Josh Barnett: SF Grand Prix is a ‘stepping stone’

Speaking at the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix press conference this week in New York, Josh Barnett said:

This tournament is hugely important for MMA at large and especially for the heavyweight division because this is the greatest collection of heavyweight talent ever assembled for one tournament. This is not just a paper thing. The winner will be the No. 1 heavyweight in the world.

I’m very excited and glad to be part of it and hope to use it as a stepping-stone to re-establish my career and to re-establish myself as the No. 1 fighter. I haven’t lost in years and don’t plan to now.”

Former UFC heavyweight champion Barnett faces knockout artist Brett Rogers in quarter-final match-up later on this year.