With only five appearances in the UFC, Chris Barnett has become one of the most loved heavyweights in the organisation.
‘Beastboy’ always gives off plenty of high, positive energy before giving MMA fans an eye-catching battle in the Octagon.
The 39-year-old’s first win in the UFC is what really made him stand out, earning a fascinating first-round knockout win in MSG.
Before Barnett takes on Hamdy Abdelwahab at UFC 321, here is the journey of the organisation’s smallest 265lbs fighter.
Introduction to the UFC
The Zaragoza-born mixed martial artist earned himself a UFC contract after thriving with a six-fight win streak.
Especially when he stopped Ahmed Tihani Shehu in less than a minute by TKO at UAE Warriors 13.
However, Barnett was stepping up on nine days’ notice against a heavily experienced UFC veteran, Ben Rothwell, at UFC Vegas 27.
The Florida resident replaced Philipe Lins, who pulled out due to injury, and had many scheduled bouts cancelled with the current BKFC heavyweight champion.
Rothwell was coming off an unanimous decision loss to Marcin Tybura seven months before his fight with Beastboy.
The Wisconsin-born fighter faced plenty of tough competition in the UFC, including former champions Andrei Arlovski, Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos.
The lack of preparation caught up to Barnett in the heavyweight clash as Rothwell managed to land some vicious uppercuts in both rounds one and two.
On his second submission attempt, the BJJ Purple Belt was able to win by a guillotine choke in the second round.
That’s how you make yourself known
While suffering a defeat on his UFC debut, Barnett was given another chance to show he was worthy since he took the battle on short notice.
In his next fight, it was a big step up for the Spain-born mixed martial artist as he went from fighting at the UFC Apex to the most iconic fighting arena, Madison Square Garden.
Barnett featured on the early prelims of UFC 268 as he went toe-to-toe with Gian Villante.
Another experienced UFC fighter who fought in two different weight classes, heavyweight and light heavyweight.
Villante was on a three-fight losing streak, having suffered an unanimous decision defeat to Jake Collier before his upcoming bout.
Like Beastboy, the New York fighter was in search of redemption but was desperate for victory as one more loss could cut him from the UFC.
While the first round provided a slight bit of striking action, round two witnessed one of the greatest knockouts of the year.
Barnett landed a wild spinning back kick, which knocked down Villante, before some vicious ground and pound strikes stopped the fight by second-round TKO, and of course, a front flip celebration was delivered in his first UFC win.
Suffering a loss in controversial fashion
Five months after creating an iconic moment in his first triumph with the UFC. Barnett returned to the APEX for UFC Vegas 51.
While Barnett was a newcomer to his opponents, the roles were reversed as he faced a debutant next.
Martin Buday was a prospect and earned an opportunity in the organisation after going on a seven-fight win streak, stopping all of those battles.
‘Badys’ claimed a UFC contract after a late first-round TKO win over Lorenzo Hood on Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
The Slovakian was mainly in control of the fight against Beastboy, primarily controlling the American against the cage while landing strikes.
However, the fight was put to a stop when Buday landed an elbow on the back of Barnett’s head.
While it looked intentional, the referee, Dan Miragliotta, believed it was accidental, and so the bout went to a technical decision with the debutant winning unanimously.
Multiple fighters reacted to this moment, believing it was unfair to Barnett and that the fight should have ended in a no-contest or disqualification.
Returning to the win column
With a frustrating defeat, the Zaragoza-born fighter was prepared to redeem himself once again.
Barnett got the chance to fight in the UFC’s popular arena, T-Mobile Arena, for numerous events.
At UFC 279, the Taekwondo specialist locked horns with Jake Collier, a fighter who has been in the UFC since December 2014.
Surprisingly, for this 265lbs bout, Barnett had missed the heavyweight limit by 1.5 pounds and was deducted 20% of his fight purse.
In a rather thrilling clash, Collier knocked down Beastboy early in the first round, coming close to a finish.
However, the Florida mixed martial artist was not backing down, trading shots with ‘The Prototype’.
In the second round, Barnett earned a full-mount position on Collier, landing some vicious ground and pound strikes to win by TKO.
Once again, a front flip celebration was delivered despite not having as good a landing as the first win.
Two-year layoff ends in disaster
Barnett was out of action for a while due to a combination of injuries, illness and personal matters.
Also known as ‘Huggy Bear’, he was set to face Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Vegas 98 but had to withdraw due to Hurricane Milton affecting his travel.
Instead, Barnett replaced an injured Justin Tafa to take on Kennedy Nzechuwku at UFC 308, two weeks after his original scheduled fight.
The Nigerian was making his heavyweight debut after suffering a two-fight losing streak in the 205lbs division.
This intriguing battle, characterised by a huge height and reach difference, only lasted one round.
During the fight, Barnett hyperextended his left knee when he kicked, injuring himself in the bout.
Eventually, Nzehcukwu took advantage of this to win by first-round TKO and claim redemption.
A punishing loss for Beastboy, who did so much to get back into the Octagon after such a long time away.
Redemption in Abu Dhabi?
It will be almost a year since Barnett last stepped into the UFC spotlight, hoping to taste victory again.
His opponent, Abdelwahab, is also aiming to return to the win column after suffering a decision loss to Mohammed Usman in his last bout.
The Egyptian has only had three fights in the UFC, scoring one win, one loss and one no contest.
If there is a chance to remind the world what he’s made of, Barnett must make that happen at UFC 321.