Barnett was sponsored for a gi by Break Point and given an honorary black belt byChris Haueter to compete.[63] On December 19, 2009,Erik Paulson awarded Barnett his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Even though Barnett had never trained in BJJ, he was given his belt based on competition merit and overall knowledge.[62]
In the co-main event ofMetamoris 4 on August 9, 2014, Barnett facedDean Lister, a multiple-time world champion in submission grappling to determine the inaugural Metamoris Heavyweight Champion.[64] Barnett became the first person in sixteen years to defeat Lister via submission, submitting Lister with ascarf hold in the final thirty seconds of the match.[65][66]
On May 9, 2015, in the main event ofMetamoris 6, Barnett defended the Metamoris Heavyweight Championship against Ryron Gracie. In a bout promoted as "catch wrestling vs. Gracie jiu-jitsu", Barnett secured a takedown in the opening minutes and maintained top position for the duration. After moving tonorth-south position, Gracie attempted to scissor Barnett's head, which Barnett countered into a toehold to make Gracie submit at 12:58.[67][68] According to Barnett, he never received his payment for the match, which happened to other Metamoris competitors as well.[61]: 11ː53 [69]
Barnett facedPhil De Fries in a grappling match atXTB KSW Epic on February 24, 2024.[70] Neither man submitted the other, and the match was ruled a draw.[71]
On November 2, 2018, at theCatch Wrestling World Championships hosted byThe Snake Pit inBolton, England, Barnett competed and won thesuper heavyweight (100+ kg) division. Also at the event, Barnett faced Ian Jones, the heavyweight runner-up, in a challenge match that went to a draw.[8][72]
On November 3, 2018, Barnett faced Chris Crossan for the Legit Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship.[73] Barnett defeated Crossan to win the championship.[74]
On October 28, 2023, Barnett competed in a catch wrestling match againstOwen Livesey at theSnake Pit World Championships.[75] He lost the match by decision.[76]
Barnett has been an ambassador for catch wrestling as a sport, bringing American teams to the Snake Pit World Championships and heading the American Catch Wrestling Association (ACWA). In December 2023, the ACWA held the first modern US national championships for catch wrestling, the ACWA US Open, with over 90 competitors.[77][78][79]
Barnett competed against formerKSW Heavyweight Champion Marcin Różalski in abare-knuckle boxing match with elbows allowed on October 23, 2020, due to an agreement with Bellator.[80] The fight took place at theKSW event titled Genesis. Barnett defeated Różalski by TKO via doctor stoppage after the second round.[81]
In 2017, Barnett formed his own fight team based on thestyle popularized in Japan. Named UWF USA, it is ashootfighting and catch wrestling based fighting team. Barnett is the head coach/trainer for the team.[82]
Barnett appeared as himself in an episode of the 2013 web seriesBlack Dynamite Teaches a Hard Way!, where aBlack Dynamite mannequin teaches him the consequences of littering.[83]
Barnett defines himself as acatch wrestler.[84][85][86] He was introduced to the discipline while training for his second professional fight with Matt Hume's team at AMC Pankration.[14] His grappling technique is based on catch, utilizing the controls, rides, and pinning holds to exert pressure over his opponent and grind him down when the fight gets to the ground.[86] In order to finish the match, he is skilled in the aspect of lockflow or chain wrestling, in which he gets from a position to another to get a submission hold.[86] As well as his grappling expertise, Barnett also has a powerfulMuay Thai game, which features the ability to switch stances during the fight, confusing his opponent and strengthening Barnett's assault.[87] Barnett has also shown the ability to enhance his striking with catch wrestling, usingcollar ties andwrist grips to set up elbows and knees against the fence.[87]
In an interview onThe Steve Austin Show, Barnett confirmed that he is not religious. In his spare time, he enjoys driving and repairing automobiles, preferring vintage models. He is a self-proclaimedcinephile and cites the final cut ofBlade Runner as his favorite motion picture.[11][88]
He plays and is a fan of the card gameMagic: The Gathering.[89][90]
Barnett was dubbed the "Baby-Faced Assassin" early in his career due to his youthful appearance and dominance, with the moniker staying with him into his 30s.[91][92] His later nickname "The Warmaster" was in response to no longer looking or fighting like his younger self.[93] It was inspired by a song by the British death metal bandBolt Thrower, itself named after a character from thesci-fiminiature wargameWarhammer 40,000.[94] Barnett is a noted heavy metal fan, and has used Bolt Thrower as entrance music during his MMA career.
| 43 matches | 35 wins | 8 losses |
| By knockout | 10 | 4 |
| By submission | 19 | 1 |
| By decision | 5 | 3 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 35–8 | Andrei Arlovski | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Arlovski vs. Barnett | September 3, 2016 | 3 | 2:53 | Hamburg, Germany | Performance of the Night. Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 34–8 | Ben Rothwell | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader | January 30, 2016 | 2 | 3:48 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 34–7 | Roy Nelson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Barnett vs. Nelson | September 27, 2015 | 5 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 33–7 | Travis Browne | KO (elbows) | UFC 168 | December 28, 2013 | 1 | 1:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 33–6 | Frank Mir | TKO (knee) | UFC 164 | August 31, 2013 | 1 | 1:56 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 32–6 | Nandor Guelmino | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine | January 12, 2013 | 1 | 2:11 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 31–6 | Daniel Cormier | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier | May 19, 2012 | 5 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Final. |
| Win | 31–5 | Sergei Kharitonov | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov | September 10, 2011 | 1 | 4:28 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinal. |
| Win | 30–5 | Brett Rogers | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum | June 18, 2011 | 2 | 1:58 | Dallas, Texas, United States | Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 29–5 | Geronimo dos Santos | TKO (punches) | Impact FC 1 | July 10, 2010 | 1 | 2:35 | Brisbane, Australia | |
| Win | 28–5 | Siala-Mou Siliga | Submission (kimura) | DREAM 13 | March 22, 2010 | 1 | 4:41 | Kanagawa, Japan | |
| Win | 27–5 | Gilbert Yvel | TKO (submission to punches) | Affliction: Day of Reckoning | January 24, 2009 | 3 | 3:05 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
| Win | 26–5 | Pedro Rizzo | KO (punch) | Affliction: Banned | July 19, 2008 | 2 | 1:44 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
| Win | 25–5 | Jeff Monson | Decision (unanimous) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 2 | May 18, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 24–5 | Hidehiko Yoshida | Submission (heel hook) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku First Battle | March 5, 2008 | 3 | 3:23 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 23–5 | Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira | Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE FC: Shockwave 2006 | December 31, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 23–4 | Pawel Nastula | Submission (toe hold) | PRIDE 32: The Real Deal | October 21, 2006 | 2 | 3:04 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 22–4 | Mirko Filipović | TKO (submission to punches) | PRIDE FC: Final Conflict Absolute | September 10, 2006 | 1 | 7:32 | Saitama, Japan | 2006 PRIDE Heavyweight Grand Prix Final. |
| Win | 22–3 | Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira | Decision (split) | PRIDE FC: Final Conflict Absolute. | September 10, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | 2006 PRIDE Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinal. |
| Win | 21–3 | Mark Hunt | Submission (kimura) | PRIDE FC: Critical Countdown Absolute | July 1, 2006 | 1 | 2:02 | Saitama, Japan | 2006 PRIDE Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 20–3 | Alexander Emelianenko | Submission (keylock) | PRIDE FC: Total Elimination Absolute | May 5, 2006 | 2 | 1:57 | Osaka, Japan | 2006 PRIDE Heavyweight Grand Prix Opening Round. |
| Win | 19–3 | Kazuhiro Nakamura | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PRIDE 31: Dreamers | February 26, 2006 | 1 | 8:10 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 18–3 | Mirko Filipović | Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE 30 | October 23, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 18–2 | Mirko Filipović | TKO (shoulder injury) | PRIDE 28 | October 31, 2004 | 1 | 0:46 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 18–1 | Rene Rooze | TKO (punches) | K-1 MMA: Romanex | May 22, 2004 | 1 | 2:15 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 17–1 | Semmy Schilt | Submission (armbar) | Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003 | December 31, 2003 | 3 | 4:48 | Hyogo, Japan | Defended thePancrase Openweight Championship. |
| Win | 16–1 | Yoshiki Takahashi | Submission (triangle armbar) | NJPW Ultimate Crush II | October 13, 2003 | 2 | 2:52 | Tokyo, Japan | Defended thePancrase Openweight Championship.[101] |
| Win | 15–1 | Yuki Kondo | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Pancrase: 10th Anniversary Show | August 31, 2003 | 3 | 3:26 | Tokyo, Japan | Won thePancrase Openweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–1 | Jimmy Ambriz | TKO (knee and punches) | NJPW Ultimate Crush | May 2, 2003 | 1 | 3:05 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 13–1 | Randy Couture | TKO (punches) | UFC 36 | March 22, 2002 | 2 | 4:35 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won theUFC Heavyweight Championship. Barnett was stripped of the title on July 26, 2002 due to a failed post-fight drug test. |
| Win | 12–1 | Bobby Hoffman | TKO (submission to punches) | UFC 34 | November 2, 2001 | 2 | 4:25 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Tested positive for banned substances and given a warning by the NSAC. |
| Win | 11–1 | Semmy Schilt | Submission (armbar) | UFC 32 | June 29, 2001 | 1 | 4:21 | East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 10–1 | Pedro Rizzo | KO (punch) | UFC 30 | February 23, 2001 | 2 | 4:21 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 10–0 | Gan McGee | TKO (punches) | UFC 28 | November 17, 2000 | 2 | 4:34 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Super Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 9–0 | Dan Severn | Submission (armbar) | SuperBrawl 16 | February 8, 2000 | 4 | 1:21 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Win | 8–0 | Bobby Hoffman | Decision (unanimous) | SuperBrawl 13 | September 7, 1999 | 3 | 5:00 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Won SuperBrawl 13 Heavyweight Tournament. |
| Win | 7–0 | John Marsh | Submission (kimura) | SuperBrawl 13 | September 7, 1999 | 1 | 4:23 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | SuperBrawl 13 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 6–0 | Juha Tuhkasaari | Submission (armbar) | SuperBrawl 13 | September 7, 1999 | 1 | 3:32 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | SuperBrawl 13 Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 5–0 | Trevor Howard | Submission (armbar) | UFCF 4 | September 19, 1998 | 1 | N/A | Washington, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Bob Gilstrap | DQ | UFCF 3 | March 14, 1998 | 1 | 0:42 | Lynnwood, Washington, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Chris Munsen | TKO (punches) | UFCF 2 | September 6, 1997 | 1 | N/A | Washington, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Bob Gilstrap | Decision (unanimous) | UFCF 2 | July 7, 1997 | 1 | 10:00 | Washington, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Chris Charnos | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFCF 1 | January 11, 1997 | 1 | 2:41 | Washington, United States |
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Notes |
| Draw |  Phil De Fries | Draw | KSW Epic: Khalidov vs. Adamek | February 24, 2024 | 1 | 10:00 | |
| Loss |  Gordon Ryan | Submission (triangle choke) | Quintet | October 5, 2018 | 1 | N/A | |
| Win | Ryron Gracie | Submission (toe hold) | Metamoris VI | May 9, 2015 | 1 | 12:58 | Defended the Metamoris Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | Dean Lister | Submission (scarf-hold choke) | Metamoris IV | August 9, 2014 | 1 | 19:48 | For the inaugural Metamoris Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | Ricardo Almeida | Submission (guillotine choke) | ADCC | 2000 | N/A | N/A | Absolute |
| Loss | Mark Kerr | Submission (kimura) | ADCC | 2000 | N/A | N/A | +99 kg |
| Loss | Garth Taylor | Points | ADCC | 1999 | 1 | 10:00 | Absolute |
| Win |  Pedro Duarte | Submission | ADCC | 1999 | 1 | 1:19 | Absolute |
| Loss | Mark Kerr | Points | ADCC | 1999 | 1 | 10:00 | +99 kg |
| Win | Travis Fulton | Points | ADCC | 1999 | 1 | 15:00 | +99 kg |
| 1 match | 1 win | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | Marcin Różalski | TKO (doctor stoppage) | KSW Genesis: Różalski vs. Barnett | October 23, 2020 | 2 | 3:00 | Poland | Heavyweight bout |
| Achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | 7thUFC Heavyweight Champion March 22, 2002 – July 26, 2002 | Vacant Barnett stripped of title Title next held by Ricco Rodriguez |
 | This biography of a living personcontains unreferenced categories (Category:Sportspeople from Seattle,Category:Professional wrestlers from Seattle andCategory:Ballard High School (Seattle, Washington) alumni). Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced categories may be challenged andremoved.(March 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
