Josh Barnett Would Have Met Junior Dos Santos In UFC Return

Josh Barnett and Dana White

JDS vs. Barnett would have been Barnett's return fight to UFC

If former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett had reached an agreement with the UFC, his first opponent would've been one of the division's biggest names.

Following the UFC on FUEL TV 7 post-fight press conference in England this weekend, UFC president Dana White revealed Junior dos Santos vs. Barnett was the game plan should "The Warmaster" and the promotion come to an agreement on a contract.

Unfortunately, talks between the UFC and Barnett fell short and the heavyweight turned down the contract offered to him. But White does not believe the potential match up against "Cigano," the former heavyweight champion, was the reason Barnett rejected the deal.

"I'm sure Josh Barnett wouldn't care (who his first opponent would have been)," White stated. "Barnett is a fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants kind of guy; he does his own thing, beats to his own (expletive) drum. Josh Barnett's never been a guy to say I don't want to fight this guy or I won't fight that guy."

Barnett last competed in the Strikeforce Finale, earning a submission victory over Nandor Guelmino. Prior to that fight, he lost to Daniel Cormier last May in a heavyweight title fight. The loss snapped an eight-fight winning streak.

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