Josh Barnett: “I don’t have any fears about fighting”

In less than two weeks former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett will face the biggest test of his career when he faces former PRIDE champion Fedor Emelianenko.

Barnett and Emelianenko are set to square during Affliction and M-1’s “Trilogy” event on Aug. 1 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

The fight, which will consist of five rounds with Emelianenko’s heavyweight title on the line, will mark the first time the two friends and occasional training partners have faced each other.

Barnett recently agreed to speak exclusively with M-1Global.comBrock Lesnar, whether he would consider a return to the UFC, and more. regarding his thoughts heading into the fight, his assessment of

M-1Global.com: I know you’ve addressed this question before, but for the benefit of newer fans, can you talk about why you and Fedor never fought in PRIDE while the two of you were their top heavyweights and why the fight is happening here and now?

Josh Barnett: It just never seemed to be the right time so it never happened. Just that simple.

M-1Global.com: When you hear the media say that you’re “nervous” or that you’re “intimidated” by Fedor, does that make you angry?

Josh Barnett: Not really as for me and Fedor we understand fighting in such a different way and for most people, fighting is scary. It won’t matter what people say as the fight will provide the answers.

M-1Global.com: Even if it were the case, that’s not a death sentence necessarily, is it? It is possible to win a fight if you are nervous, intimidated, etc.?

Josh Barnett: Of course it is! I don’t get nervous before a fight and I don’t have any fears about fighting but many of the fighters I work with do. So instead of trying to tell them not to feel nervous, which is natural, you teach them to harness it. Use that fear or nervousness to give them that extra focus and energy.

M-1Global.com: On the flip side, was there ever a fight where you did not perform up to your expectations because you were over-confident?

Josh Barnett: I don’t think so. I always try to gp after my opponents just like any other fight. I want to win, always, and without doubt.

M-1Global.com: UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is getting a lot of press right now. How does he rate in comparison to you and Fedor?

Josh Barnett: I think he is doing great and I know my coach Erik Paulson is part of that but right now he is not at our level yet. But he is so new that I don’t think it will be long until he is a well rounded, experienced fighter.

M-1Global.com: You have said in the past that you’re representing pro wrestling when you compete in MMA. Lesnar obviously has an extensive pro wrestling background. Do you think his post-fight comments after the Frank Mir fight at UFC 100 were over the top?

Josh Barnett: No. It’s his time to use it how he wants and the fact that he can get people to care, whether they dislike him or love him, it creates interest. I laughed as I didn’t take it to heart.

M-1Global.com: I think I know the answer to this question, but what’s the bigger fight: Lesnar vs. Mir, or you vs. Fedor? I think the key part of the question is, why do you feel that way?

Josh Barnett: Ha! That’s easy: me vs. Fedor. We are the two best heavyweights in the world and I believe even after this fight we will continue to be so. We have the titles, records, and history to back it up. But Mir and Lesnar was a very big fight media wise.

M-1Global.com: Before you signed with Affliction, you expressed an interest in fighting Randy Couture in the UFC. You and Dana White then got into a very public war or words. However, recently, he said that if you beat Fedor, he’d be interested in signing you. In spite of all the negative stuff Dana has said about you, would you rule out a return to the UFC?

Josh Barnett: It’s always in the UFC’s hands. I don’t bend my knee for anyone and if a mutually agreeable contract was made then anything is possible. But at the time they wanted to say that Randy was the best guy in the world and I felt differently.

M-1Global.com: Fedor has said in interviews that building a legacy in the U.S. or a legacy in general is not why he competes. You were heavyweight champion in the UFC before the TUF era and the growth spurt of MMA in the U.S. You left and became huge in Japan. Did you want to come back to the States and fight for Affliction to build a bigger legacy in the U.S., or was it a case where it was simply the right offer?

Josh Barnett: I do like fighting at home in the US and I like the market possibilities that come from success here. But I fight to be the best over anything else. There is always a ring and someone will be there to fight so I want to show that I am not only able but the best out there. After that, the other things fall in line.

M-1Global.com: If you beat Fedor on Aug. 1, will there be anything left for you to accomplish? You’re still young, but would retirement be something you’d consider?

Josh Barnett: No retirement for me as there will still be much to accomplish. First I will have to be as good a champion as my friend is. To elevate the status of being the champion and in turn push our merits higher. There will still be many great fights to have and new opponents that will arise. Also, if I can, help Fedor to not lose to anyone else. He is my friend and I want him to be successful. Together we can make the greatest of fights.