Josh Barnett (Esther Lin/MMA Fighting)Josh Barnet vs. Roy Nelson To Headline UFC Fight Night in Japan José Youngs May 14, 2015 News, Spotlight Two of the more polarizing UFC heavyweights are set to do battle overseas. On Wednesday night, UFC officials announced Josh Barnett and Roy Nelson will do battle at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan on an upcoming card on September 27. This bout will come after the two heavyweight appear as coaches opposite one another on UFC’s latest television adventure Road to the UFC: Japan, an The Ultimate Fighter-esque show that will feature eight Japanese prospects competing against one another for a UFC contract. Barnett (33-7), a former UFC heavyweight champion, has not competed inside the Octagon since his first round knockout loss to Travis Browne at UFC 168 in November 2013. Prior to this setback, ‘The Warmaster’ picked up back-to-back stoppage wins over Nandor Guelmino and a fellow former UFC champion Frank Mir. Barnett will enter this bout with 28 career stoppage wins, including 20 by way of submission. Nelson (20-10), the winner of the 10th season of The Ultimate Fighter, will enter this bout coming off a decision loss to Alistair Overeem at UFC 185 un March. Prior to this, fans ‘Big Country’ suffer a second round knockout loss to 2001 K-1 Grand Prix champion Mark Hunt in their main event matchup at UFC Fight Night 52 in September. This setback not only marked Nelson’s first stoppage loss during his UFC tenure, and second of his career. He currently holds 18 stoppage wins, including 13 by way of knockout, and a UFC record of 7-6.
