Chris Barnett

Christopher James Barnett (born June 14, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background Barnett was born in Zaragoza, Spain, where his father was stationed as a United States Air Force captain. Around the age of four, the family returned to the United States and after bouncing around they settled in Georgia. Barnett went to Campbellsville University and University of South Florida and graduated with a bachelor's degree. At Campbellsville, Barnett competed in Wrestling on a scholarship and began training in Judo. Barnett received an invitation to try out mixed martial arts after showing his moves in a dance battle, and started training immediately. He also fought in other notable Asian organizations, such as Rizin Fighting Federation, Road Fighting Championship, and Inoki Genome Federation.

Ultimate Fighting Championship After 12 years, Barnett finally got a call from the UFC to replace Askar Mozharov on short notice against Ben Rothwell at UFC Fight Night 188 on May 22, 2021. He lost the bout by submission in the second round.

In September 2021, news surfaced that Barnett had tested positive for marijuana stemming from his UFC debut, and he was suspended for 4.5 months, becoming eligible to return on October 6, 2021.

In his next fight, Barnett fought Gian Villante in Villante's retirement fight at UFC 268 on November 6, 2021, in Madison Square Garden. He won the fight by technical knockout in the second round via spinning wheel kick and punches. The win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus award.

Barnett next faced promotional newcomer Martin Buday at UFC Fight Night 206 on April 16, 2022. Barnett lost the fight via technical unanimous decision after being rendered unable to continue due to an unintentional elbow to the back of the head in the third round.

Barnett most recently faced Jake Collier on September 10, 2022, at UFC 279. At the weigh-ins, Barnett weighed in at 267.5 pounds, 1.5 pounds over the non-title heavyweight limit. Barnett was fined 20% of his purse, which went to his opponent Collier. Barnett suffered a knockdown and heavy ground and pound in the first, however he rallied and won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Barnett was scheduled to face Chase Sherman on April 8, 2023, at UFC 287. However, Barnett pulled out due to undisclosed reasons in early April and was replaced by Karl Williams.

Barnett was scheduled to face Mohammed Usman on March 23, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53. However, Barnett withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Mick Parkin.

Barnett was scheduled to face Waldo Cortes-Acosta on October 12, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 244. However, Cortes-Acosta withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and was replaced by Junior Tafa. Subsequently, Barnett withdrew after being unable to travel due to Hurricane Milton and was replaced by UFC newcomer Sean Sharaf.

Replacing an injured Justin Tafa, Barnett was scheduled to face Kennedy Nzechukwu on October 26, 2024 at UFC 308. Barnett lost the fight by technical knockout in the first round.

Barnett faced Hamdy Abdelwahab on October 25, 2025 at UFC 321. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

On November 10, 2025, it was reported that Barnett was removed from the UFC roster.

Karate Combat Barnett officially signed with Karate Combat on November 26, 2025 , with the promotion announcing that he would make his debut on December 5 at KC 58 against Johnathan “Big Baby” Miller in a heavyweight bout. The fight ended quickly, as Barnett secured a takedown within the opening minute, slamming Miller’s head into the ramp and earning a TKO victory in just 61 seconds .

Personal life Barnett's wife died in May 2022 after a battle with encephalitis. Barnett and his late wife have a daughter and a son. Island Fights IF Super Heavyweight Championship (one time) One successful title defense Yahoo! Sports 2021 Knockout of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Hamdy Abdelwahab Decision (unanimous) UFC 321

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Loss

Kennedy Nzechukwu TKO (knee to the body and punches) UFC 308

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Jake Collier TKO (punches) UFC 279

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Martin Buday Technical Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Gian Villante TKO (spinning wheel kick and punches) UFC 268

New York City, New York, United States Loss

Ben Rothwell Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Ahmed Tijani Shehu TKO (punches) UAE Warriors 13

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Rashaun Jackson Decision (split) Island Fights 60

Columbus, Georgia, United States Win

Shim Yoon-jae TKO (punch) Road FC 055

Daegu, South Korea Win

Robert Neal Decision (unanimous) Island Fights 52

Pensacola, Florida, United States Win

Alexandru Lungu TKO (punches) Road FC 047

Beijing, China Win

Shim Yoon-jae TKO (spinning back kick) Road FC 045

Seoul, South Korea Loss

Alex Nicholson KO (elbow) Island Fights 42

Pensacola, Florida, United States Loss

Myung Hyun-man KO (punch) Road FC 041

Wanju, South Korea Loss

Myung Hyun-man TKO (doctor stoppage) Road FC 038

Seoul, South Korea Win

Frank Tate Decision (split) Island Fights 39

Pensacola, Florida, United States Loss

Kirill Sidelnikov Decision (split) Rizin 1

Nagoya, Japan Win

Shinichi Suzukawa TKO (punches) Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2015

Sumida, Japan Loss

Oli Thompson Decision (unanimous) Inoki Genome Fight 4

Sumida, Japan Win

Emil Zahariev KO (spinning back kick to the body) Inoki Genome Fight 3

Sumida, Japan Win

Shinichi Suzukawa TKO (punches) Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2014

Sumida, Japan Win

Jon Hill TKO (punches) Island Fights 30

Pensacola, Florida, United States Win

Travis Wiuff TKO (punches) Inoki Genome Fight 2

Sumida, Japan Win

Richard White TKO (punches) Island Fights 28

Pensacola, Florida, United States Win

Demoreo Dennis TKO (punches) Island Fights 27

Pensacola, Florida, United States Win

Walt Harris Decision (unanimous) World Extreme Fighting 46

Orlando, Florida, United States Win

Mario Rinaldi TKO (punches) Xtreme FC 13

Tampa, Florida, United States Loss

Eric Prindle Decision (majority) Martial Combat 12

Sentosa, Singapore Win

Jay White KO (punches) Xtreme FC 11

Tampa, Florida, United States Win

Joel Wyatt TKO (punches) World Cagefighting Championships 2

Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Kenny Garner TKO (punches) Xtreme FC 10

Tampa, Florida, United States Win

Daniel Perez TKO (punches) Xtreme FC 9

Tampa, Florida, United States Win

Johnathan Ivey Decision (unanimous) Xtreme FC 8

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States Professional boxing record