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Barnett Responds to White

Aug 31, 2007 12:15 PM John Chandler

Sam Caplan of Five Ounces of Pain contacted former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett to get his thoughts on White’s comment stating that nobody in the world of MMA cares about Barnett, especially White himself

Barnett’s response:

“He cared,” Barnett responded after White’s quote was read. “He gives a shit because if he didn’t he wouldn’t say anything and he wouldn’t get so worked up about it. He only uses his coveted swear words at important moments like when he tries to get fighters pumped up or gives them pep talks.”

“I was not negotiating with the UFC at the time of the comments but I can’t really talk about all the negotiations that I’ve been involved with and will be involved with at this point,” he answered. “I could always sign with the UFC,” responded Barnett. “It’s only a matter of making things work right for the both of us.”

“You don’t burn bridges with Dana,” the youngest heavyweight champion in UFC history stated. “If you can make him money, he puts you in there. If he thinks he’s going to get rich, he uses you or in some instances he has his guys that he calls his ‘boys,’ or whatever. He knows where his bread is buttered and if he sees green — it’s a go. Randy got an instant title shot coming out of retirement. You know why? Because he saw green. I’m not the only person to ever have issues with Dana and I’m sure — in fact I know for a fact — that there are fighters that are in the Ultimate Fighting Championship right now that have a problem with Dana White. But this is a completely different scenario. If he wants to have personal issues with fighters then there’s nothing I can do to help that guy.

“In terms of business, I make promoters money and promoters make me money and that’s what it comes down to and when it comes to calling somebody unbeatable you better make sure next time that the guy that beat him for the heavyweight title before isn’t in the same room.”

Personalities • Dana White • Josh Barnett • UFC

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Comments:

1. Mikemick
from Clermont, FL
Aug 31, 2007 4:02 PM

Yeah, didn’t he get the title taken away shortly after cause he was busted with steroids after the Couture fight?  Dana has (supposedly) picked against Couture in almost all of his fights.  So what if he gets caught up in the moment and says he is unbeatable.  Isn’t that what a promoter is supposed to say about their champion?

I think Barnett is making noise because obviously the UFC now owns the Heavyweight division and apparently the only fighter left on their list of fighters to acquire is Fedor, and I think Barnett feels like he is now on the outside looking in.

Controversy might sell fights, but it doesn’t win fans.  Barnett, you might have just lost another one right here.

2. John Chandler
from Philadelphia, PA
Aug 31, 2007 4:09 PM

Yes, Barnett was stripped of the title after testing positive for steroids after the Couture fight. Barnett to this day claims that the test was wrong though.

I think another mistake Josh is making is taking everything Dana is saying in a literal sense. Josh needs to remember that White is a promoter before anything else and that it’s his job to hype his champions up as much as he can.

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