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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Josh Barnett is on his way back to the UFC, as MMAJunkie.com reports that he's signed a multi-fight contract with the organization.
Barnett had been the most well-known holdout from the Strikeforce roster when it was absorbed by the UFC, and for a time it seemed as if the two sides would not come to a deal, but they've now come to an agreement, and Barnett will make his UFC return later this year.
He's a former Champion in the organization, having captured the title back in 2002 with a win over Randy Couture. However, he was stripped of that belt and released from the organization. He spent the next several years in Japan before joining Affliction in 2008. He won two fights under that banner before essentially ending their run when he failed another drug test, canceling his bout with Fedor Emelianenko and in turn Affliction's third event.
Following Affliction's demise, Barnett eventually made his way to Strikeforce for the Heavyweight World Grand Prix. He made it to the finals before suffering a decision loss to Daniel Cormier, and then he bounced back with a win over Nandor Guelmino on the final Strikeforce card. Now, he's headed back to where he first gained fame, more than 11 years later.
Penick's Analysis: Barnett's drug-addled history will always follow him, but he's remained one of the top fighters in the heavyweight division, and the UFC was really the only place for him to continue competing against the top fighters in the world. This is the right move for him, and keeps the top heavyweights in the world under the UFC's banner. There are a number of fights in the UFC that would be highly intriguing for Barnett, so regardless of when and where and against whom Barnett's return comes against, it's bound to be a good one.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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