Josh Barnett: Drinking Venom, Fighting Crazed Chimps
Josh Barnett: Drinking Venom, Fighting Crazed Chimps
By Tony ReidJosh Barnett is one of the most accomplished grapplers in the history of mixed martial arts.After nearly 20 years in the fight game, the former
By Tony Reid
Josh Barnett is one of the most accomplished grapplers in the history of mixed martial arts.
After nearly 20 years in the fight game, the former UFC heavyweight champion has seen and heard it all. In this installment of FloCombat: Gym Stories, he shed some light on the mystery surrounding Erik Paulson’s Combat Submission Wrestling in Fullerton, California.
Barnett keeps most of his process close to the vest, but rumors of unusual training methods—including drinking freshly squeezed scorpion venom, 47-mile walks and fighting crazed chimpanzees—have followed him for two decades. As his career continues to grow, so shall his mystique, and Barnett simply hopes he'll survive the journey.
“It has been vigorous to say the least.” Barnett said of his training with Paulson. “At times, it is completely life-threatening. When I am in camp, I make sure that not only am I ready to go three- or five-minute rounds, but to go out there, push the pace, and let it all hang out.
“Every day, it’s something new in our gym. You never know what you are going to come across. I will walk in the gym one morning, and there is just smoke everywhere. I put my stuff down and there is just this haze. I’m coughing. Paulson has walked around the gym with a thing of burning sage to cleanse the gym of bad energy or ghosts or goblins. I don’t know, man. He felt like the gym needed sage, and now we are going to go practice.”
Gym exorcisms aren't the only thing Barnett and Paulson are at odds with. On other occasions, the duo have gone head-to-head over the musical selections for practice.
“I have walked into the gym and there is music playing of people just humming, with drums playing in the background.” Barnett said. “What are you playing, dude? He tells me about chakra. Please can you just play some Black Sabbath?”
Josh Barnett is one of the most accomplished grapplers in the history of mixed martial arts.
After nearly 20 years in the fight game, the former UFC heavyweight champion has seen and heard it all. In this installment of FloCombat: Gym Stories, he shed some light on the mystery surrounding Erik Paulson’s Combat Submission Wrestling in Fullerton, California.
Barnett keeps most of his process close to the vest, but rumors of unusual training methods—including drinking freshly squeezed scorpion venom, 47-mile walks and fighting crazed chimpanzees—have followed him for two decades. As his career continues to grow, so shall his mystique, and Barnett simply hopes he'll survive the journey.
“It has been vigorous to say the least.” Barnett said of his training with Paulson. “At times, it is completely life-threatening. When I am in camp, I make sure that not only am I ready to go three- or five-minute rounds, but to go out there, push the pace, and let it all hang out.
“Every day, it’s something new in our gym. You never know what you are going to come across. I will walk in the gym one morning, and there is just smoke everywhere. I put my stuff down and there is just this haze. I’m coughing. Paulson has walked around the gym with a thing of burning sage to cleanse the gym of bad energy or ghosts or goblins. I don’t know, man. He felt like the gym needed sage, and now we are going to go practice.”
Gym exorcisms aren't the only thing Barnett and Paulson are at odds with. On other occasions, the duo have gone head-to-head over the musical selections for practice.
“I have walked into the gym and there is music playing of people just humming, with drums playing in the background.” Barnett said. “What are you playing, dude? He tells me about chakra. Please can you just play some Black Sabbath?”