Comments on: No sugar-coated coverage in the Japanese media for Josh Barnett

By: The Citizen

The Citizen — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 08:25:07 +0000

A gaijin can be disgraced in Japan and still fight on the card. He is not Japanese — he is a catch-wrestler who is popular in Japan because he is good at what he does.
I say do this bout in Japan.

By: Dave2

Dave2 — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:07:31 +0000

I would love to see Fedor vs. Barnett NYE. And since he’s not suspended (because he’s not under license, that’s the same loophole Belfort took advantage of when he went to Cage Rage after getting busted), it can happen without Barnett receiving any punishment from the athletic commissions. But Barnett is a disgraced man in Japan now so would the Japanese even care to see that fight now? Way to ruin your career Josh. He’s not going to have many fans after testing positive TWICE.

By: Jeremy (not that Jeremy)

Jeremy (not that Jeremy) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:01:06 +0000

I think you’re wrong 45. Fedor’s fans haven’t cared who he fought, where he fought, if he fought, what venue he fought in, who he fought for, how much he fought for, or even what sport he fought in anytime recently, so why would they start now?

He could fight Kaz Hirai and people would think it was the fight of the year.

By: liger05

liger05 — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 23:45:58 +0000

Barnett isnt actually suspended is he.

By: 45 Huddle

45 Huddle — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 23:27:40 +0000

Based on horrible commission rules, he will still be able to technically fight in the US. However, the UFC is not going to touch him. And I highly doubt Strikeforce will within the next two years.

Fedor fighting Barnett would lose him a lot of US fans I think.

By: JasonRKline

JasonRKline — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 23:20:30 +0000

@citizen

if it happens barnett is kissing his fight career in USA good bye! I dont think he cares much but i doubt a state would license him for fighting during suspension….

Well who knows west virgina might allow him back….

By: The Citizen

The Citizen — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 22:15:09 +0000

Fedor – Barnet
NEW YEARS
JAPAN

Anyone think this can just happen? If Japan is already promoting the Mega Fight of the Year, why not make it happen?

By: liger05

liger05 — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:01:05 +0000

I would like to see New Japan get Barnett but certain people in the company dont like him so not gonna happen. It’s not like Dream or Sengoku are blessed with much HW talent so why not get Barnett it in for some shows?

By: Black Dog

Black Dog — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:20:49 +0000

I called it; I knew that Barnett would fight on the IGF card, and I think he would have done so, even if he did fight Fedor.

Barnett has drifted between worked and shoot matches most of his career, so at least he has somewhere he can go. His wide range of skills is the kind of thing Inoki has always wanted for his promotions.

But this does leave Josh in a bit of a mess; IGF only does about four to six shows a year, and I don’t see any puro orgs. shelling out money for the guy. Where can he go from here, if the suspension is upheld?

By: 45 Huddle

45 Huddle — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:26:50 +0000

Makes sense that Inoki would do this. Bad press is better then no press.

I’ve always looked at steroids in MMA in Japan as a Don’t Ask Don’t Tell type of situation. Where they know it’s going on, but as long as they don’t hear about it, they are okay with it. It’s once they hear about it that it becomes a big deal.