Chris Barnett
American mixed martial arts fighter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Christopher James Barnett[6] (born June 14, 1986)[7] is an American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
| Chris Barnett | |
|---|---|
Barnett in 2017 | |
| Born | Christopher James Barnett June 14, 1986 Zaragoza, Spain[1] |
| Other names | Beastboy Huggy Bear El Maño[2][3] |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 264 lb (120 kg; 18 st 12 lb) |
| Division | Heavyweight (present) Super Heavyweight |
| Reach | 75 in (191 cm)[4] |
| Fighting out of | Athens, Georgia, U.S. |
| Team | Barnett Taekwondo Academy |
| Rank | 3rd dan black belt in Taekwondo[5] |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Professional boxing record | |
| Total | 6 |
| Wins | 2 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Losses | 4 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 33 |
| Wins | 23 |
| By knockout | 18 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Losses | 10 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Other information | |
| Boxing record from BoxRec | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
Barnett was born in Zaragoza, Spain, where his father was stationed as a United States Air Force captain.[8] Around the age of four, the family returned to the United States and after bouncing around they settled in Georgia.[8] Both of his parents are black belts in Taekwondo, and he started training the martial art around the age of five.[9] Barnett went to Campbellsville University and University of South Florida and graduated with a bachelor's degree. At Campbellsville, Barnett competed in Wrestling on a scholarship and began training in Judo.[10] Barnett received an invitation to try out mixed martial arts after showing his moves in a dance battle, and started training immediately.[9]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Starting his professional career in 2009, Barnett fought primarily in Xtreme Fighting Championships and started 5–0 with four knockouts.[11] He also fought in other notable Asian organizations, such as Rizin Fighting Federation, Road Fighting Championship, and Inoki Genome Federation.[12]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
After 12 years, Barnett finally got a call from the UFC to replace Askar Mozharov on short notice against Ben Rothwell at UFC Fight Night 188 on May 22, 2021.[13] He lost the bout by submission in the second round.[14]
In September 2021, news surfaced that Barnett had tested positive for marijuana stemming from his UFC debut, and he was suspended for 4.5 months, becoming eligible to return on October 6, 2021.[15]
In his next fight, Barnett fought Gian Villante in Villante's retirement fight at UFC 268 on November 6, 2021, in Madison Square Garden.[16] He won the fight by technical knockout in the second round via spinning wheel kick and punches.[17] The win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus award.[18]
Barnett next faced promotional newcomer Martin Buday at UFC Fight Night 206 on April 16, 2022.[19] Barnett lost the fight via technical unanimous decision after being rendered unable to continue due to an unintentional elbow to the back of the head in the third round.[20]
Barnett most recently faced Jake Collier on September 10, 2022, at UFC 279.[21] At the weigh-ins, Barnett weighed in at 267.5 pounds, 1.5 pounds over the non-title heavyweight limit. Barnett was fined 20% of his purse, which went to his opponent Collier.[22] Barnett suffered a knockdown and heavy ground and pound in the first, however he rallied and won the fight via TKO in the second round.[23]
Barnett was scheduled to face Chase Sherman on April 8, 2023, at UFC 287.[24] However, Barnett pulled out due to undisclosed reasons in early April and was replaced by Karl Williams.[25]
Barnett was scheduled to face Mohammed Usman on March 23, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53.[26] However, Barnett withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Mick Parkin.[27]
Barnett was scheduled to face Waldo Cortes-Acosta on October 12, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 244.[28] However, Cortes-Acosta withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and was replaced by Junior Tafa.[29] Subsequently, Barnett withdrew after being unable to travel due to Hurricane Milton and was replaced by UFC newcomer Sean Sharaf.[30]
Replacing an injured Justin Tafa, Barnett was scheduled to face Kennedy Nzechukwu on October 26, 2024 at UFC 308.[31][32] Barnett lost the fight by technical knockout in the first round.[33]
Barnett faced Hamdy Abdelwahab on October 25, 2025 at UFC 321.[34] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[35]
On November 10, 2025, it was reported that Barnett was removed from the UFC roster.[36]
Karate Combat
Barnett officially signed with Karate Combat on November 26, 2025[37], with the promotion announcing that he would make his debut on December 5 at KC 58 against Johnathan “Big Baby” Miller in a heavyweight bout. The fight ended quickly, as Barnett secured a takedown within the opening minute, slamming Miller’s head into the ramp and earning a TKO victory in just 61 seconds[38].
Personal life
Barnett's wife died in May 2022 after a battle with encephalitis.[39] Barnett and his late wife have a daughter and a son.[9]
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Gian Villante[18]
- UFC.com Awards
- Island Fights
- IF Super Heavyweight Championship (one time)
- One successful title defense
- IF Super Heavyweight Championship (one time)
- Yahoo! Sports
- 2021 Knockout of the Year vs. Gian Villante at UFC 268[41]
Mixed martial arts record
| 33 matches | 23 wins | 10 losses |
| By knockout | 18 | 4 |
| By submission | 0 | 1 |
| By decision | 5 | 5 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 23–10 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 321 | October 25, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Abdelwahab was deducted one point in round 1 due to an illegal elbow to the back of the head. |
| Loss | 23–9 | Kennedy Nzechukwu | TKO (knee to the body and punches) | UFC 308 | October 26, 2024 | 1 | 4:27 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 23–8 | Jake Collier | TKO (punches) | UFC 279 | September 10, 2022 | 2 | 2:24 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (267.5 lb) bout; Barnett missed weight. |
| Loss | 22–8 | Martin Buday | Technical Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2 | April 16, 2022 | 3 | 1:37 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | An inadvertent elbow to the back of head rendered Barnett unable to continue. |
| Win | 22–7 | Gian Villante | TKO (spinning wheel kick and punches) | UFC 268 | November 6, 2021 | 2 | 2:23 | New York City, New York, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 21–7 | Ben Rothwell | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt | May 22, 2021 | 2 | 2:07 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Return to Heavyweight. |
| Win | 21–6 | Ahmed Tijani Shehu | TKO (punches) | UAE Warriors 13 | September 25, 2020 | 1 | 0:58 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 20–6 | Rashaun Jackson | Decision (split) | Island Fights 60 | October 10, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Columbus, Georgia, United States | Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 19–6 | Shim Yoon-jae | TKO (punch) | Road FC 055 | September 8, 2019 | 1 | 3:44 | Daegu, South Korea | |
| Win | 18–6 | Robert Neal | Decision (unanimous) | Island Fights 52 | February 7, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Pensacola, Florida, United States | Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 17–6 | Alexandru Lungu | TKO (punches) | Road FC 047 | May 12, 2018 | 1 | 2:34 | Beijing, China | |
| Win | 16–6 | Shim Yoon-jae | TKO (spinning back kick) | Road FC 045 | December 23, 2017 | 2 | 3:33 | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Loss | 15–6 | Alex Nicholson | KO (elbow) | Island Fights 42 | October 14, 2017 | 1 | 0:40 | Pensacola, Florida, United States | Heavyweight bout. |
| Loss | 15–5 | Myung Hyun-man | KO (punch) | Road FC 041 | August 12, 2017 | 2 | 1:53 | Wanju, South Korea | |
| Loss | 15–4 | Myung Hyun-man | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Road FC 038 | April 15, 2017 | 1 | 2:17 | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Win | 15–3 | Frank Tate | Decision (split) | Island Fights 39 | November 18, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Pensacola, Florida, United States | Heavyweight bout. |
| Loss | 14–3 | Kirill Sidelnikov | Decision (split) | Rizin 1 | April 17, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Win | 14–2 | Shinichi Suzukawa | TKO (punches) | Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2015 | December 31, 2015 | 1 | 1:44 | Sumida, Japan | |
| Loss | 13–2 | Oli Thompson | Decision (unanimous) | Inoki Genome Fight 4 | August 29, 2015 | 2 | 5:00 | Sumida, Japan | |
| Win | 13–1 | Emil Zahariev | KO (spinning back kick to the body) | Inoki Genome Fight 3 | April 11, 2015 | 2 | 2:58 | Sumida, Japan | |
| Win | 12–1 | Shinichi Suzukawa | TKO (punches) | Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2014 | December 31, 2014 | 1 | 1:57 | Sumida, Japan | |
| Win | 11–1 | Jon Hill | TKO (punches) | Island Fights 30 | September 20, 2014 | 1 | 0:30 | Pensacola, Florida, United States | Defended the Island Fights Super Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–1 | Travis Wiuff | TKO (punches) | Inoki Genome Fight 2 | August 23, 2014 | 2 | 0:27 | Sumida, Japan | |
| Win | 9–1 | Richard White | TKO (punches) | Island Fights 28 | May 9, 2014 | 1 | 4:57 | Pensacola, Florida, United States | Won the vacant Island Fights Super Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–1 | Demoreo Dennis | TKO (punches) | Island Fights 27 | February 8, 2014 | 2 | 1:13 | Pensacola, Florida, United States | Super Heavyweight debut. |
| Win | 7–1 | Walt Harris | Decision (unanimous) | World Extreme Fighting 46 | April 22, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Orlando, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Mario Rinaldi | TKO (punches) | Xtreme FC 13 | December 3, 2010 | 2 | 1:44 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 5–1 | Eric Prindle | Decision (majority) | Martial Combat 12 | October 16, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Sentosa, Singapore | |
| Win | 5–0 | Jay White | KO (punches) | Xtreme FC 11 | July 9, 2010 | 1 | 4:39 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Joel Wyatt | TKO (punches) | World Cagefighting Championships 2 | May 28, 2010 | 2 | 0:43 | Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Kenny Garner | TKO (punches) | Xtreme FC 10 | March 19, 2010 | 3 | 1:36 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Daniel Perez | TKO (punches) | Xtreme FC 9 | September 5, 2009 | 2 | 0:47 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Johnathan Ivey | Decision (unanimous) | Xtreme FC 8 | April 25, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Knoxville, Tennessee, United States | Heavyweight debut. |
Karate Combat record
| 1 match | 1 win | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | Johnathan Miller | TKO (slam and punches) | Karate Combat 58 | 5 December 2025 | 1 | 1:01 | Doral, Florida, United States |
Submission grappling record
| 1 Matches, 0 Wins, 1 Losses, 0 Draws | |||||||
| Result | Rec. | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Division | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 0–1 |  Yoel Romero | Submission (Kimura) | Dean Toole Promotions | June 15, 2019 | Openweight |  Pensacola, Florida |
Professional boxing record
| 6 fights | 2 wins | 4 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 1 | 1 |
| By decision | 1 | 3 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Win | 2–4 | Demarcus Kemp |
UD | 4, 3:00 | Aug 13, 2016 | Pensacola Bay Center, Pensacola, Florida, U.S. |
|
| 5 | Loss | 1–4 | Kenny Lacy |
UD | 4 | June 1, 2012 | A La Carte Event Pavilion, Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
|
| 4 | Loss | 1–3 | Trevor Bryan |
KO | 2 (4), 2:04 | February 10, 2012 | Community Center, Palm Bay, Florida, U.S. |
|
| 3 | Loss | 1–2 | Pedro Julio Rodriguez |
UD | 4 | November 11, 2011 | A La Carte Event Pavilion, Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
|
| 2 | Loss | 1–1 | Nathaniel James |
UD | 4 | November 4, 2011 | Ritz Theatre, Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
|
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Michael Greeson |
KO | 2 (4), 2:12 | Aug 12, 2011 | DoubleTree Westshore Hotel, Tampa, Florida, U.S. |