Josh Barnett Granted License with Conditions by California Commission

The California State Athletic Commission has granted Josh Barnett a license for his upcoming fight on May 19 for Strikeforce against Daniel Cormier.

At a special hearing held on Monday, the commissioners questioned Barnett, who had his license denied in the state after a positive drug test prior to his scheduled fight against Fedor Emelianenko in the Affliction promotion in 2009.

By a vote of 4 to 2, the commission granted Barnett a license for the fight with special conditions. The two commissioners who voted against the licensure were Mike Munoz and Eugene Hernandez.

The hearing lasted nearly an hour with the commissioners questioning Barnett about his positive test for steroids back in 2002 when fighting for the UFC, as well as his positive test in 2009 when the California commission denied his license for the fight with Emelianenko.

Barnett denied ever taking any steroids in 2009 and says getting the call that there was a positive test was like a punch to the gut.

“I can’t speak on the test itself, what I can say is I didn’t knowingly or intentionally ingest steroids. I did not take steroids. I do not know how a steroid got into my system. There could be a potential of a tainted supplement, there could be a potential of the machines perhaps not being cleaned in between usage, there’s a myriad of factors that could go into this, but I know for one, I did not take steroids,” Barnett said.

“Getting that phone call was, I just hope you don’t have to feel a feeling that sinking in your life.”

Commissioner Eugene Hernandez continued to hammer away at Barnett for the past positive tests, but ultimately the commission opted to grant him a license once the motion was levied by Commissioner John Frierson.

“The commission has voted to grant you a license, but they will require random biological fluid testing prior to your participation in any event in California. The timing of that biological fluid testing will be at the discretion of the staff,” read the decision from the commission.

Barnett did take a drug test prior to Monday’s meeting and the results came back negative for any performance enhancing substances. He will be subject to further pre-fight testing at the commission’s discretion.

While Barnett said his contract to fight Daniel Cormier on May 19 has not been signed, he understands that another positive test would be devastating and stated he ‘might as well take my boots and hang them up’ if that happened. Obviously, Barnett was more than confident that another test would not come back positive.

He also promised to make believers out of the two commissioners who voted against his license approval, and hoped to see them at the fight, which is currently scheduled for May 19, most likely in San Jose, Calif.

“This is a privelege not a right and I never saw it as such. I intend to make everybody on this commission as well as you Miss Chappelle happy with your decisions, but especially those Mr. Hernandez and Mr. Munoz, I want to make believers out of you that is more important to me than anything else,” Barnett stated.

Barnett will now prepare to face Daniel Cormier on May 19 for the finals of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix.

I'm very much against steroids in MMA, and I think Barnett did try to get an edge against Fedor. I don't think Josh is a guy who should be the face of MMA, but he has paid his dues, so let him fight again.

I wouldn't say I'm not a fan of Barnett, but I have little respect for steroid abusers. This is not something which gives you an edge in hitting a ball farther, it gives you an edge in hurting someone, and I just can't get down with that.

Sweet Pea Is My Mom wrote:I'm very much against steroids in MMA, and I think Barnett did try to get an edge against Fedor. I don't think Josh is a guy who should be the face of MMA, but he has paid his dues, so let him fight again.

I wouldn't say I'm not a fan of Barnett, but I have little respect for steroid abusers. This is not something which gives you an edge in hitting a ball farther, it gives you an edge in hurting someone, and I just can't get down with that.

Yeah I don´t like cheaters but I have forgiven Barnett. He´s one of my favourite fighters and he better stay clean (or atleast pass the drugtests ) Zee Warmaster is back!

I really think Barnett just wanted to cheat against Fedor - he knew he was fucked, Fedor was at the top of his game after the AA KO and was ready to decimate the last great PRIDE HW.

I hope Barnett doesn't cheat against Cormier, but I don't think Josh sees him as the same threat as Fedor.

I have Cormier by UD, however...

Sweet Pea Is My Mom wrote:I really think Barnett just wanted to cheat against Fedor - he knew he was fucked, Fedor was at the top of his game after the AA KO and was ready to decimate the last great PRIDE HW.

I hope Barnett doesn't cheat against Cormier, but I don't think Josh sees him as the same threat as Fedor.

I have Cormier by UD, however...

I got Barnett via submission.

Barnett doesn't have a great bottom game, and I think Cormier could survive on top. Barnett is a better striker, but if Cormier mixes it up I think he has this.

Sweet Pea Is My Mom wrote:Barnett doesn't have a great bottom game, and I think Cormier could survive on top. Barnett is a better striker, but if Cormier mixes it up I think he has this.

No Barnett doesn´t have a great bottom game but Cormier doesn´t have the experience to handle someone with Barnetts submission skills. Cormier will likely be able to get Barnett to the ground but I think Barnett will get hold of a leg.

Josh gets him in a choke imo.

my stance on Barnett is neutral, I respect the guy's skills and everything he's done for JMMA and what not, but the fact of the matter is, the guy is a juiced pig/cheater. Simple as that. Had Fedor been caught jucing or using TRT. All hell would've broken lose in the deepest pits of Zombie Land and we would've never heard the end of it.

I have Josh winning the SFHWGP unless the black fedor lands some QUICK combos to put Josh down.