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 Title History:
King of Pancrase Openweight Title (1):
Tournament History: None won.
Signature Moves:
- Captured buster
Profile: With training in multiple combat forms, Josh Barnett turned heads in February, 2000, when aged just 22, he submitted Dan Severn at SuperBrawl 16, a mixed martial arts event. He soon moved to the more popular UFC promotion, where he made history by becoming the youngest ever UFC Heavyweight Champion, defeating Randy Couture in March, 2002. He left the UFC under controversial circumstances, never losing the title in the octagon. In December, 2002, Barnett appeared in New Japan, targetting IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Yuji Nagata. When Nagata refused a handshake, Barnett choked him out in seconds with a deadly front sleeper. In January, 2003, Barnett made his professional wrestling debut in the highest way possible. He challenged Nagata for wrestling's top prize, the IWGP Heavyweight Title, in a Tokyo Dome main event. Not phased by a loss to Nagata, Barnett devoted himself to learning pro wrestling the hard way, braving New Japan's grueling tour circuit, where he quickly began obtaining wins. Soon, he began representing New Japan in vale tudo fights, invading Pancrase successfully, and competing in fights on major New Japan events. After a long absence and falling out with management, Barnett left New Japan in early 2006. Related Information: 30 Questions with Josh Barnett (June, 2004)
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