Fate wanted the Zaragoza native Chris Barnett (23-8) will fight in Abu Dhabi at this UFC 308. After two years of inactivity, everything was ready for him to return at a Fight Night at the Apex in Las Vegas several weeks ago (coinciding, curiously, with the Pilar Fiestas)… but Hurricane Milton intervened and stopped its journey from Florida to Nevada. He didn’t fight. They relocated him for a new fight against Kennedy Nzechukwu, this Saturday in the United Arab Emirates.
They call Chris Barnett ‘El Maño’ because he was born in Zaragoza. His father, a captain in the United States Air Force, was stationed at the Zaragoza Air Base. “Long live Spain!” he exclaimed before ‘Eurosport’ after the ceremonial weigh-in. He will wave the Spanish flag in recognition of a land for which he is very fond.
Chris Barnett during the UFC 308 weigh-in.
But yesterday he left a ‘show’. Enjoying returning to the biggest MMA league in the world. Smile on his face, poses, shouts and even laughter at his rival, who is much taller than him (191 centimeters of Barnett vs 211 of the Nigerian). But ‘El Maño’ is ready to shine again.
He has overwhelming charisma but is also outstanding in the cage. His last KO against Jake Collier or the impressive spinning kick with which he knocked out Gian Villante are good examples of this.
