Photo via Josh Barnett's Twitter
The combative relationship between White and Barnett has been well documented. Now, with the closing of Strikeforce looming, White will have to make a decision if Barnett will be brought to the UFC. Less than two weeks out from the final event, has yet to make a decision.
Despite being a top 10 Heavyweight, Josh Barnett's rocky relationship with Dana White may keep him out of the UFC. Their relationship first turned sour shortly after White and the Lorenzo brothers purchased the UFC. In just the 7th event since the start of the Zuffa reign, Barnett followed up his championship winning victory over Randy Couture at UFC 36 with a failed drug test. Things definitely didn't get any better in 2011 when, after some critical statements from Dana, Josh offered to "pee in his mouth" as a form of supplementary urinalysis.
Now, with the doors closing on Strikeforce those past transgressions may come back to haunt Barnett. Following UFC 155, Dana was very non-committal on the idea of Josh making the transition (via Tatame):
I do not know, we'll find out soon. We'll see.
It hasn't all been bad blood recently, however. At the UFC Summit in 2011 Barnett tweeted a picture of him and Dana smiling. And as recently as April of 2012 Dana indicated he'd be open to Barnett joining the promotion.
But before a decision is made either way, Barnett will have to get past Nandor Guelmino on January 12 at Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine. The final Strikeforce event will take place in the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK.
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