Bellator MMA
Barnett was deemed medically unfit to compete by Hawaii’s commission.
Bellator 235 has lost its main event on fight day, with the announcement coming during the middle of the main card.
Following a report from MMA Junkie’s Matt Erickson, Bellator president Scott Coker tweeted that Josh Barnett is out of his bout vs. Ronny Markes, with Hawaii’s commission not clearing the veteran heavyweight because of illness.
“On the advice of the Hawaii State Boxing Commission, tonight’s main event bout between Josh Barnett and Ronny Markes has been cancelled. Barnett has not been cleared tonight due to severe illness,” Coker wrote.
“Toby Misech vs. Erik Perez is the new #BellatorUSO main event.”
Barnett has not fought since submitting Andrei Arlovski in 2016. A prolonged battle with USADA saw him get cleared of any wrongdoing when his case went to arbitration. He received his UFC release and signed with Bellator MMA earlier this year.
Unfortunately, Barnett’s return to MMA competition will have to wait until 2020.