Josh Barnett: ‘I’m one of the best fighters in the world’

Josh Barnett is less than a week away from making his return to the “Land of the Rising Sun” where he will clash with fellow heavyweight Roy “Big Country” Nelson. The fight will take place at “UFC Fight Night 75” in the Saitama Super Arena. Barnett has not graced the octagon with his presence since his rough loss to Travis Browne in 2013, but he still believes he is one of the best fighters in the world.

“The fact of the matter [is], I’m one of the best in the world, and I have been for well over a decade,” Barnett told FOX Sports. “I’ve won titles in the UFC, Pancrase, Metamoris, I can go out there and compete with the best of them. I’ve been in title matches in Strikeforce and PRIDE. So, look, I’m fighting Roy this time but I could just as easily be fighting [Fabricio] Werdum.”

Barnett stopped there when he mentioned Werdum, however, as he stated he believes he doesn’t need to call out the champion. All he needs to do is let his actions do the talking next weekend when he faces Roy Nelson at UFC Fight Night 75. “I don’t have to prove I belong to vie for a title shot,” Barnett said. “It’s just a matter of ‘do you want me to go out there and take the belt off this guy?’ or do you just want me to do other fights? That’s what it comes down to. If you tell me what you’re looking for, I’m good to go.”

Do you think Josh Barnett is still one of the best fighters in the world? Where would you rank him in the heavyweight division and how far away from a shot at Fabricio Werdum’s UFC Heavyweight Championship is he? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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