Josh Barnett needs to walk the walk

Oh, Josh Barnett, how you vex me. I don’t mean your doping scandal that killed your bout with Fedor Emelianenko and led to Affliction folding. Bygones, I say. Anyone who thinks you’re alone – or even in the minority – when it comes to steroid use in MMA is kidding themselves. There’s doping in the Olympics, and it’s widespread despite the advanced testing procedures and the sense that the Games are holier, more sacrosanct than other sports. So don’t tell me there’s not a lot of steroid use in MMA. No need to crucify you for it.

No, my problem is I just want to see you fight, and not in those fake Japanese wrestling shows or small-time grappling tournaments (as you did last weekend). I want to see you in a cage with five-ounce gloves and a glare and a desire to moidah somebody.

That’s why I’m confused by an interview you’ve given to Hardcore Sports Radio in which you say that your drug issue is behind you and you can now fight “anywhere in the world and [in] any state in the union.” Seems you’re just waiting for a promotion (the UFC or Strikeforce, presumably) to “come correct” and “throw me an opponent” who you feel isn’t “a slap in the face or ridiculous.”

From that I’m to believe that you’ve been approached by a promotion (I would bet on Strikeforce given that it would be an opportunity to finally stage the showdown with Fedor), and that promotion has either not offered an opponent you deem worthy (Fedor) or haven’t trucked out enough cash to convince you to fight. You’d rather wrestle for big yen and grapple for peanuts, it seems.

And that’s what vexes me. If you want to fight – fight. Stop the talk and just walk the walk.