Fan-favorite UFC heavyweight competitor Chris Barnett returns to motion after an intensive layoff this weekend at UFC 321, however will the time away from the cage and his advancing age be a detriment to securing his first win in over three years?
Chris Barnett Makes Comeback in Center East Saturday
After precisely 364 days since his final look within the Octagon, Chris Barnett will take to the largest stage in fight sports activities when he faces Egyptian-born fighter Hamdy Abdelwahab. The lean marks “Beastboy”’s first within the promotion since shedding to Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 308 final October, the place he misplaced to the previous gentle heavyweight prospect by first spherical knockout.
Over the course of his 4 12 months tenure within the firm, the taekwondo specialist has garnered a lot reward from audiences for his fan-friendly combating type. Though his debut performed out with a disappointing short-notice setback to UFC heavyweight luminary Ben Rothwell, the Spaniard native soared again into the win column in magnificent trend with a spinning heel kick knockout over Gian Villante.
Since that victory, nonetheless, Chris Barnett has struggled to stay constant within the cage, going 1-2 in his subsequent three scraps. He has additionally had a tough time making it to struggle day in latest occasions, having to tug out of three totally different occasions in 2024.
Abdelwahab With Comparable Issues Forward of Chris Barnett Battle in UFC 321
In an analogous state of affairs himself, Abdelwahab’s journey within the UFC has seen its justifiable share of ups and downs. Initially defeating Don’Story Mayes in his freshman outing within the group, “The Hammer” wound up testing optimistic for PED’s following the match, resulting in a two-year ban from the game. He then failed a second check final 12 months, main him to endure one other ban from competitors that lasted six months. Since making his return to the UFC final February, Abdelwahab has gone 1-1, besting Jamal Pogues however faltering to Final Fighter winner Mohammed Usman.
Can Chris Barnett Resume his Stride Regardless of Age and Layoff at UFC 321?
Competing in his sixth contest as a UFC heavyweight, Chris Barnett will undoubtedly try to placed on a delightful efficiency for struggle followers world wide. However, given the truth that he turned 39 this previous June (making him tied because the second oldest man within the 265-lb division) it’s unsure how his athleticism will maintain up in opposition to the a lot youthful Abdelwahab, who’s 32 years previous.
It additionally stays to be seen if Chris Barnett’s in depth time away from fight has given him any ring rust in any respect. Preventing simply 5 occasions over the previous 4 years, on high of coming off of a stoppage loss, there’s no telling if the previous Island Fights champion killer intuition has been dulled or not since his final tour to the Octagon.
