Chris “Beast Boy” Barnett didn’t have the best of starts to his weekend, but he came through with a brilliant come-from-behind win over Jake Collier to earn a legion of new fans at UFC 279.
With most of the pre-event attention focusing on the two fights at the top of the card, Barnett added to the pre-fight drama on weigh-in day when he failed to make the non-title heavyweight limit of 266 pounds, coming in 1.5 pounds over at the official weigh-ins.
But, when fight night rolled around, Barnett was fired up and ready to entertain – and he did so in his own unique manner.
Barnett and Collier engaged in a wild back-and-forth battle that saw “Beast Boy” in big trouble in the first round before eventually turning the tables and finishing Collier via ground and pound in the second to claim a crowd-pleasing come-from-behind victory.
But the Chris Barnett fight night experience extends way beyond his performance during the bout itself, and his post-fight celebration and interview only added more fans to the growing list of MMA hardcores who love watching him.
Immediately after the fight was waved off, Barnett charged across the octagon and performed his signature celebration, a front flip into a sitting position, before roaring to the crowd.
He then enjoyed a little dancing as he waited for the official verdict to be read, then poured out his heart to the Las Vegas fight fans during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.
And, as if that wasn’t enough, the cameras followed “Beast Boy” as he made his way back to the locker room from the arena floor, armed with a couple of pints of beer given to him by fans at cageside.
The whole way through, Barnett’s infectious personality and sheer joy at being able to compete on the sport’s biggest stage was evident for all to see.
He might not be considered a real contender for the UFC heavyweight title right now, but his performances in the octagon, and his larger-than-life personality before and after his bouts, have now made him the sort of fighter whose name leaps off the bout sheet when he’s on the fight card.
And, even though his weight miss left him ineligible for an official post-fight bonus, UFC president Dana White admitted during the post-fight press conference that he would look after the popular heavyweight following his latest crowd-pleasing performance.
We’re not sure when Barnett will next appear inside the octagon, but when he does, it won’t be a moment too soon.
