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 Josh
Barnett to take on Mighty Mo at DREAM.13, Mo pulled from College
Cage Series bout
By
Matt Clarmont
Josh Barnett (will be in action after a
year on the sidelines after what has come to be known as “The
Affliction Debacle” put his North American star screaming back to
Japan. The country where he initially rose to popularity will be the
home of his next fight when he takes on Siala “Mighty Mo” Siliga
(3-1) on March 22nd at DREAM.13 in the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama,
Japan.
Barnett has been keeping busy over the past year by winning several
grappling competitions including the World No-Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
tournament on November 8th in Long Beach, California. He received
his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt shortly thereafter, though his
accomplishments have largely flown under the radar due to the stigma
surrounding his positive steroid test and Affliction Entertainment's
subsequent selling to Zuffa LLC.
Barnett is still widely regarded as one of the top mixed martial
artists in the world and a bout with WAMMA heavyweight champ and top
ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko continues to be whispered in
both of their futures.
Meanwhile, Mighty Mo was originally scheduled to take on Sal
Farnetti at College Cage Series: Collision in the Cage at UC Irvine
on March 19th. However, his match-up had to be switched two separate
times, eventually settling on Jimmy Collins after his last scheduled
opponent broke his hand and was unable to compete. His manager,
Steve Rusich, told MMA Recap this morning through an e-mail that it
“it looks like Mo will fight Barnett” and MMAJunkie.com's Steven
Marrocco has reported that the agreement was signed.
Mo was also supposed to take on Aleksander Emelianenko (15-3) at a
FEG promoted event on April 28th but the status of that bout is also
up in the air and Aleksander is rumored to be fighting Eddy
Bengtsson (4-1) at ProFC's Commonweath Cup on April 23rd in Moscow.
He last fought at K-1 Dynamite!! 2008 where he succumbed to a
triangle choke to 2009 K-1 World GP Champion Semmy Schilt.
Mo and Barnett are both wildly popular among the Japanese audience
and this could be one of the better fights of the evening among
Yokohama Arena onlookers. Mo has been vehemently training his
wrestling and jiujitsu at Millennia MMA for quite some time now,
preparing for his return to MMA action. If he can keep this on
standing, he has a significant advantage and when it goes to the
ground it may not be a sure victory for Barnett.
Matt Clarmont
Inland Empire MMA Examiner
www.examiner.com/x-36028-Inland-Empire-MMA-Examiner
www.mmarecap.com
www.throwthembows.com
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