Manager: Barnett could fight in 2 mos, or never
“Josh Banrett is healthy and could conceivably walk right into an elimination title fight right now … However, he has big movie offer and frankly they pay better.”
UFC heavyweight Josh Barnett put on an awesome fight Saturday night in Japan vs. Roy Nelson. But he might be done at age 37.
Barnett’s manager Leland Lebarre appeared recently on UFC Tonight and said ‘The Warmaster’ could fight two months from now, or not until two years form now, or never.
Barnett had roles in two movies currently in post production – Chuck Hank and the San Diego Twins and Never Back Down 3. Lebarre said he is not trying to pressure the UFC for more than the contracted show and win, but acting simply pays better. As much as Barnett enjoys the challenge of fighting even after 18 years, he may have to look to the future, and consider his finances first.
“Josh is healthy and could conceivably walk right into an elimination title fight right now because he is at peak physical condition,” said Lebarre, as transcribed by MMA Fighting. “However, he has big movie offer and frankly they pay better.”
As a fan, you have to hope Barnett fights again. But as a real fan, you have to hope he looks out above all for his best interests, as MMA is not a lifetime career, it is a limited opportunity.