What an act of utter selflessness/opportunism.
Right now, UFC 196 is in trouble.
Following the outstanding success of the promotion’s past three big, big events – 193 [Holm beats Rousey], 194 [McGregor defeats Aldo] and 195 [Lawler edges Condit battle] – the February 6 event in Las Vegas had a lot to live up to.
Now, with less than two weeks to go to the main event, the main event has sunk without trace.
Fabricio Werdum was set to meet former champion Cain Velasquez until the challenger pulled out with a back injury. Stipe Miocic agreed to step up, on short notice, and fight Werdum but the Brazilian has now withdrawn from the event himself.
Although there has been no official confirmation about the re-jigged main event, Miocic appears to have no-one to fight.
There are another couple of high-profile bouts on the card – Johny Hendricks vs. Stephen Thompson and Roy Nelson vs. Jared Rosholt – but placing either as a main event would hardly bring in PPVs.
Luckily, Josh Barnett has a solution.
The No.8 ranked heavyweight is due to fight Ben Rothwell [No.7] on Saturday but is more than willing to hold off on that duel for a week, and a shot at an interim belt.
Barnett told reporters, “If they page me 911, if they send me the number, I will absolutely take the fight. If they want a heavyweight championship main event, I’m your man.
“I’ll go in. I’ll take care of business and I’ll give them what they want. I’ll give them what they need, which is a healthy, motivated championship fighter. That’s what they’ll get.”
The Warmaster was heavyweight champion way back in 2002 and, now aged 38, spies opportunity knocking.
“Interim title,” Barnett offered. “It’s set up for a title match. Let’s keep it going.
“That’s what they need on Super Bowl weekend. They need a title fight. They need a heavyweight title fight. That’s what we can provide. Former champ and a No. 1 contender. That’s what people want to see. They want to see championship level fights.
“They want to see the top guys go at it. We can do it.”
