Report: Josh Barnett vs. Geronimo "Mondragon" Signed for Australian Show
by Chris Nelson on Apr 28, 2010 2:14 PM EDT
in MMA News
Email
Print
Brazilian magazine Tatame reports:
Heavyweight Geronimo "Mondragon" [Dos Santos] is training hard for the biggest fight of his career. After winning eight of his last nine bouts in Brazil, the athlete will face Josh Barnett, former UFC champion, in Strikeforce on July 17th. The show will mark the first for the American promotion outside of the United States, bringing the best of fighting to Australia.
"I signed the contract today. I'm very happy with this news," the heavyweight told Tatame, excited for the fight. "He's experienced, his ground game is very good, compared to mine, so I'll try to keep this fight standing... I'll go for the knockout, I'm going to win this fight."
Geronimo dos Santos (17-8) had been rumored to sign with the UFC before having his eight-fight win streak snapped with a lackluster performance against Edson "Conterraneo" Franca in Wallid Ismail's Jungle Fight promotion back in February. Barnett (25-5) last fought in Dream against sparring partner "Mighty Mo" Siliga in an ugly, foul-ridden bout which Barnett eventually won by submission.
Minutes after Tatame's post went up, Strikeforce posted this message to their official Twitter account:
hang tight guys! big announcement coming today!
So... hang tight.
UPDATED 4:07pm ET - According to Chris Postupalski of InfiniteMMA, the show will not be held under the Strikeforce name, but rather by a new promotion named Impact MMA. Three shows could be held within a matter of weeks in cities such as Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland, New Zealand. Barnett vs. Dos Santos has been tabbed for a July 10th card in Brisbane, Australia.
UPDATED 4:34pm ET - "Mondragon" has called Tatame to correct his initial statement:
"I'm sorry, I misspoke. I signed the contract, the fight will even be against Josh Barnett, but it will be in Impact MMA, a new event in Australia... If I win, I'm going to Strikeforce, I'm so excited that I misspoke."
95 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
why sign barnett? he’s another guy who demands a big pay check and doesnt deliver the eye balls.
I'm old school hating Lesnar, I've been hating Lesnar since '08
Provided he can actually fight. He will get drug tested
by doonerthesooner on Apr 28, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh noes!
I had just assumed that we’d hear that Australia doesn’t test as part of this.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.
I blog at TangleBones - you should follow me on Twitter here.
If you like it, you should put a rec on it.
at 110 the main event fighters and 6 “randoms” were tested by the local commission, so there is some testing. I don’t think this will be the main event, so maybe he can skate through.
I know in the UK testing is not mandatory but UFC still insisted on it. I am wondering if it was the same at 110.
God knows what UFC would do if they ever held another card in Japan, do they even have drug testing facilites there (j/k)
the ufc does their own testing when they are in england because there is no commission. Australia had a commission that did it’s own testing.
I thought I read somewhere that Sengoku was affiliated with some sort of commission that did the testing, so Zuffa would use them, or test on their own if they have to.
My guess is that Barnett doesn’t come with much of a pay check at all. I am not particularly happy about Strikeforce picking him up as every sign is that he hasn’t gotten his head around the idea that steroids are banned in the sport.
Australia seems really weird. You would think they would do a show in Canada first. Any one know if they have a TV deal there? If they are going it has to be to either pump up their TV drawing power or to help get a deal.
My tights are hung.
Got the Summer hatin on me cus I'm hotter than the sun. Got the Spring hatin on me cus I ain't never sprung. Winter hatin on me cus I'm colder than ya'll; and I will never I will never I will never Fall.
The mat is my church, the ground is my heaven, Jiu-Jitsu is my religion. And once you hit the ground you're in my world. My world is like the ocean, I’m like a shark and most people don't even know how to swim - Draculino
by Patrick Tenney on Apr 28, 2010 1:52 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Strikeforce desperately needs to fill out their other weight classes, and Barnett is probably being paid too much. Well, at least he can fight Fedor now.
Geez, how many gazebos do you shemales need?- Chief Clancy Wiggum
Why would you assume Barnett is being paid too much. People aren’t exactly knocking on his door asking him to fight. They overpayed for Hendo and Fedor because they had to win a bidding war. No bidding war here. I bet they got Barnett for a fraction of what Affliction was paying him.
"I am a man who pisses largely and frequently, which they say is a sign of great mental activity" -Henry Miller-
ok
do you honestly believe that Barnett will fail yet another drug test…. i mean really?
sad but true
"When i get in there, in his face ,pressin the action,I'm RUFF NECKIN'EM,I'm throwin him around,I'm punchin him,hes punchin me, I'm eatin his shots and I'm Blastin him back in the face he's not goin to be able to handle it ." - Chris Leben on how his fight with Anderson Silva is gonna go.
by Rayce. on Apr 28, 2010 2:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Funny how everyone acts like Strikeforce is dead broke, I think they got more money then people think!!!!
Not if Barnett’s paycheck for this fight clears.
by Bob Boblaw on Apr 28, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Josh Barnett in Affliction Banned – $295,000
Josh Barnett Affliction DoR– $500,000
I'm old school hating Lesnar, I've been hating Lesnar since '08
He won’t get anywhere close to that for this fight. The only reason he got that much for the Affliction fights is because that’s what those morons contracted themselves to pay him. That wasn’t anywhere close to his actual market value at the time, and it definitely isn’t close to his market value now.
My guess is that Barnett will be getting somewhere in the $70k-80k range for this one, although that’s just me spitballing numbers. Maybe there’s some clause that if he wins a fight or two and gets placed in a main event then he’ll make more, but we have no way of knowing. In any case, there’s no chance he’s getting paid anywhere close to those numbers.
Barnett-3
Athletic commissions- 0
"Well... You're damned if you do, and You're damned if you don't."- Bart Simpson
I would like nothing more than to see this dude put the big kebosh on Barnett.
"Justice is the whim of a judge, check his chest density
It leaves much room for error, and the rest left to destiny."
-Sage Francis
"My fighting career is getting in the way of my Marijuana smoking" - Nick Diaz
"May 8th, whoop a fraggle" - Paul Daley
by MSEMCEE on Apr 28, 2010 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
This
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on Apr 28, 2010 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I know i am a big minority on this...
But i am stoked to hear this news. I am still a big fan of Barnett and Mondragon coming to strikeforce is an excellent signing for SF. Should be a good fight.
what happened to the predictions of the ufc "insiders" here on BE
that strikeforce is about to go belly up?
anyway, strikeforce putting up a show in Australia is great news for mma
still can’t understand why they would have barnett on their roster, though
they will give barnett a fight or two and than feed him to Fedor in Japan
"Justice is the whim of a judge, check his chest density
It leaves much room for error, and the rest left to destiny."
-Sage Francis
The fighting Barnett in Japan thing?
by Bob Boblaw on Apr 28, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i thought it was perfectly in line for beating old jokes to death.
I'm old school hating Lesnar, I've been hating Lesnar since '08
Despite his steroid problems in the past, including the Affliction fiasco, the guy is still a top ranked heavyweight and a former UFC champion. If he stays clean, he’s an asset to the organization.
In light of the fact that HW and MW are their “money” weight classes, the more quality fighters they can line up as potential contenders, the better. Plus, if the Fedor negotiations do goo sour and he winds up jumping ship to the UFC, Strikeforce is going to need all the top HWs they can get to keep the division afloat. And I’m also guessing that Dana and Co. have little interest in the guy. Strikeforce is his only option if he wants to stay relevant with the US audience.
by dropkick101 on Apr 28, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
How is Josh Barnett a top ranked HW?
Who has he beat in recent memory that was anyone special? And don’t you think that maybe, just maybe, the fact that he is/was a cheater should tarnish the victories he does have?
Nothing and I mean nothing could ever tarnish the victories over Mighty Mo or the way he used Yvel as a bean bag chair.
no it doesnt tarnish his wins.
He got his ufc title stripped for roids after fighting Randy Couture. There is a lot of irony in that fact……. Lots and lots. Most of his notable wins were in Japan steroids aren’t cheating there. Its not against the rules.
"When i get in there, in his face ,pressin the action,I'm RUFF NECKIN'EM,I'm throwin him around,I'm punchin him,hes punchin me, I'm eatin his shots and I'm Blastin him back in the face he's not goin to be able to handle it ." - Chris Leben on how his fight with Anderson Silva is gonna go.
by Rayce. on Apr 28, 2010 2:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
By top ranked I mean in the top 10-15. And sure, the steroids tarnish his entire career as a whole, but the fact remains that he’s been fighting at a high level on-and-off for the majority of his career.
With the UFC’s murderer’s row of top HWs (Lesnar, Carwin, JDS, Velasquez), steady supply of solid prospects (Duffee, Struve, Russow, Browne, Barry), established veterans (Mir, Nog, Cro Cop), and fringe contenders (Nelson, Rothwell, Kongo, Gonzaga), Strikeforce needs to snatch up all the names they can. You might not like Barnett for what he’s done in the past, but the fact remains that this is a smart signing for Strikeforce, so long as they aren’t spending an exorbitant amount.
Barnett fan checking in...
Yeah, I said it
"I fight because I can’t sing, I can’t dance, and it beats working all day. Now ask me a question that doesn’t sound so fucking stupid." – Phil Baroni
Barnett is a good fighter. He should stop taking them roids and come to the USA and fight in the UFC or Strikeforce against some top HW Competition.
by Ghost Face Killer on Apr 28, 2010 2:45 PM EDT reply actions
Barnett is a cheater
And it doesn’t matter how many of his fans live in denial, it doesn’t change the fact that he’s a cheater and no self respecting MMA promotion should be booking fights for him.
I believe people can change
well, sometimes. Rarely, maybe. If he cleaned up his act, I think I’d enjoy his addition as a heavyweight in nearly any promotion. The chances seem slim, though.
by some schmuck in texas on Apr 28, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Where in that post or any other is a Barnett fan living in denial? I’m a big Barnett fan because I enjoy watching him fight but it’s fuckin obvious he took steroids, yet I’m still a fan. So I’m not sure where you’re coming up with this.
"I fight because I can’t sing, I can’t dance, and it beats working all day. Now ask me a question that doesn’t sound so fucking stupid." – Phil Baroni
dude you just admitted to taking a drug to enhance your performance in another thread.
Yours helped you focus. Josh’s helped him heal. You both still had to work hard for your results.You should keeping judging Barnett. You are clearly his moral superior. I don’t mean to be a dick. Its just funny that you think your ped is OK and his is bad. I think its none of my business what either of you do.
"When i get in there, in his face ,pressin the action,I'm RUFF NECKIN'EM,I'm throwin him around,I'm punchin him,hes punchin me, I'm eatin his shots and I'm Blastin him back in the face he's not goin to be able to handle it ." - Chris Leben on how his fight with Anderson Silva is gonna go.
by Rayce. on Apr 28, 2010 2:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Here's the difference
I didn’t break any of the rules put forth by McGill university in completing my masters thesis, Barnett did break very clearly spelled out rules.
For me it’s not about being morally superior, it’s about not being a fool.
by Worldisart on Apr 28, 2010 3:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
if you didnt have a script for it you broke the law.
Ritalin and Adderall = a Schedule 2 substance. Possession of Adderall without a prescription is a felony. I don’t care and hope you got a good grade. Just saying there is little to no difference principal.
"When i get in there, in his face ,pressin the action,I'm RUFF NECKIN'EM,I'm throwin him around,I'm punchin him,hes punchin me, I'm eatin his shots and I'm Blastin him back in the face he's not goin to be able to handle it ." - Chris Leben on how his fight with Anderson Silva is gonna go.
by Rayce. on Apr 28, 2010 3:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
errr in principal
"When i get in there, in his face ,pressin the action,I'm RUFF NECKIN'EM,I'm throwin him around,I'm punchin him,hes punchin me, I'm eatin his shots and I'm Blastin him back in the face he's not goin to be able to handle it ." - Chris Leben on how his fight with Anderson Silva is gonna go.
by Rayce. on Apr 28, 2010 3:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Even given that there's a difference
What I did in no way affected my peers (we weren’t graded on a curve), wasn’t done in the context of supposedly fair and balanced competition.
by Worldisart on Apr 28, 2010 3:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
true but
If the trend of taking amphetamines to stay up and focus continues then standards get raised and dead lines become shorter. That’s kinda where we are at with roids. The only real difference is a college doesn’t have you piss in a cup. Just trying to get you to see the others side of coin.
"When i get in there, in his face ,pressin the action,I'm RUFF NECKIN'EM,I'm throwin him around,I'm punchin him,hes punchin me, I'm eatin his shots and I'm Blastin him back in the face he's not goin to be able to handle it ." - Chris Leben on how his fight with Anderson Silva is gonna go.
by Rayce. on Apr 28, 2010 3:34 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Apples and oranges
First, it’s probably for the best that most university students don’t have to take a piss test. lol
I get where you’re coming from, and there’s definitely a discussion to be had about the stresses put on university students, particularly those at the post graduate level, and how those students deal with those stresses. I was attending 20 hours of lectures, TAing two classes and working 20-30 hours a week bartending to make ends meet PLUS all of my studying and workload as a student. At some point something has to give you know what I mean?
But I think in comparing that to the downfall of Josh Barnett, you’re comparing apples and oranges. I’m not taking a morally superior stance here, I’m not trying to throw all athletes who test positive under the bus, but I find the case of Josh Barnett to be insulting to my intelligence as a fight fan because this guy tested positive 3 times!
As the saying goes, ignorance is bliss. I’m under no delusions about the use of PEDs in professional sports and more specifically MMA. But as a fan, if I don’t know about, I can pretend it doesn’t exist. And while that may sound like a foolish mentality it allows me not to become bitter and cynical about it. So when a guy like Barnett tests positive three times(!), it takes away my ability to give him the benefit of the doubt and at least pretend that he’s fighting clean.
i support the idea of peds in all facets. strangely enough i dont take any drugs (alcohol included) but i try not to force my views on others.
Josh is an idiot for failing three tests. I don’t think he is stupid for taking steroids. Just for not being able to beat a urine test. I mean potheads got that down to a science . When you are being outdone by burn outs …………its time to take a long hard look in the mirror.
"When i get in there, in his face ,pressin the action,I'm RUFF NECKIN'EM,I'm throwin him around,I'm punchin him,hes punchin me, I'm eatin his shots and I'm Blastin him back in the face he's not goin to be able to handle it ." - Chris Leben on how his fight with Anderson Silva is gonna go.
by Rayce. on Apr 28, 2010 6:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I used to be a Barnett fan the same as I used to be a Fedor fan, but...
between the Affliction fiasco and the string of low tier competition he’s fought recently (including this signing), meh.
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
Barnett says it himself
He’s from the old school or the originals or some shit like that. He could have stayed relavent but he didn’t.
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
terrible main event strikeforce is becoming a farce who knows mondragon aside frm hardcores and barnett failed two drug tests and cant fight nowere else . all the heat dana gets off the fans all the hate should be given to coker or whoevers running things over there
Strikeforce clearly did this in hopes that the Diaz Brothers fail to get a passport to Australia.
The Seahawks have traded my signature to the Detroit Lions for a 6th round draft pick.
Chris Postupalski has some more info about Strikeforce in Australia
http://www.mmarocks.pl
https://twitter.com/mmarocks_pl
Yes, follow that man. He’s in the know.
by Chris Nelson on Apr 28, 2010 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Apparently, they are not coming
From his twitter
Just been advised that it is NOT strikeforce coming here but will be new promotion called Impact. Infinitemma will release more later 2day
from ariel helwani
However, sources close to the organization tell MMA Fighting that the report is untrue and that Strikeforce is not planning any show Down Under any time soon.
Also a big Barnett fan.
He got me into mma with an amazing performance at a pankration fight in a tiny casino many years ago. He can do no wrong in my eyes.
from ariel helwani twitter
SF confirms Lashley, Lawler & Noons on 6/16 card in LA.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bloody Elbow
Related FanShots on Bloody Elbow
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
MMA Rankings
