Chris Barnett
Beast Boy
USA
Routed in first fight since 2022
Barnett lost to Kennedy Nzechukwu via TKO (strikes) at 4:27 of Round 1 at UFC 308 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Returning for his fifth UFC bout and first since September 2022, Barnett wasn't the least bit competitive. He had zero answers for the massive eight-inch edge in both height and reach that Kennedy brought to the table. To make matters worse, Barnett appeared to injure his leg while jumping up and down during Bruce Buffer's introduction. After the fight, his trainer said the injury occurred during a kick attempt, but the film shows otherwise. Regardless, this result was never in doubt. Barnett is a better athlete than his frame suggests, but at age 38, he appears to be just about out of time in terms of competing at this level.
Returning for his fifth UFC bout and first since September 2022, Barnett wasn't the least bit competitive. He had zero answers for the massive eight-inch edge in both height and reach that Kennedy brought to the table. To make matters worse, Barnett appeared to injure his leg while jumping up and down during Bruce Buffer's introduction. After the fight, his trainer said the injury occurred during a kick attempt, but the film shows otherwise. Regardless, this result was never in doubt. Barnett is a better athlete than his frame suggests, but at age 38, he appears to be just about out of time in terms of competing at this level.
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Filling in for Justin Tafa
Barnett will fight Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 308 on Oct. 26, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Barnett had been scheduled to fight Junior Tafa at UFC Vegas 98 on Saturday, but he withdrew from the event after a hurricane struck his hometown in Florida. He'll now wait an extra couple of weeks before filling in for Justin Tafa (undisclosed). Considering the fact he hasn't fought since September 2022, there's a good chance Barnett displays a bit of rust, but he'll have the benefit of facing an opponent who has lost each of his last two bouts.
Barnett had been scheduled to fight Junior Tafa at UFC Vegas 98 on Saturday, but he withdrew from the event after a hurricane struck his hometown in Florida. He'll now wait an extra couple of weeks before filling in for Justin Tafa (undisclosed). Considering the fact he hasn't fought since September 2022, there's a good chance Barnett displays a bit of rust, but he'll have the benefit of facing an opponent who has lost each of his last two bouts.
Pulls out of fight vs. Junior Tafa
Barnett will not be fighting against Junior Tafa at UFC Vegas 98 on Oct. 12, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
According to reports, Barnett will have to attend a personal matter as a hurricane has damaged his home in Florida and will not be able to attend the fight. In his absence, Junior Tafa will face Sean Sharaf.
According to reports, Barnett will have to attend a personal matter as a hurricane has damaged his home in Florida and will not be able to attend the fight. In his absence, Junior Tafa will face Sean Sharaf.
Will face new opponent
Barnett won't face Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Vegas 98 on Oct. 12, and he'll face Junior Tafa instead, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
This change means Barnett will have roughly two weeks to prepare for a new opponent, as the fight against Cortes-Acosta had been scheduled since early August. Regardless of the opponent, Barnett is simply looking to step into an octagon at some point in the current year, as he's yet to fight in 2024 and has withdrawn from his previous two bouts. Barnett currently holds a 2-2 record at the UFC level.
This change means Barnett will have roughly two weeks to prepare for a new opponent, as the fight against Cortes-Acosta had been scheduled since early August. Regardless of the opponent, Barnett is simply looking to step into an octagon at some point in the current year, as he's yet to fight in 2024 and has withdrawn from his previous two bouts. Barnett currently holds a 2-2 record at the UFC level.
Set to face Cortes-Acosta
Barnett is set to face Waldo Cortes-Acosta in a heavyweight fight on Oct. 12, Nolan King of MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Barnett hasn't stepped on the octagon this year and will aim to turn things around against Cortes-Acosta. He has withdrawn of his last two fights.
Barnett hasn't stepped on the octagon this year and will aim to turn things around against Cortes-Acosta. He has withdrawn of his last two fights.
Withdraws from fight
Barnett (undisclosed) will no longer fight Mohammed Usman at UFC Vegas 89 on March 23, source reports.
ANALYSIS
It's unclear why Barnett backed out of the fight, but Michael Parkin will now take Barnett's spot against Usman.
It's unclear why Barnett backed out of the fight, but Michael Parkin will now take Barnett's spot against Usman.