The upcoming showdown between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos may decide the next UFC heavyweight champion, but Josh Barnett believes the ongoing Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix will determine the best heavyweight in the world.
“I absolutely believe that the winner of this tournament is the No. 1 heavyweight in the world. Anybody that comes out on top of this has the experience, or got the track record, and it will be proven without a doubt.,” Barnett told MMAWeekly Radio.
“I think I’m fighting in the toughest collection of heavyweights just about ever assembled. To say otherwise would be a real travesty and would definitely show bias.”
With the tournament including world-class names like Alistair Overeem, Fedor Emelianenko, Fabricio Werdum and Antonio Silva, it’s hard to argue with Barnett.
The majority would still claim that the entire heavyweight division goes through Velasquez and dos Santos, but the Grand Prix winner could certainly make a case for the top spot.
It’s rare to see any stable compete with the UFC, but the Strikeforce heavyweight division more than holds its own. There are five heavyweights from both promotions that split the top 10 rankings of most publications.
On June 18, the Grand Prix continues with two major quarterfinal bouts. While Overeem squares off in the main event against Werdum, Barnett will have to find a way to deal with heavy-handed slugger Brett Rogers.
“He’s far from being one of the best guys out there in its entirety. What I mean by this is to be consistently one of the best guys,” said Barnett. “I think if he touches you he can knock anybody out, but I don’t think even he would be willing to say that he’s acquired all the skills that are necessary to be the best fighter in the world at this point.”
Rogers surprised the MMA world with his June 2009 upset over Andrei Arlovski. Since the victory, “The Grim” is 1-2 in his last three fights, with the losses coming to Emelianenko and Overeem.
There have been comparisons between Rogers and two-time K-1 World Grand Prix Champion Mighty Mo, who was a previous opponent of Barnett’s, but other than explosive punching power, Barnett still sees Mighty Mo as the more complete fighter.
“I think Mighty Mo is a tougher opponent than Brett,” Barnett said. “Mighty Mo actually has a pretty decent wrestling background, and he’s a K-1 level kickboxer.”
The winner of Barnett and Rogers will move on to face Russian kickboxer Sergei Kharitonov in the semifinals. While he has been subject to his fair share of criticism, Barnett has continuously proven himself as an upper-echelon heavyweight.
Saturday night marks his first step towards redemption.
“He’s still fairly young, not real young to this sport, but he doesn’t come there with the pedigree that I do. So, by all means I should take him out, but nothing’s to be said until the fight actually goes down. Anything can happen out there in the ring,” stated Barnett.
“I think the best Brett Rogers is going to show up come June 18. So when I go out there and beat him, I’m going to beat the best Brett there’s ever been.”
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