Since Josh Barnett ‘tweeted’ a couple of days ago that the “rumor is” both Tim Sylvia and Antonio Silva had turned down an opportunity to fight the banished heavyweight in Japan, speculation has been percolating as to who whether or not Barnett’s return was imminent. Well, according to a report this afternoon from MMA Weekly, the former UFC champion has signed a deal with Dream and will likely fight March 22nd.
The report did not mention any possible opponent, and with the news that Alistair Overeem is probably locked to fight Bret Rogers in May, the rumored list of opponents is getting shorter. Fighters Only Magazine is reporting that British heavyweight Neil Grove continues to be a possibility.
So, should anyone be surprised that Barnett is heading back to “The Land of the Rising Sun,” which also, by quinky dink, is under no obligation to honor the fighter’s latest suspension for allegedly testing positive for banned substances? We just answered our own question. (Perhaps you were one of many, who wept uncontrollably in despair and anger last summer, when Mr.Barnett’s urine kyboshed his Affliction bout with Fedor Emelianenko…it’s okay, it’s the tough times that make you grow…)
Well, ‘black sheep of MMA’ drama aside, here’s hoping that at least Dream throws Barnett a quality opponent rather than someone of the tomato can variety.