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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC heavyweight Josh Barnett has had a dual career in both MMA and pro wrestling, working matches in Japan off and on over the last decade. So it comes as no surprise that his next side gig will be calling the action for New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Barnett will join longtime announcer Mauro Ranallo to call a limited NJPW series on AXS TV in 2015, it was announced this week.
13 episodes will air, with Barnett and Ranallo expected to record English-language commentary next month for the series. It's expected to feature past matchups, though details haven't yet been announced.
Barnett worked with NJPW early on in his pro wrestling run, which began when he went to Japan after he was released from the UFC in 2002.
Ranallo got his start in pro wrestling broadcasting in Canada, and has a lengthy MMA history as well, announcing CBS and Showtime bouts with Elite XC and Strikeforce. He's been focusing on boxing with Showtime as of late, calling several major fights under their banner.
Penick's Analysis: Barnett and Ranallo calling the action could make for quite an entertaining pair, and it's not surprising at all that Barnett would be involved in this. With his background in catch wrestling, pro wrestling was a natural thing for him to get into, and given his history with it - and the fact that he's likely not allowed to do the actual wrestling part under his UFC deal - doing some commentary is probably the next best thing. For those interested, that should make for an entertaining program on AXS TV next year.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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