Ohio to license Josh Barnett for Strikeforce Grand Prix semis
The Ohio Athletic Commission, under the guidance of Executive Director Bernie Profato, is the busiest AC in North America. Profato…
The Ohio Athletic Commission, under the guidance of Executive Director Bernie Profato, is the busiest AC in North America. Profato says Josh Barnett has passed a pre-fight drug test, and will be licensed to fight Sergei Kharitonov at the Strikeforce Grand Prix semi finals which take place Sept. 10 at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati. The other semifinal bouts in the 9/10 Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix tournament is Antonio Silva vs. Daniel Cormier.
Profato said additional drug testing is standard procedure for athletes who previously have failed a screen.
The California State Athletic Commission of course denied Barnett a license to fight in summer 2009. Seven years prior, he was flagged for steroids following his title-winning fight against Randy Couture at UFC 36. He was later stripped of the title.
“So we had him tested,” Profato said. “We’re satisfied that he’s clean, as far as coming into the fight, and we’re going to test all four of [the grand-prix fighters] plus a couple of random fights at the event.”
“Initially, I was going to say, ‘You’ve got to come here to Ohio.’ But in fairness to any athlete, when they’re in the height of their training, why should the state of Ohio … break up this guy’s training regime?”
“He hasn’t done anything for us not to issue him a license. He’s met all the requirements we’ve asked of him.”
“In fairness to this young man, he cooperated 110 percent.”
