Chris Barnett
Beast Boy
USA
Not competitive in Abu Dhabi loss
Barnett lost to Hamdy Abdelwahab via unanimous decision (26-29, 27-29, 27-29) at UFC 321 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
There were very few positives to take away from this Barnett performance, as expected. That's what often happens when you enter as a +350 underdog. The fact Chris was able to see the final bell was a minor miracle, although Abdelwahab's unwillingness to try to finish the fight was a major reason why that happened. Barnett also deserves credit for continuing after getting smashed in the back of the head with a few illegal blows in Round 1. He could have likely taken his DQ win and gone home, but he stuck it out. On the whole, however, it's going to be difficult for the company to run the 39-year-old Florida native back out there. Chris has just a single win in four attempts dating back to April 2022.
There were very few positives to take away from this Barnett performance, as expected. That's what often happens when you enter as a +350 underdog. The fact Chris was able to see the final bell was a minor miracle, although Abdelwahab's unwillingness to try to finish the fight was a major reason why that happened. Barnett also deserves credit for continuing after getting smashed in the back of the head with a few illegal blows in Round 1. He could have likely taken his DQ win and gone home, but he stuck it out. On the whole, however, it's going to be difficult for the company to run the 39-year-old Florida native back out there. Chris has just a single win in four attempts dating back to April 2022.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Locked in for UFC 321
Barnett is set to fight Hamdy Abdelwahab at UFC 321 on Oct. 25, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Barnett has yet to fight in 2025 with his last match being back in October of 2024, so he'll finally return to the octagon come UFC 321. The 39-year-old heavyweight is 2-3 in his last five fights tracking back to 2021, and he'll fight a less seasoned fighter in Abdelwahab. Both big men have a lot to prove when October arrives, as Barnett is nearing his older ages and Abdelwahab hasn't established himself in the UFC just yet.
Barnett has yet to fight in 2025 with his last match being back in October of 2024, so he'll finally return to the octagon come UFC 321. The 39-year-old heavyweight is 2-3 in his last five fights tracking back to 2021, and he'll fight a less seasoned fighter in Abdelwahab. Both big men have a lot to prove when October arrives, as Barnett is nearing his older ages and Abdelwahab hasn't established himself in the UFC just yet.
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.
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.