Josh Barnett Granted License To Fight In California

[No More Sorrow]

In 2009, just over a week ahead of his highly-anticipated Affliction matchup against Fedor Emelianenko, Josh Barnett tested positive for the anabolic steroid Drostanolone. The positive test, Barnett's career second, saw the fight cancelled and is partially credited by most to have assisted in Affliction's demise as a promotion.

Until today, Barnett has been unable to resolve his outstanding issues with the California State Athletic Commission to get re-licensed in the state. Hearings to reinstate Barnett's license have been delayed and postponed repeatedly over the past three years, but have finally been seen through.

Barnett is due to meet Daniel Cormier this May in the final round of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix and, with the promotion looking to stage the show in California, The Warmaster had to iron things out with the CSAC. The 34-year-old appeared before the commission today and appears to have done so -- at least tentatively -- having been granted a license to fight in the state, with the condition that he submit to random drug testing prior to his next bout.

He's fights May 19th, in the Strike force heavy weight grand prix finals and then hopefully he'll end up back in the UFC.

 

[Ben]

He wins the Grand Prix no doubt, and he'll be back in the UFC.

Just a shame that SF managed to F up the grand prix so bad, most people including myself forgot about it, at least there actually going to finish it though.

 

[No More Sorrow]

Yeah I had forgotten about it until it was announced over the weekend that it was set to finish off in May. It was orignally supposed to be this past weekend, but Cormier fucked his hand up and they went with Tate vs. Rousey instead.

 

[The Cork]

I'm just glad I get to cash in my bet on Barnett that I put on at the start, something like a 18/1 outsider I think, and I had a tenner on him.

I would back Barnett over every UFC heavyweight bar Overeem, FTR.

 

[No More Sorrow]

I've got money on Barnett as well.

 

[Ben]

Don't know how his relationship with Dana and Lorenzo is now, but got to imagine he comes up after this. Def will help the division as there's lots of interesting matches for him. Seeing him take on the winner or looser of Cain/Mir would be a pretty nice way to start in the UFC.