Josh Barnett on wrestling in WWE: 'They don't want someone to come in and upend their show'

On September 27, Josh Barnett will return to the Octagon to face Roy Nelson at UFC Fight Night 75 in Japan. In the land of the rising sun, Barnett had the most success of his career by fighting in Pancrase and Pride FC as well as wrestling for New Japan Pro Wrestling. The passionate catch wrestler has worked multiple matches for the promotion and is doing commentary for their AXS broadcasts since January of this year.

Since Barnett's heart was always beating for the art of pro wrestling, one could ask, why he never made it into one of the major US organizations, such as TNA or market leader WWE.

"I think the biggest thing is, they don't want someone to come in and upend their show," Bartnett recently told Wrestling Inc., but didn't want to rule out a future engagement. "Working is working, and there's a lot of great guys in WWE that I'd love to put on a match with. The thing is, wherever I go, I'm a wrestler. I'm not an entertainer or superstar or whatever. I'm a wrestler first, and I won't concede on that."

Barnett, who is known to be good friends with fellow Pride FC alumni Fedor Emelianenko, and has been in talks of fighting him multiple times, was also asked about his opinion on the upcoming comeback of the Russian MMA legend.

"If he's healthy, and wants to, and has the motivation to do it, I'm really happy for him to come back to the sport and get the most out of that career of his," Barnett said. "He had a couple of losses towards the end of his run that I didn't think were indicative of him as a fighter. His last two fights, he looked very sharp. If he's feeling great it's going to be a great opportunity for him and the fans."

Barnett and Nelson will fight at UFC Fight Night 75, September 27 in Saitama, Japan.