Chris Barnett

Last updated
Chris Barnett
Chris Barnett 2017.png
Barnett in 2017
BornChristopher James Barnett
(1986-06-14) June 14, 1986 (age 38)
Zaragoza, Spain [1]
Other namesBeastboy
Huggy Bear
Residence Tampa, Florida, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight264 lb (120 kg; 18 st 12 lb)
Division Heavyweight (present)
Super Heavyweight
Reach75 in (191 cm) [2]
Style Taekwondo Wrestling Judo
Fighting out of Athens, Georgia, U.S.
TeamBarnett Taekwondo Academy
Rank3rd dan black belt in Taekwondo [3]
Years active2009–present
Professional boxing record
Total6
Wins2
By knockout1
Losses4
By knockout1
Mixed martial arts record
Total32
Wins23
By knockout18
By decision5
Losses9
By knockout4
By submission1
By decision4
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Christopher James Barnett [4] (born June 14, 1986) [5] is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Contents

Background

Barnett was born in Zaragoza, Spain, where his father was stationed as a United States Air Force captain. [6] Around the age of four, the family returned to the United States and after bouncing around they settled in Georgia. [6] Both of his parents are black belts in Taekwondo, and he started training the martial art around the age of five. [7] Barnett went to Campbellsville University and University of South Florida and graduated with a bachelor's degree. At Campbellsville, Barnett competed in Wrestling on a scholarship and began training in Judo. [8] Barnett received an invitation to try out mixed martial arts after showing his moves in a dance battle, and started training immediately. [7]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Starting his professional career in 2009, Barnett fought primarily in Xtreme Fighting Championships and started 5–0 with four knockouts. [9] He also fought in other notable Asian organizations, such as Rizin Fighting Federation, Road Fighting Championship, and Inoki Genome Federation. [10]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

After 12 years, Barnett finally got a call from the UFC to replace Askar Mozharov on short notice against Ben Rothwell at UFC Fight Night 188 on May 22, 2021. [11] He lost the bout by submission in the second round. [12]

In September 2021, news surfaced that Barnett had tested positive for marijuana stemming from his UFC debut, and he was suspended for 4.5 months, becoming eligible to return on October 6, 2021. [13]

In his next fight, Barnett fought Gian Villante in Villante's retirement fight at UFC 268 on November 6, 2021, in Madison Square Garden. [14] He won the fight by technical knockout in the second round via spinning wheel kick and punches. [15] The win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus award. [16]

Barnett next faced promotional newcomer Martin Buday at UFC Fight Night 206 on April 16, 2022. [17] Barnett lost the fight via technical unanimous decision after being rendered unable to continue due to an unintentional elbow to the back of the head in the third round. [18]

Barnett most recently faced Jake Collier on September 10, 2022, at UFC 279. [19] At the weigh-ins, Barnett weighed in at 267.5 pounds, 1.5 pounds over the non-title heavyweight limit. Barnett was fined 20% of his purse, which went to his opponent Collier. [20] Barnett suffered a knockdown and heavy ground and pound in the first, however he rallied and won the fight via TKO in the second round. [21]

Barnett was scheduled to face Chase Sherman on April 8, 2023, at UFC 287. [22] However, Barnett pulled out due to undisclosed reasons in early April and was replaced by Karl Williams. [23]

Barnett was scheduled to face Mohammed Usman on March 23, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53. [24] However, Barnett withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Mick Parkin. [25]

Barnett was scheduled to face Waldo Cortes-Acosta on October 12, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 244. [26] However, Cortes-Acosta withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and was replaced by Junior Tafa. [27] Subsequently, Barnett withdrew after being unable to travel due to Hurricane Milton and was replaced by UFC newcomer Sean Sharaf. [28]

Replacing an injured Justin Tafa, Barnett was scheduled to face Kennedy Nzechukwu on October 26, 2024 at UFC 308. [29] [30] Barnett lost the fight by technical knockout in the first round. [31]

Personal life

Barnett's wife died in May 2022 after a battle with encephalitis. [32] Barnett and his late wife have a daughter and a son. [7]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
32 matches23 wins9 losses
By knockout184
By submission01
By decision54
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss23–9 Kennedy Nzechukwu TKO (knee to the body and punches) UFC 308 October 26, 202414:27 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win23–8 Jake Collier TKO (punches) UFC 279 September 10, 202222:24 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesCatchweight (267.5 lb) bout; Barnett missed weight.
Loss22–8Martin BudayTechnical Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2 April 16, 202231:37 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesAn inadvertent elbow to the back of Barnett's head rendered him unable to continue.
Win22–7 Gian Villante TKO (spinning wheel kick and punches) UFC 268 November 6, 202122:23 New York City, New York, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Loss21–7 Ben Rothwell Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt May 22, 202122:07 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesReturn to Heavyweight.
Win21–6Ahmed Tijani ShehuTKO (punches)UAE Warriors 13September 25, 202010:58 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win20–6Rashaun JacksonDecision (split)Island Fights 60October 10, 201935:00 Columbus, Georgia, United StatesHeavyweight bout.
Win19–6Shim Yoon-jaeTKO (punch) Road FC 055 September 8, 201913:44 Daegu, South Korea
Win18–6Robert NealDecision (unanimous)Island Fights 52February 7, 201935:00 Pensacola, Florida, United StatesHeavyweight bout.
Win17–6 Alexandru Lungu TKO (punches) Road FC 047 May 12, 201812:34 Beijing, China
Win16–6Shim Yoon-jaeTKO (spinning back kick) Road FC 045 December 23, 201723:33 Seoul, South Korea
Loss15–6 Alex Nicholson KO (elbow)Island Fights 42October 14, 201710:40 Pensacola, Florida, United StatesHeavyweight bout.
Loss15–5Myung Hyun-manKO (punch) Road FC 041 August 12, 201721:53 Wanju, South Korea
Loss15–4Myung Hyun-manTKO (doctor stoppage) Road FC 038 April 15, 201712:17 Seoul, South Korea
Win15–3Frank TateDecision (split)Island Fights 39November 18, 201635:00 Pensacola, Florida, United StatesHeavyweight bout.
Loss14–3Kirill SidelnikovDecision (split) Rizin 1 April 17, 201635:00 Nagoya, Japan
Win14–2 Shinichi Suzukawa TKO (punches)Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2015December 31, 201511:44 Sumida, Japan
Loss13–2 Oli Thompson Decision (unanimous)Inoki Genome Fight 4August 29, 201525:00 Sumida, Japan
Win13–1Emil ZaharievKO (spinning back kick to the body)Inoki Genome Fight 3April 11, 201522:58 Sumida, Japan
Win12–1 Shinichi Suzukawa TKO (punches)Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2014December 31, 201411:57 Sumida, Japan
Win11–1Jon HillTKO (punches)Island Fights 30September 20, 201410:30 Pensacola, Florida, United StatesDefended the Island Fights Super Heavyweight Championship.
Win10–1 Travis Wiuff TKO (punches)Inoki Genome Fight 2August 23, 201420:27 Sumida, Japan
Win9–1Richard WhiteTKO (punches)Island Fights 28May 9, 201414:57 Pensacola, Florida, United StatesWon the vacant Island Fights Super Heavyweight Championship.
Win8–1Demoreo DennisTKO (punches)Island Fights 27February 8, 201421:13 Pensacola, Florida, United StatesSuper Heavyweight debut.
Win7–1 Walt Harris Decision (unanimous)World Extreme Fighting 46April 22, 201135:00 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win6–1Mario RinaldiTKO (punches) XFC 13 December 3, 201021:44 Tampa, Florida, United States
Loss5–1 Eric Prindle Decision (majority)Martial Combat 12October 16, 201035:00 Sentosa, Singapore
Win5–0Jay WhiteKO (punches) XFC 11 July 9, 201014:39 Tampa, Florida, United States
Win4–0Joel WyattTKO (punches)WCC 2May 28, 201020:43 Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States
Win3–0Kenny GarnerTKO (punches) XFC 10 March 19, 201031:36 Tampa, Florida, United States
Win2–0Daniel PerezTKO (punches) XFC 9 September 5, 200920:47 Tampa, Florida, United States
Win1–0Johnathan IveyDecision (unanimous) XFC 8 April 25, 200935:00 Knoxville, Tennessee, United StatesHeavyweight debut.

[5]

Submission grappling record

1 Matches, 0 Wins, 1 Losses, 0 Draws
ResultRec.OpponentMethodEventDateDivisionLocation
Loss0–1 Flag of Cuba.svg Yoel Romero Submission (Kimura)Dean Toole PromotionsJune 15, 2019Openweight Flag of the United States.svg Pensacola, Florida

[34]

Professional boxing record

6 fights2 wins4 losses
By knockout11
By decision13
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
6Win2–4 Flag of the United States.svg Demarcus KempUD4, 3:00Aug 13, 2016 Flag of the United States.svg Pensacola Bay Center, Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
5Loss1–4 Flag of the United States.svg Kenny LacyUD4June 1, 2012 Flag of the United States.svg A La Carte Event Pavilion, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
4Loss1–3 Flag of the United States.svg Trevor Bryan KO2 (4), 2:04February 10, 2012 Flag of the United States.svg Community Center, Palm Bay, Florida, U.S.
3Loss1–2 Flag of Cuba.svg Pedro Julio RodriguezUD4November 11, 2011 Flag of the United States.svg A La Carte Event Pavilion, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
2Loss1–1 Flag of the United States.svg Nathaniel JamesUD4November 4, 2011 Flag of the United States.svg Ritz Theatre, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
1Win1–0 Flag of the United States.svg Michael GreesonKO2 (4), 2:12Aug 12, 2011 Flag of the United States.svg DoubleTree Westshore Hotel, Tampa, Florida, U.S.

[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fight Path: For XFC's big man Chris Barnett, martial arts was a family affair". MMAjunkie.com . July 30, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. 13 May 2021.
  3. ↑ "Insight: get to know Chris Barnett". Road Fighting Championship . April 6, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Chris Barnett ("Beastboy") MMA Fighter Page". Tapology.
  5. 1 2 "Chris Barnett MMA Stats". Sherdog.
  6. 1 2 Jim Norton; Matt Serra (November 9, 2021). "UFC 268 Recap: Champion Rose Namajunas, Chris Barnett, and Chris Curtis" (Podcast).
  7. 1 2 3 Ariel Helwani (November 8, 2021). "Chris Barnett's Black-Belt Parents On Knockout: 'Literally, My Mom Yelled At Me' - MMA Fighting" – via YouTube.
  8. ↑ "Fight Path: For XFC's big man Chris Barnett, martial arts was a family affair". 30 July 2009.
  9. ↑ Jordy McElroy (November 25, 2014). "Chris 'Huggy Bear' Barnett: The Heavyweight You Should Be Talking About". BleacherReport.
  10. 1 2 "Chris Barnett". BoxRec . Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  11. ↑ Farah Hannoun (May 13, 2021). "Ben Rothwell welcomes 'Beast Boy' Chris Barnett to the octagon at UFC Fight Night 188". MMAjunkie.com .
  12. ↑ Shawn Bitter (May 22, 2021). "UFC Vegas 27 Results: Ben Rothwell Submits Debuting Chris Barnett". CageSidePress.
  13. ↑ Shaun Al-Shatti (September 22, 2021). "UFC heavyweight Chris Barnett suspended, fined for marijuana despite NAC's rule change on the drug". mmafighting.com.
  14. ↑ Steven Irvine (November 6, 2021). "Gian Villante loses UFC 268 retirement fight via crazy TKO (Video)". fansided.com.
  15. ↑ Damon Martin (November 6, 2021). "UFC 268 video: Chris Barnett retires Gian Villante with spectacular spinning wheelkick knockout". MMAFighting.
  16. 1 2 Alexander K. Lee (November 7, 2021). "UFC 268 bonuses: Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler thriller leads night of six winners". mmafighting.com.
  17. ↑ Mike Heck (January 24, 2022). "Chris Barnett set to return vs. Martin Buday at April 16 UFC event". mmafighting.com.
  18. ↑ Bitter, Shawn (2022-04-16). "UFC Vegas 51: Injury, Foul Mars Martin Buday vs. Chris Barnett Heavyweight Fight". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  19. ↑ "UFC 279 adds Chris Barnett vs. Jake Collier heavyweight clash". MMA Junkie. 2022-07-26. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
  20. ↑ Staff (2022-09-09). "UFC 279 weigh-in results: Disastrous session leads to fight card overhaul". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  21. ↑ "UFC 279 results, highlights: Chris Barnett rallies to TKO Jake Collier in heavyweight slugfest". CBSSports.com. 11 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
  22. ↑ ATSteveDuncan (2023-02-14). "Chris Barnett vs. Chase Sherman agregado a UFC 287". MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  23. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Karl Williams Replaces Chris Barnett, Meets Chase Sherman at UFC 287". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  24. ↑ Navas, Julio Fernando (2024-01-16). "Mohammed Usman enfrenta a Chris Barnett en el UFC Vegas 88 - MMA AL DÍA" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  25. ↑ "UFC Vegas 89 adds three new fights to lineup, but loses fan-favorite". MMA Junkie. 2024-01-31. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  26. ↑ Christopher De Santiago (2024-07-29). "UFC News: Fan-Favorite Chris Barnett Returns to Fight Top Heavyweight Prospect". si.com. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  27. ↑ Nolan King (2024-09-29). "Chris Barnett gets new opponent for UFC Fight Night 244". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2024-09-29.
  28. ↑ Brendan Bradford (2024-10-08). "Junior Tafa's reaction to Chris Barnett pulling out of this weekend's UFC". ntnews.com.au. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  29. ↑ Staff (2024-10-12). "Chris Barnett Gets New Booking, Faces Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 308". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  30. ↑ Brian Mazique (2024-10-21). "2 Changes To Massive UFC 308 Card Have Made The Event Even Better". forbes.com. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  31. ↑ Jay Anderson (2024-10-26). "UFC 308: Kennedy Nzechukwu Stops Hobbled Chris Barnett". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  32. ↑ Cole Shelton (2022-09-05). "Chris Barnett reveals 30 hours before Martin Buday fight he had to make a decision on his sick wife, thanks Dana White for calling and taking care of him". BJPenn.com. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
  33. ↑ Thomas Gerbasi (December 21, 2021). "The 10 Best Knockouts Of 2021". Ultimate Fighting Championship . Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  34. ↑ Ryan Harkness (June 16, 2019). "Romero subs, Pettis and Masvidal draw in charity grappling fights". mmamania.com.
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