From dance battles to the octagon: the unpredictable career of Chris Barnett
In short: A dance battle invitation changed the trajectory of Chris Barnett's life forever. After discovering his talent for mixed martial arts, the heavyweight fighter transitioned from Taekwondo and wrestling to the highest levels of the UFC, navigating career-defining victories, unexpected suspensions, and significant personal loss along the way.
Born in Zaragoza, Spain, to a United States Air Force captain, Chris Barnett's journey into combat sports began early. With both parents holding black belts in Taekwondo, he started training in the art at age five. His path to professional mixed martial arts was unconventional; rather than a traditional scouting process, he received an invitation to try the sport after demonstrating his skills during a dance battle. He later attended Campbellsville University and the University of South Florida. During his time at Campbellsville, he competed as a wrestling scholar and practised Judo.
Barnett's professional career launched in 2009, initially finding success in the Xtreme Fighting Championships. He eventually reached the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight division, making his debut on May 22, 2021, against Ben Rothwell. His tenure in the UFC was marked by both triumph and turbulence. In November 2021, he secured a notable technical knockout victory over Gian Villante at Madison Square Garden, earning a Performance of the Night bonus and a spot on the 2021 Knockout of the Year list.
However, his career has faced significant hurdles. In September 2021, Barnett received a 4.5-month suspension after testing positive for marijuana. His personal life was also marked by tragedy when his wife passed away in May 2022 following a battle with encephalitis. After being removed from the UFC roster on November 10, 2025, Barnett transitioned to Karate Combat, where he secured a rapid TKO victory in just 61 seconds during his December 2025 debut. His recent professional stint included a victory against Jake Collier at UFC 279. He also faced several opponents, including Martin Buday and Kennedy Nzechukwu, during his time in the promotion.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Chris Barnett
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